An updated Greek classic, some jazz and Beethoven's Ninth happen in and near South Bend

Tribune Staff Report
·5 min read
Shay Beeson plays Antigone in Lake Michigan College's production of “Antigonick” — Anne Carson's adaptation of Sophocles’ “Antigone” — that opens Nov. 17 and continues through Nov. 20, 2022, at The Mendel Center in Benton Harbor.
Shay Beeson plays Antigone in Lake Michigan College's production of “Antigonick” — Anne Carson's adaptation of Sophocles’ “Antigone” — that opens Nov. 17 and continues through Nov. 20, 2022, at The Mendel Center in Benton Harbor.

Just a week to go before Thanksgiving, and the fall arts season continues with plenty to offer for this weekend in and near South Bend. Also, Outdoors Adventures columnist Joseph Dits has some outdoors suggestions for those interested in a scavenger hunt at a park, a hike or a film about extreme snow sports. Don't forget to check The Tribune's online events calendar for more ways to have fun this weekend.

Lake Michigan College stages ‘Antigonick’

BENTON HARBOR — Lake Michigan College’s visual and performing arts department presents “Antigonick” from Nov. 17 to 20 at The Mendel Center, 2755 E. Napier Ave.

Adapted from Sophocles’ “Antigone” by Anne Carson, the play begins in the wake of a decree from King Kreon forbidding the burial of Polynikes, the son of Oedipus, after his death in a bloody civil war that has torn Thebes apart.

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When Antigone, Polynikes’ sister, defies the edict and puts her brother to rest, all of Thebes witnesses the brutality of the law as it tears the royal family apart and undoes the hard-won peace Kreon sought to protect.

Carson’s adaptation breaks the play open, breaks down the fourth wall, and revels in its messiness and complications.

“Antigonick,” which began its life as essentially a comic book adaptation of the play, combines a lean, focused translation faithful to Sophocles’ original text with a playful self-awareness that explores the play’s legacy.

Larry Underwood plays Kreon in Lake Michigan College's production of “Antigonick” — Anne Carson's adaptation of Sophocles’ “Antigone” — that opens Nov. 17 and continues through Nov. 20, 2022, at The Mendel Center in Benton Harbor.
Larry Underwood plays Kreon in Lake Michigan College's production of “Antigonick” — Anne Carson's adaptation of Sophocles’ “Antigone” — that opens Nov. 17 and continues through Nov. 20, 2022, at The Mendel Center in Benton Harbor.

The play contains descriptions of violence and some gore. Parental guidance is advised.

Performances are at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 to 19 and 3 p.m. Nov. 20.

Tickets are $18-$12; free for students.

For more information, call 269-927-8700 or visit themendelcenter.com.

‘Lucky Stiff’ continues for final weekend at Elkhart Civic’s Bristol Opera House

BRISTOL — “Lucky Stiff” continues Nov. 18 to 20 at Elkhart Civic Theatre's Bristol Opera House, 210 E. Vistula St.

Written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty and based on the novel “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo” by Michael Butterworth, the musical comedy farce revolves around an unassuming English shoe salesman who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo.

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If he succeeds in passing his uncle off as alive, Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit $6 million. If not, the money goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn — or else his uncle’s gun-toting ex.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18-19 and at 3 p.m. Nov. 20.

Tickets are $25-$19.

For more information, call 574-848-4116 or visit elkhartcivictheatre.org.

AlbaTrio headlines concert with The J.J. Wright Quartet at Merrimans’ Playhouse in South Bend

SOUTH BEND — AlbaTrio and The J.J. Wright Quartet perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Merrimans’ Playhouse, 401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 135.

Comprised of Tommy Lehman on trumpet, Tim Lekan on bass and Anthony Taddeo on drums and percussion,  AlbaTrio started in 2019 to explore one of Taddeo’s favorite trio formations.

The group’s compositions highlight the various nuances and textures of each instrument while pushing their role in the context of a jazz trio.

