As this year comes to a close, I’d like to give one last round of applause to all the actors, directors, stage managers, crew and orchestra members providing Hoosiers a place to escape the real world, even for a few hours.
In full transparency, I saw approximately 30 shows this year, as is one of the privileges of being the arts and culture reporter. Talent is abundant in this city, and each organization has something unique to offer its audience — which makes it difficult to pick a favorite, so I’ll give you my top five.
READ MORE: Best of Black arts and culture 2025
My originally published reviews are still online; you can find them at indianapolisrecorder.com.
“The Play That Goes Wrong,” Indiana Repertory Theatre
After everything we’ve been through this year, Hoosiers needed a good laugh. I think the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) does an excellent job in catering to its audiences with each production it chooses, and “The Play That Goes Wrong” was more than just a delightful choice earlier this spring.
If you’ve been to an IRT show in the last two years, you’ll have seen some familiar faces on stage in this production, including Brett Mutter, Claire Wilcher and Dominique Lawson — all brilliantly talented and a joy to watch in their crafts.
It’s hard not to enjoy something as silly as “The Play That Goes Wrong,” with the literal set purposely falling apart around an over-the-top whodunnit where the plot is a mere suggestion in the grand scheme of whimsy and comedy. It was the kind of show that left everyone feeling lighter as they left, myself included.
“Ain’t No Mo,’” Indianapolis Black Theatre Company
There are many elements that lead to a great show. A show can be great because it’s written well, or because it’s cast perfectly or because the pacing is impeccable and the message is timely. A show can also be great because it’s so bizarre that it just makes sense. As far as the plays I’ve seen this year, “Ain’t No Mo’” checks all these boxes.
Earlier this year, IBTC promised to take risks and tell stories that its community wanted and needed to hear. As both an avid supporter of the arts and someone who frequently looks at it through a critical lens, I truly appreciate that this promise includes a healthy dose of humor alongside the difficult topics.
The show, and the IBTC in general, exceeded my expectations — which were already high. It features a small cast — including Reno Moore, Clarissa Todd, and Cara Wilson — tasked with telling a high-energy, complex story that features a revolving door of characters and scenarios depicting the Black experience in America.
“Comedy of Errors,” Indy Shakes with Act A Foo Improv Crew
Shakespeare is one of those playwrights whose stories make sense in just about any context. In this instance, Indianapolis Shakespeare Company’s “Comedy of Errors” took place at Daytona Beach in the 1980s. The set design and costumes were bright and colorful with a sun-bleached, beachy vibe. It wasn’t difficult to imagine the heat, as the late July sun beat down on the stage in Act I.
This show featured a hilarious double case of mistaken identity among twin brothers, a handful of shenanigans, several disgruntled wives, spilled drinks and lots of yelling and running. It was also, for the most part, a family-friendly event. Not to mention, there was a local ice cream vendor on-site to provide audience members with a sweet treat during intermission while Act A Foo did their thing.
Also, by Act II, the sun had set, and the park lighting had cast a hazy glow over the stage, emulating that lazy, summer night in the sand feeling. I remember leaving the park with a warm, fuzzy feeling, watching families talk about how much they enjoyed it while packing up folding chairs and Tupperware.
“Oak,” Phoenix Theatre
Truthfully, I haven’t stopped thinking about this show since I saw it. I wish more Southern Gothic horror plays would make their way into Indianapolis. Still, the Frank & Katrina Basile Studio Theatre at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center offered audiences a spectacular haunted treat mid-spring with Terry Guest’s “Oak.”
The story isn’t a pleasant one, and leans heavily on the sinking thriller feeling created by a blend of spooky lighting and sound, movement and fear that’s played up by actors, like PsyWryn Simon, Jadah Rowan, Tracy Nakigozi and Joshua Short.
However, the ending is open and filled with enough hope to help audiences sleep at night. We all went through a journey during “Oak,” and that cannot be overstated.
What stood out to me in this show was its reliance on perspective. Any seat is a good seat, but every seat saw the story just a little bit differently. Also, depending on whose perspective you viewed the story through, the villain might not be so evil after all.
“Waitress,” Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre
I want to reiterate, I’m not picking favorites, but if I were, “Waitress” would always be at the top of that list. I’m biased, okay! However, even if I wasn’t biased, there was something special baked into Beef and Boards’ production.
“Waitress” is about a lot of things that make life worth living — love, hope, pie and sisterhood — but also self-discovery, motherhood, adultery and surviving domestic abuse. It’s a moral conundrum baked into a cute little pie diner and the weirdest wedding song you’ve ever heard.
With a soundtrack written by Sara Bareilles, “Waitress” is quirky and morally gray with characters that don’t always get it right, even when they mean well. However, what took the cake for me was how perfectly timed and delivered certain lines, jokes or even gestures, as well as choreographed awkwardness, added to the overall sweetness.
The set is colorful, the music is upbeat and the cast were all superstars. I love it dearly, and I was more than thrilled to have missed going to the WNBA All-Star game to see Kiersten Hodges, Chanel Frederick-Edwards and Grace Atherholt absolutely kill it on the Beef and Boards stage.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
