‘Newsies’ stage scoop, Festival of the Lakes, St. John Fest

OF NOTORIETY

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Morgan McCabe, from left, Danielle Bilderback and Robert Reidy star in “Outside Mullingar” for a final weekend closing performance Sunday at Dunes Summer Theatre in Michigan City. Tony V. Martin

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Singer Tyler Christopher will return to the Theatre at the Center stage on Saturday for his tribute concert to Elvis Presley and his music at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster. Theatre at the Center

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The band Third Eye Blind is set to headline the 2025 Festival of the Lakes stage at Wolf Lake in Hammond on July 19. Hammond Mayor’s Office of Events

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The power of the printed page and how it develops and influences others are two of the important themes delivered in the blockbuster Disney stage musical “Newsies,” which opens July 18 for a two-weekend run by Young People’s Theatre Company at The Holdcraft Players in Michigan City. “Newsies” is inspired by the real-life “Newsboy Strike of 1899,” when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway “newsies” on a two-week-long walk-out against the news moguls of the day, rivals Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The Broadway musical is based on Disney’s 1992 film of the same name, which starred young actors Christian Bale and Christian Slater as the newsboys opposite Ann-Margaret as a nightclub singer, Bill Pullman as a determined newspaper reporter and Robert Duvall as Pulitzer. The stage version added seven new songs by the original team of Alan Menken and Jack Feldman while keeping many of the beloved songs from the film, including “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” “King of New York” and “Santa Fe” during the two-and-a-half-hour tale of triumph.

Performances are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 18, 19, 25 and 26, and 2 p.m. Sundays July 20 and 27, at Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring St. in Michigan City. The show is directed by Amy Crane. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students at www.yptcinc.com.

Wedding or not

Weddings, funerals and inheritances are key topics in the dark humor storyline of “Outside Mullingar,” closing a three-week run Sunday, July 13. Irish playwright John Patrick Shanley takes a “Romeo and Juliet” approach for beer-swigging Anthony and chain-smoking Rosemary, both hopelessly single, longtime neighbors who share fears about their futures living on their adjoining farm properties.

It’s deliciously directed by Michael Lasswell and stars Peter Gertas, Morgan McCabe, Robert Reidy and Danielle Bilderback in a shared spotlight on the Dunes Summer Theatre historic stage, 288 Shady Oak Drive in Michigan City, continuing the venue’s 74th anniversary season. Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $30 to $35 for all general seating and available at www.dunesarts.org or call 219-879-7509.

Festive fun

The annual St. John Festival returns July 10-13 to the St. John the Evangelist Parish grounds, bringing food and entertainment for all ages. More than a dozen local restaurants and fair food favorites await festgoers, alongside afternoon and evening concerts, a nightly indoor casino and kids’ game classics like Skee Ball and Mini Golf. The fest runs 5-11 p.m. Thursday, 5-12 a.m. Friday, 3-12 a.m. Saturday and 3-9 p.m. Sunday. Carnival wristband prices range from $25-$60. For more information, visit www.stjohnfest.org.

The King returns

Direct from Las Vegas, Tyler Christopher once again dons his sequined jumpsuits on the Theatre at the Center stage, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, for a return concert at 7:30 p.m., July 12, in tribute to Elvis Presley. Audiences will enjoy wardrobe changes and all the popular iconic hits like “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Burnin’ Love” and “Fallin’ in Love.” Tickets are $40 at www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com or 219-836-3255, and there is the option of a four-course pre-concert dinner in the ballroom with an Elvis-themed menu for an additional $30, with reservations required at 219-836-1930, ext. 2.

A Grateful concert

Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. and the Hammond Port Authority are hosting the return of Hyryder to The Pavilion at Wolf Lake at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 28.

Hyryder ranks as one of the Midwest’s premier Grateful Dead tribute bands and has been captivating audiences with their riveting live performances since 2008, with a quest to keep the Dead’s music alive, and they carry this torch with distinction. It’s billed as an immersive live performance to transport audiences to enjoy the legendary songs and showmanship established by the late Jerry Garcia. Hyryder is a free show as part of The Pavilion at Wolf Lake’s Summer Concert Series, with details at www.wolflakepavilion.com.

Lake Fest names headliners

Festival of the Lakes in Hammond arrives this month with headlining musical favorites paired with carnival and food vendors. The headlining schedule stars John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame on Wednesday, July 16, country music superstar Brantley Gilbert on Thursday, July 17, hip-hop sensation Akon on Friday, July 18, weekend headliner Third Eye Blind on Saturday, July 19, and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho on Sunday, July 20. All of this year’s 2025 performances are free once again with VIP upgrades available for $110. Parking onsite is $35, with details at www.festivalofthelakes.com.

Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and weekly radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com.