The Year in Review 2022 was bookended by two phenomenal productions. The first was the regional premiere of Twelfth Night, The Musical, a new (2018), buoyant adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy by up’n’coming composer Shaina Taub. The second was an original, witty deconstruction with meta touches of Shrek The Musical that was far more enjoyable than that often plodding … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards December 27, 2022
Arts & Culture
Drag Queen Profile: Fatsy Cline
Drag Queen Profile: Fatsy Cline Where are you originally from? How did you end up in New Orleans? I fell from heaven and landed in southern Mississippi. Just kidding! I’m originally from Las Vegas but we moved to Mississippi when I was in the second grade so the South is all I've ever really known. Growing up, New Orleans was the big bad city an hour and a half away but I … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Fatsy Cline
Trodding the Boards December 20, 2022
Macbeth at The Fortress of Lushington All hail Dane Rhodes! Rhodes, a two-time Ambie Award-winner (in the same year no less!), has not been seen on local theater stages of late, in part because of the pandemic, in part because TV and films have been keeping him busy. Now looking trim, muscled and DILFy, he made a welcome return to our boards in Macbeth at the Fortress of … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards December 20, 2022
Trodding the Boards November 29, 2022
SIX at the Saenger Theatre through December 4 I had seen Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’ SIX in London in 2019 and, between the British accents and over-amplification, had a hard time understanding most of the lyrics. I came out of the theater feeling like a guest at party where everyone else was having a great time except me. So, I’m happy to report that, having seen SIX’s … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards November 29, 2022
Painted Legends
The new book Legends Of Drag: Queens of a Certain Age by Harry James Hanson and Devin Antheus has been released by ABRAMS Books and New Orleanians may recognize some familiar faces. Five of our most popular (and favorite) drag performers are featured prominently within the New Orleans section. To create Legends of Drag: Queens of a Certain Age, authors Harry … [Read more...] about Painted Legends
Under the Gaydar (December Events Calendar)
There is magic in the air this December in NOLA. Holiday events are always so festive and there are so many goings-ons this year. Here are just some of the hot happenings in December to put on your “Gaydar.” If you want your event listed, send me an email at ledgemgp@gmail.com. Weekly Events Monday: * NOAGE New Orleans Walking Group; Lafitte … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar (December Events Calendar)
Trodding the Boards November 15, 2022
Curtain Up With the holidaze upon us, local theater shall be taking a backseat to family gatherings, bonfires on the levee (and other places), and seasonal festivities. Still, there are some shows coming up in December...and not all of them deal with Nutcrackers or Grinches! If you’re a fan of the Tudors--or any of today’s pop princesses--head over to the Saenger Theatre … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards November 15, 2022
New Documentary Examines the AIDS Crisis and the Culture Wars
From 1986 to 1993, Valda Lewis produced a New Orleans-based LGBT-themed television talk show called Just for the Record. In the process, Lewis fell in love with the camera and began filming events important to the LGBT+ movement: Pride parades, AIDS conferences, public protests, interviews with activists, national meetings, etc. Lewis is now putting that archival footage … [Read more...] about New Documentary Examines the AIDS Crisis and the Culture Wars
Bartender Spotlight
Being a bartender is hard work y’all. The general public is not easy to deal with and great bartenders manage to keep a pleasant demeanor, a smile on their face, and a positive attitude even through the busy times. I discovered this month’s Bartender Spotlight during one of those busy times – Southern Decadence. I met Spencer Smith at Couvant during a Southern Decadence event. … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight
Trodding the Boards November 1, 2022
The Family Line at the BK [Beauregard-Keyes] Historic House through November 20 Since 2018, Goat in the Road Productions (GRP) has presented a remarkable series of immersive plays in notable French Quarter edifices that entertain and enlighten about seminal moments in New Orleans history. If you enjoyed The Stranger Disease (2018) and The Uninvited (2020), as I did, you … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards November 1, 2022