Dark comedy and cultural issues are among highlights of Phoenix Theatre's new season

Indianapolis Star
·3 min read
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The Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center's 40th anniversary season will include dark comedy, lighter fare, culture wars and eerie tales. And it has plenty of its collective organizations to thank for the variety.

"We are on the leading edge of reinventing how performing arts are delivered — an approach thatwill keep more artists, support teams, and patrons in Central Indiana," the theater's Artist Director Constance Macy said in a news release. "And we are doing this in a way that welcomes and serves more voices in our community."

Highlights include the first season of productions by Naptown African American Theatre Collective, the city's first Black equity theater; the Indiana premiere of "The Minutes" by Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts; and "Grandmothers Inc.," which spotlights actors ages 65 to 92 years old.

Here's the schedule:

Indy's first Black equity theater: Naptown African American Theatre Collective launches

2023-2024 Phoenix Theatre schedule and ticket information

Buy tickets starting July 15 at phoenixtheatre.org.

  • Aug. 24-Sept. 10: "Detroit '67" by Dominique Morisseau. A brother and sister spin Motown records for their basement parties, but arguments start when a mysterious woman enters their lives and the 1967 Detroit race riots escalate. Presented by Naptown African American Theatre Collective.

  • Sept. 7-24: "Sanctuary City" by Martyna Majok. In the midst of culture wars and border debates, two Dreamers work to find their place in a city that is growing more volatile. Presented by American Lives Theatre.

  • Oct. 5-15: "Grandmothers Inc." by L. Barnett Evans and Crystal V. Rhodes. Amateur sleuths find themselves in comedic and adventurous situations in the cozy mystery series. Presented by Actors Ink.

Meet a playwright: Crystal Rhodes focuses on stories about strong women in her plays and books

  • Oct. 29-30: Ghost Stories. Storytellers will share all shades of spookiness in these supernatural tales. Presented by Storytelling Arts of Indiana.

  • Nov. 2-19: The Body by Steve Moulds. When a life-sized doll with no face appears on their doorstep, Abby and her stepdad try to unpack the challenging secrets it carries. Presented by Phoenix Theatre.

  • Nov. 25-Dec. 23: "A Very Phoenix Xmas Returns: the Return of A Very Phoenix Xmas." Claire Wilcher and a team are bringing back the theater's classic to provide their irreverent take on the city's favorite holiday traditions. Presented by Phoenix Theatre.

  • Jan. 25-Feb. 11, 2024: "The Minutes" by Tracy Letts. In this dark comedy, a small-town city council meeting hosts discussions that include stolen bikes and a fountain, revealing observations about power and comfort in America. Presented by American Lives Theatre.

  • Feb. 9-25, 2024: "Queen" by Madhuri Shekar. Before two doctoral candidates publish their years-long research on disappearing bee populations, one finds an error that could damage their reputations and must decide the best moral path. Presented by Summit Performance Indianapolis.

  • March 7-24, 2024: "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" by August Wilson. While making a record in a Chicago recording studio, a singer and her band navigate their art as they contend with racism. Presented by Naptown African American Theatre Collective.

  • March 21-April 7, 2024: "And I Will Follow" by Bennett Ayres. The true crime story is a one-man show that examines identity, love and resilience. Presented by Phoenix Theatre.

  • May 2-19, 2024: "Julius Caesar" The Indianapolis Shakespeare Co. and Zach & Zack offer a modern take on the titan Shakespeare play.

  • May 2-19, 2024: "The Light" by Loy A. Webb. A secret from the past endangers a couple's relationship after a marriage proposal takes a turn. Presented by Naptown African American Theatre Collective.

  • June 13-30, 2024: "Spay" by Madison Fiedler. Sisters deal with the the opioid crisis and different sides of addiction in an Appalachian town. Presented by American Lives Theatre.

  • July 19-Aug. 4, 2024: A reprisal of "White City Murder" by Ben Asaykwee. The work chronicles the story of H. H. Holmes, a serial killer and fraudster during the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. Presented by Phoenix Theatre.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Dark comedy, cultural issues and more on Phoenix Theatre's new season