"C'mon Everybody" Go to the Theater

I love, love, love musicals - on stage, at the movies, on my television.

I had friends growing up who performed in local theater productions so I got hooked early in life.

To this day, if I come across a cheesy musical while channel surfing, I find myself immersed in no time.

I'm lucky to live about 30 miles from Indianapolis - a city with some great options when it comes to seeing a show. Not only do traveling Broadway shows, like Wicked and Jersey Boys, make their way to town, but we also have some great local theater companies that put on wonderful productions - both musical and not.

Last night I went to the opening night of "All Shook Up" at Footlite Musicals just north of downtown Indianapolis. The musical is loosely based on Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" and features Elvis Presley classics. This show features performers ages 18 to 25 and their enthusiasm and the intimate feeling of the small theater really made the show. It definitely wasn't a Broadway show, but for less than $20 a ticket, it was a good night's entertainment. It runs this weekend and next, so if you are in the area, you might want to check it out.

I love being able to support the local arts scene and have a night out with friends!

Speaking of a night out with friends, another great option is Heartland Actor's Repertory Theatre's (HART) Shakespeare at White River State Park in August. I think this is the third year that this local theater group has staged a Shakespeare play at the Amphitheatre in downtown Indianapolis. This year they are doing "the Two Gentlemen of Verona."

You can bring a picnic (and some wine), a blanket and settle down to enjoy some great acting and it's all FREE!