Priority List: A&E choices for Jan. 10-16

Stuck for what to do this week?

Here's a select starter list:

Hairspray in Concert

Jan. 11

Hilbert Circle Theatre

In symphonic concert versions of musicals, the actors carry abridged scripts, which are read to give the whole piece a coherent narrative. Done well—as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has in the past—it doesn’t come across as an on-book rehearsal but, rather, as a delightful hybrid of concert and play. In the past, the ISO’s choices have been old-school classics “Guys and Dolls” and “Hello, Dolly!” This time, we have a show of more recent vintage: “Hairspray.” John Waters, who wrote and directed the original film, narrates for a cast that features former Monkee Micky Dolenz and a who’s who of Broadway talent, including Nick Adams (“Priscilla Queen of the Desert”), Beth Leavel (”Baby It’s You”) and NaTasha Yvette Williams (“The Color Purple”). Details here. 

Mummenschanz

Jan. 12-13

Tarkington

Emerging in the 1970s, this Swiss group became an unexpected hot property for its blend of crazy masks and props combined with non-verbal, music-free action. A Broadway run, lengthy world tours, and a spot on “The Muppet Show” helped seal the deal. Now celebrating its 40th year in the business, Mummenschanz has influenced many a contemporary performance art company but has still maintained its core “What-did-I-just-see?” charms. Details here.

Winter Nights Film Series

Through Feb. 22

Indianapolis Museum of Art

The theme for this winter’s cold-weather flicks at the IMA is “visual feasts.” That means those who attend the Friday night screenings will have an opportunity to see movies that, at least on their initial release, looked like none other. The range of films that fall into that category is wide. This week, it’s the graphic novel noir “Sin City” (2005), next week it’s the sumptuous “Dangerous Liaisons” (1988) and, on Jan. 25, it’s the film I’d nominate for, frame-by-frame, the most beautiful ever—1978’s “Days of Heaven.” Also in the series: “Apocalypse Now,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Top Hat” and “The Night of the Hunter.” Details here.

Also this week

Dance Kaleidoscope restages its “Old Blue Eyes” Sinatra-inspired show at the Pike Performing Arts Center. Details here.

Footlite Musicals stages Jason Robert Brown’s “The Last Five Years,” a song cycle in which a relationship is chronicled by two characters, one from beginning to end and the other from end to beginning. Jan. 11-27 at Hedbeck Theatre. Details here. 

On Jan. 11, Pike Performing Arts Center hosts the Elvis Birthday Tribute Artists Spectacular, featuring Presley’s drummer D.J. Fontana. Details here.

On Jan. 11, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” the latest in the Great American Songbook Movie Series, plays the Palladium. Details here.

Jazz talent John Pizzarelli performs at the Palladium Jan. 10. Details here.

The Purdue University Varsity Glee Club performs Jan. 13 at the Warren Performing Arts Center. Details here.