Vaudeville is back, and we brought it!
Clerical Error's Holiday Vaudeville Revue
featured music, laughs, and magic on Dec 3, 2022
It’s December 1922 and the Clerical Error troupe has been stranded in Indianapolis due to bad weather and lack of funds. Can Mother Benn and Digger Duffy turn calamity into comedy and get their performers home for the holidays? The holiday revue featured the talents of Matt Anderson, James Benn, Henry Burk, Monica Cantrell, Corbin DeVol, Kate Duffy, Joseph Filipow, Jamahl Keyes, MaryAnne Mathews, Josiah Ray McCruiston, Taylor Moss, and Minnie Ryder.
Thanks to the District Theatre for being our vaudeville home, and to our sponsors and supporters. Video links appear below the performers’ bios.
Meet the Vaudevillians
MATT ANDERSON – MC Hector Hornblower, Cupid the Reindeer, Ensemble
You may know Matt as host of the game show Who Wants to Be a Vaudevillianaire? as well as author of the autobiography telling how he got his start in vaudeville, Fairly Vaud Parents. In his spare time, Matt enjoys paprika, wall-to-wall carpeting, and writing fake bios.
JAMES BENN – Mother Benn, Co-Director, Co-Writer, Enesmble
Serving as both Creative Consultant and Vaudeville Coordinator, James performed in Clerical Error’s New Vaudeville Revue of 2022. Indiana Repertory Theatre: To Kill a Mockingbird, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Regional: Five Guys Named Moe, Ain’t Misbehavin’. Cabaret: Little Butchie Sings! Back In Business. James has directed regionally and locally. He holds a BFA in graphic design from Herron School of Art. Merry everything! Happy always!
HENRY BURK – Henri the Mime
Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Henry began performing at a young age. He attended the arts magnet high school while also working in theatre locally and in Chicago. Following in the footsteps of his mother, who studied under Marcel Marceau, he learned miming and began performing as a mime in Fort Wayne’s Buskerfest. He received a BFA in sculpture and furniture design from Herron School of Art and Design, and currently works as a lead fabricator for a scenic arts company.
MONICA CANTRELL – Vocal artist, Ensemble
Versatile artist Monica Cantrell has performed classical and jazz genres of music with symphony orchestras across the U.S., Canada, and abroad. At the Fonseca Theatre Company, she drew glowing praise for portraying Billile Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. Monica continues to perform in local venues.
CORBIN DeVOL – Juggler, Ensemble
Corbin is beyond excited to be a part of the Holiday Show with Clerical Error Productions. He enjoys acting on stage and in film. He is a proud member of the Black Box Bozos, where he plays the magical Valentino. Corbin is an accomplished magician, juggler, and actor. His favorite past roles include Charlie in Willie Wonka Jr., Young Simba in The Lion King Jr., and Olaf in Frozen Jr. Enjoy the show!
KATE DUFFY – Digger Duffy, Co- Director, Co-Writer, Ensemble
Kate is co-founder, CEO, and head writer for Clerical Error Productions. Since retiring from the IUPUI Department of English they have sung, danced, and performed dramatic roles, stand-up comedy, and storytelling in various venues in the Indianapolis area. Their favorite role is the tea-slinging Mrs. O’Boyle, housekeeper to the dissolute priests on Perpendicular Island in Clerical Error’s Father Ned series. Vaudeville lives!
JOSEPH FILIPOW – Guitarist
Joseph is an Indianapolis native and internationally touring musician, vocalist, DJ, and producer. He has performed across the world in more than 20 countries. Since the pandemic he has returned to his hometown of Carmel where he DJs and performs as a musician.
JAMAHL KEYES – The Magic Comic
Indianapolis based magician Jamahl Keyes has been a “comedy magician” for over two decades with performances across America, in South America, Canada, Mexico, and notably at the Grand Old Opry. He has shared stages with Joan Rivers and Ben Vereen. Keyes uses creative audience participation to make his shows an experience! The Magic Comic is for all ages. Inquiries are welcome at info@themagiccomic.com or 866-230-9808.
MARYANNE MATHEWS – Mrs. Claus, Production Assistant, Musical Arranger, Ensemble
MaryAnne Mathews is a writer, director, and singer who performs her original play Mrs. President: A Visit with Mary Lincoln regionally. Other productions include 2022 Indy Bardfest’s Lysistrata, Mother Ireland (co-written with Kate Duffy), and Maude in Harold and Maude. She plays hammered dulcimer and guitar with Crossing Bridges.
JOSIAH RAY McCRUISTON – Father Christmas, Ensemble
Josiah is a multi-talented performer across multiple sectors. He has been a part of multiple productions across the region and is excited to be back at the old Theatre on the … oops, District Theatre. He is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Art Education with pursuits of receiving his Doctorate. Thank you for coming to see the show. I love you, baby!
TAYLOR MOSS – Hooper, Ensemble
Taylor has been a circus performer since the age of 7. She is an accomplished clown (Hoops), hula hoop artist, aerialist (including lyra, flying trapeze, Spanish web, and more), acrobat, dancer, and singer. Taylor is also co-founder of Black Box Bozos, which has become the largest clown kid alley in the world. She is elated to be a part of the Holiday Show with Clerical Error Productions.
MINNIE RYDER – Penguin, Elf on the Shelf
Minnie is an Indianapolis performer with a background in theatre, dance, and specializes in Nerdlesque and comedy. This is her second vaudeville performance with Clerical Error.
Enjoy the show our YouTube channel!
Thank you to our sponsors:
A-List Aquatics – The Hostetter Team – Kelsey Billings – Grateful Dogs – Tom Stemlar – InSight Art Promotion – Childers Counseling Service – Mowery Heating, AC, Plumbing – Nine Lives Cat Cafe – Mass Ave. Pub – Macaron Bar – Judie and Tom Doehrmann – Liftoff Creamery – Flix Brewhouse – Catalyst Repertory – Phoenix Theatre and Cultural Center – Southbank Theatre – Needlers Market
Our first vaudeville show was launched April 2, 2022 at the District Theatre
On April 2, Clerical Error Productions launched the New Vaudeville Revue of 2022 to a packed house at the District Theatre Mainstage on Mass Ave. in downtown Indy. Our show featured the talents of Jason Adams, Matt Anderson, James Benn, Jamahl Keyes, Lola LaVacious, and Minnie Ryder performing vocal acts, burlesque, magic, mentalism, comedy, and a tribute to vaudeville legends Abbot and Costello and Bert Williams. Kate Duffy and Jon Lindley played the roles of Impresario and Straight Man.
We’re indebted to Pauline Moffat at the District for believing in and supporting our vision and the enthusiastic crowd who cheered us on. Video by Gabe Duval. Photos by Rob Slaven at Indy Ghost Light Photography.
