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Also this week:

Nora Jones, March 13 at the Murat Theatre. Details here.

Opera star Sylvia McNair performs selections from the Great American Songbook with the Carmel Symphony
Orchestra, March 13, at Zionsville Performing Arts Center. Details here.

The Theatre Within presents “The Twilight of the Golds,” March 12-27, at The Church Within.
Details here.

The University of Indianapolis presents “Celebrating Chopin” featuring pianist Richard Ratliff
and music by and inspired by the composer. March 15 at the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center. Details here.
 

The Humana Festival of New American Plays

Through March 28
Actors Theatre of Louisville

Every year, I do my best to prod theater lovers from Indy into taking the relatively short trek to Louisville for the Humana
Festival of New American Plays.

By definition, it’s tough to sell the festival based on titles, given that it’s all untested new work. And, most
years (including this one), it’s also tough to push specific playwrights, since it’s unlikely that you’ve
been exposed to the work of Lisa Dillman or Dan O’Brien. You might recall Deborah Zoe Laufer, whose “End Days”
was performed here at the Phoenix a few seasons back.

I often fall back on past work to make the Humana Fest case, reminding anyone who will listen that such recent winners as
“Becky Shaw” and the Pulitzer-winning “Dinner with Friends” launched at Humana, taking their place
alongside such now-canonical shows as “Crimes of the Heart” and “The Gin Game.”

How about just a general prodding? Some of my best theatrical experiences of the last dozen or so years have come courtesy
of this internationally known fest. Go. Details here.

 

“Carousel”

March 12-28
Indianapolis Civic Theatre

If you haven’t seen “Carousel” in years (or only saw the movie), you might be surprised at how dark the
Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpiece is. At least it is before the “end of the storm.”

With its anger-management-challenged leading man and a damaged leading lady who is “quieter and deeper than a well,”
“Carousel” daringly paints its characters as real people, not theater archetypes. Success for productions of it
depends on finding the balance between the beauty of its rousing, haunting, stunning score and the inarticulate lives of its
characters. The key to “Carousel” is that, like us, its characters don’t always say what they mean or what
they feel. Or even know what they mean or feel.

When it works, this is as good as musical theater gets. For details on Indianapolis Civic Theatre’s production, click
here.
 

“Joshua Mosley: American International”

March 12-Aug. 29
Indianapolis Museum of Art

A park ranger and a PR rep discuss their relationship—in stop-motion animation—while an equally animated economist,
Friedrich Hayek, chats with builder/philanthropist George R. Brown. Never mind that the two never actually met.

Video and bronze sculptures merge in the work of Joshua Mosley, who will have two of his works—2004’s “A
Vue” and the new “International”—on display. Stop in March 11 when the artist will be at the IMA to
screen and discuss both. Details here.

 

“Oklahoma!”

March 12-28
Footlite Musicals

Audiences back in 1943 weren’t sure what to expect from “Oklahoma!” On a test run in New Haven, Conn.,
the show was called “Away We Go,” it didn’t feature any notable stars, and composer Richard Rodgers was
teaming for the first time with Oscar Hammerstein, who was coming off a string of flops, including such quickly forgotten
shows as “Sunny River” and “Very Warm for May.” Rumor had it that, when the curtain opened, instead
of the usual chorus of dancers, there was an older woman churning butter. Huh?

No wonder that the influential gossip columnist Walter Winchell (who, in hindsight, was making the theatrical equivalent
of “Dewey Defeats Truman”) said of the show, “No legs, no jokes, no chance.” But the bold, innovative,
tuneful “Oklahoma!” changed the face of musical theater, ushering in an era when character mattered.

The best productions of it, though, don’t treat it as a classic. They treat it as an exciting, funny (yes, Walter,
there are jokes), vital story of an awkward couple trying to figure out each other and make a place for themselves in the
wannabee-a-state territory.
I look forward to seeing what Footlite Musicals does with the show in its new production. Details here. For more Rodgers and Hammerstein action this weekend, see below.
 

Police chief cleaned out by burglar

An eastern Indiana police chief has a little less spring cleaning to do after a burglar took everything from his garage. Richmond
Police Chief Kris Wolski was among at least five residents in his neighborhood hit Monday in a two-day string of garage and
vehicle burglaries. Four other garages were burglarized in about six hours on Sunday.

About 100 expelled from IU fraternity

A fraternity at Indiana University faces serious sanctions once again. This time, about 100 students will be expelled from
the Alpha Tau Omega chapter on the Bloomington campus, leaving only about 20 members. University officials say the fraternity
has an “Animal House” mentality and members’ grades aren’t up to snuff. There were also several reports
of hazing. The fraternity was on probation for alcohol-related reasons when the latest investigation began.

Franklin police detective faces suspension

A Franklin police detective accused of inappropriate conduct while on duty faces suspension and a possible demotion. According
to the Johnson County Daily Journal, Bryan Burton is accused of giving liquor to an underage female informant, drinking alcohol
while on duty, and engaging in inappropriate and sexually suggestive conversations. He also is accused of driving a confiscated
car and failing to report an accident he was involved in while on duty. The Franklin Police Merit Board is recommending a
45-day suspension. Fox59 will have more at 4 p.m.