Latest news with #PhoenixTheatre


Axios
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Fighting opioid abuse with real Indianapolis stories
A local theater company that uses the stage to drive conversation and social awareness is lifting the curtain on its next presentation. Why it matters: The latest show from Summit Performance Indianapolis is another weapon in Indiana's arsenal as we continue to drive down the number of Hoosiers lost to the opioid epidemic. Driving the news:" THIS IS DIFFERENT," an original one-act stage play based on interviews with 20 people affected by opioid misuse in Indianapolis, makes its debut this weekend at Phoenix Theatre. Flashback: Founded in 2017, Summit's core values are promoting equity in the arts, increasing the representation of ethnically and racially diverse populations on and behind the stage, and fostering dialogue around social issues. Previous program topics include racial inequity in health care, living in Indiana as a trans person, domestic violence, environmentalism and reproductive health care. What they're saying: "One thing that we try to do is create a script and a play that draws the audience in and connects them to the experiences rather than alienating and othering the stories," said Sally Wasmuth of the IU School of Health and Human Sciences, who has worked on nine performances with Summit. "We believe that we all have stigmatizing beliefs and biases, whether we're aware of them or not." Zoom in:"THIS IS DIFFERENT," a free show supported by an Indy Arts Council Art for Awareness Grant, will be followed by a panel discussion featuring artists, interviewees and subject matter experts. "We always try to make sure the play isn't too long so the conversation part receives equal weight," said director and co-playwright Lauren Briggeman. "The beautiful thing about theater is that it can explore things that are difficult to discuss in a more removed way." If you go: 7-9pm Friday and Saturday at Phoenix Theatre, 705 N. Illinois St.


Business Recorder
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Recorder
‘Stranger Things' play wins Tony Awards, setting stage for TV series finale
NEW YORK: With bloody body contortions, booming blasts and brooding high school angst, 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow,' based on the 12-time Emmy-winning Netflix science fiction series 'Stranger Things,' took home Tony Awards on Sunday for best scenic design, lighting design and sound design of a play along with a special award for its illusions and technical effects. Miriam Buether, the scenic designer for 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' reflected on the journey of creating frightening moments on stage. 'We love scaring people,' she said backstage at the ceremony hosted by 'Wicked' film star Cynthia Erivo. The play, directed by Stephen Daldry, was nominated for five Tony Awards in total, including best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play for Louis McCartney for his performance as Henry Creel, the younger version of the main antagonist of the 'Stranger Things' series who is later called Vecna. 'Stranger Things: First Shadow' is one of the expansions of the 'Stranger Things' universe created by brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, who announced the launch of Upside Down Pictures in 2022, marking an overall deal with Netflix that will also include a live-action Stranger Things spin-off series. The series has spawned video games, cosplay, in-person immersive experiences and merchandise licensing deals, including the January 2025 deal with the company behind the popular Squishmallow plush toys. Last month, at Netflix's globally livestreamed fan event called 'Tudum Live,' it was announced that the 'Stranger Things' TV series would have a fifth and final season split into three parts, with part one on November 26, 2025, part two on December 25, 2025 and the series finale on December 31, 2025. The final season of 'Stranger Things' was delayed by dual Hollywood strikes in 2023. Trump-inspired Cantonese opera in Hong Kong aims to bring love and peace 'Stranger Things,' the story of a group of adolescent friends in rural Indiana in the 1980s who battle creatures from an alternate dimension called the 'Upside Down,' premiered on Netflix in 2016 and became a smash hit created by the Duffer brothers for the streaming platform. The play, produced by the Duffer brothers, takes audiences back in time to 1959, two decades before the period explored in the TV show. Jim Hopper and Joyce Maldonado - adult characters in the TV show - are seen as high school classmates with normal teen concerns about cars and classes until a new student named Henry arrives. Henry Creel is an odd and troubled boy that holds the future of the small town of Hawkins, Indiana in his hands. The New York cast includes 'Harlem' actor Burke Swanson as Jim Hopper, 'Shameless' actor Alison Jaye as Joyce Maldonado and McCartney as Henry Creel, who reprised his role after being in the London production. The monster-filled play debuted in London in 2023 at the Phoenix Theatre and made its New York Broadway debut in March 2025 at the Marquis Theatre.

