Coward's 'Present Laughter,' tango, a Disney film and more to do in or near South Bend

Tribune Staff Report
·5 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

In the runup to Valentine's Day next week, the South Bend Symphony offers a night of tango music and dance, while a different kind of love story unfolds with the free screening an animated Disney film. The weekend also features a playwright laughing at himself, more orchestral music and something to excite comic book and vinyl records collectors. Joseph Dits also offers some ideas in his Outdoor Adventures column, and The Tribune's online events calendar has more activities to consider.

Robert Tombari, foreground, plays Garry Essendine, Lee Lodyga plays Morris Dixon and Abbey Platt plays Liz Essendine in South Bend Civic Theatre's production of Noël Coward's "Present Laughter" that opens Feb. 10 and continues through Feb. 19, 2023, at the theater in downtown South Bend.
Robert Tombari, foreground, plays Garry Essendine, Lee Lodyga plays Morris Dixon and Abbey Platt plays Liz Essendine in South Bend Civic Theatre's production of Noël Coward's "Present Laughter" that opens Feb. 10 and continues through Feb. 19, 2023, at the theater in downtown South Bend.

Coward’s ‘Present Laughter’ opens at South Bend Civic

SOUTH BEND — “Present Laughter” opens Feb. 10 and continues through Feb. 19 at South Bend Civic Theatre, 403 N. Main St.

Noël Coward wrote the comedy as a star vehicle for himself and as a caricature of himself in the lead character: matinee idol Garry Essendine, who is suave, hedonistic and too old, his wife says, to be having numerous affairs.

Robert Tombari, left, as Garry Essendine, Lee Lodyga, as Morris Dixon, and Abbey Platt, as Liz Essendine, rehearse a scene for South Bend Civic Theatre's production of Noël Coward's "Present Laughter" that opens Feb. 10 and continues through Feb. 19, 2023, at the theater in downtown South Bend.
Robert Tombari, left, as Garry Essendine, Lee Lodyga, as Morris Dixon, and Abbey Platt, as Liz Essendine, rehearse a scene for South Bend Civic Theatre's production of Noël Coward's "Present Laughter" that opens Feb. 10 and continues through Feb. 19, 2023, at the theater in downtown South Bend.

His line in harmless, infatuated debutantes is largely tolerated, but playing closer to home is not. Just before he escapes on tour to Africa, the full extent of his misdemeanors is discovered.

And all hell breaks loose.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10-11 and 16-18 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 12 and 19.

Outdoor Adventures:Why thousands of crows visit downtown South Bend at night

Tickets are $32-$27.

For more information, call 574-234-1112 or visit sbct.org.

In this film publicity image released by Disney, Princess Tiana, voiced by Anika Noni Rose, right, is shown with frog Prince Naveen, voiced by Bruno Campos, in a scene from the animated film, "The Princess and the Frog," which the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County presents in a free screening Feb. 10, 2023, at the Goshen Theater.
In this film publicity image released by Disney, Princess Tiana, voiced by Anika Noni Rose, right, is shown with frog Prince Naveen, voiced by Bruno Campos, in a scene from the animated film, "The Princess and the Frog," which the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County presents in a free screening Feb. 10, 2023, at the Goshen Theater.

Boys and Girls Club screens ‘The Princess and the Frog’ for free at the Goshen Theater

GOSHEN — The Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County presents a screening of “The Princess and the Frog” at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Goshen Theater, 216 S. Main St.

Based on the 2002 E.D. Baker novel “The Frog Princess,” which was based on the German folk tale “The Frog Prince,” as collected by the Brothers Grimm, the 2009 film takes place in 1920s New Orleans, where hardworking and ambitious Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) dreams of one day opening the finest restaurant in the city.

Her dream takes a slight detour when she meets Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), who has been turned into an amphibian by evil Dr. Facilier. Mistaking her for a princess and hoping to break the spell, Naveen plants a kiss on Tiana — thereby turning her into a frog as well.

Namely News:An update on helping the dogs at Motels4Now in South Bend

The pair hop along on an adventure through the bayous to seek the help of a powerful voodoo priestess.

Tiana also is the first Black princess in a Disney film.

Walt Disney Pictures introduces its first African-American princess, Tiana, in "The Princess and the Frog." Pictured are characters Princess Tiana, left, and Prince Naveen.
Walt Disney Pictures introduces its first African-American princess, Tiana, in "The Princess and the Frog." Pictured are characters Princess Tiana, left, and Prince Naveen.

Rated: G

Doors open at 6 p.m. to view the Boys and Girls Club Art Installation, featuring art from students at the Boys and Girls Club.

Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Seating is limited.

For more information, call 574-312-3701 or visit goshentheater.com.

