A diversity of entertainment, from Johnny Cash to Agatha Christie.
by John Cain
Theatre at the Center will present “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts in Munster, February 20 through March 30. From the iconic songbook of Johnny Cash comes this unique musical about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, home and family. A multitalented cast will perform more than two dozen classic hits, including “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Folsom Prison Blues” and the title tune. This musical portrait of The Man in Black promises to be a footstompin', crowd-pleasin' salute to a uniquely American legend.
In “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie–presented by Hammond Community Theatre at Beatniks on Conkey, 418 Conkey Street in Hammond, February 7 through 16–a group of strangers is stranded in a boarding house during a snowstorm, and one is a murderer. The suspects include the newly married couple who run the house, a spinster with a curious background, an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef, a retired Army major, a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift, and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. Into their midst comes a policeman on skis who rattles a lot of skeletons.
Other winter theatre fare includes Conor McPherson's “The Weir” at Festival Players Guild at Main Street Theatre, 807 Franklin Street, Michigan City, March 8-15, and “Anything Goes” at Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso, February 21-March 9, featuring the Porter classics “You're the Top,” “Friendship,” “Blow Gabriel Blow,” “It's De-Lovely” and the title song.
The Northwest Indiana Symphony will celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14 with a concert performance of “Tosca,” Puccini's passionate opera about a singer, the painter she loves, and the police chief who wants her for himself. Everything is driven by love–of others, of country and of power–in this lightly staged production that will feature talented guest artists and the Symphony Chorus as they bring this story of longing and destruction to life. “Tosca” will be presented at The Auditorium at Bethel, 10202 Broadway in Crown Point.
The Symphony returns one month later with Dueling Pianos, featuring award-winning pianists Marta Aznavoorian and Winston Choi as they face off with Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos on March 14. The Symphony's “piano-cam” will catch the intricate musicianship of these talented guest artists. This concert will also include the grandeur, power and nobility of Brahms' 4th Symphony.
The Northwest Indiana Concert Association will present Jessie Lynch's Jazz 101, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Munster High School Auditorium. Lynch has wowed audiences with his playing of everything from Beethoven and Bop to free jazz and contemporary compositions. He is a genre-defying musician with the ability and passion to take on any style of music. Joined on bass and drums, Lynch leads audiences on a journey through the evolution and history of jazz through music and multimedia presentation in this program.
South Shore Arts reminds you to visit its online Regional Art Calendar at www.SouthShoreArtsOnline.org for listings of local arts events. The calendar lists exhibits, concerts, plays, lectures, film series, dance performances and more, all taking place in your neighborhood. Don't forget the South Shore Arts Facebook page, where you can also keep up to date on exhibit schedules and opening receptions, class signups, outreach programs and special events. Local artists also post their events and share local art experiences.
Find out more about area arts activities and events by watching Lakeshore Public Television's “Eye on the Arts,” every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. on Lakeshore News Tonight.