AlbaTrio’s performance is part of its tour to promote its self-titled debut album.

South Bend-based composer and pianist J.J. Wright's quartet — Franky Rousseau on guitar, Ike Sturm on bass and Taddeo on drums and percussion — opens for AlbaTrio on Nov. 18, 2022, at Merrimans' Playhouse in South Bend.
South Bend-based composer and pianist J.J. Wright's quartet — Franky Rousseau on guitar, Ike Sturm on bass and Taddeo on drums and percussion — opens for AlbaTrio on Nov. 18, 2022, at Merrimans' Playhouse in South Bend.

The quartet consists of J.J. Wright on piano, Franky Rousseau on guitar, Ike Sturm on bass and Taddeo on drums and percussion.

This newly formed quartet integrates original melodies, soaring improvisations and grooves to create a sonic tapestry that invites shared contemplation by constantly challenging each other and their audiences to be in the moment together.

Tickets are $15-$10.

For more information, call 574-310-9977 or visit merrimansplayhouse.org.

Folk singer-songwriter Mark Dvorak performs Nov. 19, 2022, at The Wild Rose Moon in Plymouth.
Folk singer-songwriter Mark Dvorak performs Nov. 19, 2022, at The Wild Rose Moon in Plymouth.

Folk singer Dvorak performs at Wild Rose Moon in Plymouth

PLYMOUTH — Folk singer-songwriter Mark Dvorak performs at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at The Wild Rose Moon, 115 Michigan St.

Based outside Chicago, Dvorak is busy at work on his 20th CD release, “Live & Alone,” recorded in an empty concert hall during the height of the pandemic lockdown. He also plans to publish his fourth book of essays, “31 Winters,” which reflects on his long journey through music and teaching.

Dvorak has won awards for journalism and children’s music and received the FARM Lantern Bearer Award from Folk Alliance International in 2013. In 2008, he received the Woodstock Folk Festival Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tickets are $15.

For more information, call 574-276-1185 or visit wildrosemoon.com.

This undated sketch shows German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, whose Symphony No. 9, "Ode to Joy," is the main work on the program for the Elkhart County Symphony's concert with the Camerata Singers and Goshen College Choirs on Nov. 20, 2022, at Goshen College Music Center. AP File Sketch
This undated sketch shows German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, whose Symphony No. 9, "Ode to Joy," is the main work on the program for the Elkhart County Symphony's concert with the Camerata Singers and Goshen College Choirs on Nov. 20, 2022, at Goshen College Music Center. AP File Sketch

Elkhart County Symphony performs Beethoven's Ninth at Goshen College with area singers

GOSHEN — The Elkhart County Symphony, Camerata Singers and Goshen College Choirs perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Goshen College Music Center.

The concert begins with Vivaldi’s “Magnifica,” performed by the professional regional choir Camerata Singers and a small ensemble of orchestra musicians.

Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, “Ode to Joy” follows, with the orchestra and guest artists Goshen College Choirs and the Camerata Singers.

Vocal soloists for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 are Jenny Ribeiro, soprano; H. Roz Woll, alto and assistant professor of music at Goshen College; Jon Lovegrove, tenor; and Scott Hochstetler, professor of music at Goshen College and artistic director of Camerata Singers.

Elkhart County Symphony Music Director Soo Han conducts the orchestra, the Camerata Singers and the Goshen College Choirs in a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, "Ode to Joy," on Nov. 20, 2022, at Goshen College Music Center.
Elkhart County Symphony Music Director Soo Han conducts the orchestra, the Camerata Singers and the Goshen College Choirs in a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, "Ode to Joy," on Nov. 20, 2022, at Goshen College Music Center.

Elkhart County Symphony Music Director Soo Han conducts.

Tickets are $27-$14.

For more information, call 574-293-4469 or visit gcmusiccenter.org.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Beethoven, updated Sophocles, jazz and folk music in or near South Bend