Classic Soul

CLASSIC SOUL
Athenaeum Theatre
April 2 – April 11, 2010
Indianapolis, IN – The production team of Bob Harbin and John Austin Butsch will reunite in “CLASSIC SOUL.”  The duo last worked together when American Cabaret Theatre still inhabited the historic Athenaeum Theatre.  This time they will join the beautiful and talented Joyce Licorish who will share a production credit with Harbin.
The production is subtitled ‘The Greatest Hits of Rhythm & Blues and Motown’ as that is exactly what they promise to deliver – Martha Reeves, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Lionel Ritchie, Gladys Knight, the Four Tops, the Supremes, the Temptations and many more.
From the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame “Soul is music that arose out of the Black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, secular testifying” and the Athenaeum will be rocking and rolling with the singing and dancing of the most talented Indianapolis soulsters.  Harbin will produce and direct, with Butsch at the musical helm and Ms Licorish will produce as well as lead the ten member cast of Cessalee Stovall (returning from Chicago for this production), Tori Gowdy, D’Keisha Bryant, Alaina R. Woods, Deaon Smith, Karlton D. Turner, Phillip
Armstrong, James Walker, Jr. and Brian Kelly.
“John and I have been aching to work together again and when Cassie Stockamp called about bringing some shows back to the Athenaeum, we took that as a sign that the time is right,” says Bob Harbin who went out and formed BOBDIREX as a production company to tackle the show.  “We still didn’t have enough business experience but knew Joyce has produced shows under her own company plus the girl can ‘sang’!  The three of us are lucky to be together.” The trio seems perfectly matched to bring Indianapolis all the excitement that only a ‘Soulful’ night on the town can bring.
“CLASSIC SOUL” will be a true family event.  Besides the content being family friendly, Joyce, John and Bob will be joined by Bernie Killian/
Light & set design, Rodney Tolliver/House manager and the Athenaeum Docent Society will help sponsor the show.  “We were a very tight knit and successful team until we were dissolved a year ago,” Harbin says with a smile, “this will be a fitting reunion.”
The production will run for two consecutive weekends, April 2-4 and April 9-11.  All tickets are a wallet friendly $20 with some discounts for groups of 20 or more.   Tickets will go on sale March 1 or sooner if you contact Joyce or Bob directly.
Tickets go on sale Monday, March 1, 2010 through the website bobdirex.com or by calling 317/280-0825 or at the door an hour before performance.
Showtimes & Dates:
Friday, April 2, 7:30pm
Saturday, April 3, 7:30pm
Sunday, April 4, 3pm
Friday, April 9, 7:30pm
Saturday, April 10, 7:30pm
Sunday, April 11, 3pm
The Athenaeum Theatre is located at 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204.  Dinner and cocktails are available before and after performances at the famous Rathskeller Restaurant.
Parking near the Athenaeum Theatre is free at parking meters on the street after 6pm and weekends.  There are several other parking lots within one to two blocks.
BOBDIREX will be presenting the hilarious Sondheim/Shevelove/Gelbart musical, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” this summer beginning July 16 at the Athenaeum.  Look to the website for news regarding that production coming soon!