The South Bend Comic Book Convention takes place Feb. 11, 2023, at Comfort Suites in South Bend. Tribune File Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN
The South Bend Comic Book Convention takes place Feb. 11, 2023, at Comfort Suites in South Bend. Tribune File Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN

Collectors have their pick this weekend: comic books and vinyl records

SOUTH BEND — Two shows take place this weekend for pop-culture collectors:

• The South Bend Comic Book Convention takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 11 at Comfort Suites, 52939 U.S. 933.

Dealers will sell a variety of new and old comic books, toys and collectibles. They also will consider buying old comic books from attendees.

Admission is free.

For more information, call Alan at 309-657-1599 or visit epguides.com/comics.

The South Bend Record Show takes place Feb. 12, 2023, at the Gillespie Convention Center in Hilton Garden Inn in South Bend.
The South Bend Record Show takes place Feb. 12, 2023, at the Gillespie Convention Center in Hilton Garden Inn in South Bend.

• The South Bend Record Show takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Gillespie Conference Center at Hilton Garden Inn, 53995 Indiana 933.

Vendors from Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana will fill 88 tables with tens of thousands of music items. The core of the event remains used LPs, with select vendors also carrying new vinyl releases, 45s, CDs, cassettes, posters, memorabilia, vintage stereo gear, record supplies and more.

Market Basket:Owners of Craft One Half in Mishawaka stumbled into restaurant location almost by luck

The emphasis is on rock, pop, metal and punk from the 1960s through today, but various musical genres, including jazz, country, movie soundtracks and holiday music, are represented, too.

Admission is $2 after 11 a.m.; $7 for early entry at 9 a.m.

For more information, visit southbendrecordshow.com or facebook.com/southbendrecordshow.

South Bend Symphony presents tango concert

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Symphony Orchestra presents the concert “Tango Caliente!” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N. Michigan St.

The concert features guest artists soprano Camille Zamora, bandoneón player Hector Del Curto, and dance partners Celina Rotundo and Hugo Patyn on a program devoted to tango music.

Bandoneón player Hector Del Curto performs Feb. 11, 2023, with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra on a program devoted to tango music at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.
Bandoneón player Hector Del Curto performs Feb. 11, 2023, with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra on a program devoted to tango music at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.

Selections include Gerardo Matos Rodríguez, Pascual Contursi and Enrique Pedro Maroni’s “La Cumparsita,” Ástor Piazzolla’s “Oblivión,” Ángel Villoldo’s “El Choclo,” Carlos Gardel and Alfredo Le Pera’s “Por Una Cabeza” and more.

Soprano Camille Zamora performs Feb. 11, 2023, with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra on a program devoted to tango music at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.
Soprano Camille Zamora performs Feb. 11, 2023, with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra on a program devoted to tango music at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.

Tango dance and music originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina, about 150 years ago. Its passionate, sensual nature and distinctive rhythm create this music by alternating long and short notes played on the bandoneón, a type of accordion.

Cinematic thoughts:Grace College holds discussion 'The Black Panther Franchise: Love, Solidarity, Critique'

Tickets are $79-$19; $39.50-$10 for students and children.

For more information, call 574-235-9190 or visit morriscenter.org.

Music Director Carolyn Watson leads the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra for its Feb. 11, 2023, concert at LaPorte High School. The performance also features the LaPorte High School Orchestra and the Wind Ensemble for the second half of the concert.
Music Director Carolyn Watson leads the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra for its Feb. 11, 2023, concert at LaPorte High School. The performance also features the LaPorte High School Orchestra and the Wind Ensemble for the second half of the concert.

LaPorte County Symphony performs ‘Side By Side’ concert with LaPorte High School musicians

LAPORTE —The LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra performs at 7 p.m. CST Feb. 11 at LaPorte High School, 602 F St.

A “Side By Side” concert, the performance also features the LaPorte High School Orchestra and the Wind Ensemble for the second half of the concert.

The program includes Rossini’s Overture to “The Barber of Seville,” Nielsen’s Seven Dances from “Aladdin,” Berlioz’s “Hungarian March,” Ruo’s “Folk Songs for Orchestra” and Sibelius’ “Finlandia.”

On display:Northern Indiana Artists all-member exhibit continues at the Kroc Center in South Bend

LCSO Concertmaster Tamara Stojanovic serve as soloist for the evening.

LCSO Music Director Carolyn Watson conducts.

There will be an “Instrument Petting Zoo” from 6 to 6:45 p.m. CST in the performance lobby.

Tickets are $22-$20; free for students with a valid ID.

For more information, call 219 362-9020 or visit lcso.net.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: A Disney film, tango music, vinyl records and more highlight weekend