This past week at the Indiana Repertory Theatre I had the pleasure of seeing the "highly caffeinated comedy" Triple Espresso. The show was a perfectly blended brew of comedy, musical numbers, magic tricks and, best of all, shadow puppetry! It truly is a show for all ages. The crowd involvement was incredibly entertaining as each unsuspecting audience member was illuminated by spotlight and, quite literally, put on the spot to become part of the show.

The play is set at the namesake coffee house, Triple Espresso, in present day. There, the trio comprised of Buzz Maxwell (Patrick Albanese), Hugh Butternut (Robert O. Berdahl), and Bobby Bean (Dave Shirley) have gathered for a reunion. In flashbacks, signaled by the turning of giant cue cards, they relive and retell the trio's performance history. Their story begins with the group meeting in college and follows their career highs, lows, and lower lows.

Midway through the show I found myself eagerly awaiting intermission - not for lack of entertainment but for the "perc's" that awaited in the lobby; shots of Hugh Butternut's parents for each performance, a guest-book to sign, and a mailbox to write home about Triple Espresso. I thought that I would then cleverly order a triple espresso at the bar but found instead the close second: brewed French Roast coffee. The show even continued into the lobby where Maxwell, Butternut, and Bean recreated a gig from their past.

This show has the perfect body, heart, and soul. Or, as we say in the espresso world, the perfect body, heart, and crema!

Thirsting for more? Unfortunately, the presentation of Triple Espresso has come to an end here in Indianapolis. If you'd like to catch a performance or learn more about it, visit www.tripleespresso.com. Next up at the IRT is The Gentleman from Indiana which begins September 13th, 2006. Interested in attending a production at the IRT? Visit www.indianarep.com