Ambush Magazine

The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™

Brian Sands

Brian Sands began writing for Ambush Magazine in 1996. He became Co-Theater/Performing Arts Editor in 2002, going solo in 2011 upon the retirement of his late colleague Patrick Shannon with whom he founded the Ambie Awards in 2003 and presented them through 2011. He is a member of the Big Easy Theater Committee. He currently co-hosts, with Brad Rhines, Stage Talk with Brian and Brad; episodes can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/StageBeatNewOrleans

Trodding the Boards February 24, 2025

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Brechtfest VI at the AllWays Lounge Sure New Orleans has potholes and too many corrupt politicians and a crumbling education system. But it also has phenomenal restaurants, vibrant art galleries & museums, and Mardi Gras. Add to that latter list, Brechtfest whose sixth iteration recently appeared in the Twilight Room of the AllWays Lounge. Regrettably, productions of … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards February 24, 2025

Trodding the Boards February 14, 2025

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Timbuktu, USA at The New Marigny Theatre My last column included a brief write-up of Intramural Theater’s recent production of Timbuktu, USA, but it merits a few more words as such inspired madness doesn’t grace our stages too often. Ken Prestininzi’s absurdist comedy tells the wild story of Kelly Kilkenny, an oversexed Secretary of State, who having once been passed over … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards February 14, 2025

Trodding the Boards January 31, 2025

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Timbuktu, USA at The New Marigny Theatre through February 3 A full review will follow in my next column, but if you want to see a show about some wild and wacky goings-on in Washington, D.C.--though not as wild and wacky as what’s currently going on there--head to The New Marigny Theatre for Intramural Theater’s outstanding production of Timbuktu, USA. Ken Prestininzi’s … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards January 31, 2025

Trodding the Boards January 13, 2025

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Good Night, Oscar at Le Petit through January 26 Le Petit is currently presenting Doug Wright’s play Good Night, Oscar. Oscar who? Oscar Levant. Oscar Levant who? I suspect those under 30 or 40, or even 50, 60 or 70 might have difficulty answering that question. Even the show’s director, A.J. Allegra, writes in a program note, “If you had asked me two years ago who Oscar … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards January 13, 2025

Trodding the Boards January 3, 2025

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The Year in Review I’ve been postponing writing this column and now, it seems, I’ve postponed it all the way into 2025. I’m actually quite good at procrastinating and, with all the holiday festivities that have been going on recently, it’s been quite easy to dilly-dally when there are cards to mail, presents to wrap, and parties to go to. But there’s been another reason … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards January 3, 2025

Trodding the Boards December 13, 2024

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The Trojan Women at The New Marigny Theatre through December 13 Euripides’ The Trojan Women ranks as one of the most despairing plays in the canon. An unsparing portrait of victims of war, it does not offer cheery visions of sugarplum fairies or redemptions of scrooges; needless to say, it’s not your typical Holiday fare. Fat Squirrel’s production of it at The New Marigny … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards December 13, 2024

Trodding the Boards November 27, 2024

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Pass Over at The New Orleans African American Museum The NOLA Project recently presented the regional premier of Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu's Pass Over at The New Orleans African American Museum (NOAAM). I was out of town during its first two weekends but caught it during its last week. I’m happy I did. In Pass Over, Nwandu riffs on Waiting for Godot, the Book of Exodus, … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards November 27, 2024

Trodding the Boards November 15, 2024

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Beetlejuice at the Saenger Theatre through November 17 It’s showtime at the Saenger Theatre through November 17 as the musical Beetlejuice has come to town. And for those looking for “a show about death”, as the opening number promises, and, perhaps more importantly in these challenging times, an evening of pure entertainment, walk, drive, fly or teletransport over to the … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards November 15, 2024