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

Champion Terence Blanchard

By

Google “Movies about boxers” and dozens of titles come up. Google “Operas about boxers” and one title appears. Google “Movies about gay boxers” and there are still a half-dozen titles. Google “Operas about gay boxers” and the same title that popped up before reappears. That opera is Champion by New Orleans native and multiple Grammy Award winner Terence Blanchard which New … [Read more...] about Champion Terence Blanchard

Trodding the Boards

By

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra through May 19 I had missed the first Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) Holiday Spectacular featuring the 610 Stompers in 2015 and resolved to see last year’s edition which turned out to be fabulous. Could they top themselves this year? Indeed they did. Whereas last year’s Spectacular had a “round the world” theme and included a diverse … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards

Trodding the Boards

By

The Year in Review When I reviewed 2016, the Anthony Bean Community Theater had discovered it needed more funds than expected to renovate its new location on Paris Avenue. After years without a permanent home, Southern Rep had just commenced an arduous journey to turn the long-vacant former St. Rose de Lima Church on Bayou Road into the Bayou Treme Center. Both situations … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards

Trodding the Boards

By

An American in Paris at the Saenger Theatre, Jan. 30–Feb. 4 [I had seen An American in Paris on Broadway in March 2016; that production comes to the Saenger later this month. Below is my review, slightly edited, that ran in April of that year.] With its classic story and gorgeous Gershwin songs, it’s hard not to like the stage version of An American in Paris. But with … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards

Trodding the Boards

By

Peter and the Starcatcher at Slidell Little Theater through Feb. 4 When I saw Peter and the Starcatcher on Broadway in 2012, I found the first act, set amid dreary workhouses and the dank holds of ships, overly dark and, worse, a gobful of exposition slowed it to a tedious crawl as we met a Lord, his daughter, her nanny, some nasty sea captains and their henchmen, a preening … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards

Trodding the Boards

By

Always . . . Patsy Cline at The WWII Museum’s Stage Door Canteen, Feb. 23–Mar. 25 [This production returns for weekend performances with Margaret Belton and Caroline Fourmy reprising their roles. Here are excerpts from my review which originally ran in March 2015.] In the past five years, the WWII Museum’s Stage Door Canteen has put on an impressive number of entertaining … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards