It’s May. It’s May. The lusty month of…well, let’s just let Julie Andrews tell you:
Are you back?
Good.
Now, let’s take a look at some of your A&E options this week.
“Nickel and Dimed”
NoExit Performance can be tough to pin down. Its modus operandi is to create theatrical events in site-appropriate spots so a GPS is usually more necessary than a 
program. For this production, an adaptation of Barbara Ehrenreich’s non-fiction book about the challenges for the working poor, its stage is a bingo hall on Raymond St. The cast includes Carrie Bennett, Lynn Burger, and Tracy Herring, all of whom are best known locally for their comedic work. May 3-19 at the Bingo Hall, 3622 E. Raymond St.
Stacie Sandoval Latin Jazztet
The Arts Council of Indianapolis–on top of all its other work–is also one of the region’s busiest presenter of music concerts. While it sometimes may seem more focused on visual arts, let us not forget that, just about any day of the week, you can hear some of the leading local acts, free, in the Artsgarden. This week’s lineup includes a Saturday afternoon set with Sandoval and company. May 5 at the Artsgarden
Ten-Minute Play Festival
Do even 90-minute plays test your patience? In the middle of some 50-minute Fringe fest shows do you think “enough already”? Well, here’s the fest for you (and, seriously, for anyone wanting a sampler of the work of local talent). IndyFringe and the Indiana Writers Center have put together a program of shorts for a weekend run May 4-6 at the Fringe Building
“Priscilla Queen of the Desert”
If we must have shows made up of hit pop songs from the 70’s (yes, including “I Will Survive” and “It’s Raining Men”), it might as well be in service of the story of a trio of drag performers driving a bus across Australia. The show not only has its local debut courtesy of Footlite Musicals, it also comes sporting costumes from the Broadway production. May 4-20 at Hedbeck Theatre.
“The Rivalry”
As for me, I’m co-producing and directing a reading of Norman Corwin’s wonderful, exciting and surprisingly moving play about the Lincoln/Douglas debates. The dream cast assembled consists of Ryan Artzberger, Georgeanna Smith Wade and Robert Neal. Tickets are only $10 (free to Indiana Historical Society members). May 3 at the Indiana History Center. Info here. Hope to see you there.
louharry.com 