August theatre listings

VICTORY BELLES present “A SALUTE TO OUR HEROES” – Aug. 1 – Oct. 31

From George M. Cohan to Irving Berlin, from the “Star-Spangled Banner” to “God Bless the U.S.A.,” the show goes on a musical journey saluting our military and Home Front heroes in all eras, in all conflicts and all services.

At the National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans. www.nationalww2museum.org. ($37, show only; $55 buffet)

“HOW CAN YOU RUN WITH A SHELL ON YOUR BACK?” – Aug. 1 – 5

Promising an hour of hip, contemporary music, the play details the lives of six students stuck in detention after school with an eccentric substitute teacher. They discover the power of imagination when they enact some of Aesop’s famous fables, including “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”

At LSU’s Studio Theatre, Music & Dramatic Arts Building, Baton Rouge. www.swinepalace.org. ($10)

“REMEMBER WHEN AGAIN” – Aug. 16-26

Take a melodious trip back to the 1960s in mythical New Berry, a small Louisiana town. The Broadway-style musical features 23 hits of that era, including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Stop in the Name of Love,” “Sounds of Silence,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Do You Wanna Dance.” Petula Clark, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan and the Beatles – through a live seven-member band – may even take the stage.

At the Essanee Theater, 126 Iberia St., New Iberia. www.iberiaperformingartsleague.com. ($15 advance; $20 at the door)

“OKRA” – Aug. 17-26

Anne Galjour’s delicious Cajun comedy stars the original Bayou Playhouse cast. What happens when Lillian Bourgeois smothers her daughters with vinegar and love? They cook up hilarious dreams and schemes to stop their mama from throwing their inheritance down the video poker machine. All the while, the audience savors the smell of coffee, shrimp Creole and gumbo cooked on stage. Production is complemented by a Quality Hotel dinner.

At the Quality Hotel of Houma, 210 S. Hollywood Road, Houma. www.bayouplayhouse.com or www.qualityhotelhouma.com. ($50 in advance; $55 at the door)

“PROMISES, PROMISES” – Through Aug. 18

Based on Billy Wilder’s film, “The Apartment,” the show features the music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David teamed with a comical script by Neil Simon. Chuck Baxter, a charming young employee of Consolidated Life Insurance Company, lends executives his apartment for their extramarital romantic trysts in an effort to get ahead at the company. But things become complicated when Fran Kubelik, the object of Chuck’s affection, becomes the mistress of one of his executives.

At Cutting Edge Productions at Attractions Salon, 747 Robert Blvd., Slidell. www.cuttingedgeproductions.org. (985) 639-8294. ($15)

“THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE” – Aug. 2-4

Six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. This tale of overachievers’ angst chronicles the experience of youth vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime.

At Thibodaux Playhouse, Wetlands Acadian Cultural Theatre, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve, 314 St., Thibodaux. www.thibodauxplayhouse.com. (985) 446-1896 ($20)

“FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” – Aug. 2-5

Nicholls State chef and locally-acclaimed actor Randy Cheramie stars as Tevye in the classic musical about the father of five daughters who is struggling to maintain Jewish religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives.

At Tulane University, 104 Dixon Hall, New Orleans. http://summerlyric.tulane.edu. (504) 865-5269. ($28 – $37)

“WINE GALA” – Aug. 9

The Fresh Market presents the Swine Palace Wine Gala, benefitting the theatre’s celebratory season of Louisiana’s Bicentennial. The night includes hors d’oeuvres and an assortment of 24 champagne and wine varieties. A champagne reception gets under way at 6:30 p.m. The event is set for 7 to 9 p.m.

At LSU’s Reilly Theatre, Tower Drive, Baton Rouge. www.swinepalace.org. (225) 578-3527. ($50)

“THE RAT PACK NOW TRIBUTE” – Aug. 10-12

This tribute show recaptures the music, style, comedy and camaraderie of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. A cocktail show has been added at 5 p.m. on Sundays.

At the National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans. www.nationalww2museum.org. ($37, show only; $70, show and dinner)

RICKY GRAHAM & BECKY ALLEN – Aug. 10-12, 17-19 & 24-26

New Orleans’ original cabaret duo re-creates songs and sketches from the performances around town.

At the Mid City Theatre, 3540 Toulouse St., New Orleans. www.MidCityTheatre.com. (504) 488-1460. ($26)

“DEBAUCHERY” – Aug. 15

A soap opera about a wealthy, eccentric family just trying to find love, family and infamy in New Orleans. Will Buff tell Cartier that he’s really Nick – long lost husband of her sister, Chanel? Will Chanel continue her marriage to dull, predictable Larsen, or will she consummate her coitus-interuptus honeymoon with Nick, who is now Buff? And, if Buff was impotent during his marriage to Cartier, who fathered the twins?

At the Mid City Theatre, 3540 Toulouse St., New Orleans. www.MidCityTheatre.com. (504) 488-1460. ($10)

VICTORY BELLES present “LULLABY OF BROADWAY” – Aug. 22

The vocal trio salutes the Great White Way with Broadway hits from the 1940s, including classics such as Irving Berlin’s “Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning,” and Hammerstein’s “If I Loved You.”

At the National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans. www.nationalww2museum.org. ($37, includes buffet)

“ASSASSINS” – Aug. 24 – Sept. 1

The Stephen Sondheim/John Weidman musical lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States, in a one-act historical “revusical” that explores the dark side of the American experience. Killers and would-be killers meet, interact and, in an intense final scene, inspire each other to harrowing acts in the name of the American Dream.

At Baton Rouge Little Theater, 7155 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge. www.brlt.org. (225) 924-6496. ($24)

“THE BICKERSONS” starring Spud & Mo – Aug. 24 & Aug. 25

New Orleans’ award-winning actor Spud McConnell and his real-life wife, actress Maureen Brennan, re-create one of the most popular radio shows from the 1940s and ‘50s.

At the National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans. www.nationalww2museum.org. ($30, show only; $50 dinner)

“6X6” – Aug. 29

Six staged readings of new 10-minute plays exploring local themes.

At the Mid City Theatre, 3540 Toulouse St., New Orleans. www.MidCityTheatre.com. (504) 488-1460. ($10)

Spud and Mo McConnell bring “The Bickersons” to life at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

COURTESY PHOTO