by George Patterson, New Orleans
ACCOMPLICE
Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., Pensacola, FL, 850.434.0257.
Sponsored by the Pensacola News Journal, this is a unique comic thriller by Rubert Holmes (Tony winner for the book to The Mystery of Edwin Drood). Directed by Billy Buff, the cast includes James Cartmack, Edward Fendt, April Lister and Gina Perez. Fri. & Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2:30pm, May 4-13.
AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN
Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812; cabaretlechatnoir.com.
Francine Segal's Brava Productions presents this Douglas Carter Beane comedy in which she also stars as Alexa Vere de Vere, a cross between Holly Golightly and Sally Bowles, who takes a newly successful (Gay) writer named Evan Wyler on a wild carousel ride for ever more fame and fortune only to have her giddy bee drown in all that promised honey. Others in the cast who play many roles are Kristopher Kael, Bob Edes, Jr., Mary Lee Gibbons and Leah Loftin. David Hoover directs; David Raphel does the scenic design; Su Gonczy, lighting design; and Tony French, costume design. Thurs. - Sat., 8pm, May 10 - June 16.
BOOKER
Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812; www.cabaretlechatnoir.com.
Pianist/arranger Larry Sieberth and Leigh Harris return with this show of music by famed New Orleans piano icon James Booker. Booker's life as musician and wild man is explored through story, song and images by Jon Graubarth. Tues. & Wed., May 1 & 2, 8pm.
BROWN
True Brew Cafe, 200 Julia St., 504.524.8441.
Experience the sell-out improvisational comedy show formerly at Movie Pitchers featuring the quick wits of Andy Hebert, Bill Berry, P. H. Fred, Ken LaFrance, Rene Maxwell, Erika Hamburg and our favorite Sean Patterson. This sextet use audience suggestions to create on-the-spot original sketches, songs and sight gags. You are encouraged to bring a prop to the show and you may even be invited to join the cast for a game of "Feeze Tag." Sat., 11pm.
CHARLES LUDLAM'S CAMILLE
A.R.K. Theatre, 511 Marigny St., 504.944.0771.
The theatre troupe that calls itself Running With Scissors and is helmed by director/designer/star/Charles Ludlam wannabe Flynn De Marco is presenting the Ridiculous Theatrical Co.'s take on the Dumas potboiler about the 19th century courtesan Marguerite Gautier and her ill-fated love affair with Armand Duval. Presented several years ago in a krewe of Petronius production directed by yours truly, this is a hilrious send-up of Victorian melodrama. Besides Mr. De Marco's star turn as Marguerite, the cast includes Jim Jeske, Bob Edes, Jr., Veronica Oliver, Allyson Garro, Kim Collins, Dorian Rush, and Peter Callahan who plays Armand. Every Fri. & Sat. in Apr., 8pm.
LATE NITE CATECHISM
Le Petit's Director's Studio, 616 St. Peter St., 504.522.2081; group sales, 504.822.7211.
Theatricks, Inc. and The Directors Studio of Le Petit Theatre present the regional premiere of this off-Broadway comedy hit by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan. Local actress Amanda Hebert (or Jan Chimento or Adriana Bate) plays the Sister who teaches an adult catechism class to a roomful of "students" (the audience). Sister goes from benevolent instructor to authoritative drill sergeant. Thurs. - Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm & 6pm.
MICHAEL FLATLEY'S LORD OF THE DANCE
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, MS, 888.566.7469.
Michael Flatley, the original American star of Ireland's Riverdance, has created another such revue utilizing a cast of 40 dancers illustrating the battle between the Dark Lord and the Lord of the Dance, through a combination of tap, ballet and jazz techniques presented with an Irish flair. Michael Flatley, creator of Lord of the Dance, will function as artistic director for the run of the show. Tues. & Sat., 7 & 9:30pm; Wed. & Thurs., 8pm; and, Sun., 3 & 7pm.
THE PFISTER SISTERS
Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812; www.cabaretlechatnoir.com.
Close your eyes and you'd swear Holley Bendtsen, Debbie Davis & Yvette Volker-Cuccia, with Amasa Miller on piano, were actually the Boswell Sisters. Or are they the Andrews? They can definitely channel both. Close harmony and lots of fun. Thurs., May 3, 8pm.
PLAZA SUITE
Carlone's Dinner Theatre, 100 N. Labarre Rd. (at Causeway), 504.838.9906.
C. Patrick Gendusa directs this Neil Simon classic comprised of three one acts all taking place in a suite at N.Y.'s tony hotel. Nigel Mist and Suzaune Yee McKamey portray the three couples, supported by Alex Beaudry and Michael Miller. Buffet from 6:30pm, Fri. & Sat., show at 8pm; buffet from noon, Sun., show at 2pm, May 11 - June 10.
PURLIE
Ty Tracy Theatre, Gallier Hall, 545 St. Charles Ave., 504.565.7860.
Ty Tracy directs the NORD spring production of this musical adaptation of Ossie Davis's play, Purlie Victorious, with music by Gary Geld, lyrics by Peter Udell and a book by Mr. Davis. Leo Jones plays Purlie Victorious and also choreographs and provides vocal direction. Donovon Roark is orchestra director; Bob Bruce, costume designer; and, Phil Wagar, sets and lighting designer. Besides the usual extra large chorus, the principals are Carmen White, Sandra Richards, Phillip Watson, Bob Gault, Michael Santora, Lawana Menendez & Gabrielle Porter.
RAINFOREST
Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox St., Metairie, 504.885.2000; jpas.org.
JPAS presents Denver's award-winning contemporary dance company, David Taylor Dance Theatre, in their multi-media dance extranganza described as a magical journey through different levels of life in a tropical rainforest danced to an original score by Jesse Manno, with choreography by David Taylor and Visual Art, Malaysian Hummers and Costume Design by George Peters. Sat., Apr. 28, 7:30pm.
