Building Jerusalem

Catalyst Repertory brings Building Jerusalem to IF Theatre starting Friday, October 16. It's a contemporary drama by Michael Redhill, and the company is staging it as an immersive evening. The story is set on New Year's Eve at the turn of a century, and it follows four esteemed guests stuck at a party with an unusual agenda, run by a mysterious young woman. Redhill describes it as a play about change and those who orchestrate it.

Tristan Ross directs, and the cast includes Maria Meschi, Alaine Sims, Brant Hughes, Ross himself, and Anna Himes. The production is part of Catalyst Repertory's ongoing work in Indianapolis, where they've carved out a niche for new plays, new adaptations of classics, and the kind of grittier, more difficult material that rarely gets staged in the Midwest. The company was founded and is led by Artistic Director Casey Ross, who opened their first season in 2015 at Fountain Square's Grove Haus with his own script, The Ripple Effect. A Hanover College graduate, Ross has written and produced 15 original plays since 2007 and took home the 2017 Pauline Moffat IndyFringe Best Veteran Producers award. Creative Director Tristan Ross, who also takes the stage here, originated the role of Ted in Ross's Tortillo! trilogy (2009–2023) and wrote and directed the adaptation of Fritz Lang's M.

Building Jerusalem runs over two weekends: Friday, October 16, Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, then again Friday, October 23, Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25. Performances are 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 PM to 5 PM on Sundays. You'll find the show at IF Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202.