From Indianapolis to Paris: They Call Me Genêt Celebrates the Extraordinary Life of Janet Flanner

For generations, Indianapolis has produced influential artists, writers, musicians, and innovators whose impact has reached far beyond Indiana's borders. Yet one of the city's most accomplished literary figures remains largely unknown to many Hoosiers. This July, The District Theatre hopes to change that with the world premiere of They Call Me Genêt, an inspiring new stage production honoring the remarkable life of journalist Janet Flanner.

Written by playwright D. Paul Thomas and starring Jen Johansen, They Call Me Genêt tells the story of the Indianapolis-born writer who became one of the twentieth century's most respected voices in American journalism. Writing under the pen name "Genêt," Flanner served as Paris correspondent for The New Yorker for more than 50 years, bringing the people, politics, art, and culture of Europe to millions of American readers.

The production makes its debut at The District Theatre on Massachusetts Avenue, offering audiences an opportunity to rediscover a woman whose extraordinary career began right here in Indianapolis.

Born in 1892, Flanner started her career as a cinema critic for The Indianapolis Star before leaving Indiana in the 1920s to pursue a new life in Paris. What followed was a career unlike any other. She became one of the founding voices of The New Yorker, working alongside legendary founder Harold Ross while establishing herself as one of America's foremost cultural observers.

Her celebrated "Letter from Paris" columns chronicled everything from the glamour of Parisian café society to the emergence of modern art, the rise of fascism, and the devastation of World War II. Throughout five decades, Flanner introduced readers to many of the twentieth century's most influential figures, including Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Jean-Paul Sartre, Colette, and Josephine Baker, helping Americans better understand a rapidly changing Europe.

Her work earned international acclaim and, in 1948, France recognized her extraordinary contributions by awarding her the prestigious Légion d'honneur, the nation's highest civilian honor. The distinction reflected not only her exceptional journalism but also her role as an unofficial cultural ambassador between France and the United States.

Beyond her professional achievements, They Call Me Genêt also explores Flanner's personal journey. Living openly within Paris's vibrant expatriate artistic and queer community, she embraced a freedom that was rarely possible in America during that era. The production reveals the woman behind the byline, offering audiences an intimate portrait of someone whose courage matched her remarkable intellect.

"This is not simply a play about a journalist," says Pauline Moffat, Managing Director of The District Theatre. "It is about a woman from Indianapolis who stepped into the world and helped explain it back to us."

Joe Chapelle, Board Chair of The District Theatre, believes Flanner's story deserves far greater recognition in her hometown.

"Janet Flanner was one of the most important American journalists of the twentieth century, yet many people in her own hometown don't know her story," Chapelle says. "Through this play, we are reclaiming an extraordinary Indianapolis voice that helped interpret Europe to America for half a century."

The timing of the production is especially meaningful. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary and The New Yorker nears its centennial celebration, Flanner's legacy feels more relevant than ever. Her commitment to thoughtful journalism, cultural understanding, and fearless reporting continues to resonate in today's rapidly evolving world.

For The District Theatre, located in the heart of Indianapolis' historic Mass Ave Arts District, the production represents more than a theatrical premiere—it is a celebration of one of the city's greatest literary achievements.

They Call Me Genêt reminds us that world-changing stories often begin close to home. Long before she became America's window into Paris, Janet Flanner was simply a young woman from Indianapolis with curiosity, ambition, and a gift for storytelling. Her words would eventually shape how generations understood Europe, proving that a Midwestern voice could have a truly global impact.

This summer, Indianapolis has the opportunity to welcome one of its most accomplished daughters home.

Whether you're a lover of history, journalism, theater, or simply fascinated by remarkable Hoosiers who changed the world, They Call Me Genêt promises to be one of the most compelling theatrical events of the season.

Click here for ticket info!