In and near South Bend, Broadway, trout fishing, a new play, student theater and music

South Bend Tribune
·6 min read

There's something fishy about this week's Five Things to Do — the start of trout season. Plus, American Theatre Guild's presentation of "Dear Evan Hansen" continues at the Morris, and South Bend Civic and Notre Dame have more theater on offer, and there's original music to be heard, too. Don't forget to check Joseph Dits' Outdoor Adventures column for more about trees this Arbor Day weekend and The Tribune's online events calendar for more suggestions.

Anthony Norman, left, as Evan Hansen, and Coleen Sexton, Heidi Hansen, appear in the 2022-2023 North American tour of "Dear Evan Hansen," which American Theatre Guild presents April 25 to 30, 2023, at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.
Anthony Norman, left, as Evan Hansen, and Coleen Sexton, Heidi Hansen, appear in the 2022-2023 North American tour of "Dear Evan Hansen," which American Theatre Guild presents April 25 to 30, 2023, at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.

American Theatre Guild presents ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ at the Morris in South Bend

SOUTH BEND — “Dear Evan Hansen” continues through April 30 at the Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N. Michigan St.

The winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the 2015 musical by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Steven Levenson tells the story of a teenager with severe social anxiety disorder who lies about being good friends with a student who commits suicide to comfort the boy’s grieving family.

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As Evan becomes more and more enmeshed in the growing lie, his popularity soars and he starts to date the girl of his dreams. But eventually, he must choose between the lie and reality, even if the latter means losing everything he’s gained.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 27, 8 p.m. April 28, 2 and 8 p.m. April 29, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. April 30.

Anthony Norman, left, as Evan Hansen, and Alaina Anderson, as Zoe Murphy, appear in the 2022-2023 North American tour of "Dear Evan Hansen," which American Theatre Guild presents April 25 to 30, 2023, at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.
Anthony Norman, left, as Evan Hansen, and Alaina Anderson, as Zoe Murphy, appear in the 2022-2023 North American tour of "Dear Evan Hansen," which American Theatre Guild presents April 25 to 30, 2023, at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.

Tickets are $115-$50.

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

‘Hymn for the 81%’ writer performs at Stockroom East in South Bend

SOUTH BEND — Daniel Deitrich, Creekmore & Christian, and Savannah Whitaker perform at 7 p.m. April 28 at Stockroom East, 625 E. Jefferson Blvd., Suite C.

Based in southwestern Michigan, Deitrich’s music draws from anthemic Americana, indie rock hooks and intimate acoustic confessionals.

In 2011 Deitrich released his self-produced solo EP, "Matter," followed by "The Table" EP in 2016, which was recorded in Durango, Colo., with producer Michael Rossback (Gungor, The Brilliance).

Based in southwestern Michigan, Daniel Deitrich performs April 28, 2023, at Stockroom East in South Bend. Creekmore & Christian and Savannah Whitaker are also on the bill.
Based in southwestern Michigan, Daniel Deitrich performs April 28, 2023, at Stockroom East in South Bend. Creekmore & Christian and Savannah Whitaker are also on the bill.

In late January 2020, he released a song critiquing evangelical support of Donald Trump. “Hymn for the 81%” quickly went viral. In a matter of weeks, more than 700,000 people had viewed the lyric video on Youtube, Fox News posted an article that led to a deluge of death threats, and Deitrich was fired from the church in South Bend where he was the pastor of worship and arts (though the church denies the song played a role).

Days after being fired, the world went into lockdown due to COVID-19. As soon as outdoor, socially-distranced events were possible, Deitrich joined forces with Vote Common Good, playing “Hymn for the 81%” for masked-up audiences in swing states leading up to the 2020 election.

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Deitrich has continued to write and release music as well as partner with Vote Common Good. He also hosts and produces the Common Good Podcast.

Born in Goshen, Seth Creekmore is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and composer whose indie folk and experimental music draws on jazz, blues, alternative rock and classical influences.

Christian McClain, a Nashville, Tenn.-based songwriter, artist and musician, titled his debut EP “songs I sent my friends” because it began as just that — a list of songs he’d written that he felt deserved to be heard by at least a trusted few.

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Originally from Albuquerque, N.M., Savannah Whitaker lives in South Bend is partnered in ministry with A Thousand Hills Music. In November 2022, she released the single “Courage Dear Heart,” the first release of her partnership with A Thousand Hills Music.

Tickets are $10.

For more information, visit danieldeitrich.com or search eventbrite.com for Daniel Deitrich.

South African actress and South Bend resident Bo Petersen appears in "Pieces of Me," a solo play she wrote and will perform April 28 to 30, 2023, at South Bend Civic Theatre.
South African actress and South Bend resident Bo Petersen appears in "Pieces of Me," a solo play she wrote and will perform April 28 to 30, 2023, at South Bend Civic Theatre.