TimesLIVE
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
‘Stranger Things' play wins Tony Awards, setting stage for TV series finale
With bloody body contortions, booming blasts and brooding high school angst, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, based on the 12-time Emmy-winning Netflix science fiction series Stranger Things, took home Tony Awards on Sunday for best scenic design, lighting design and sound design of a play along with a special award for its illusions and technical effects. Miriam Buether, scenic designer for Stranger Things: The First Shadow, reflected on the journey of creating frightening moments on stage. "We love scaring people," she said backstage at the ceremony hosted by Wicked film star Cynthia Erivo. The play, directed by Stephen Daldry, was nominated for five Tony Awards, including best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play for Louis McCartney for his performance as Henry Creel, the younger version of the main antagonist of the Stranger Things series who is later called Vecna. Stranger Things: First Shadow is one of the expansions of the Stranger Thing s universe created by brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, who announced the launch of Upside Down Pictures in 2022, marking an overall deal with Netflix that will also include a live-action Stranger Things spin-off series. The series has spawned video games, cosplay, in-person immersive experiences and merchandise licensing deals, including the January 2025 deal with the company behind the popular Squishmallow plush toys. Last month, at Netflix's globally livestreamed fan event called 'Tudum Live', it was announced the Stranger Things TV series would have a fifth and final season split into three parts, with part one on November 26 2025, part two on December 25 2025 and the series finale on December 31 2025. The final season of Stranger Things was delayed by dual Hollywood strikes in 2023. Stranger Things, the story of a group of adolescent friends in rural Indiana in the 1980s who battle creatures from an alternate dimension called the "Upside Down", premiered on Netflix in 2016 and became a smash hit created by the Duffer brothers for the streaming platform. The play, produced by the Duffer brothers, takes audiences back in time to 1959, two decades before the time explored in the TV show. Jim Hopper and Joyce Maldonado, adult characters in the TV show, are seen as high school classmates with normal teen concerns about cars and classes until a new student named Henry arrives. Henry Creel is an odd and troubled boy who holds the future of the small town of Hawkins, Indiana in his hands. The New York cast includes Harlem actor Burke Swanson as Jim Hopper, Shameless actor Alison Jaye as Joyce Maldonado and McCartney as Henry Creel, who reprised his role after being in the London production. The monster-filled play debuted in London in 2023 at the Phoenix Theatre and made its New York Broadway debut in March 2025 at the Marquis Theatre.


STV News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Calls to save Aberdeen Arts Centre as £660,000 needed to plug funding gap
Aberdeen Arts Centre needs to raise more than half a million pounds to keep its doors open, after a surge in running costs caused a funding gap. For more than six decades, the beloved venue has been popular with dancers, actors, musicians and artists who have tread the boards at the theatre on King Street. Home to over 35 local groups, Aberdeen Arts Centre is seeped in the rich history and culture the city has to offer. But now it's future looks uncertain. Eve Nicol from Aberdeen Arts Centre told STV News: 'We'll probably have to look at pulling back some of our really crucial services that people are relying on to bring that joy and breath of fresh air to their week, whether that's coming to see stuff on the stage or taking part in our weekly drama and art classes. 'If we're having to reduce the stuff that we're able to do, that's just a little light going out in people's lives and what we're really here to do is to shine a spotlight on Aberdeen's creative community.' STV News Eve Nicol from Aberdeen Arts Centre Around £660,000 will need to be raised over the next three years – with an initial target of £180,000 by July. The appeal has already been backed by many famous faces, such as Call the Midwife actress Laura Main. Campaigners say the venue is vital for the next generation of performers. Clare Haggart from Phoenix Theatre said: 'It's a very, very special place. The size of the venue is important, because it means so many local companies, dance schools, performing groups, musicians, anything like that can perform here. It's affordable but it's a lovely venue, you can sit anywhere in the auditorium and you'll have a great view of what's happening on stage.' STV News Numerous theatre groups perform at Aberdeen Arts Centre At the heart of Aberdeen Arts Centre is the people, giving local performers and artists opportunities to learn their craft and shine on stage. But those behind the organisation say rising costs have caused a funding gap and without urgent support, they may be forced to close their doors. Campaigners have only a few weeks to raise thousands of pounds – but they're determined to keep the curtain up and the spotlight shining. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country


Washington Post
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Vecna on Vecna: How two actors inhabit the big bad of ‘Stranger Things'
Jamie Campbell Bower was smoking outside London's Phoenix Theatre in late 2023, during intermission of the stage play 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow,' when director Stephen Daldry spotted the English actor and made an unconventional ask: Could Bower — who was there as a uniquely invested theatergoer — step onstage during the curtain call and take a bow?