“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” was one of the comedy hit movies of 1988 starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin. The 2005 Broadway musical rendition was nominated for 10 Tony awards. A new lavish local production of the stage story is the fall ticket for dinner theater hosted and produced by Marian Theatre Guild of St. John Catholic Church at Marian Memorial Auditorium, 119th St. and Lincoln Ave. in Whiting.
Performances are the weekends of Nov. 2-17 with show times 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. The dinner and show option is only on Saturdays for $58 with 5 p.m. seating. Show-only tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for students. Call 219-473-0713 for all tickets and reservations.
‘Hillbillies’ haven
If you missed this world premiere a decade ago for “Beverly Hillbillies – The Musical,” there is once again an opportunity to strike it rich with CBS rural TV nostalgia. The original play version of the stage story titled “The Beverly Hillbillies” is included for the new 2024-25 season for Footlight Players in Michigan City and opens this weekend. Directed by Laura Meyer with performances Nov. 6 to 17, the script, which is licensed through Dramatic Publishing of Woodstock, Illinois, is the original work penned by the late David Rogers. With permission from the Estate of Paul Henning, the man who gave TV viewers “Green Acres,” “Petticoat Junction” and “The Beverly Hillbillies,” Jed, Granny, Jethro and Elly May and the rest of the clan are planted on stage at the 80-seat venue at 1705 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Tickets are priced at $17 at www.footlightplayers.org or 219-874-4035.
Second place Swift
While tickets for Taylor Swift’s concerts in Indianapolis this weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium are now in second market sales prices starting at $3,000 and up, closer to home there are two concerts of a tribute to the pop star with both ticket availability and lower prices. Taylor Nation Tribute Show – A Live Band Journey Through the Eras of Taylor Swift offers 2 p.m. (all ages) and 8 p.m. CST (21 and older) on Nov. 2 on stage at Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center, 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan. Tickets start at $20 at 866-494-6371 or fourwindscasino.com.
Forever young
Brett Young has captured the hearts of fans everywhere through his honest lyrics and West Coast-meets-Southern sound, aptly dubbed “Caliville” style. With an undeniable string of hits and two albums defined by a transcendent romantic spark, he has cemented his status as Country’s “master over matters of the heart.” He performs one concert on the Hard Rock Live mainstage at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 with tickets priced at $45 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana at 5400 W. 29th Ave. or call 219-228-2383; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com/entertainment.
KC + 50
The name Harry Wayne Casey may not resonate with 70s music era buffs but his stage alter-ego KC and the Sunshine Band remain iconic for hits such as “Boogie Shoes,” “Shake Your Booty,” “Please Don’t Go,” “Get Down Tonight” and “Give It Up.” The band is back on tour with Casey leading the way to mark their 50th anniversary. This weekend they perform at The Venue at Hammond Horseshoe Casino at 777 Casino Center Drive in Hammond for one show at 8 p.m. Nov. 2. Tickets are $72 and available by calling 866-711-7463 or go to caesars.com/horseshoe-hammond/shows.
Where Eagles fly
The title “Hell Freezes Over,” launched as the second live album by the Eagles released in 1994 also coincided with a tour that sparked much attention for the band to reunite and reform after a 14-year break-up. Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Don Felder, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit all shared the stage once again. Thirty years later, the Eagles today consist of Henley, Walsh and Schmit joined by Vince Gill as they perform in Las Vegas this weekend as part of their Long Goodbye Tour. In Northwest Indiana, audiences can enjoy “Heartache Tonight!” an Eagles tribute band performing at 8 p.m. Nov. 1 at Art Theater, 230 Main St. in Hobart. Tickets start at $20 by calling (219) 942-1670 or brickartlive.com.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa@comhs.org.
