The Phoenix Theatre is Indiana's only professional contemporary theatre, and has presented productions since 1983. An Equity house, the Phoenix presents the Midwest and Indiana premieres of many popular Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, and has presented 94 World Premieres (through the end of the 2014-15 season). The Phoenix operates the 130-seat proscenium Livia and Steve Russell Stage as well as the 75-seat cabaret-style Frank and Katrina Basile Stage at 749 N. Park Avenue near Massachusetts Avenue. It was founded by Bryan D. Fonseca in 1983, initially to perform the three-part (three evening) science fiction play, Warp!. Both venues are housed along with administrative offices in a renovated 1907 church where Jim Jones once preached, a fact that was brought into their production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The Phoenix Theatre is a member of the National New Play Network and the League of Indianapolis Theatres, and is supported by the Indiana Arts Commission, the Arts Council of Indianapolis, and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as local corporate and foundation funders and more than 400 individual donors.
The Phoenix produces ten shows every season, with all of their shows being Indiana Premieres. They mostly produce plays written within the previous five years, and rarely produce shows more than one time (exceptions are Avenue Q and The Zippers of Zoomerville). Fare at the Phoenix is always issue-oriented, hoping to incite conversation along with the entertainment. They have often featured plays dealing with sexuality, homosexuality, women's issues, AIDS, African-American issues (they have done all of August Wilson's plays as they became available for regional theatre use), abuse, and mental disorders. The Phoenix is committed to hiring local artists, and almost all of their talent pool of designers and actors comes from Indianapolis or nearby cities.
Bryan Fonseca is the founding and current Producing Director of the Phoenix Theatre. He has played a leading role in presenting outstanding contemporary drama in Indianapolis since 1979. Prior to the Phoenix, Bryan served as the Artistic Director for the Broad Ripple Playhouse and developed a short-lived alternative stage at the Indianapolis Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre – Studio C. Bryan has received an Achievement and Service award from the Indiana Theatre Association, two Artist Fellowship awards from the Indiana State Arts Commission and two Creative Renewal Fellowships from the Arts Council of Indianapolis/Lilly Endowment. Over the years, he transferred six Phoenix shows to Chicago including his original concert production, Prine: A Tribute Concert, which was performed at the Viaduct Theatre.
Since 2005, the Phoenix has produced an annual holiday show called A Very Phoenix Xmas. Starting in September each year and changing until the last week of rehearsals, the Phoenix Producing Director, Bryan Fonseca, curates an original two act production filled with new plays, sketch comedy, singing, dancing, and various other special acts (even including an aerial silk act).
In 1995, the Phoenix founded the original craft beer festival in Indianapolis, Brew-Ha-Ha, in order to provide a fun and non-traditional fundraiser for the theatre. The outdoor block party takes place just outside the Phoenix on the 700 block of N. Park Avenue between Massachusetts Avenue and E. St. Clair Street in the Mass Ave Arts & Theatre District.
The Phoenix is a Core Member of National New Play Network (NNPN), the country’s alliance of non-profit professional theaters that champions the development, production, and continued life of new plays. Since its founding in 1998, NNPN has commissioned 19 playwrights, provided more than 20 MFA graduates with paid residencies, and supported over 150 productions nationwide through its innovative Continued Life of New Plays Fund, which creates “Rolling World Premieres” of new plays. Hundreds of artists have gained employment through these efforts all over the country where NNPN Member Theatres are located. In addition to The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, NNPN receives support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, the Shubert Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Network consists of a relatively small group of 29 Core Members, who pioneer and implement collaborative new play strategies, and a growing group of Associate Members, who disseminate the Network’s programs and strategies nationwide. In April 2015, NNPN received the Washington Post Award for Innovative Leadership at the annual Helen Hayes Award Celebration. Visit www.nnpn.org.
Plays noted with ** below are NNPN Rolling World Premiere productions the Phoenix has produced as part of the NNPN Continued Life of New Plays Fund.
