“POTUS” is the term used at times to shorten the title “President of the United States.” “POTUS” is also the title of the play continuing performances through this weekend at Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Ave. in Hammond. The secondary title for this stage comedy written by Selina Fillinger and directed by Anna Maria D’Ortenzio is “Behind Every Great Dumb*** Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive.”

When the president unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most risk life, liberty and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. The play is described as “a bawdy and irreverent look at sex, politics and the women in charge of the man in charge of the free world, with a reminder that global crisis is always just a four-letter word away.” A show disclaimer warns that “this play opens with a strong expletive and continues with raunchy language throughout.” Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $24 in advance and $28 at the door and available by calling 219-937-8780 or visit www.towletheater.org.

Anniversary celebration

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is celebrating its fourth anniversary this month and hosting a free concert by Gym Class Heroes on the Hard Rock Cafe stage at 9 p.m. Saturday. With three stages and five dining outlets, more than 8 million people have visited Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana since it opened, ranking as Northwest Indiana’s No. 1 tourist attraction. “When we opened our doors back in May of 2021, the people in our area were thrilled to have a place nearby to see all their favorite artists on stage and wonderful dining and gaming experiences,” President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana Matt Schuffert said in a release. “It was truly what the region needed at the exact right time.” Travie McCoy, lead singer of Gym Class Heroes and a celebrated solo artist, is leading his band for the celebration performance. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is located at 5400 West 29th Ave. in Gary, IN, directly adjacent to the I80/94 Burr Street Interchange. For more information, call 219-228-2383 or visit www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.

Michael Bublé crooner

Direct from Las Vegas, this Theatre at the Center tribute concert is a must-see for people who appreciate the music of The Great American Songbook. Artists like Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett to superstar rock artists Linda Ronstadt and Rod Stewart are all the inspirations for the stylings and vocals of Canadian singer Michael Bublé. Entertainer Michael Ross Nugent pays tribute to Bublé and other greats, backed on stage by a grand piano and his pianist Michael Clark. At age 31, Michael Ross Nugent describes himself as “a young man with an old soul and love from the great performers of yesterday and today.” The show is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $40 available by calling 219-836-3255 or visit www.TheatreattheCenter.com.

‘Plaid’ applause

“Forever Plaid” is one of the most popular and successful small cast cabaret style musicals of recent decades. Four musical hopefuls, Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie travel the small stage circuit as the crooning group “The Plaids.” Fearful that the close of the decade of the 1950s means the end of the music and song stylings they so love, they fail to embrace the world of the swinging 1960s. A tragic car accident sends the fellows to heavenly limbo where they are given a chance to live their worldly dream of appearing on Ed Sullivan’s popular CBS Sunday night variety show. This jukebox musical stars Josh Bachman as Francis, Phil Dietrich as Sparky, Trey Erny as Jinx and Jason Utesch as Smudge as directed by Patti Shaffner. From calypso beats to Perry Como and “Three Coins in the Fountain,” audiences enjoy a musical trip down a memory lane of tune favorites. Weekend performances start May 9 with 8 p.m. curtains on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets range from $27 to $60 at MemorialOperaHouse.com or 219-548-9137.

Concert season finale

Now age 93, the greatest American film composer of all time, John Williams, has written some of the most popular, recognizable and critically acclaimed film scores in cinematic history in a career spanning more than six decades. Williams has won 24 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. In the final concert installment of the Northwest Indiana Orchestra’s 2024-25 Season, Williams’ work is highlighted for two nights, 7:30 p.m. both May 15 and 16 at Living Hope Church auditorium, 9000 Taft St., in Merrillville. Hear selections from “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” Far & Away,” “The Patriot,” “Superman” and more in this tribute to an American icon. Tickets start at $45 with a $10 student option. Visit www.nisorchestra.org or call 219-836-0525.

Philip Potempa is a journalist, author and weekly radio show host on WJOB-AM 1230.

PhilPotempa@gmail.com