South Bend Civic Theatre presents Bo Petersen's solo play 'Pieces of Me' this weekend

SOUTH BEND — South Bend Civic Theatre presents “Pieces of Me” at 7:30 p.m. April 28 and 29 and at 2 p.m. April 30 at 403 N. Main St.

Written by and starring South African actor and South Bend resident Bo Petersen, the autobiographical solo show explores the emotional challenges of living secretly as a mixed-race family under apartheid.

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The play is still in development and is led by South African director Keenan Oliphant, now working and living in New York City. Oliphant is the associate director of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Hadestown.”

“Pieces of Me” will next continue rehearsals in New York prior to a September run at Nordic Black Theatre in Oslo, Norway.

South African actress and South Bend resident Bo Petersen appears in "Pieces of Me," a solo play she wrote and will perform April 28 to 30, 2023, at South Bend Civic Theatre.
South African actress and South Bend resident Bo Petersen appears in "Pieces of Me," a solo play she wrote and will perform April 28 to 30, 2023, at South Bend Civic Theatre.

A first reading of the script at the South African Embassy in Oslo took place in late 2022, at the invitation of the ambassador. It was followed by an initial preview in Capetown, South Africa, where Petersen plans a tour in 2024.

Proceeds from the April 29 performance go to Connect 2B the Change, a South Bend-based anti-youth violence group. All other proceeds benefit Civic.

Tickets are $10.

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

Gabe Ozaki, left, and Tommy O'Brien rehearse a scene for the University of Notre Dame's department of film, television and theater's production of "This Is Our Youth" that runs April 28 to 30, 2023, at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
Gabe Ozaki, left, and Tommy O'Brien rehearse a scene for the University of Notre Dame's department of film, television and theater's production of "This Is Our Youth" that runs April 28 to 30, 2023, at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.

Notre Dame film, television and theater students produce 'This Is Our Youth'

SOUTH BEND — The University of Notre Dame’s department of film, television and theater presents “This Is Our Youth” from April 28 to 30 at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.

Set in 1982 on Manhattan's Upper West Side, Kenneth Lonergan’s “This Is Our Youth” follows 48 hours of three very lost young souls — wealthy, articulate, pot-smoking teenagers — in the Big Apple at the dawn of the Reagan Era.

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A senior theater production by Lucy Barron, Tommy O’Brien and Gabe Ozaki, the production began as a class project in Siiri Scott’s “Acting: Text and Technique” class, a course that was developed to help students make the transition from scene study into rehearsal and performance.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 28 and 29 and at 2:30 p.m. April 30.

Tommy O'Brien, left, and Lucy Barron rehearse a scene for the University of Notre Dame's department of film, television and theater's production of "This Is Our Youth" that runs April 28 to 30, 2023, at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
Tommy O'Brien, left, and Lucy Barron rehearse a scene for the University of Notre Dame's department of film, television and theater's production of "This Is Our Youth" that runs April 28 to 30, 2023, at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are $5.

For more information, call 574-631-2800 or visit performingarts.nd.edu.

Elkhart County Parks presents a pancake breakfast and Trout Day activities April 29, 2023, at Bonneyville Mill County Park in Bristol as part of the first day of trout fishing season. The pancakes are made from whole-grain Bonneyville Mill Pancake Mix.
Elkhart County Parks presents a pancake breakfast and Trout Day activities April 29, 2023, at Bonneyville Mill County Park in Bristol as part of the first day of trout fishing season. The pancakes are made from whole-grain Bonneyville Mill Pancake Mix.

Trout season gets underway with pancakes and Trout Day activities at Bonneyville Mill County Park

BRISTOL — Elkhart County Parks presents a pancake breakfast and Trout Day activities April 29 at Bonneyville Mill County Park, 53373 County Road 131.

The pancake breakfast takes place from 7:30 to 11 a.m. and features pancakes made from whole-grain Bonneyville Mill Pancake Mix, limited sausage, syrup and drinks. Cost is $7; free for ages 3 and younger. Fishermen can get a bottomless coffee for $1.

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Held on the first day of trout fishing season, Trout Day activities will be offered from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Activities include tables with trout information, fly tying demos, trout crafts for kids and more.

Elkhart County Parks presents a pancake breakfast and Trout Day activities April 29, 2023, at Bonneyville Mill County Park in Bristol as part of the first day of trout fishing season.
Elkhart County Parks presents a pancake breakfast and Trout Day activities April 29, 2023, at Bonneyville Mill County Park in Bristol as part of the first day of trout fishing season.

All Trout Day activities are free.

For more information, visit elkhartcountyparks.org.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend weekend features 'Dear Evan Hansen,' trout fishing and more