(*=world premiere production) (**=NNPN Rolling World Premiere)
1983-1984
WARP! I,II, & III by Stuart Gordon & Bury St. EdmondTalking With… by Jane MartinKrapp's Last Tape by Samuel BeckettHow I Got That Story by Amlin GrayPlenty by David HareLemonade by James PrideauxCloud Nine by Caryl ChurchillSummer Lights* by Sam SmileyEscapes* by David StooksThe Legs on Charlie's Car* by John SarnoNecessities* by Kathy Fletcher & Rita KohnSour Noodles* by Jim Watt1984-1985
Agnes of God by John PielmeierCrimes of the Heart by Beth HenleyThe Lion in Winter by James GoldmanBaby With the Bathwater by Christopher DurangMarch of the Falsettos by William FinnDear John* by Marcia CebulskaTrue West by Sam ShepardTaking Steps by Alan AyckbournThe Call* by Bruce GelfandMy Hand is Not My Heart* by Jack Randall EarlesPrep Work* by Bruce GelfandPorch Songs* by Pearl Cleage…And Stuff* by Peter Dee1985-1986
Stage Struck by Simon GrayBalm in Gilead by Lanford WilsonEl Grande de Coca-Cola by House, Andrews, Shearman, Willis, & WhiteAs Is by William F. HoffmanA Soldier's Play by Charles FullerAccidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario FoWaiting for the Parade by John MurrellThe Madness of Lady Bright by Lanford WilsonDays of our Dumping* by D.J.L. NerudaDon't Crush that Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers by Firesign TheatreThe Lesson by Eugène IonescoCentaurs* by Marcia CebulskaNight Commander* by Silas JonesReplay* by Bruce MacDonaldPrairie Sunset* by Richard Sutherland1986-1987
The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill*Orphans by Lyle KesslerThe Real Thing by Tom StoppardMa Rainey's Black Bottom by August WilsonShivaree by William MastrosimoneHurlyburly by David RabeHair by Gerome Ragni, James Rado, & Galt MacDermotDreams* by Nell WeatherwaxPumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, and Other Cultural Differences by Various PoetsCowboy Mouth by Sam ShepardNice People Dancing to Good Country Music by Lee BlessingGrendel!* by John Gardner & Bart SimpsonSpell #7 by Ntozake ShangeRap Master Ronnie by Garry Trudeau & Elizabeth SwadosNot Funny* by Douglas AndersonCaril & Charlie* by Gram SlatonKen's Brain* by Jim Mitchell1987-1988
Execution of Justice by Emily Mann…and when the bough breaks* by Marcia CebulskaLoot by Joe OrtonAdvice to the Players by Bruce BonafedeSister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You by Christopher DurangA Lie of the Mind by Sam ShepardSavage/Love and Tongues by Sam ShepardA…My Name is Alice by Joan Micklin Silver & Julianne BoydChug by Ken JenkinsGraceland by Ellen ByronThe House of Blue Leaves by John GuareCards & Beer* by Jack Randall EarlesRebels* by Gary Williams & Steven RidenourNightbreath* by Dennis Clontz1988-1989
Steel Magnolias by Robert HarlingMiss Margarida's Way by Roberto AthaydeBouncers by John GodberDreamgirls by Tom Eyen & Harry KriegerLaughing Wild by Christopher DurangFrankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune by Terrence McNallyCoastal Disturbances by Tina HoweBeach Party Nuclear Protest* by Jack Randall Earles & David MeekLloyd's Prayer by Kevin KlingAunt Dan & Lemon by Wallace ShawnThree Guys Naked from the Waist Down by Jerry Colker & Michael RupertMr. Right and Other Stories* by Linda CarsonMortal Risk* by Ron Marks1989-1990
Burn This by Lanford WilsonBeirut by Alan BowneThe Day Room by Don DeLilloHere I Am* by David Meek (cabaret)On the Verge (or The Geography of Yearning) by Eric OvermyerSome Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends (A Final Evening with the Illuminati) by Larry Larson & Levi LeeThe Rocky Horror Show by Richard O'BrienFences by August WilsonThe Marriage of Bette and Boo by Christopher DurangThe Boys Next Door by Tom GriffinSu Me* by Su Ours (cabaret)Boy's Life by Howard KorderStiff Cuffs* by Christina Cocek & John DiAguinoElizabeth/Regina* by Linda Carson1990-1991
