Critics’ Choice Gay Appreciation Award
On behalf of Tony Leggio and myself, I am pleased to announce the nominees for this year’s Critics’ Choice Award that will be presented as part of the 36th Gay Appreciation Awards (GAA). They are:
Carousel produced by Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University
The Crucible produced by Fat Squirrel
The Drowsy Chaperone presented by New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA)
Frankenstein produced by The NOLA Project
Primary Trust produced by Crescent City Stage
Varla Jean Merman’s The Drowsy Chappell Roan
Varla Jean Merman in The Drowsy Chappell Roan; The cast of The Drowsy Chaperone at NOCCA
Works that were produced from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 were eligible. The GAA will be presented at the Marigny Opera House (725 St. Ferdinand St.) on Saturday, July 25. The show starts at 7pm–SHARP–but come early, from 6-7:00pm, and walk the Red Carpet with Felicia Phillips and Tiffany Alexander. All are invited to attend. Tickets will be sold at the door and Eventbrite for $20.
(clockwise from left) Carousel, The Crucible, Frankenstein, Primary Trust
The Gay Appreciation Awards thanks those individuals and businesses in the LGBTQ community who are often not recognized for the outstanding services they provide and contributions they make. Over 25 categories are voted on by Ambush Magazine readers. The Critics’ Choice Award, however, is selected by Ambush’s two culture vultures who see the vast majority of theater and performing arts events in the Greater New Orleans area. Congratulations to all involved in each of our nominees!
Macbeth at Tulane’s Lupin Theater through July 12
[With apologies to the Bard of Avon.]
Double, double toil and trouble;
At Tulane’s Lupin Theater, Macbeth does bubble (thru July 12).
James Bartelle, Zarah Hokule’a Spalding, Georgia Morgan, as Witches three,
Hissed and slithered, weirdly, most appropriately.
James Lanius’ projections, in the air and on the floor,
Conjured supernatural mystery which I did adore.
Most stylish costumes by Kaci Thomassie
Were worthy of McQueen, Alexanderie;
Still, though very chic and made by hand,
Would such high fashion’ve been in medieval Scotland?
Double, double toil and trouble;
Other than Witches and costumes, this cauldron did not much bubble.
Directed by Graham Burk
No keen new insights here did lurk.
Despite a modern patina of some genders switched
Swords still did clang; a boardroom setting the drama might’ve enriched.
Line after glorious line of this play,
Burk allowed his cast to rush, the deeper meaning thrown away.
Greatest tragedy of all was the Macbeth of David Lind,
Whom I had previously admired, 'twas here a King of little substance, merely wind.
Jana Mestecky, as Lady M, was somewhat better, if a bit shrill,
As she bent her ambitious husband to her will.
Still, where was the vital sensuality between this pair?
Their requisite chemistry vanished in the air.
Of the others, Anja Avsharian (Lady Macduff), Robert A. Mitchell (Duncan), & Edward Carter Simon (Macduff) stood out;
The others well-fulfilled their roles, not some of the Bard’s most exciting, without a doubt.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
If only there had been baboon's blood,
Perhaps this production would have been firm and good.
David Lind in Macbeth
[For tickets and further info, go to https://neworleansshakespeare.org/]
Curtain Up
Things heat up in New Orleans in July and August so head indoors and cool off while watching any of the upcoming productions listed below.
If you prefer a little lighter fare than Shakespeare, you can stay on the Tulane campus but go next door to Dixon Hall for Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University which will be offering two Tony-winning musicals, Jerry Herman’s La Cage aux Folles, July 9–12, directed by Diane Lala (https://liberalarts.tulane.edu/summer-lyric-theatre/tickets/la-cage-aux-folles), and Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, July 30–August 2, directed by Ricky Graham (https://liberalarts.tulane.edu/summer-lyric-theatre/tickets/little-night-music).
Next door, at Loyola’s Marquette Theatre, The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans continues its season, July 23-August 9, with Williams’ Tony Award winner The Rose Tattoo in which a grieving widow living in a tight-knit Gulf Coast community rediscovers the power of love when a wild, big-hearted truck driver crashes unexpectedly into her world.
Starring Kristin Witt and Nick DiJulio, the production features Janet Shea, Gwendolyn Foxworth, and Alex Wallace, and will be directed by Augustin J Correro. (https://www.twtheatrenola.com/)
Yet another Tony-winner can be found down in Arabi when A Company: A St. Bernard Community Theater presents its final show of the season, Cabaret, July 10-19, at the Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge.
Destinie Collins directs Kander & Ebb’s classic musical adapted from Christopher Isherwood’s 1939 novel Goodbye to Berlin. Expect Nazis and showgirls as love and art collide in the decadent Kit Kat Klub in 1930s Berlin. Arianna D’Antonio stars as Sally Bowles while Jorden Majeau is the Emcee, the role that made Joel Grey a star. (https://thecompanystb.com/)
