Twenty years ago, when Judy Fitzgerald moved from New York City to Carmel, she, along with Cynthia Collins and Don Farrell, had a clear goal: to celebrate the power of theater and enhance the quality of life for those in central Indiana. The trio achieved their goal by founding Actors Theatre of Indiana (ATI). For the past two decades ATI has provided high-quality, professional theater performances and programs that engage, inspire, educate and entertain.
Why art? “Because the arts save people,” says Fitzgerald, the artistic director of ATI.
Each year ATI, a professional equity theater company and the resident theater company at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts, puts on four main-stage productions (primarily musicals) at The Studio Theater, and special performances at the Palladium. While the Palladium seats 1,600 people, ATI’s Studio Theater accommodates just 165, creating an intimate setting with no bad seats in the house.
“When you take a musical that you’d usually see on a much bigger stage and put it on a smaller stage, the audience gets to experience those performances up close and personal,” says Suzanne Fleenor, the current director of the show “9 to 5”. “This enables them to interpret the show in a more intimate way.”
“9 to 5” centers around three female colleagues trying to navigate the complexities of workplace dynamics and personal challenges, who ultimately bond to confront their chauvinistic and self-centered boss. The iconic movie starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda was released in 1980. Written by Parton, the dynamic musical is just as entertaining.
“Things have changed dramatically since 1980, when Jimmy Carter was president and fashion was somewhat terrifying,” says Fleenor. “Women were just beginning to enter the workplace, all while still managing their homes.”
At its core, “9 to 5” is about fighting for gender equality in the workplace. The message of solidarity among women has stood the test of time. The show features Violet (played by Fitzgerald), Doralee (played by Abigail Storm) and Judy (played by Devan Mathias). ATI co-founder Cynthia Collins plays Roz, a repressed woman secretly pining for her boss.
“She has a wonderful number called ‘Heart to Hart’ that’s funny and satirical,” Fleenor says. “There’s also a fantasy sequence where the women dream about being someone other than themselves and it is just hysterical.”
The designers had a ball creating ‘70s wigs, makeup and costumes. “It’s the era that taste forgot,” Fleenor says with a smile.
The entire production, running Thursdays through Sundays from April 25 until May 11, celebrates women. It includes a female director, female musical director, female choreographer, and a band that is 90% female.
In celebration of ATI’s 20th anniversary, a gala will be held on June 5 at Hotel Carmichael, featuring a performance, live auction, silent auction, wine pull and more.
“It is sure to be a spectacular evening and an opportunity to support live professional theater,” Fitzgerald says.
A fully staged production of “Titanic: The Musical” will have a two-night run on June 20 and 21 at the Palladium, featuring a spectacular cast, members of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, and the Indianapolis Arts Chorale.
“We’ll have the orchestra on stage, as well as 60 choral members in the gallery singing the glorious music of ‘Titanic’; it will be stunning,” Fitzgerald says.
Fitzgerald notes that it took a long time post-COVID for people to return to the theater, but now they are thrilled to be back.
“To sit in a dark theater with people you don’t know and share a common experience provides a sense of community,” she says.
“The arts are under siege right now, so now more than ever, people need to understand how important it is to the development of children to be exposed to the world of the arts, because it makes you a better person,” Fleenor adds,
Although ATI occasionally brings back fan-favorite shows like “Sweeney Todd” and “Million Dollar Quartet”, they strive to keep each season fresh and new for their patrons.
“Our audience is willing to come out and take a chance on shows they’ve never heard of because they trust they’re going to have a great time,” Fitzgerald says.
In February, ATI wrapped up “Whodunit”, a silly, slapstick musical that was a huge box-office success, selling out and proving that sometimes people need a lighthearted break from reality.
It’s exactly the type of escape “9 to 5” can provide too.
“I promise you’re going to love the cast, the dancing, the direction and the choreography,” Fitzgerald says. “It’s going to be a powerhouse show packed with hilarity and fun.”
ATI will announce its 2025-2026 season in early April.
“It’s our biggest season to date – truly, Broadway in your backyard,” Fitzgerald says.
Actors Theatre of Indiana will perform “9 to 5” at The Studio Theater at 4 Carter Green in Carmel. To purchase tickets, call the box office at 317-843-3800 or visit atistage.org.