Eastern Standard by Richard GreenbergT-Bone And Weasel by Jon KleinSplit Second by Dennis McIntyreVampire Lesbians of Sodom by Charles BuschReckless by Craig LucasEleemossynary by Lee BlessingOne Mo' Time by Vernel BagnerisKennedy's Children by Robert PatrickRoosters by Milcha Sanchez-ScottWoman in Mind by Alan AyckbournThe Mystery of Irma Vep by Charles LudlumLady & the Clarinet by Michael CristopherDorothy Parker-A Symptom Recital* by Leo P. CarusoneDragon Slayers* by William Rough1991-1992
Other People's Money by Jerry SternerLady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill by Lanie RobertsonSquare One by Steve TesichThe Cemetery Club by Ivan MenchellOnly Kidding! by Jim Gehoghan4 AM America by Ping ChongChristmas on Mars by Harry KondoleonThe Heidi Chronicles by Wendy WassersteinAngry Housewives by A.M. Collins & Chad HenryJoe Turner's Come and Gone by August WilsonThe Lisbon Traviata by Terrence McNallyWomandingo* by Sterling Houston & Arnold AprillObjects in the Mirror are Closer than They Appear* by Lester Purley & Mark Cryerhip my heart* by Paulette Licitra1992-1993
M Butterfly by David Henry HwangDorothy Parker-A Symptom Recital* by Leo P. CarusoneLips Together, Teeth Apart by Terrence McNallyThe Promise by Jose RiveraAssassins by Stephen Sondheim & John WeidmanSight Unseen by Donald MarguliesThe Piano Lesson by August WilsonBlind Spot* by Michael Davis SuttonCandy Store Window* by Cherie Bennett1993-1994
The Good Times Are Killing Me by Lynda BarrySix Degrees of Separation by John GuareSu Ours: No E, No H, Noel* by Su Ours & Michael Klass (cabaret)Marvin's Room by Scott McPhersonDeath & the Maiden by Ariel DorfmanThree Ways Home by Casey KurttiMama Drama by Leslie Ayvazian, Christine Farrell, Donna Dailey, Mariana Houston, Rita Nactmann, & Anne O'SullivanPretty Girls, Not too Bright* by Dos Fallopia (Peggy Platt & Lisa Koch)Heart Timers* by Stuart WarmflashVeronica's Position* by Rich Orloff1994-1995
Falsettos by William Finn & James LapineKeely and Du by Jane MartinFive Guys Named Moe by Clarke PetersConversations With My Father by Herb GardenerAll in the Timing by David IvesJeffrey by Paul RudnickBewitched, Bothered & Bananas* by Dos Fallopia (Lisa Koch & Peggy Platt)Points of Deviation* by Scott SandoeScotland Road by Jeffery Hatcher1995-1996
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe by Jane WagnerIf We Are Women by Joanna GlassThe Holiday Survival Game Show* by Dos Fallopia (Lisa Koch & Peggy Platt)Six Women with Brain Death by Mark HoustonDenial of the Fittest by Judith Sloan & Warren LeherLove! Valour! Compassion! by Terrence McNallySpike Heels by Theresa RebeckGlengarry Glen Ross by David MametPretty Girls, Not too Bright* by Dos Fallopia (Lisa Koch & Peggy Platt)The Katydid* by Michael Davis Sutton1996-1997
Whoop-Dee-Doo! by Howard CrabtreeThree Viewings by Jeffery HatcherThe Holiday Survival Game Show* by Peggy Platt, Rick Rankin, & Lisa KochA Tuna Christmas by Ed Howard, Joe Sears, & Jaston WilliamsFlorida * by Marcia CebulskaTrick the Devil by Bill HarrisSylvia by AR GurneyAll I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Ernest Zulia, David Caldwell, & Robert FulghumWorst of Dos Fallopia* by Dos Fallopia (Peggy Platt & Lisa Koch)Reading the Mind of God * by Pat GabridgeGirl Party * by David Dillion & Virginia Smiley1997-1998
The Old Settler by John Henry RedwoodPoor Super Man by Brad FraserThe Holiday Survival Game Show* by Jack O'HaraSummer Games* by James FarrellTaking Sides by Ronald HarwoodDurang/Durang by Christopher DurangCompany by Stephen Sondheim & George Furthlatitude* by Tony McDonaldParty by David DillonBride of Dos Fallopia* by Dos Fallopia (Peggy Platt & Lisa Koch)Princess Warrior by Julie Goldman1998-1999
Angels in America: Millennium Approaches by Tony KushnerAngels in America: Perestroika by Tony KushnerThe Holiday Survival Game Show* by Jack O'HaraHow I Learned to Drive by Paula VogelMother Russia* by Jeffrey HatcherNo Way to Treat a Lady by Douglas J. CohenShakin the Mess Outta Misery by Shay YoungbloodGross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde by Moisés KaufmanThe Gene Pool by Christi Stewart-BrownAs Bees in Honey Drown by Douglas Carter BeaneLisa Koch and Friends* by Lisa KochTouch* by Toni Press-Coffman1999-2000
