Thirteen plays in four states in a month might be a personal best. But now I’m back in Indy for a while and look forward to digging into the local menu.

Here are a few offerings to consider this week:

“Josephine”

One of the pleasures of the Indy Fringe festival is watching a show suddenly break out of the pack to become a buzz-inducing hit. That was the case with “Josephine,” a one-women show about Josephine Baker that became a hot ticket at the 2017 fest. The show we saw then was a trimmed down version of a longer work and now, again courtesy of Indy Fringe, we’ll get a look at the fuller piece. Tymisha Harris co-created, designed the costumes, and performs in the show that includes such such as “Strange Fruit,” “La Vie en Rose” and “The Times They are a’ Changin’.” April 13-14 at Indy Fringe. Details here. 

“Singin in the Rain”
I’m all for a glorious feeling and the chance to be happy again with one of the original jukebox musicals (Sorry to break it to you, but the tunes here weren’t written for the film classic). Timothy Ford, who played the lead here in 2011, returns, partnered with Kimberly Doreen Burns, who recently performed in the Irish Repertory Theatre’s revival of “Finian’s Rainbow.” April 12-May 26 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. 

Tim Grimm and Jon Brooks
I’ll admit to being skeptical at first. When I first heard that actor Tim Grimm had a CD coming out–and when it arrived in an understated cardboard sleeve–I didn’t give it a listen right away out of fear that it would, well, let’s just say I’ve had enough experiences at folk festivals with sincere-but-lacking music. But, surprise, I didn’t just like the disc, I loved it. It had echoes of of-the-people singer-songwriters I really dug, ranging from Springsteen to Stan Rogers, but it came through a unique sensibility. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of hearing Grimm in a range of venues, solo and with talented musicians in support, and I’ve never been disappointed (except when his touring gets in the way of seeing him in locally produced plays). He’s around the state this month with shows in Bloomington and Columbus as well as April 13 at the Propylaeum Carriage House. There he’ll be teaming up with Canadian singer/songwriter Jon Brooks with Jackson Grimm in support.
Image result for dan wakefieldLou with “Uncle Dan”

As for me, you can find me on April 15 as a guest on “Uncle Dan’s Book Nerds.” Info here.

“Uncle Dan” is Dan Wakefield, bestselling author of “Going All the Way” and a stack of others books. We’ll be chatting about a wide range of subjects circling around the worlds of publishing and reading. No assignments. No obligations. Housed in the Oxford Room on the second floor of The Aristocrat pub and restaurant, the event runs from 6-8 pm. Hope to see you there.