Priority list includes local premieres of ‘Fun Home’ and ‘Curious Incident’

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”

The award-winning play not only tells a compelling story, but also takes audiences into the head of its protagonist—an autistic teen trying to get to the bottom of the case of a dead dog. A hit in London and New York, it’s getting its local premiere with, for the first time, an American autistic actor, Mickey Rowe, playing the lead role. He’ll be surrounded by some of Indy’s most talented actors, including Constance Macy, David Alan Anderson and Robert Neal. Sept. 19-Oct. 14  Indiana Repertory Theatre  Details

“Fun Home”

One of the strongest musical-theater songs of the last decade or so, “Ring of Keys” is housed within this tender, deeply felt show about a graphic novelist sorting out her past, including the death of her father. Sept. 21-Oct. 22  Phoenix Theatre Details

Banned Books Week

Activities at the Kurt Vonnegut Library and Museum (unless noted) include a Sept. 24 kickoff event hosted by IBJ's Mickey Maurer, a public discussion of Howard Zinn's "A People’s History of the United States” led by authors Dan Wakefield and James Alexander Thom on Sept. 24, a live reading of "Cat's Cradle" with Mayor Joe Hogsett on Sept. 26, and a book release gathering for the new "Kurt Vonnegut Complete Stories on Sept. 28 at the Indiana State Library.. Sept. 24-28  Various locations.  Details

Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan”

Don’t expect just a greatest-hits collection. When Osborne cracks open the Bob Dylan songbook, she lights on the lesser-known and more-recent work as well as the tried and true. The blues rocker is as likely to wrap her voice around “Love Sick” as around “Forever Young.” Sept. 22 Schrott Center for the Arts Details

ISO Opening Night with Renee Fleming

The opera star—on her way to a spring revival of “Carousel” on Broadway—makes her Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra debut. The lineup of arias includes Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro” from “Gianni Schicchi.” Bonus: The opening piece is a personal favorite, the overture from “Candide.” Sept. 23  Hilbert Circle Theatre Details

Also this week

Colson Whitehead, author of the bestseller “The Underground Railroad,” visits the Schrott Center Sept 21.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” fan favorite Milk brings a gaggle of friends for fun, fashion and photo ops to the the White Rabbit Cabaret Sept. 22.

“Memphis,” the musical hit about a DJ and a singer attempting to break boundaries gets a choreographic boost from Nicholas Owens. Sept. 21-24 at the Athenaeum.

“Celebration!,” Sept. 22-23 at the Tarkington, celebrates Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre 20^th season with highlights from past shows.

Singer/songwriter Pepe Aguilar fuses genres, offering rich blends of ranchera, banda, norteno and more Sept. 24 at the Murat.