January Theater

Theater productions throughout the region in January are listed below.

“JERSEY BOYS”

Jan. 8-27

Follows Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons – four blue-collar kids who would become one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records – all before they were 30.

At the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., New Orleans. (504) 525-1052. www.mahaliajacksontheater.com. ($32-$130)

“VENUS IN FUR”

Jan. 9-24

Vanda, a seemingly unassuming, talented actress, is determined to win the lead role by any means necessary. A frisky game of cat and mouse ensues and suddenly, the lines blur between reality and play, seduction and power, and love and sex.

At the Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., New Orleans. (504) 528-3805. www.cacno.org. ($20-$35)

“THE CLASS OF ’70 SOMETHING”

Jan. 11-27

The original music is back. Dust off your bellbottoms and platform shoes and get ready to take a rollicking journey through the 1970s with the groovy hits you remember.

At the Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner. (504) 468-7221. www.rivertowntheaters.com. ($35)

“AVENUE Q”

Jan. 12-13, 19-20

This laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that although the residents seem nice, it’s clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

At the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox St., Metairie. ($30)

“DEBAUCHERY”

Jan. 16 & 20

This soap opera focuses on a wealthy, eccentric family trying to find love, family and infamy in New Orleans. Will Buff tell Cartier that he is really Nick – long lost husband of her sister, Chanel? Will Chanel continue her marriage to dull, predictable Larsen, or will she consumate 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. (504) 488-1460. www.MidCityTheatre.com. ($10)

“THE INSANITY OF MARY GIRARD”

Jan. 18 through Feb. 3

In 1970, Mary Girard is committed to an asylum. After Mary becomes pregnant by another man, her husband has her declared legally insane. Now, Mary sits in a chair as the “furies” dance around and impersonate people from her past. By the end of this haunting theatrical piece, she has grown rather convincingly into her diagnosis.

At the Shadowbox Theatre, 2400 St. Claude Ave. New Orleans. (504) 298-8676. www.theshadowboxtheatre.com. ($15)

“INTO THE WOODS”

Jan. 18 through Feb. 3

An ambivalent Cinderella? A blood-thirsty Little Red Riding Hood? A Prince Charming with a roving eye? A Witch who raps? They’re all among the cockeyed characters in James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s fractured fairy tale. What begins as a lively irreverent fantasy becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.

At the Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Drive, Slidell. (985) 641-0324. www.slidelllittletheatre.org. ($20)

“SHUT UP, SWEET CHARLOTTE!”

Through Jan. 19

A comedic parody of the cult fave, “Hush, Hush … Sweet Charlotte” starring Ricky Graham and Varla Jean Merman.

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

“BAREFOOT IN THE PARK”

Jan. 18-19 and 24-27

The Bratters are newlyweds in every sense of the word. He’s a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she’s a free spirit, always looking for the latest kick. After a six-day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie’s loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor-in-the-attic Vlasco. Everything that can go wrong does.

At Thibodaux Playhouse Inc., Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, 314 St. Mary St., Thibodaux. ($15)

“6X6”

Jan. 23

Six staged readings of six brand new 10-minute plays exploring themes close to the heart of New Orleans.

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

Dance

“JESSICA LANG DANCE”

Jan. 18-20

An undeniable force and one of the most sought-after American choreographers, Jessica Lang creates artfully crafted ballets that, according to Lichfield Live of the UK, are “fresh, subtle and really beautiful.” Performed works include “Lines Cubed,” “The Mendelssohn/Incomplete,” “Among the Stars” and “The Calling.”

At NOCCA, 2800 Chartres St., New Orleans. (504) 940-2787. ($50)

“MOULIN ROUGE – The Ballet”

Jan. 23

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet performs this high-kicking story of love, ambition and heartbreak at the infamous cabaret – The Moulin Rouge.

At the Heymann Performing Arts Center, 1373 S. College Road, Lafayette. (337) 291-5540. www.heymann-center.com. ($45-$55)

Music

“ONE VISION – THE MUSIC OF QUEEN”

Jan. 4-5

Michael Shotton teams up with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to pay homage to Freddie Mercury and Queen. Includes “One Vision,” “A Kind of Magic,” “Show Must Go On,” “We Are the Champions” and more.

At the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., New Orleans. (504) 525-1052. www.mahaliajacksontheater.com. ($20-$99)

“CHORAL WORKSHOP”

Jan. 8

Every year, Symphony Chorus of New Orleans presents a choral workshop that is open to both Symphony Chorus members and the community.

At the Loyola Music Building, Room 230, New Orleans. (504) 865-3840. www.symphonychorus.org.

“A FEW OF MY FAVORITE SONGS”

Jan. 9

Bon Operatit! sings Rodgers and Hammerstein hits.

At the Four Points Sheraton, 541 Bourbon St., New Orleans. www.bonoperatit.com.

“LPO: SPANISH EVENING with PEPE ROMERO”

Jan. 11

There are very few true living legends in the world of classical music, few who have sustained greatness and grown throughout their lives. Pepe Romero is such an artist. Hailed by kings, he continues to reach the common man, communicating the richness and beauty of the classical guitar to millions around the world.

At the First Baptist Church, Covington. (504) 523-6530. www.lpomusic.com. ($20-37)

“YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERTS: LET’S GO LPO!”

Jan. 13

Actors A.J. Allegra and James Bartelle show how musicians must work together as a team. Students can play along with several songs – Reich: Clapping Music; Brubeck: Unsquare Dance: Riley: In C” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

At the Haynes Charter School, New Orleans. www.lpomusic.com (FREE for kids 12 and under; $10 for all others)

“ENVISIONING LOUISIANA”

Jan. 23

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is collaborating with the Historic New Orleans Collection to explore how composers have envisioned Louisiana’s natural environment and how cultural exchanges between Europe and Louisiana have influenced music. From Louisiana’s colonial period to 20th century depictions of New Orleans and Louisiana, music will be used to highlight common perceptions and misperceptions of the state’s changing natural and cultural environments.

At the St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans. www.lpomusic.com. (FREE)

“BEETHOVEN VIOLIN CONCERTO”

Jan. 26

Passacaglia Beethoven: Violin Concerto Schumann: Symphony No. 3 Rhenish. The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra transforms people and communities through music by playing ambitious, inspiring concerts.

At First Baptist Church, 5290 Canal Blvd., New Orleans. www.lpomusic.com. ($20-$99)

Have an item for Gumbo’s February issue? The deadline to sumbit is the 15th of each month. Forward the details to editor@gumboguide.com.

“Into the Woods,” with music by Stephen Sondheim, opens Jan. 18 at the Slidell Little Theatre.

COURTESY PHOTO

One of the most sought-after American choreographers, Jessica Lang brings a ballet set – including “Among the Stars” – to NOCCA from Jan. 18-20.

COURTESY PHOTO