Comedy playwright Leslie Kimbell, who dreamed up the “Four Old Broads” stage franchise, has her favorite character back and competing in a beauty pageant. Footlight Players, 1705 Franklin St. in Michigan City, completes their run of “The Miss Magnolia Senior Citizen Beauty Pageant” with performances at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 11-13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14. Directed by Leslie Evans, when Lurleen Dupree announces the 7th Annual Miss Magnolia Senior Citizen Beauty Pageant, sassy Martha Parcell is certain it’s finally her year to win. But Beatrice, Eaddy, Imogene and Maude have other plans. Adding to the zany bunch is a tambourine-playing squirrel along with a Christmas-obsessed octogenarian and dueling Elvises, as well as an unfortunate spray-tanning incident. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for ages 12 and younger by calling 219-874-4035 or at footlightplayers.org.
NEIGHBORHOOD FUN
The historic Hessville area of Hammond has the 2026 “Live in the Ville” festival at Hessville Park 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13. Music entertainment includes Dick Diamond and the Dusters at 7 p.m. Friday and Chronic Flannel 6 p.m. Saturday. Admission to the festival is free and some of the other entertainment offers include magic shows, face painting both days and food trucks. Live wrestling is 6 p.m. Saturday, along with sword swallowing, dancing and an illuminated character parade at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Visit the festival Facebook page or call 219-803-0730.
HIGH-FLYING EXHIBIT
The Artists Guild of Valparaiso will host “The Birds of the Heir” special collaborative closing reception for the popular exhibition inspired by Valparaiso author Leena J. Byrd. Using her fun signature pen name, the exhibition coincides with her newly launched book, “The Beauty of Flight,” which hit stores in March. The reception and book signing are 4-7 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at 255 Indiana Avenue in downtown Valparaiso. The unique and free exhibition invites visitors into a deeply reflective and visually moving experience where literature and visual arts intersect. Each of the 17 artists currently on display has created bird-themed artwork inspired by the emotional landscape of Leena’s writing. For more information, call 312-585-6745.
HEY ‘BUDDY’
The Buddy Holly Tribute Concert is a two-act show featuring such hits as “That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy,” “Rave On” and all the hits that live on long after Holly’s death more than 60 years ago at age 22 in 1959. Zachary Stevenson’s performance replicates the nerdy-yet-hip Texan through impressive guitar licks and superb vocals that are equally comfortable with sweet ballads and on-the-edge rockabilly songs. Zachary even includes Buddy Holly’s trademark hiccup and energetic dance moves that often bring audience members to their feet. In 2023, his show sold out the TATC stage space and had audiences recalling Stevenson having charmed TATC audiences in 2019, playing the late Carl Perkins while in the cast of “The Million Dollar Quartet!” For an additional $35, patrons can add the Sunday Champagne Brunch, presented by 10Forty Banquets & Catering Inc. Seatings are available for 11 a.m., noon or 1 p.m. Tickets are $40. For more information, go to www.theatreatthecenter.com.
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Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at [email protected].