By Tonya Burton
Better than theatre in New York? Pulitzer Prize winner Booth Tarkington said as much, about 90 years ago referring to the production of one of his comedies by what is now known as the Civic Theatre. Interestingly, I overheard a similar comment on Sept. 5 as I took the elevator to the Knebel Room where an appreciation party was held for major sponsors.
A century ago, a few local citizens formed a volunteer community theatre in Indianapolis called The Little Theatre, where world renowned author, Booth Tarkington, scripted several of the early plays. He was so impressed with the quality of the productions that he wrote to the publicity manager of The Little Theatre (the original name) that he considered the run of one of his comedies at the Little Theatre to be superior to the same play that ran on Broadway.
In 1926, the organization was re-named the Civic Theatre. Over the years, the address of the theatre changed several times, including the grounds of the IMA, to the campus of Marian College, to its present permanent home as a 500-seat proscenium theatre in the Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
Theatre-goers at this venue are rewarded with multi-faceted fare exhibited in the 2014-2015 season, beginning with the high energy performance of “Swing,” an all-dance review. The remaining season runs the gamut from the serious play, “Golda’s Balcony”, about former Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir, to the seriously silly Monty Python romp, “Spamalot.”
The popular theatre is supported by ticket sales, but relies heavily on private and corporate sponsorship to fund the costly business of theatre production. In appreciation of their sponsors, the Civic Theatre hosted a VIP Gala that included opening night tickets to “Swing.”
Sponsors represented at the Gala included The National Bank of Indianapolis, Barnes and Thornburg, Soho Café, Le Danse and Current.”Among those attending the pre-show VIP Gala included among many: Michael Tavel with Carol Worcel, choreographer of “Swing;” Jean Nichols, Kevin Mescall, Carol Phillips, Carl Conwell, Elizabeth Frost, and Evie Ham representing “Le Danse.” Arlana and Lee Clark were guests of Barnes and Thornburg. Vivian Lawhead represented the Soho Café. Larry Lawhead and Bob Reynolds represented Barnes and Thornburg. Jason and Laura Boyewsky represented the Bank of Indianapolis. Brian and Maggie Kelly and Dennis and Jill O’Malia represented Current. Doreen Squire Ficara attended with her friend Barbara Shields, who was visiting from Salisbury, England.
To view the Civic Theatre 2014-2015 schedule, visit: www.civictheatre.org
