A&E priority list for April 25-May 1

Stuck for something to do this week? I'm here to help. Here are some of my top choices for April 25-May 1.

“Into the Woods”

April 26-May 11

Tarkington

“Shrek,” “Mirror, Mirror,” and other revisionist fairy tales owe a lot to Stephen Sondheim’s fairy-tale-based musical. But none of those rethinks have come close to the combo of fun and introspection that makes “Into the Woods” so special. To close out its season, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre tackles the challenging material, which should provide a field day for Civic’s able designers. Just don’t think it’s over when Red Riding Hood, Jack (of beanstalk fame), Cinderella and others sing about “Happy Ever After.” There’s still a grittier second act to go. Details here. 

Diana Krall

April 26

Clowes Hall

Vocalist/pianist Diana Krall, who crooned “Bye Bye Blackbird” in the film “Public Enemies” and “Just One of Those Things” in “De-Lovely,” made her reputation with jazzy reinterpretations of Great American Songbook tunes. That’s true in her recent tour, too, although you might not hear as many that you recognize. In support of her “Glad Rag Doll” disc, Krall’s shows have taken on a speakeasy flair, emphasizing lesser-known songs from the 1920s and 1930s, such as “There Ain’t No Man Who’s Worth the Salt of My Tears.” Details here. 

Stutz Artists Open House

Stutz Building

April 26-27

I’d venture to say that most visitors to the Stutz Building this weekend won’t set foot in even half of the artist studios opening their doors for this annual bash. That’s not out of disrespect for the work, it’s because a) there are more than 70 artists included in the show, b) the Stutz Building can be a puzzle even to those who’ve been there before, and c) there are distractions in the corridors, including food vendors, musicians and just about everyone you ever met in the central Indiana arts world. Details here.

IBJ A&E Road Trip: “Big Fish”

April 27

Chicago

Along with a busload of readers, I’ll be trekking to Chicago for the world premiere musical “Big Fish.” Based on the novel and book, it tells of a man trying to sort out the truth of his father’s fantastical life. Tickets are sold out for this trip, but do join us in July for another pre-Broadway production, “The Jungle Book,” at Chicago’s Tony-winning Goodman Theatre. On that excursion, we’ll take a side trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo for a pre-show visit with some real-life jungle animals. I promise lots of lively on-the-road musical theater discussion as well. Details here.

Also this week

Raymond Leppard leads the Butler Symphony and Chorale in an April 28 concert at the new Schrott Center to close out the Butler Arts Fest. Details on this and other Arts Fest presentations here. 

Opera great Kathleen Battle headlines at the Palladium April 27. Details here. 

The Service Center presents Servicesound, an experimental electronic music show featuring Mana2, Shannon Hayden, Melt-face and Stephen Walsh April 26. Details here. 

Hoosier Salon artists paint while music by Debussy, Poulenc and others is played during “Impressionable,” an Encore Vocal Arts event April 28 at Friedens United Church of Christ. Details here.

“Miss Saigon” star Lea Salonga performs with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra April 26-27 at the Hilbert Circle Theatre and April 28 at the Palladium. Details here.