Roadtirement

Don't take the headline the wrong way, folks. Sex with Strangers is the play title! Our first visit to this well established Indianapolis theater was most enjoyable. The Phoenix Theatre experience is different from larger venue playhouses. From the lobby we walked to the stage down a somewhat narrow flight of stairs. It seemed like we were headed down into a catacombs. The Basile Stage is outfitted with tables and chairs as well as a couple of rows of theater type seating. The seating is comfortable and intimate. We really enjoyed Sex with Strangers. The cast has two actors. Brandon Alstott plays Ethan, a 20 something blogger and writer whose questionable morals lead to your questioning his motives. Ethan's counterpart is a 30 something wanna be writer named Olivia, played by Angela R. Plank. Both players do an excellent job in their character development and delivery. Thrust together by accident, the play begins with Ethan and Olivia discovering each other's history, perso

[caption id="attachment_2246" align="alignleft" width="1024"] I had to try moving the ball! It rotates with a tiny touch.[/caption] The 28 inch diameter, 2000 pound granite sphere floats on a cushion of water pumped up from a fountain below. The socket of the granite base is precision carved to allow an 8/1000th inch thick layer of water that the ball rests on. Even a child can rotate the ball! This marvelous floating granite ball fountain is in front of the Nature Center at Holliday Park in Indianapolis. 

Holliday Park is located in the near north-side of Indianapolis in one of the more higher end neighborhoods. The park is a beautiful setting with hundreds of trees, flowers and wildlife. In addition to the natural features of this inner city recreation site you will find an eclectic display affectionately tagged "The Ruins". The centerpiece of this 'artwork' is a structure that is the home of three massive sculptures atop a brick and mortar conglomeration of various architectural details. The three statues are called "The Races of Man", are carved from (fittingly) Indiana limestone and represent Caucasian, Asian and African ethnic groups.   The original home of the three statues was a building in downtown New York that was torn down in 1950 to make way for a new skyscraper. The building's owner, Western Electric, held a contest among US cities for the rights to have the sculptures. Long story short, Indianapolis won the competition. It took two decades a

[caption id="attachment_2203" align="alignright" width="300"] Infamous bank robber John Dillinger's family marker[/caption] Crown Hill Cemetery is on the near Northwest side of Indianapolis. It was first created as a cemetery during the Civil War, and eventually two different National Cemetery areas were established. The grounds are beautiful and host many visitors all year long. The facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the burial site of a President (Benjamin Harrison) and a notorious bank robber (John Dillinger). Other notable burials include poet James Whitcomb Riley, Col. Eli Lilly, three U.S Vice Presidents, 14 U. S. Senators and 11 Indiana Governors. The cemetery grounds are noted for the beauty and solitude that offer visitors a place to run, walk, bike or even have a picnic. [caption id="attachment_2212" align="alignright" width="285"] View from James Whitcomb Riley's grave: I

[caption id="attachment_2185" align="alignleft" width="300"] The cast sings “Go, Go, Go Joseph” Courtesy B&B Media[/caption] Beef & Boards is offering the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice production of   Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat  as its first musical of the 2017 season. Prepare to put a smile on your face as you enjoy this delightful presentation at Indy's beloved dinner theatre that runs through March 26th. Tim Wessel has the title role. Having been the understudy for the character in the recent National Tour, Wessel brings a life long love of the production to his performance. Based on the Old Testament story of Joseph and his life in Egypt, the show was nominated for seven Tony Awards during its Broadway run.  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat  features a wide variety of music including country, rock, pop and even calypso. All aspects of the production reveal the professionalism and expertise of the Beef &

[caption id="attachment_2170" align="alignleft" width="300"] Rudolph really can fly![/caption] One of the favorite holiday shows in Indiana is back on stage at Beef & Boards on Indy's northwest side. This beloved variety show, celebrating a 24 year run, is known for its consistent quality. I think the 2016 version of the show actually raised the bar for the overall quality of the production. Once again the show is hosted by Deb Wims and Kenny Shepard. This will be the last time you will be able to enjoy the heartwarming performance of this marvelous duo as Deb will soon be relocating with her family out-of-state. The extremely talented principal singers this year is a quartet including Peter Scharbrough, Kyle Durbin, Betsy Norton and Cara Statham. Returning as the featured vocalist for the show is Kendra Lynn Lucas. Kendra brings an amazingly strong voice to all of her many songs. Music director Kristy Templet leads the B&B Orchestra, placed c