Art After Dark returns to Houma
September 5, 2012
Chartering a Comeback
September 5, 2012
The region’s theater productions in September are listed below.
VICTORY BELLES present “A SALUTE TO OUR HEROES”
Through 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)
“ASSASSINS”
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 the Baton Rouge Little Theater, 7155 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge. (225) 924-6496. www.brlt.org. ($24)
“WILLY WONKA”
Through Sept. 9
The timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this stage adaptation of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which features the songs from the classic family film.
At the Slidell Little Theatre, 202 Nellie Drive, Slidell. (985) 641-0324. www.slidelllittletheatre.org. ($20)
“TASTE OF THE OPERA”
Through Sept. 21
New Orleans Opera and The French Market are partnering Fridays and Sundays to bring a free opera concert to the Farmers Market Stage.
At the New Orleans French Quarter. http://neworleansopera.org. FREE
“THE RAT PACK NOW TRIBUTE SHOW”
Sept. 7-9
Back by popular demand, the show recaptures the music, style, camaraderie of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
At the National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans. (504) 528-1944. www.nationalww2museum.org. ($37, show only; $70, dinner and show)
“LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL”
Sept. 14-30*
Based on the movie, the musical version centers around sorority star Elle Woods, who doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.
*Revised performance dates.
At the Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner. (504) 468-7221. www.rivertownrepertorytheatre.org. ($35)
“SEVEN GUITARS”
Sept. 7-23
Out of the workhouse and back in the Hill District, Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton was heading to Chicago to record another hit song. Except now the bluesman is dead. Music, mystery and humor provide the bass line to the show’s many melodies.
At the Anthony Bean Community Theater, 1333 S. Carrolton Ave., New Orleans. (504) 862-PLAY. http://anthonybeantheater.com. ($20)
NELL NOLAN’S “MONOLOGUES and MUSINGS for the MONEY, HONEY!”
Sept. 8-9
Times-Picayune’s gal about town Nell Nolan joins forces with national comic and political cartoonist Steve Kelly and Big Easy actress Ashley Nolan for a special evening of performance and comedy. Proceeds benefit the severed TP employees through the DashThirtyDash Fund.
At the Mid-City Theatre, 3540 Toulouse St., New Orleans. (504) 488-1460. www.MidCityTheatre.com. ($25)
“THE SKY WATCHERS”
Sept. 11-14
The play reveals the passion of two teens, from their first meeting on a rooftop apartment throughout the evolution of their relationship. The story handles the many excitements and difficulties of love, and delves deeper into the pain and strength of commitment when illness ends life too soon.
At the LSU Studio Theatre in the Music & Dramatic Arts Building, Dalrymple Drive, Baton Rouge. (225) 578-4174. www.theatre.lsu.edu. ($10)
“DEBAUCHERY”
Sept. 12
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 BEST MAN”
Sept. 13-23
Two front-runners vie for their party’s nomination in the midst of backstabbing, double-crossing, dirty-dealing and all the games politicians play in the race to the presidency.
At the Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne, 7829 W. Main St., Houma. (985) 876-4278. www.houmalittletheatre.com. ($15)
“ALMOST GONE WITH THE WIND”
Sept. 13-30
Noted New Orleans actor/comic Ricky Graham directs Yvette Hargis in this one-woman version of the film classic. The show is filled with laughs and sighs.
At the Mid-City Theatre, 3540 Toulouse St., New Orleans. (504) 488-1460. www.MidCityTheatre.com. ($26)
“THE ZEITGEIST CHRONICLES”
Sept. 13-29
Multi-generational stories intertwine during the Change Election of 2008. Young Americans confront Baby Boomers/The Greatest Generation in a multimedia Spirit of the Ages as they make their way to the voting booths. A Mormon conservative stand-up comic from Manhattan is mentored by an iconic diva from the Rat Pack Era resigned to a suburban New York retirement home; a City-of-Angels (by way of Alabama) Hilary supporter interviews her long-lost, reformed-racist, Obama-supporting uncle in the midst of the Democratic primaries; while a Katrina-surviving family, recently returned home, fight to keep their family patriarch alive long enough to witness the election of the first African-American president.