Three Days of Rain by Richard GreenbergThe Woman in Black by Stephen MallatrattThe Most Fabulous Story Ever Told by Paul RudnickThe Holiday Millennium Game Show* by Jack O'HaraJackie: An American Life by Gip HoppeThe Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonaghWit by Margaret EdsonBeautiful Thing by Jonathan HarveyJournal of Ordinary Thought by David BarrResident Alien by Stuart Spencer2000-2001
Snakebit by David Marshall GrantThe Gathering by Will PowerTongue of a Bird by Ellen McLaughlinThe Santaland Diaries by David SedarisUh, Oh - Here Comes Christmas by Ernie Zulia, David CaldwellBluff by Jeffrey SweetThe Vagina Monologues by Eve EnslerFuddy Meers by David Lindsey AbaireAnother American: Asking and Telling by Marc WolfBodies and Hearts in the Face of the Monster* by Toni Press-CoffmanWoody and Me* by Brad EricksonSeven Guitars by August Wilson2001-2002
The Laramie Project by Moisés KaufmanTwo Trains Running by August WilsonHam for the Holidays by Dos Fallopia (Lisa Koch & Peggy Platt)Dirty Blonde by Claudia ShearThis is our Youth by Kenneth LonerganTrue to Scale* by Wendy Beldonsavant* by Tony McDonaldGoats* by Alan BerksBorn to Goof* by Kevin BurkeLunching by Alan GrossBat Boy: The Musical by Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming, & Laurence O'KeefeThe Action Against Sol Schumann by Jeffrey Sweet2002 - 2003
Proof by David AuburnFlow by Will PowerHedwig and the Angry Inch by Stephen Trask & John Cameron Mitchell - starring Blaine Hogan, Jessica Benge, Jimmy Sizemore, Royston Lloyd, Steve Hayes and RyanOver the Tavern by Tom DudzickPraying for Rain by Robert Lewis VaughanStones in his Pockets by Marie JonesThe Washington-Sarajevo Talks by Carla SeaquistThe Home Team* by Kim CarneyLa Sangre Llama* by Toni Press-Coffman & Tony ArtisPhideas8* by Mike WhistlerSpain by Jim KnableThe Handler by Robert Schenkkan2003-2004
The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? by Edward AlbeeTrucker Rhapsody* by Toni Press-CoffmanCircumference of a Squirrel by John WalchSophie Tucker: American Legend by Jack Fournier & Kathy HalendaBoston Marriage by David MametCuranderas by Elaine RomeroLoving Lucy by Philip blue owl HooserTake Me Out by Richard GreenbergTop Dog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori ParksNaked Boys Singing! by Robert SchrockAnd/Or* by Andrew Barrett2004-2005
The Exonerated by Jessica Blank & Erik JensenCrowns by Regina TaylorMrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge by Christopher DurangRunning With Scissors by Michael McKeeverBlown Sideways Through Life by Claudia ShearFrozen by Bryony LaveryThis Is My Body by Amy FortoulRounding Third by Richard DresserCabfare for the Common Man* by Mark Harvey LevineFurther Mo' by Vernel BagnerisBug by Tracy Letts2005-2006
Urinetown: the Musical by Greg Kotis & Mark HollmannI Am My Own Wife by Doug WrightEvery Christmas Story Ever Told!! by Michael Carleton, John Alvarez, & Jim FitzgeraldA Number by Caryl ChurchillFrom My Hometown conceived by Lee Summers and written by Lee Summers, Ty Stephens, & Herbert Rawlings, Jr.The Marijuana-logues by Arj Barker, Doug Benson, & Tony CaminOrson's Shadow by Austin PendletonThe Pillowman by Martin McDonaghThe Sugar Bean Sisters by Nathan SandersThe Ice-Breaker** by David Rambo2006-2007
The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) by Eric Rockwell & Joanne BogartNijinsky's Last Dance by Norman AllenThe Parenting Project: Callie's Tally by Betsy Howie & The Hoosier Dads by Kevin Burke, Dave Dugan, & Brad TassellA Very Phoenix Xmas* by Various ArtistsTen Percent of Molly Snyder (Marta Solano) by Richard StrandtempOdyssey** by Dan DietzMiss Witherspoon by Christopher DurangRhythms by Chris White (hosted... presented by DePauw University)And Her Hair Went With Her** by Zina CamblinFat Pig by Neil LaButeThe Little Dog Laughed by Douglas Carter BeaneDos Fallopia: Desperate Spuddwives by Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt2007-2008
