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|  Thursday, September 18, 2008 |
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"Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure"
Sept. 16-Oct. 11
Indiana Repertory Theatre
The thriller is an unappreciated theatrical genre these days, but edge-of-the-seat suspense used to be commonplace on the stage. And while Broadway is no longer the birthing place for such classics as "Sleuth" and "Deathtrap" and "Wait Until Dark," regional theaters know that, as part of a subscription season, a good stage thriller can be a crowd pleaser. And, in some cases, they can be a fun way to exercise the talents of the folks in the costume shop.
The Indiana Repertory Theatre is counting on the pleasures of the thriller by opening its season with a visit from Holmes and Watson. This particular variation does come with stage cred: It was adapted from an 1899 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle play by Steven Dietz who, in addition to his own plays, has created stage adaptations of work ranging from "Dracula" to "Go, Dog, Go." Dietz's take on Holmes also won the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award for drama - and when your mystery impresses other mystery authors, that's cause for the rest of us to pay attention. For details, click here.
Mass Hysteria
Sept. 20
Massachusetts Avenue
Can Indianapolis contain one more block party/celebration? Sure, if it's got as much going on as this newcomer, created by and benefiting Theatre on the Square. The theater itself will be converted into a (yes, licensed) gaming hall while outdoor stages will have acts ranging from a Kiss and a Doors tribute band to jazz great Jimmy Guilford.
Onstage games hosted by TOTS and Rockstar Promotions are also expected to enliven the festivities. There's also the chance to experience life-sized bowling with the Naptown Roller Girls.
Not sure what to wear? Costumes by Margie will offer a grown-up dress-up area. For details, click here.
Bill Cosby
Sept. 19
IU Auditorium
Cheech and Chong
Sept. 19
Murat Theatre
Try to imagine more wildly different practitioners of the stand-up comedy art performing on the same day. Go ahead, try.
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 While you wrestle with that, order a seat to either of these legendary acts. Cosby has been a steady presence on stage for more than five decades, finding the funny primarily in family (despite his own family tragedy). Even with hit TV shows and best-selling books, Cosby has always returned to the stage, with an unusual ability to entertain across generational lines. Consider this: At this IU gig, much of his audience wasn't even born when "The Cosby Show" launched in 1984.
Cheech and Chong, on the other hand, seemed to have been a unique product of the '70s and haven't been a duo since the mid-'80s. Will their drug shtick hold up in a world where Judd Apatow films are all the rage? Find out for yourself at the Murat.
For details on the Cosby concert, click here.
For details on the Cheech and Chong show, click here.
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| "Dragons Unearthed"
Opening Sept. 19
Children's Museum of Indianapolis
D inosaurs are all well and good, but sometimes you want some mythology and magic mixed in with your science. Hence, the dragon.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis' new exhibit - housed in its Dinosphere - concerns the similarities and differences between the real and the imagined. And how fossils may have helped fuel the imagination of long-ago storytellers.
The exhibition focuses on art, but there are interactive elements as well. This weekend, visitors can help LEGO Master Builders create a 10-foot-tall dragon. For details, click here.
This week's contest
Stretch your theatrical imagination with Butler University Theatre's production of "Phedre" directed by John Green. It's a rare chance to see the Jean Racine classic about a dying queen's obsession with her stepson. For a shot at free tickets, enter here. We'll draw one name at random. For more information on the show, which runs Oct. 8-12, click here. To make matters even more interesting, BU Theatre, using the same cast, will stage the contemporary "Phaedra's Love" later in October.
When you fill out your entry, tell us your favorite Greek person, place or thing. What you tell us won't help you win, but next week we'll offer a link to our favorite responses.
Last week, we offered tickets to see stand-up comedy master Robert Klein at Morty's Comedy Joint. The winner: Eric Pryor. At that time, we asked you to tell us your favorite Robert or Bob. Some of your responses are here.
Make sure to visit www.ibj.com/arts for previews, reviews, blogs and video.
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"Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure." That's Watson's! 
