Quartet of original musicals find Indiana stages

There are few things more difficult in theater than the creation of successful (artistically and/or financially) new musicals.

Here's an update on four that are in development in Indiana:

–"The Circus in Winter," based on Cathy Day's much-praised novel, has had a few developmental readings and productions at Ball State already. This time, it's being offered in a concert version at the place that inspired it, Peru, Indiana. The July 17-18 performances will benefit Peru's Ole Olsen Memorial Theater and the International Circus Hall of Fame.

–In Bloomington, composer/lyricist Jeremy Schonfeld and book writer Josh Sohn will have be given the world premiere of their musical "Kissing Frogs" in a first-time-ever collaboration between the Bloomington Playwrights Project and the Indiana University Musical Theatre department.  It will be staged Feb. 4-19.

–Closer to home (and, alas, already past), Westfield playwright Willie Wood presented "Something Cool" last weekend at Carmel Community Playhouse. The show incorporates songs from the 1950s into the story of two sisters looking for love.

–As I've mentioned before, the Phoenix Theatre's original "Pure Prine," featuring the music of John Prine, will be back Aug. 19-Sept. 12 with the cast intact. Details here.