ROBBER BRIDEGROOM
Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 345 Minor St., Kenner, LA, 504.468.7221.
The final musical of the season, produced by Charlie Ward and directed by Chip Steltz, with choreography by Lynne Lawrence, is based on a novella by Eudora Welty (who based her story on a Grimm's Fairy Tale of the same name) with a book and lyrics by Alfred Uhry with music by Robert Waldman. This unpretentious bluegrass musical tale about country life along the late 18th century Natchez Trace, told Story Theatre style, features Carlin Benz as Jamie Lockhart, the Robber Bridegroom, with Chrissy Garrett as his would-be bride, Rosamund. Others in the cast are Rick Esposito, Dave Hamby, Joanne Mehrtens, Gary Rucker and Kalon Thibodeaux. Lance Spellerberg does the sets; Daniel Zimmer, the lights; Julie Winn, the costumes; and Gloria Fallo, the musical direction. Fri. & Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm, May 4 - May 27. Optional buffet served from 6pm Fri. & Sat., noon, Sun.
ROMEO AND JULIET
Thrust Theater, University of New Orleans Performing Arts Bldg., 504.231.5410.
The Lakefront Players in association with New Orleans Classic Theatre presents Shakespeare's tragedy directed by Bert Pigg with Justin Scalise and Billy Slaughter alternating in the roles of Romeo and Mercutio, "as Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud did in their landmark 1935 production" says the press release. Jennifer Carriere plays Juliet. Thurs., Fri. & Sat., 8pm, Sun., 2pm, May 10 - May 27.
SPRING SYMPHONY
Orpheum Theatre, 129 University Place, 504.523.6530; lpomusic.com.
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of maestro Klauspeter Seibel, presents a concert including Bezet's Symphony ion C, Saint-Saens' Violin Concerto No. 3, featuring violinist Elmar Oliveira, and Schumann's Symphony No. 1 ("Spring").Thurs., May 10, 7:30pm & Sat., May 12, 8pm.
TOM MCDERMOTT'S BEATLES SHOW
Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812; www.cabaretlechatnoir.com.
Tom McDermott, Leigh Harry, Judith Owen and Debbie Davis return as the "Fab Four." Sun., Apr. 29, 9:30pm
TRUE WEST
Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812; www.cabaretlechatnoir.com.
Big Shoulders Theatre Co.'s debut production is also a first for the St. Chas. Ave. cabaret -full-length theatrical fare. From the play's Broadway Web site, http://www.truewestbroadway.com/, the following was gleaned: "Sam Shepard's classic comedy is the story of estranged brothers Austin and Lee - one a reserved Hollywood scriptwriter, the other a thief and a drifter. In truth, the brothers actually envy one another - straight-laced Austin yearns to live on the edge; Lee covets the stable life of a highly paid writer. Their quest to diverge from their lifestyles results in a developmental stalemate. Unable to progress forward or return to their former selves, Austin and Lee are trapped." Jennifer Tuttle makes her directorial debut with Jerry Lee Leighton as Lee and Eddie Collins as Austin. Others in the cast are Gavin Mahlie as the Hollywood producer and Jan Chimento as the mother. Thurs.-Sat., 8pm, through the month of April.
IN THE WINGS
BETTY BUCKLEY IN CONCERT
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, 616 St. Peter St., 504.522.2081.
Broadway Diva Betty Buckley, the original Grizabella in Cats who introduced America to Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Memory,"was the original Norma Desmond in Webber's subsequent Sunset Boulevard, starred in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and has done a slew of cabaret shows, been featured in TV and the movies, will sing a one night concert to benefit the theatre which will include songs by Kurt Weill, Joni Mitchell, Gershwin, James Taylor, Sondheim, Amanda Broom and others. Tickets are $100 and include a post-performance dessert party and a silent auction. Sun., June 17, 8pm.
THE CIVIL WAR
Saenger Theatre, N. Rampart & Canal Sts.; 504.522.5555; groups of 20 or more, 504.569.1520.
Larry Gatlin stars in a newly conceived national tour of composer Frank Wildhorn's folk rock take on the War Between the States, written by Gregory Boyd and Jack Murphy and directed by Stephen Rayne, with musical staging by Peter Pucci, scenic design by Douglas W. Schmidt; lighting design by Howell Binkley; costume design by Christin Hanak; and projections by Wendall K. Harrington. Tues. - Sat., 8pm, Thurs., Sat. & Sun., 2pm, May 15 - May 20.
LONESOME WEST
FreeportMcMoRan Theatre, Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 504.528.3800; ticketweb.com or 1.800.965.4827.
Michael Cahill's Beefield Productions presents the second of Martin McDonagh's Leenane trilogy after scoring with the first, Beauty Queen of Leenane last year. The story of two brothers (Robert Montgomery and Michael Cahill) living alone in their father's house after his recent death who find it impossible to exist without the most massive and violent disputes over the most mundane and innocent of topics, Variety called it no less than "the funniest, most mature and most dramatically satisfying play of the trilogy. Also in the cast are Bob Scully and Kara Hadigan, with Janet Shea directing. Fri. & Sat., 8pm, Sun., 2pm, May 18 - June 3.
RESURRECTION SYMPHONY
Orpheum Theatre, 129 University Place, 504.523.6530; www.lpomusic.com.
The final concert of the season is also a celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the twentieth for the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, with Klauspeter Seibel conducting Mahler's Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection." Soprano Amy Burton, mezzo soprano Makiko Marumi and the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans will be featured. Thurs., May 17, 7:30pm; Sat., May 19, 8pm.
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