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Indy Pod Theater, a podcast dedicated to presenting, preserving, and sharing the work of Indiana playwrights and actors offers its debut production:  "Rita from Across the Street" by Lou Harry. About "Rita from Across the Street": Set in a New Jersey seaside town, this gentle comedy / drama focuses on a former boardwalk business owner who cares for his troubled brother while forging connections with the family that moves in next door for the summer. As weeks pass, secrets are revealed, the merits of front vs. back porches are debated, and lives are awakened. "Rita From Across the Street" has been workshopped in Indianapolis and presented as a reading in New York City.   The Cast: Donna: Jenni White Mark: Clay Mabbitt Connie: Kelsey Leigh Miller Rose: Lexy Weixel Narrator / Joey: John Thomas "Rita from Across the Street" was recorded before a live audience at the Aristocrat Pub & Restaurant, November 17, 2019. This episode contains explicit language. Indy Pod Theater warmly thanks the following for generously supporting this endeavor: The Aristocrat Pub & Restaurant, (5212 N. College Ave. in Indy)S for graciously hosting us and providing consistently excellent food and service to our audience. Learn more about the Aristocrat here: https://aristocratpub.com/ Our live audience, whose moral support (and ticket purchases) keep us going. Cara Jean Wahlers for permitting us to use a segment of her song “Chinatown” as our theme music.  For more information about Cara, see: http://musicalfamilytree.com/band/cara_jean_wahlers About Indy Pod Theater: Works by Indiana playwrights gain a new platform with Indy Pod Theater, quarterly script-in-hand play readings recorded for podcast before a live audience. Produced by the creators of the Lou Harry Gets Real podcast and the SiteLines Indy play-reading series, Indy Pod Theater features professional actors reading scripts submitted by playwrights and chosen by an independent panel. For more information on Indy Pod Theater, email indypodtheater@gmail.com  

Are you ready for the Oscars? What were the best movies of 2019? Host Lou Harry, movie critic Evan Dossey and media expert Ed Wenck discuss (and sometimes disagree).    Nothing in this episode went as planned. Our featured guest, acclaimed drummer Kenny Phelps, nearly missed the show. His drum kit definitely did.  Kenny and Lou ‘find their rhythm’ however and recover beautifully.  Kenny improvises a performance pulling from a hodgepodge of small percussion instruments we had on hand.  Serendipity has rewards – Kenny’s performance is captivating. This episode was recorded before a lively audience in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis on January 19, 2020. This episode contains mild explicit language.

Lou Harry offers recommendations for cultural events taking place in and around Central Indiana mid-January to mid-February 2020. Recorded live in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis, January 19, 2020 as part of Lou Harry Gets Real with Kenny Phelps. Julia Whitehead, CEO of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, joins Lou at the table to share KVML news, including the opening a new restuarant, The Mr. Rosewater Cafe, later this year.  Mr. Rosewater is headed by acclaimed restauranteur Tom Battista, who was not only in the audience the night of the taping, but was a featured guest on a previous Gets Real episode, found here: https://louharrygetsreal.podbean.com/e/battist-buffett-city-development/ Lou Harry's Cultural Update is generously sponsored by the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis.

Lou Harry offers recommendations for cultural events taking place in and around Central Indiana mid-November 2019 to early January 2020. Recorded live in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis, November 17, 2019 before Indy Pod Theater's live cast reading of Lou's play "Rita From Across the Street." Lou Harry's Cultural Update is sponsored by the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis.

Lou Harry welcomes Indianapolis hip hop producer, photographer and community leader Wildstyle DaProducer who brings with him one of his main musical collaborators, rapper Pope Adrian Bless (accompanied by guitarist Grim). Comedian, writer, director, producer, actor and musician Daryl Hollonquest Jr. jumps in as Lou's co-host.  In a special segment Mr. Hollonquest demonstrates his skills as a life coach / marriage counselor as he advises volunteers from the audience.  This episode was recorded before a live audience in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis on October 20, 2019. This episode contains explicit language.

Improv comic Jim Ansaldo's take on a beloved children's story.  This segment is pulled from Episode 10 of Lou Harry Gets Real - "The Golden Palace." Recorded before a live audience, September 15, 2019, in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis.

Here Lou Harry and co-host Daryl Hollonquest Jr. offer recommendations for cultural events happening around Central Indiana mid-October to mid-November.  Lou also announces new plans for the show in 2020 -- quarterly live play readings.  We held a successful live reading of Steven Dietz's "Bloomsday" in June, but due to rights restrictions we could not record or podcast the play.  Moving forward we will record reading of plays by local playwrights and offer them online.  Few podcasts in the US currently offer this type of programming.  This project will give Hoosier playwrights and actors national and international exposure. The first play of this new experiment takes place Sunday, Nov. 17 in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis.  For more information about this event, please join our mailing list by sending your first and last names to producer Pat Chastain at: patchastain@gmail.com. Lou Harry Gets Real is generously sponsored by the Aristocrat Pub & Restaurant at 52nd and College in Indianapolis, located just steps from a Red Line stop. We could not do the show without them!  Please show your support for them (and us) by dropping by for a meal or two. https://aristocratpub.com/  This podcast was recorded before a live audience on Sunday, October 20, 2019 in the Oxford Room.  

In this Lou Harry Gets Real we celebrate the show's first anniversary with interview guest Shannon Forsell, Artistic Director & CEO of the nationally-recognized Cabaret, an arts organization that promotes and elevates the cabaret art form.    Lou's musical guest is singer / songwriter Joshua Powell, who handcrafts a strange and literate brand of psychedelic indie rock that is both socially conscious and spiritually turbulent. Joshua performs three original songs here, including one so new it has not yet been released. Joining the mix as Lou's sidekick is improv comic Jim Ansaldo. Jim discusses his use of improv comedy in working with autistic children. He also improvises a twisted take on classic fairy tale. This episode was recorded before a live audience in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis on September 15, 2019.  

