by George Patterson, New Orleans
ALADDIN
Rogers Memorial Chapel, Broadway between Oak and Zimpel, 504.865.5106.
Buzz Podewell's Improvisational Children's Theatre Company returns for its 15th summer season with this adventure story full of songs and magic, written and directed by Mr. Podewell. In a scene set in the marketplace of old Bagdad, children help Aladdin trick the wicked Magician by playing belly dancers, snake charmers and acrobats. June 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 & 18, 9:30am & 11am; June 22, 23, 24 & 25, 10am & 1pm; June 26, 11am.
...AND THE BALL AND ALL
Southern Repertory Theatre, 3rd Level, One Canal Place, 504.523.0945.
Ricky Graham reprises his comic masterpiece, and the longest running original comedy in New Orleans theatre history, that concerns the problems of the members of the fictitious all-female Krewe of Terpsichore, when the treasurer absconds with the ball money. Led by the indomitable Becky Allen as the dominating ball captain, with costumes and wigs by Roy Haylock, the cast includes Tracey Collins, Amanda Hebert, Keil Junius, Renee Maxwell, Rebecca Taliancich and Roy Haylock . Begins June 11. Fri. & Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm, through July 11 (no performance July 4).
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
Lupin Theatre, Tulane University, 504.865.5105, ext. 2.
The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane begins its sixth season with one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies. The great soldier-warrior of the Roman Empire (Danny Bowen) sacrifices his world for the love of the bewitching goddess of the Nile (Clare Montcrief). Buzz Podewell directs. Thurs. - Sun., 7:30pm; June 26 & 27, 2pm, through July 4.
THE CASE OF THE
ENGLISH GOLD
M.C. Blanchard Courtroom, Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St., 850. 432.2042.
Pensacola historian author John Appleyard's radio script about 1880's Pensacola at the height of the lumbering era, involving gold digging and murder with period music and sound effects by Marilyn Riegle, features Joe Tomko, Bob Lamar, Judge Ed Nickinson, Judge Roger Vinson and dozens more. June 10 & 11, 8pm.
FILUMENA
Carlone's Dinner Theatre, Airline Hwy. at Causeway, 504.838.9906.
Subtitled Divorce, Italian Style, Perry Martin directs Eduardo de Flippo's comedy which stars Randy Cheramie, Lorna Gianelloni, Bill Ponsetti, Marc Belloni, Nicholas A. Thompson, Scott Muller and Abbie Lake. Voted best comedy of the year by the London Press, Carlone's will offer an Italian-American buffet. Fri. & Sat., buffet from 6:30, show at 8pm; Sun., buffet from noon, show at 2, through June 20.
GUYS & DOLLS
Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner, 504.468.7221.
The Kenner little theatre ends its season with yet another production of this veritable war horse of an American musical comedy based on stories by Damon Runyon with a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows and chocked full of wonderful Frank Loesser songs. Alton Geno directs and choreographs Randy Juneau, Kasey Marino, Mat Grau, Sarah McMahon, Robert MacDowell, J.P. Lopez, Michael Cahill, David Hoover, Eva Earls, Marc Fouchi, Flo Presi and Renee Saussaye. Robert Self designs the settings; Scott Sauber, the costumes; and, David Zimmer, the lights. Charles Ward produces. Thurs. - Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm. through May 30. An optional buffet catered by Messina's is available from 6pm Thurs.-Sat., and from 12 noon on Sundays.
MOON OVER MONTEVIDEO
NORD Theatre, Gallier Hall, 504.565.7860.
This is the 25th Anniversary production of the very first locally created musical comedy by the award-winning team of book and lyric writers Bob Bruce (who also does costumes) and David Cuthbert with music by Danny Rubio and Ruth Moore. Ty Tracy directs this affectionate satire of 20th Century-Fox's South of the Border movie musicals of the '40s, starring Luis Q. Barroso as Edward Everett Norton and Angela Mannino as Carmen Verandah, with Emily Antrainer as Alice Foy and Sara DeBacher as gal pal "Steve"Arden; also, Teresa Wilson, Vic Palazzo, Leo Jones (also choreographer) and Anthony Jones. Gloria Fallo is music director, with the setting and lighting by Phillip Wagar. Fri. & Sat., 8pm; Sun., 4pm, through May 30.
NOT WAVING...
CAC's Bank One Theatre, 900 Camp St., 504. 528.3800.
NestEGG Productions, in conjunction with the Performance Support Program of the Contemporary Arts Center present the N.O. premiere of Gen LeRoy's play-a funny, touching, magical and heroic story of the powerful bonds of love between a mother and a daughter and the miracles that love makes possible.. Directed and designed by Dane Rhodes, Janet Shea and Tracy Hernandez star with Amy Alvarez and Gary Rucker playing a variety of roles (and things). Fri. & Sat., 8:30pm; Sun., 2:30pm (no performance May 16), through May 30.
IN THE WINGS
A COCKTAIL PARTY
...WHERE THE LADIES LOUNGE
le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812.
A new "New York style" cabaret opens on the Avenue June 18 with the premiere of this new musical revue by director Carl Walker which is described as a musical and visual extravaganza and features M.I. Scoggin, Nancy Eaves, Charlotte Lang, Sydney Beaumont and Lisa Anzelmo with jazz world favorite Larry Sieberth as musical director and accompanist. Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 6pm & 8:30pm. Pianist, singer/songwriter New Yorker Rich Look will entertain Thurs., 7:30pm; Fri., 10:30pm & Sat., 11pm.
A special preview performance of A Cocktail Party will be given June 17, 7:30pm, to benefit the Krewe of Petronius. For tickets call 504.4498.
KISS ME KATE
Penscola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St., 850.432.2042.
The Pensacola Little Theatre presents Cole Porter's musical comedy based on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew directed by Marge Wein with Laurie Cobb, Jason Lewing, Brandi Russell, Adam Jones, Tanya Hutchinson, Amanda Ratchford, David Wood, Larry Rose, Derrick Mullins, Richard Trahan, Brian Strieb and Thad Kopec. Terrance Johns is musical director. June 18, 19, 25 & 26 at 8pm; June 20 & 27, 2:30pm.
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
Dixon Hall, Tulane University, 504.865.5269.
The Summer Lyraic Theatre at Tulane University reprises one of its most successful endeavors with this souffle of a musical comedy with book by Harvey Fierstein and songs by Jerry Herman based on a French movie comedy that became The Birdcage, about a Gay couple set in a cabaret in the South of France. Richard Hutton is Albin the drag queen called Zaza and Kris Shaw is his straitlaced lover Georges. Others in the cast are Ken Risch, Janet Shea, Kasey Marino and Casey Thompson. Alton Geno choreographs; Michael Howard directs; Pamela Legendre is musical director and conductor; Rick Paul designs the scenery; and, Elizabeth S. Parent, the costumes. June 17 - 19, 8pm; June 19 & 20, 2pm.
TWELFTH NIGHT
Lupin Theatre, Tulane University, 504.865.5105, ext. 2.
The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane continues its summer season with one of the Bard's comic romances depending on mistaken identity, shipwreck, disguise, and fortuitous meeting. The play contains some of Shakespeare's funniest low comedy supplied by Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek. Aimee Michel directs. June 24 - July 18, Thurs. - Sun., 7:30pm; July 11 & 18, 2pm.
