Of Notoriety: LaPorte Little Theatre welcomes 100th year with ‘Music Man,' Three Dog Night at Hard Rock
A parade of 76 trombones will herald the start of the 100th anniversary season this weekend at LaPorte Little Theatre with a new production of 'The Music Man' opening Friday and playing weekends through March 9. A 200-seat stage space that opened in 1925, LaPorte Little Theatre is an all-volunteer arts organization. 'The Music Man,' Meredith Willson's six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy, has been entertaining audiences since 1957 and is a family-friendly story shared with new generations of all ages. It is being co-directed by Jim Snyder and Scott Lenig. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at the stage space at 218 A St. in downtown LaPorte. Tickets are $15 for students, $18 for seniors 55 and older, and $19 for adults by calling 219-362-5113 or www.laportelittletheatreclub.com.
Artistic expression
Students of the March session of After School Sculpture will learn basic ceramic techniques from local ceramicist Allyce Ebert at Chesterton Art Center, 115th South 4th Street in Chesterton. In this fun and interactive class, students will use coil, pinch and slab methods to create and glaze whimsical animal head plant pots to take home as an artistic memory and memento. The four-class weekly session starts Monday, March 3, and continues through March 31 with no class March 24. The class meets from 4:30-6 p.m. and is intended for ages 8 to 12. Chesterton Art Center is a destination for art classes and exhibitions in Chicagoland showcasing artworks in a wide array of media, including painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, glass, wood, ceramics and more. Many pieces are available for purchase at a variety of price points. For information about other art classes and opportunities and membership options visit www.chestertonart.org or call (219) 926-4711.
Stage concert icons
Legendary band Three Dog Night, now in its 6th decade, claims some of the most astonishing statistics in popular music. In the years 1969 through 1974, no other group achieved more top 10 hits, moved more records, or sold more concert tickets than Three Dog Night with hit songs like 'Joy to the World,' 'Mama Told Me' and 'An Old Fashioned Love Song.' With tickets starting at $45, Three Dog Night will play one concert at 7 p.m. March 7 on the Hard Rock Live stage. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is located at 5400 W. 29th Ave. with concert tickets sold at the box office or call 219-228-2383; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com/entertainment.
Making a splash
Credited as the 'Greatest Movie Musical of All Time,' the film favorite 'Singin' in the Rain' was faithfully and lovingly adapted for stage by Broadway legends Betty Comden and Adolph Green from their original award-winning screenplay. Each unforgettable scene, song and dance is included, including the show-stopping audience-drenched title number, for a new production opening this weekend at Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Ave. in downtown Valparaiso. The humor and tune-filled tale of the starlet, the leading man and a love affair set during the era of silent movies transitioning to 'talkies' is presented Friday through March 16 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets range from $27 to $60 and are available by calling the box office at 219-548-9137 or www.memorialoperahouse.com.
In the Mode
The band Strangelove offers a concert tribute they describe as 'The Depeche Mode Experience.' Los Angeles-based Strangelove-The Depeche Mode Experience delivers a career-spanning, pitch-perfect 'best of' concert that transports the listener through time and touches on several key points in Depeche Mode's 40-plus-year career. Songs from throughout the Depeche tune timeline are lovingly recreated; from favorites on their debut Speak and Spell to the newest fare from the band's latest, 2017's 'Spirit.' The visual presentation includes stage set pieces and in-show costume changes that reflect different eras of Depeche Mode's story and includes a custom-produced multimedia projection of visuals to delight the concertgoer's senses and enhance the illusion. This unique concert event is in the spotlight for one 8 p.m. concert Friday at The Art Theater, 230 Main St. in Hobart. Tickets range from $28 to $40 by calling 219-942-1670 or visit www. brickartlive.com.
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