Alex Brightman and Wayne Brady/The Seth Concert Series through January 24 Neither Alex Brightman nor Wayne Brady had ever done a live concert with Seth Rudetsky prior to their appearances on The Seth Concert Series, its first and second shows, respectively, of 2021. Both fell under the spell of theater at an early age and both came off as extremely nice, likable gents. They … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards January 12, 2021
Trodding the Boards December 29, 2020
Year in Review I don’t think anyone will be sorry to see the curtain coming down on 2020. In this year-like-no-other, theaters and other performing arts venues throughout our area were forced to shut down in mid-March. For about two months after that, it seemed as though the light that usually shines so brightly on the arts here had gone off as local artistic directors … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards December 29, 2020
Trodding the Boards December 15, 2020
The Nutcracker at Jefferson Performing Arts Center thru Dec. 20 JPAS Artistic Director Dennis Assaf was justifiably proud, excited, and a bit relieved when he stated during his pre-show speech that The Nutcracker would be the “first live theater production we’ve done here since January.” Though the opening matinee performance had sold out, due to Covid-19 necessities, the … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards December 15, 2020
Trodding the Boards December 1, 2020
Lillias White/The Seth Concert Series through December 27 Lillias White had been scheduled to appear on The Seth Concert Series on October 4, but had to postpone till November 15. It was worth the wait to have her appear on this live broadcast. Wearing a raspberry-colored sequined top and her signature close-cropped hair, White told of originally wanting to be a nurse … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards December 1, 2020
Trodding the Boards November 17, 2020
Church of Twerk at The Music Box Village How should I describe Ha Sizzle and Team Sizzle’s Church of Twerk? A neo-soul/bounce concert featuring twerking dancers? Immersive performance art? A glorious revival meeting? All of the above? I'm not sure, but it had me grinning from ear to ear for nearly all of its 60 minutes. Taking place at the only-in-New Orleans Music Box … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards November 17, 2020
Trodding the Boards November 3, 2020
Theatre For One: For This Moment at Loyola University Hallelujah! Live theater has returned to Orleans Parish! Granted, it was only for two weekends. And audiences were limited. And the run is over now. But it happened and successfully so. What “it” was, was Theatre For One: For This Moment put on by Loyola University’s Department of Theatre Arts & … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards November 3, 2020
Trodding the Boards October 20, 2020
The Pillowman at Swamplight Theater through November 1 As I headed to Ponchatoula to see a production of The Pillowman, I didn't know what to expect as it would be the first time I'd be attending the theater there. When I got to the Swamplight Theater and discovered that this challenging play was not actually part of its schedule but a presentation by a new, young … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards October 20, 2020
Trodding the Boards October 6, 2020
Single Black Female online through October 10 In what I believe is the first extended engagement in Orleans Parish, UNO’s Theatre Program presents its opening production of the fall semester, Single Black Female, through October 10. Granted, it’s not live nor being live-streamed, (it’s actually pre-recorded) but given that tickets are being sold individually for dates … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards October 6, 2020
Trodding the Boards September 22, 2020
The Odd Couple at Playmakers Theater through Oct. 4 It was so good to be heading to the North Shore recently to see a show at Playmakers Theater. First because I was looking forward to visiting this historic 65-year-old playhouse in Covington for the first time since it reopened in July (I missed its A Chorus Line then). And also because, just as the drive began, I got … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards September 22, 2020
Trodding the Boards September 8, 2020
12 Angry Men at 30 by Ninety Theatre through September 13 Reginald Rose’s 12 Angry Men may be over 65 years old, but in our current age of overwrought passions, distortion of facts, and demonization of the “other”, this courtroom drama remains as timely as ever. Mandeville’s 30 by Ninety Theatre (880 Lafayette St.) is wise to present it now. Originally done on TV in 1954 … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards September 8, 2020
