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The Actors Theatre of Indiana (ATI) LAB Series returns this fall with a new play by Keith Miller about a famous Hoosier poet.
On Saturday, Oct. 11, ATI will present “An Evening with James Whitcomb Riley.” This play, directed by Richard J. Roberts, stars Paul Hansen as James Whitcomb Riley and Nolan Daugherty as Caleb Johnson.
Many Indiana natives have heard of James Whitcomb Riley. His poems have remained part of early childhood reading classes for decades. But how did this Hoosier poet go from passing a hat after his lectures in little towns across Indiana to sold out performances in Madison Square Garden in New York City? How did a scandal nearly end his literary career before it had even begun? Why was Mark Twain so apprehensive about performing with Riley?
You may know his name, but you don’t know his story. “An Evening with James Whitcomb Riley” is based on a real event that happened 132 years ago when Twain and Riley appeared at Madison Square Garden for a sold-out performance titled “A Night with the Gods.”
Imagine, long before social media, a simple country poet from Indiana was able to sell out Madison Square Garden. Riley has contributed greatly to the fabric of society, from Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls to the adventures of Little Orphan Annie in both newspapers and radio, and most eventually the hit Broadway musical Annie.
This new play explores how a simple country poet, born in Greenfield, became one of the best-selling authors of his time.
Following the LAB Series reading of the play, it will be presented by ATI in a fully staged production as a benefit for Riley Children’s Hospital Foundation and the James Whitcomb Riley House. The benefit performance will be held at The Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre on the campus of the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. Tickets for the benefit performance will be available in late October.
The LAB Series program is ATI’s way to show commitment to nurturing new plays and playwrights. Chosen plays will have a reading and a talk-back session with ATI audiences, staff, cast, and the playwright at the Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St. Join the staff, cast, and playwright at 2 p.m. Oct. 11 to share this amazing slice of history.
The public reading event is free, but seats should be reserved at this link.
To learn more about this season’s productions and other upcoming events with ATI, visit their website at atistage.org.