RELATED EVENTS

• End Days
• Funny Feet

Dance Kaleidoscope's 'Funny Feet' will be performed at Indiana Repertory Theatre Jan. 4-5 (promo photo)

Phebe Taylor plays a Goth girl opposite Matthew Van Oss as her Elvis-dressing boyfriend in "End Days," which will premiere Thursday, Jan. 3 and run through Feb. 3 at the Phoenix Theatre. (Provided by Phoenix Theatre)

1. 'End Days'
7 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays Jan. 3 through Feb. 3, $15-$25, Phoenix Theatre, 749 N. Park Ave., (317) 635-7529, www.phoenixtheater.org.

We live in a hypermilitarized world that's increasingly divided by deep economic and religious differences. In such a climate, our collective sanity practically requires comic relief. So check out "End Days" at the Phoenix Theatre -- a play about a family of disillusioned, depressed individuals, including a father who hasn't taken off his pajamas since Sept. 12, 2001, a mother who has converted from Judaism to Christianity in an act of desperation and a son who dresses like Elvis every day. "End Days" tackles heavy subject matter with a light heart, and lets us laugh for a moment at some of the most distressing realities we all face, every day.

2. Roman Finale: An Afternoon of Opera at the IMA
1 p.m. Jan. 6, free (admission to exhibit is $12 for nonmembers) Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road, (317) 920-2659, imamuseum.org.

To commemorate the final day of "Roman Art From the Louvre" the IMA is hosting the Indianapolis Opera Ensemble, which will perform several opera excerpts set in Rome. The performers will sing excerpts from Mozart's "La Clemenza di Tito," Puccini's "Tosca" and others. Dr. Michael Sells, a professor of music at Butler University, will be on hand to add commentary. Afterward, visitors will be able to meet and talk with the opera singers.

3. Indianapolis Symphony Lilly Classical Series Concerts: Three Piano Masterpieces
8 p.m. Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 5, $16-$63, Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle, (317) 262-1100, www.indianapolissymphony.org.

Two of the latest fellows of the American Pianists Association will join renowned pianist Jon Kimura Parker for two nights at the Hilbert Circle Theatre, where the trio will treat listeners to three of the finest piano concertos ever written: Concerto No. 1 by Franz Listz, Concerto in F by Gershwin and Concerto No. 1 by Tchaikovsky. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has dubbed this live music event "Flying Finger Favorites" for a reason. Aficionados of piano music won't want to miss it.

4. Dance Kaleidoscope's 'Funny Feet'
7 p.m. Jan. 3, 8 p.m. Jan. 4-5, 2:30 p.m. Jan. 6, $15-$36, Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St. (317) 635-5252, www.irtlive.com.

Don't expect anything exceedingly heavy or emotional during "Funny Feet," which pokes gentle fun at modern dance choreography to the tune of lighter compositions by Mozart, Bach and Arthur Sullivan. Choreographed by Dance Kaleidoscope artistic director David Hochoy, the performance serves as a reminder that the performance arts -- and specifically, dance -- aren't afraid to have a laugh, even at their own expense.

5. Young Artists Concerto Finalists Competition
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 5, free, Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., (317) 232-1882, www.indianahistory.org.

You just might catch the next youth sensation at this event, where finalists for the Young Artists Competition will perform solo pieces for a panel of judges. Performances will be divided into junior and senior divisions and will include young musicians playing violin, viola, cello, bass, bassoon and piano. Held at the Indiana History Center, these performances will give audience members a glimpse into the future of music.