Lou Harry and show guests Shannon Forsell and Jim Ansaldo offer recommendations for cultural events taking place in Central Indiana mid-September to mid-October 2019. Lou also makes an exciting announcement about new plans for the show coming later this year. Recorded live in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis, September 15, 2019 as part of the Lou Harry Gets Real show.

This episode of Lou Harry Gets Real features Tom Battista, Jimmy Buffett's stage manager, Indy restauranteur and cultural visionary.  The charming old time music group The Half Step Sisters deliver jaunty and sweet performances of four songs.  Paige Scott, a delightful musical composer, playwright, actor and improv comic works as Lou's sidekick, adding her witty views on the creative process.  This show was recorded before a live and downright happy audience on August 11, 2019 at the Aristocrat Pub's Oxford Room in Indianapolis.

In this snippet from an earlier Lou Harry's Cultural Update podcast, actress / multi-hyphenate Paige Scott brings down the house with her special take on a rock classic. Paige's performance is too precious to leave buried in a time-sensitive podcast, so we made this 'mini-podcast' to give it a viral life of its own. We owe it to history to do so.

Lou Harry and his guests Tom Battista and Paige Scott offer recommendations for cultural events taking place in Central Indiana mid-August to mid-September 2019. Recorded live in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis, August 11, 2019 as part of the Lou Harry Gets Real show. This Cultural Update contains a hilarious musical bonus performed by Ms. Scott.

Lou Harry offers recommendations for cultural events taking place in Central Indiana June - July 2019. Recorded live in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis, June 9, 2019 as part of the Lou Harry Gets Real Bloomsday show.

Lou welcomes former Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard and singer-songwriter Cam Melton. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra executive / improv artist Beth Outland co-hosts. In this episode Mayor Ballard and Lou discuss the human and economic costs that arise from the United States' dependence on oil. Ballard explores this topic in great depth in his new book Less Oil or More Caskets (IU Press). Singer-songwriter (and bio scientist) Cam Melton offers live performances of three original songs from his excellent EP, Southern Sessions. In this episode you'll learn: What Mayor Ballard thinks of Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Why domestic oil production does nothing to solve the economic, environmental and human costs associated with a petroluem-based economy. Whether electric vehicles (EVs) are the answer to solving our dependence on oil. Why politicians (on both sides of the aisle) are not motivated to solve the world's energy problems. Whether Greg Ballard plans to enter politics again. And, as always, there's a punny segment. Recorded before a live audience, April 14, 2019, in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis.

Lou Harry and guests offer recommendations for cultural events taking place in Central Indiana mid-April to mid-May 2019. Recorded live in the Oxford Room above the Aristocrat Pub in Indy, April 14, 2019, as part of Lou Harry Gets Real Episode 8.

  What About a Building Moves You? features Richard McCoy, Director of Landmark Columbus, an organization dedicated to caring for the design heritage of the architectural Mecca known as Columbus, Indiana. Sarah Grain (accompanied by Doug Sauter) is this episode's musical guest. ComedySportz' improv comic Frankie Bolda jumps in as Lou's sidekick. In this episode Lou and his guests discuss place and space. What roles do architecture, art, design and nature play in shaping our lives? Episode 7 was recorded in March 2019 before a live audience in the cozy Oxford Room, above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis. Lou Harry Gets Real is a mix of insightful conversation, improv comedy and music, featuring award-winning journalist, author, playwright, and comedian Lou Harry. Lou Harry Gets Real is sponsored by the Oxford Room of the Aristocrat Pub. Choose the Oxford Room to host your next rehearsal dinner, corporate gathering, wake or game night. For more information: The Oxford Room Other links: Landmark Columbus Sarah Grain & the Billions of Stars ComedySportz  

Lou Harry and guests offer recommendations for cultural events taking place in Central Indiana mid-March to mid-April 2019. Recorded live in the Oxford Room, March 10, 2019, as part of Lou Harry Gets Real Episode 7.

Lou Harry Gets Real is a mix of insightful conversation, improv comedy and music, featuring award-winning journalist, author, playwright, and comedian Lou Harry. This episode, Science Fiction & Fact, features acclaimed Middle Reader / Young Adult science fiction novelist Kat Falls, comic improv artist / Indianapolis Children's Museum interpreter Mookie Harris and Indy music legend Tim Brickley. This show was recorded February 2019 before a live audience at the cozy Oxford Room, above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis. Lou Harry Gets Real is sponsored by the Oxford Room of the Aristocrat Pub. Choose the Oxford Room to host your next rehearsal dinner, corporate gathering, wake or game night. For more information: The Oxford Room Other links: Kat Falls Tim Brickley Lou Harry  

Lou Harry offers recommendations for cultural events taking place in Central Indiana mid-February to mid-March 2019. Recorded live in the Oxford Room, February 10, 2019, as part of Lou Harry Gets Real Episode 6.

Lou Harry Gets Real is a mix of insightful conversation, improv comedy and music, featuring award-winning journalist, author, playwright, and comedian Lou Harry. This episode, Reimaging & Rebuilding, features community leader Brian Payne, president and CEO of the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), comic actor Daniel A. Martin and singer-songwriter Meghan Cristeen Martin. This show was recorded in January 2019 before a live audience at the cozy Oxford Room, above the Aristocrat Pub in Indianapolis. Information about Brian Payne and CICF Preview Meghan Cristeen Martin's Music