March 2, 2019
Recently, while watching “Sinatra Being Frank” on Netflix, I was pleasantly surprised to see that jazz singer-pianist-songwriter Tony DeSare was one of the interviewees in the 2015 British documentary, produced by Simon Napier-Bell, about the iconic entertainer. It was quite a coincidence, considering that DeSare... read more
February 20, 2019
I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this past Valentine’s weekend than seeing The Tenors perform with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, led by maestro Jack Everly. I had the great pleasure of attending the Printing Partners Pops Series concert Saturday at Hilbert Circle... read more
December 12, 2018
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra‘s annual holiday extravaganza, “IPL Yuletide Celebration,” conducted by Principal Pops conductor Jack Everly, which opened on Nov. 30 and continues through Dec. 23, is a bona fide hit. To read my observations of the show, see my review published Dec.1 on... read more
December 1, 2018
Recently, I was asked how many Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra “Yuletide Celebration” productions I had seen during its 33-year history. Upon reflection, I realized that I had reviewed nearly all of them during my 40-plus years as a freelance writer. But I can say without reservation that... read more
October 24, 2018
Broadway megastar Sutton Foster was the headliner Saturday for an Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Pops concert, “An Evening with Sutton Foster,” led by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. Though I have never seen her perform on Broadway, I had the great... read more
October 8, 2018
Back on August 1, I attended a farewell gathering at the Indianapolis Artsgarden for David Lawrence, outgoing president and CEO of the Arts Council of Indianapolis. While there, I was introduced to James M. Johnson, CEO of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. I was immediately struck... read more
April 19, 2018
The popular annual fundraising event that features a cavalcade of Indianapolis artists representing various performing arts organizations and benefits the Indiana Aids Fund, a program of the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis, is just days away. This year’s “Deborah J. Simon Spotlight” will take place... read more
October 16, 2017
During the past 45 years or so that I have covered Indianapolis’ performing arts I have only rarely seen as diverse, or enthusiastic audience as I did Saturday night at the Hilbert Circle Theatre where the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presented “The Music of Whitney Houston.” ... read more
