Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre to Feature “Mamma Mia!” & “Elf”

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Melissa Hook, Marketing & Events Manager, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, says the theatre will be having a full slate of exciting shows for the next several months.

The theatre’s entertaining shows include excellent productions of both “Mamma Mia!” (Oct. 4-Oct. 19) and “Elf” (Dec. 6-Dec. 28.)

“Audiences will see local industry talent, breathtaking scenery, a professional staff, a live orchestra and the highest quality of performances,” Hook says. “Many of our sets are from the National Touring companies of these hit shows. Others are designed by our resident scenic and technical director, Ryan Koharchik, and his team.”

Hook adds that every title in the 2019-2020 season is one that is well known.

“Fans of the music of ABBA will adore Mamma Mia!,” Hook says. “Elf the Musical is based on the movie, and it’s a holiday favorite. A talented pool of local actors will work with professional dialect coaches and scholars of Shakespeare to also bring the hilarious comedy, “Much Ado About Nothing” (Feb. 7-22), to the stage.

“For A Few Good Men (March 13-28), we take the performance to the Studio Theater, a smaller black-box space that will provide intimacy and intensity that the material calls for. And, we will also be doing Roald Dahl’s classic book, Matilda (April 24-May 9), a stage musical that’s full of fun, a little magic, and one that also sends a powerful message.”

Hook adds that the Civic Theatre is fun for the whole family.

“Civic is absolutely an all-ages (or most ages) theatre,” Hook says. “We welcome families and student groups to come to our productions. “Mamma Mia!” has adult content and (the play) A Few Good Men does as well, though it’s more educational. Elf the Musical is, of course, going to be a perfect show for the holidays that the entire family will enjoy.”

The Civic Theatre is also located near a lot of other fun Christmas activities.

“During the holidays, the Carmel Christmas Market will be happening right outside our front door,” Hook says. “It’s a great idea to come walk around the market and come see a show at Civic for a family holiday outing. Much Ado Nothing and Roald Dahl’s Matalida the Musical are also perfect for an outing with the family. We will offer student matinees for “Much Ado About Nothing” and “A Few Good Men” for middle and high school students as well.”

Local Casts Featured

The roles in “Mamma Mia!” and “Elf” have already been cast with many Hamilton County residents.

For Mama Mia!, Anne Beck from Fishers, is the director.

“She is our Young Artists Program (YAP) coordinator and directs and choreographs many shows at Civic each season,” Hook says.

Cast members Nate Schlabach and Ethan Mathias are from Fishers, while Matthew Altman, Julia Ammons, Laura Lockwood, Tyler Derry, Tiffany Whisner and David Johnson are from Carmel. Emily Schaab and Emily Lantz are from Noblesville, and Kara Snyder is from Westfield.

For “Elf the Musical,” the cast features Nate Schlabach from Fishers, and Dick Davis, Matthew Altman and Leslie Gardreau from Carmel. Melissa Mellinger and Sydnie Blair are from Westfield, and Emily Schaab is from Noblesville.

Hook stresses that there is not a bad seat in the house.

“The Tarkington is a 500-seat proscenium theater with a six-story fly,” Hook says. “It’s a great place to see large-scale musicals with intricate and breathtaking sets and plays with functional scenery as well.”

There is also a lot of excited anticipation from audiences before the shows.

“Our shows are performed by volunteer actors and produced by a professional staff and a live orchestra,” Hook says. “We have a free parking garage and are within walking distance of dozens of restaurants.”

Single tickets and subscriptions are on sale now at The Civic.

For more information, visit civictheatre.org or call the Center for the Performing Arts box office at 317-843-3800 to reserve tickets.

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