Altar Boyz Music, lyrics and vocal arrangements by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker, book by Kevin Del Aguila - based on an idea by Ken Davenport and Marc KesslerStuff Happens by David HareA Very Phoenix Xmas* by Various ArtistsEnd Days** by Deborah Zoe LauferThe Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDonaghWell by Lisa KronBlack Gold** by Seth RozinOur Dad Is In Atlantis by Javier MalpicaSome Men by Terrence McNallyMurderers by Jeffrey Hatcher2008-2009
November by David MametDrunk Enough to Say I Love You? by Caryl ChurchillJune 8, 1968 by Anna Theresa CascioOn Thin Ice: A Very Phoenix Xmas 3* by Various ArtistsLove Person** by Aditi Brennan KapilThe Seafarer by Conor McPhersonMauritius by Theresa RebeckReferences to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot by José RiveraThe Zippers of Zoomerville - or 200 Laps and a Lass* by Jack O'Hara with music by Jack O'Hara and Tim BrickleyOctopus by Steven YockeyThe Dos and Don'ts of Time Travel by Nicholas Wardigo2009-2010
The Most Damaging Wound by Blair SingerShipwrecked! An Entertainment by Donald MarguliesA Very Phoenix Xmas 4:Our Stockings Are Stuffed* by Various ArtistsThe Housewives of Mannheim by Alan BrodyCall Me Boricua!* by Ricardo MelendezSunlight** by Sharr WhiteYankee Tavern by Steven DietzSpeech and Debate by Stephen KaramReasons to Be Pretty by Neil LaBute2010-2011
In the Next Room - Or the Vibrator Play by Sarah RuhlMy Name Is Asher Lev by Aaron Posner, adapted from the novel by Chaim PotokA Very Phoenix Xmas 5: Regifted* by Various ArtistsNorway by Samuel D. HunterGoldie, Max, and Milk by Karen HartmanThe Storytelling Ability of a Boy by Carter W. LewisThis by Melissa James GibsonThe Zippers of Zoomerville by Jack O'Hara with music by Jack O'Hara and Tim BrickleyAvenue Q Music, lyrics and original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff WhittyWith a Bang by Pete McElliott2011 - 2012
Spring Awakening Music by Duncan Sheik, lyrics and book by Steven SaterJericho** by Jack CanforaA Very Phoenix Xmas 6: Our Goose Is Cooked* by various artistsCurrent Economic Conditions* by Don ZolidisAugust: Osage County by Tracy LettsFreud's Last Session by Mark St. GermainBaktun 13 by Danel MalanForever Sung* by Bryan Fonseca and Tim BrickleyNext Fall by Geoffrey NaufftsWith a Whimper by Pete McElligott2012-2013
Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson Music and lyrics written by Michael Friedman, Book by Alex TimbersSeminar by Theresa RebeckA Very Phoenix Xmas 7: Getting Figgy with It* by Various ArtistsGuapa** by Caridad SvichNext to Normal Book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, Music by Tom KittThe Lyons by Nicky SilverClybourne Park by Bruce Norris4000 Miles by Amy HerzogDos Fallopia* by Lisa Koch and Peggy PlattLove, Loss, and What I Wore by Nora and Delia Ephron, based on the book by Ilene Beckerman2013-2014
Vanya, Sonia, Masha, and Spike by Christopher DurangRancho Mirage** by Stephen DietzA Very Phoenix Xmas 8: Angels We Have Heard While High* by Various ArtistsTribes by Nina RaineNorth of the Boulevard by Bruce GrahamI and You** by Lauren GundersonSpun by Emily GoodsonBless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo AnayaCock by Mike BartlettMiles and Ellie by Don Zolidis2014-2015
Clark Gable Slept Here by Michael McKeeverOld Jews Telling Jokes by Peter Gethers and David OkrentA Very Phoenix Xmas 9: Flashing Through the Snow* by Various ArtistsRiver City** by Diana GrisantiThe Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonaghBuyer and Cellar by Jonathan TolinsDontrell, Who Kissed the Sea** by Nathan Alan DavisTyphoid Mary* by Tom HoranAmerican Idiot Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael MayerMr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play by Anne Washburn2015-2016
One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard BeanThe Nether by Jennifer HaleyA Very Phoenix Xmas X: Oh, Come Let Us Adore Us* by Various ArtistsButler by Richard StrandPulp** by Joe ZettelmaierOn Clover Road** by Steven DietzLeyenda* by Playwright-in-Residence Tom Horan and Bryan FonsecaBook of Merman by Leo SchwartzAcid Dolphin Experiment* by Playwright-in-Residence Tom Horan