The Phoenix Theatre may seem like an inconspicuous little theater, but there is all kinds of drama that takes place there. The theater prides itself on producing unique plays that oftentimes deal with controversial issues.
“We are ahead of the curve and sometimes it backfires. Sometimes people aren’t yet ready to deal with some of these issues,” said Bryan Fonseca, producing director and one of the founders of the Phoenix Theatre.
Their newest play does just that.
“Clybourne Park” (2010) is a play by Bruce Norris written in response to Lorraine Hansberry’s play “A Raisin in the Sun” (1959).
The story begins after the Youngers, an African-American family, purchase a home in the white middle-class Chicago neighborhood of Clybourne Park. Residents are unhappy the Black family is moving in and neighbor Karl Lindner even offers to buy the home from them. Unable to persuade them, the Youngers become the first Black family in the neighborhood.
The play fast-forwards to 2009 where the entire Clybourne Park neighborhood is now African-American. The neighborhood has also become run down. This is not deterring young white couples from becoming interested in buying Clybourne Park property and transforming the neighborhood.
The current president of the Clybourne Park neighborhood association is a descendant of the Youngers and finds herself facing off with a white family who wants to purchase the home her family once fought harsh racism and classism to acquire.
This play is said to be “wickedly funny and fiercely provocative” and has won nearly every honor the theater has to give, including the Olivier Award, the Evening Standard Award, and the Pulitzer Prize.
Audiences can see “Clybourne Park” at the Phoenix Theatre now through May 5.
A play like “Clybourne Park” is not unusual to the Phoenix Theatre. In fact, the playhouse only presents modern productions.
“You’re never going to see classic works. You’re never going to see William Shakespeare, Henrik Ibsen or Anton Chekhov – none of the stuff they made us read in high school,” laughed Don Burrus, director of development for the Phoenix Theatre.
When choosing plays, Fonseca first looks to see if the play is written well. Equally important is the play’s content.
“Our focus is to be issue oriented. We’re trying to be part of a national dialogue – what’s on our minds as a nation right now,” said Fonseca.
“Clybourne Park” got his attention due to increased conversations in Indianapolis news about transitioning neighborhoods and the many discussions on how to grow the city.
What also makes “Clybourne Park” perfect for the theater, is the real changes that have taken place near the Phoenix. The theater is a renovated church and is located at 749 N. Park Ave., in the Chatham Arch area of the Mass Ave Cultural District. When the playhouse first opened, many of the buildings were boarded up and there was a large homeless population there. Today, it’s one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Indianapolis.
“We use that in our lobby display of ‘Clybourne Park.’ The play discusses gentrification, and us being here is a prime example of that,” said Burrus.
In addition to gentrification and racism, the Phoenix has also presented plays that dealt with women, gay and lesbian and African-American issues.
“From the ‘80s to today, you’d be lucky to see a play even with Black actors, as if there were no Black actors. It allows those voices to be heard,” said Burrus.
That diversity also manifests itself in the various races of the theater’s founder/producing director, board members, staff and actors.
“My time with the Phoenix has been incredible. I have learned a lot about myself, this community and never cease to be amazed by the talent we’re able to attract in terms of the actors as well as the staff,” said Carl Butler, board president of the Phoenix Theatre. “It’s important for us to keep talking about and presenting the uncomfortable issues and challenge ourselves.”
Phoenix Theatre staff is not only proud of its diversity, but also proud to be celebrating 30 years. In the early ‘80s, a group of professional actors from the Broad Ripple Playhouse got together and formed the Phoenix and they’ve been holding true to their mission of presenting the best in contemporary theater ever since.
It’s also important to note that the Phoenix is one of three professional theaters in Indianapolis. The other two are the Indiana Repertory Theatre and Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre.
Fonseca has seen the theater grow into what it is today and hopes the theater has 30 more years of success, challenging the Indianapolis community and providing thought-provoking theater.
“What we do is very important and of the moment. I’d hate to see us become another theater just presenting museum plays,” said Fonseca.
For more information, call (317) 635-7529 or visit phoenixtheatre.org.
