Fu keeps herself in shape and managing her ailments with a regular morning arthritis aquatics class at the downtown YMCA, taught by Susan Whately.

"Am I Black Enough Yet?" which received a standing ovation following a staged reading at the Dumas Center late last month, comes to Mill Mountain Theatre from Thursday through Sunday for a full production.

Described in promotional materials as a "touching, thoughtful and hysterically funny tour of the state of Blackness in America," the play by Mary Baldwin College theater professor Clinton Johnston will open at Mill Mountain's Waldron Stage. Then it will head to Nelson County's Hamner Theatre, Charlottesville's Live Arts theater and finally the Theatre on the Run in Arlington. The play is a Charter Theatre production starring Paige Hernandez, Brittney Sweeney and Matthew Eisenberg.

The staged reading on Feb. 23 drew an unusual (for local theater) mixed-race audience, who rewarded the read-through with a standing ovation, said Todd Ristau, director of Hollins University's graduate playwriting program.

Playwright Johnston, in addition to his teaching duties at Mary Baldwin, is a student in Ristau's program.

"That's sort of unheard of in theater circles," said Ristau of the response. "Readings don't usually get the standing O."

"Black Enough" will run concurrently with Mill Mountain's main-stage comedy, "The Foreigner." The smaller Waldron venue has long been a place to see edgier work like "Black Enough" -- but the theater seldom offers up both in the same week.

Mill Mountain's artistic director, Patrick Benton, said the theater does not have the staff to produce works for both stages at the same time. But sometimes they can present a production by an outside theater company while also staging one of their own. Something similar happened during the Roanoke Arts Festival in October, when the Hollins University production of "Paper Cup Ocean" was performed on the Waldron Stage while Mill Mountain's production of "Hank Williams: Lost Highway" was appearing on the main stage.

"I think it's great to have more choices for arts lovers in the valley," Benton said.

Tickets to "Am I Black Enough?" are $10 for all shows. Call 342-5740 or visit www.millmountain.org.

A hundred or less

Love art? Don't have much money to spend on it? The new Arts Council of the Blue Ridge fundraiser Underhundred was made for you.

Designed to promote emerging artists and foster an interest in collecting while also raising money for the arts council, the one-night event will take place 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Fralin Atrium at Jefferson Center. Call 342-5790; info@theartscouncil.org

City has funded museum

Virginia Museum of Transportation Executive Director Bev Fitzpatrick responded recently to a report citing problems at the museum with a plea for more city support.

In fact, the city already contributes money to the museum, though far less than the $25 million Fitzpatrick has estimated the museum will need to turn things around.

The city donated $52,419 in fiscal year 2006-07 and $24,860 in fiscal 2007-08, city spokeswoman Melinda Mayo said. City funding for museum programs is allocated by the Roanoke Arts Commission, Mayo said.

The city also contributed $32,200 to the transportation museum in fiscal 2007-08 to replace a heating and air conditioning unit and purchase ceiling fans, Mayo said.

Screen stars

Adina Aaron and Scott Piper perform at Shaftman Performance Hall today in "Opera Roanoke Presents Franco Zeffirelli Screen Stars." Both have had starring roles in films by Italian film director and opera producer Franco Zeffirelli. Salem guitarist Craig Sams will accompany Piper on Spanish love songs from Costa Rica.

Piper is a local favorite who has sung leading roles in Opera Roanoke productions of "Carmen" and "Rigoletto." Tickets are $15-$40. Students are admitted free. 982-2742; www.operaroanoke.org

McCrumb in history

Roanoke Valley novelist Sharyn McCrumb has been named one of Virginia's Eight Women in History for 2008 by the Library of Virginia. This honor, designed to recognize and honor the achievements of women who have made important contributions to Virginia and America, will be celebrated with a March 27 reception at the Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., in Richmond.

McCrumb is the author of many books, including the NASCAR-themed "St. Dale."

Artist P. Buckley Moss was also named to the list. The honorees will be featured in a traveling exhibition available to Virginia libraries and schools free of charge. Call (804) 692-3592; www.lva.lib.va.us.