The show follows the romantic pursuits of a cowboy and film stuntman named Eddie, played by Bryan Falcon, a Goshen resident and 1995 Goshen College alumnus. Another man, Martin, stands in the way of Eddie’s love for May, while a mysterious Old Man holds a secret that keeps them from being together.

“Shepard expertly weaves passion, obsession, betrayal and true love in a story that mirrors his own life in more ways than one,” New World teases in its promotional materials.

Director Laura Gouin focused on Shepard’s work for her creative thesis in her master’s in directing studies. Gouin noted that the script grew out of a period in the playwright’s life where he was balancing the emotional stresses of leaving his wife and the death of his father.

“It has been wonderful to get back to Shepard,” Gouin said. “He really is a romantic at heart. But a romantic can sometimes get caught up in the illusion of love, and that can make fools of us all.”

“Fool for Love” is the second production in New World’s eleventh season. The show opens on Friday and runs through April 19.

Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Student and senior tickets are available for $10. All other seats are $15. Tickets are available at the door or by calling 574-975-0311.

The Minor Profits and Grooveside, both local bands, will perform from 6-9 p.m. at the Goshen Theater. Those looking for a more interactive night of music can attend swing dance lessons given by the Goshen College Swing Club from 7-8 p.m. at the Spohn Ballroom at 109 E. Clinton St. Lessons will be followed by a concert and dancing with the Kelly Jay Band from 8-11 p.m.

Wayne Harshberger, a local stone sculptor, will unveil his latest project in front of the Shutterhugs building on 132 S. Main St. at 6:30 p.m.

For the second time this year First Friday activities will spill into Saturday, this time with the spring version of the Goshen Open Studio tour. The tour features the work of local artists and galleries from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday.

New World Arts will launch their new monthly improvisational comedy series “Improv Battle Royale (with cheese),” with a family-friendly performance at 7:00 p.m. and an “Adult Only Limburger” round at 9:00 p.m.

Based on shows such as “Whose Line is it Anyway?” and “Comedy Sportz,” New World’s improv performances will feature local actors competing against each other in a variety of comedic theater games.

Student admission is based on the roll of a dice; you pay the number you roll. Adult admission works similarly, except with an added $4 entrance fee.

All other First Friday events are free of charge. For more information, visit www.gofridays.com.

What to watch

According to most projections, “Slumdog Millionaire” will take home the best picture prize at the Oscars ceremony on Sunday. You can catch “Slumdog,” the movie that everybody’s talking about, right here in Goshen at the newly-expanded Linway Plaza Cinema.

But “Slumdog” is no “Departed.”  This is not a best picture film you’ll need to run out and see before somebody gives away the ending. Most viewers will have a pretty good idea where the script is going after the first few frames of “Departed,” which is Danny Boyle’s new film.

However, this doesn’t keep “Slumdog Millionaire” from being one of the freshest, most exciting cinematic adventures to hit theaters in a long time. The first 30 minutes are spectacular: pounding music, colorful visuals, raw cinematography and a stunning cast of children pulled straight from the slums of India.

If you have seen any of Boyle’s other films, “Trainspotting” or “28 Days Later,” you will immediately recognize his characteristic visual style, this time bringing the streets of Mumbai to vibrant life.

While “Slumdog” has all the joys cinema has to offer, it also offers the usual pitfalls. Gangsters lurk around every corner, and love seems to conquer any conceivable snare. However, through all of the standard Hollywood narrative, Boyle still tells a compelling and important story about cultural alienation and the changing face of modern India.

But don’t let the strange game-show plot concept deter you. It works, and “Slumdog Millionaire” deserves the accolades it is receiving. Catch it before it’s gone – Saturday and Sunday matinees run at 2:00 p.m. and costs only $5.50.

3.5 out of 4 Maple Leafs

What to listen to

Despite their biblically-inaccurate name, Noah and the Whale are the real deal. Emerging from the vibrant English folk rock scene, the band released their first album, “Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down,” late last summer.

Success in Britain has yet to translate into exposure across the pond, though. The album was slammed by the hipster-music Bible, “Pitchfork.”

I’ve been listening to this album almost non-stop since discovering it two weeks ago and find it to be a charming and refreshing burst of energy on my iTunes playlist.

Noah and the Whale are best characterized by their catchy melodies, ample harmony and effortless transition from bubbly pop songs such as “2 Atoms in a Molecule” to sentimental slow-burners such as “Give A Little Love.”

But the two tracks sandwiched in the middle of the album have been both a blessing and a curse, offering me pure joy every time I listen to them but not leaving my head for days at a time. The slow, tick-tock “Second Lover” is a phenomenal duet, and “5 Years Time,” with its fun-in-the-sun lyrics and spectacular ukulele hook, is sure to be a major player on the soundtrack to my summer. Pick this track up if you are feeling the cabin fever blues over this chilly Spring Break.

3 out of 4 Maple Leafs

Where to go

Anyone looking for more local flavor in spring break entertainment can catch some live performance as New World Arts kicks off its 2009 season this weekend with the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Art” by Yasmina Reza.

“Art” is directed by Sam Yoder, a 2008 Goshen College graduate, and stars Phil Stoesz, a Goshen College first-year and Mike Honderich, a 2008 Goshen College graduate. The show tells the story of three men whose lifelong friendship is tested after one of them purchases a piece of modern artwork.

Hilarious and dramatic, “Art” thrives on snappy dialogue, which has been translated from its original French into over 30 languages since its 1995 Paris premiere.

“Art” opens Friday evening 8 p.m. However, students leaving town early can catch a special, reduced price preview performance on Thursday at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the Thursday performance are $5 for students with valid I.D. All other tickets for the weekend shows, which also run Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., are $10 for students and $15 for general admission.

If you miss this weekend’s performances, you can also catch “Art” next weekend at the same times. For more information, visit the New World Arts Web site at www.newworldarts.org.

Seven playwrights, chosen by New World Arts, will stretch their creativity skills to maximum capacity on Friday, Jan. 23 at the Electric Brew.

At 11 p.m., the New World Arts’ 24/7 Theater Festival officially begins. The playwrights will be told the genders of their characters and be given the same opening line, chosen by the public via e-mail prior to the festival.

The writing will cease at 6 a.m. the next morning. At this point, one director and two actors will be assigned to each of the seven scripts. Throughout the morning, the directors will have an hour to prepare before they meet with the actors to rehearse from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The participants’ hard work will culminate with two performances on Saturday night at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

According to Laura Gouin, artistic director of New World Arts, “When you have little time to think and can only act on instinct, some truly brilliant moments can transpire.”

Gouin brought the idea of a 24/7 festival to Goshen from Chicago six years ago. The Goshen festival takes place once in the spring and and once in the fall.

According to Emily Swora, a senior and past participant, “It’s a high-pressure situation, but everyone brings everything to the table and works hard and creatively all-day long.”

This year, there are several current and past Goshen College students who will participate: Angelique Birky-Hartmann, a senior, will co-produce the festival; Patrick Maxwell, a sophomore, will be an actor; Mike Honderich, a 2008 alum, will be a playwright; and Bryan Falcon, a former faculty and student, will direct.

“[The festival] brings together local talent, students and professional talent to create something amazing,” said Gouin.

New World Arts is still in search of a few actors to participate in the festival. Anyone interested in acting should e-mail Gouin at lgouin@newworldarts.org.

General admission tickets cost $15 and tickets for students and seniors cost $10.