At the Samuel DuBois Cook Performing Arts Center, Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans. (504) 816-4857. www.atpno.org. ($22.50)
“STOMP”
Sept. 14-16
“Stomp” is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The eight-member troupe uses everything but unconventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.
At the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., New Orleans. (504) 287-0351. www.mahaliajacksontheater.com. ($30-$75)
“GLENN MILLER BAND: IN THE MOOD”
Sept. 14-15
The 17-piece Victory Big Band presents Miller’s classics such as “Moonlight Serenade,” “Tuxedo Junction” and “Chattanooga Choo-Choo.”
At the National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans. (504) 528-1944. www.nationalww2museum.org. ($30, show only; $60, dinner and show)
“A FREE MAN OF COLOR”
Sept. 21-30
Set in the boisterous New Orleans culture just prior to the Louisiana Purchase – before law and order took hold; before class, racial and political lines were drawn; and when New Orleans was still a parade of beautiful women and good-looking men, flowing wine and pleasure for the taking. At the center of this is Jacques Cornet, a swashbuckling entrepreneur. But the map of New Orleans is about to be redrawn. The Louisiana Purchase will bring American rule to the Big Easy, challenging the chaotic world of Cornet and all that he represents.
At the Claude L. Shaver Theater, LSU Music & Dramatic Arts Building, Dalrymple Drive, Baton Rouge. (225) 578-3527. www.swinepalace.org. ($15-$28)
“NIGHT OF NIGHTS”
Sept. 22
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra performs “Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain,” Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.” Pianist Joaquin Achùcarro is featured.
At the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., New Orleans. (504) 287-0351. www.mahaliajacksontheater.com. ($20-$95)
“6X6”
Sept. 26
Features six staged readings of six 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)
“THE FULL MONTY”
Sept. 29-Oct. 7
Seeing how much their wives enjoy watching male strippers during their “Girls’ Night Out,” unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, N.Y., come up with a bold way to make some quick cash. In the process, they find renewed self-esteem, the importance of friendship and the ability to have fun. They come to discovery that not only are they stronger as a group, but that the strength they find in each other gives them the individual courage to face and overcome their demons.
At the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox St., Metairie. (504) 885-2000. www.jpas.org. ($30)
“VICTORY BIG BAND: SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY”
Sept. 28-29
Hear hits such as Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing,” Artie Shaw’s “Stardust,” Duke Ellington’s “Take the ‘A’ Train” and Harry James’ “I’ll Be Seeing You.” Several guest vocalists join the Victory Big Band.
At the National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans. (504) 528-1944. www.nationalww2museum.org. ($30, show only; $60, dinner and show)
“THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST”
Sept. 28-Oct. 14
Oscar Wilde’s work revolves wittily around the most ingenious case of “manufactured” mistaken identity ever put into place. Angermon Moncrieff, a wealthy Londoner, refuses to approve the marriage of Jack “Ernest” Worthing to his aunt’s daughter until Jack explains his nickname and why he has a cigarette case with a questionable inscription from a mysterious woman.
At the Baton Rouge Little Theater, 7155 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge. (225) 924-6496. www.brlt.org. ($24)
“MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 5”
Sept. 29
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra performs Mozart’s “Overture to the Marriage of Figaro,” Bruck’s “Violin Concerto No. 1” and Mahler’s “Symphony No. 5.” Violinist Stefan Jackiw is the featured guest.
At the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., New Orleans. (504) 287-0351. www.mahaliajacksontheater.com. ($20-$95)
Auditions
“MAN OF LA MANCHA”
Sept. 8-9
Approximately 30 actors are needed – 15 singing and 15 non-singing roles, including four dancers and several non-speaking parts. The show runs March 7-24, 2013. The story of Cervantes and his alter ego Don Quixote, the play is set in a 15th century Spanish prison. Actors stay on-stage for most of the show. Auditioners will be asked to read from the play and to sing part of “The Impossible Dream.”
At the Essanee Theater, 126 Iberia St., New Iberia, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. (337) 364-1975 or ipal@cox.net. www.iberiaperformingartsleague.com
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Music, mystery and humor provide the bass line to the many melodies in “Seven Guitars.”
