From time to time in central Indiana live theater, we are presented with thought-provoking plays on timely topics, but they would be better with what a playwright once called "the third act" of talking over what you just saw. The Theater Within in Indianapolis provides just that, with their optional talkback with the cast and director after each show.

And their present production gives us plenty to talk about, as they stage the drama "The Twilight of the Golds."

As a reviewer, I guess the best test of a theatre and its people is if it can do an impressive job with a show you don't really like. By this measure, the Indianapolis Civic Theatre has outdone itself with its production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel."

People ask, what is the difference between Democrats and Republicans? I think there is a fundamental difference in priorities. Will Rogers and President Harry Truman describe the difference best when defining the GOP. Truman said the GOP “was the Party of the elite, of big business; always have been and always will be.” Rogers put it more humorously when he wrote “Republicans take care of the big money, for big money takes care of them.”

It occurs to me that perhaps I should have brought someone with political views the opposite of mine to see "Sunlight" at the Phoenix Theatre in downtown Indy (749 N. Park Ave., corner of Park and St. Clair just north of Mass Ave.). It would have made for some interesting conversation afterwards.

Practically every rock band playing today, from the major acts to young garage ensembles, has its own Web site. That's true of all five bands playing Saturday evening (Feb. 26) at the Hancock county Public Library in Greenfield. Tickets are just $5 (cash only) at the circulation desk of either library branch, and are expected to sell out. The library reopens at 6 p.m., with music starting at 6:30 for an all-ages show.

The bands, and their online presences are:

For this movie review, I turn the blog over to correspondent Wendy Carson:

I have had a very difficult time writing the review of Martin Scorsese’s new film, “Shutter Island” (R, now playing nationwide, including Greenfield's Legacy Cinema). This should not be surprising to those of you familiar with the film's wayward journey to theaters. It was delayed for over a year and has suffered numerous edits. It has also suffered from a poor marketing campaign which is promoting the film as a horror whodunit, rather than the intense psychological thriller than it is.

And yet, with so many strikes against it, the film really delivers a quite sound and entertaining story throughout.

Theatre on the Square presents an interesting batch of short plays in its second-stage show "Spring Cleaning." The eight one-acts are sponsored by the Rachel McGeever fund, which was set up to encourage central Indiana playwrights.

And, of course the cast is all-local as well, including Greenfield resident Daniel Earle.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre brings back the 80s with the musical "Footloose," the Broadway hit based on the 1984 film that made Kevin Bacon a star.

Live theater fans seeking a cure for cabin fever can get out for a number of Indianapolis shows opening today.

Beef & Boards presents the musical "Footloose," based on the 1980s movie that made Kevin Bacon a star. The Phoenix Theatre opens the new one-man show "Call Me Boricua," written and performed by actor/dancer Ricardo Melendez. And Theatre on the Square opens home-grown shows on both its stages.

[EDIT: Due to the weather, Friday, Feb. 5 show is canceled.]
There's just one weekend left of the two-week run of "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" at Buck Creek Players, and with the first week sold out, it may be difficult to get in this Friday, Saturday or Sunday as well.

So if you are considering going at all, call this number now, (317)862-2200, and make your reservation.