"The Fantasticks," one of the longest-running musicals in theater history, will open on Tuesday, May 27 at Indiana Repertory Theatre. (Provided by Indiana Repertory Theatre)

Harlem Goes West: The Black Cowboy in Western Films," opening Saturday, explores the influential roles played by African-American ac- tors and directors in western movies. The exhibit includes 26 movie posters, from 1922's "The Crimson Skull" to 1993's "Posse," and a moderated film festival. (Courtesy of Separate Cinema Archive)

1. "Harlem Goes West: The Black Cowboy in Western Films"

May 24-June 27; Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St.; $8 adults; www.eiteljorg.org

Histories of the American West usually neglect to mention that one of four cowboys was of African descent. Likewise, Western movies forget the vital and creative subgenre of all-black Westerns. The Eiteljorg opens an exhibition of 26 rare posters of these films from the 1920s to the 1990s. Even better, they're showing some of the movies. The series kicks off May 24 with "Two-Gun Man From Harlem" (1938).

2. Butler International Theatre Exchange

8 p.m. May 23 and 24; Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Garden Terrace, 4000 Michigan Road; free; (317) 940-9659

Think of Firenza Guidi as a sort of theatrical travel agent. The artistic director of an experimental theater company in Wales creates multinational, multidisciplinary, site-specific theater pieces. This week, the Butler International Theatre Exchange will present Guidi's "Transitus Animae," blending theater, music, dance, circus performance and over-the-top costumes.

3. Soulful Jazz and Soul Food at Indianapolis' Cathedral of Soul

6 to 10 p.m. May 23; Madame Walker Theatre Center, 617 Indiana Ave.; $10; www.walkertheatre.com

Madame Walker's "Jazz on the Avenue" has become one of the coolest places to take the family on a Friday evening. For $10 you get to hear soulful Barbara "Babs" Coleman, one of the area's finest singers. For another $10, you get a buffet of fine Southern soul food.

4. Animation

May 24-Jan. 4; The Children's Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St.; $8.50 (kids ages 2-17), $13.50 adults; www.childrensmuseum.org

"Watching cartoons really does make you smarter!" If you couldn't convince your mom when you were a kid, it was probably because you didn't take her to "Animation," an interactive exhibition organized by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Cartoon Network. Learn about the history and changing techniques of animation. See how the illusion of lifelike motion requires an understanding of complex concepts of physics, math, sound and phonetics. Plus, you might get to talk to a Powerpuff Girl.

5. The Fantasticks

May 27-June 22; Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St.; $24-$49 (prices vary by show dates and times); www.irtlive.com

Indiana Repertory Theatre has a long-standing partnership with Syracuse Stage: Many shows get their test run in upstate New York before opening here. Many who saw the version that is coming to IRT swear this is the best they've seen. The plot is both cheesy and wise, the songs fresh and familiar.