At the Library in May
May 1, 2013
Andrew J. Cantrelle
May 2, 2013
Local and regional theater productions in May are listed below.
“THE CLIFTON MONROE CHRONICLES: THE CASE OF BROADWAY BETTY”
Through May 5
In episode three of the adventures of ace reporter, Clifton Monroe and his quirky sidekick Mattie scour the streets of New Orleans. When a Broadway star arrives in town, so do multiple murders. What is her connection to these sinister crimes and just who is lurking behind the curtain, waiting to turn off the spotlight on her career?
At the Shadowbox Theatre, 2400 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans. (504) 298-8676. www.theshadowboxtheatre.com. ($12)
“THE TAMING OF THE SHREW”
Through May 5
Beautiful Bianca’s father insists she is not allowed to marry until her shrewish sister, Katharina, is betrothed. Bianca’s suitors persuade fortune-seeker Patruchio to court her. He intends to “tame” Katharina for the purpose of marriage, but has met his match in Shakespeare’s classic battle of the sexes.
At the University of New Orleans, 307 Performing Arts Center, New Orleans. (504) 280-SHOW.
“GIANT PUPPET FESTIVAL”
Through May 5th
The second annual New Orleans Puppet Festival includes an impressive line-up of local and national puppeteers. The Mudlark Puppeteers are the resident company of 9th Ward’s The Mudlark Public Theatre. They are thrilled to premiere “The Story of a Mother.”
At the Marigny Opera House, 725 St. Ferdinand St., New Orleans. (504) 568-2022. www.marignyoperahouse.org. ($10)
“MIDNIGHT PRESERVES”
Through May 5
A benefit concert for the Preservation Hall Foundation featuring exclusive midnight performances. Doors open at 11:30 p.m.
At Preservation Hall, 726 St. Peter St., New Orleans. (504) 522-2841. www.preservationhall.com.
“SHOW BOAT”
Through May 12
Spanning 1880 to 1927, this production concerns the lives, loves and heartbreaks of three generations of show folk on the Mississippi, in Chicago and on Broadway. Includes hits “Ol’ Man River,” “Make Believe” and “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.”
At the Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Drive, Slidell. (985) 641-0324. www.slidelllittletheatre.org. ($20)
“FROST/NIXON”
Through May 19
The showdown interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and disgraced former President Richard M. Nixon. Frost risked everything on the series of in-depth interviews in order to extract an apology from Nixon.
At the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave., Westwego. (504) 885-2000. www.jpas.org. ($30)
“SICK GIRL AND OTHER FREAKS OF NATURE”
May 2-3
Katie East is a medical freak show. She has endured rare and bizarre illnesses, surgical mishaps and cancer- all before she graduated from college. Growing up in and out of hospitals she has found that people with diseases aren’t the only ones who are sick. Her obliviously egocentric characters will grow on you. Benignly, of course.
At the Shadowbox Theatre, 2400 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans. (504) 298-8876. www.shadowboxtheatre.com. ($12)
“MOVE OVER MRS. MARKHAM”
May 3-19
To Sylvie it’s the “goose” that she learned from Alistair, but to Philip, Joanna Markham’s husband, it’s “a variety of geese,” and fifteen years of marriage is just about undone along with everything else in this wild zany free for all. Everything from Philip’s business deals with Bow Wow Books and Alistair’s near escape from Joanna’s chiding seduction to the naked G.P.O. girl and the specter of scandal is hilarious. A lot of bedhopping occurs as Sylvie winds up taking Alistair on “walkies” and the amazing Mrs. Markham gets her man her husband! It all takes place in an elegant top floor London flat.
At the Baton Rouge Little Theatre, 7155 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge. (225) 924-6496. www.brlt.org. ($24)
“MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING”
May 8-26
Played in the romantic setting of NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden and set near the turn of the century in the old American South, this hilarious and festive comedy pits two of Shakespeare’s most beloved characters, Benedick and Beatrice, in a war of words and wits. This production promises to delight audiences with slapstick, dancing, music, poetry, and all with a touch of Southern charm.
At NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden, One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, New Orleans. (504) 658-4100. www.noma.org. ($18 adults, $7 children)
“DRIVING MISS DAISY”
May 10 through June 2
Winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Play and later, an Academy Award-winning film. A warm-hearted, humorous and affecting study of the unlikely relationship between an aging, crotchety white Southern lady, and a proud, soft-spoken black man.
At Treato Wego! Theatre, 177 Sala Ave., Westwego. (504) 371-3330. www.jpas.org. ($30)
“GYPSY”
May 10-26
The ultimate story about an aggressive stage mother. Join Rose, June and Louise in their trip across the United States during the 1920s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born. Jule Styne’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics include “Let Me Entertain You,” “Some People,” “You’ll Never Get Away from Me,” “If Momma Was Married,” “All I Need Is the Girl,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “You Gotta Get A Gimmick” and “Together Wherever We Go.”
At the Rivertown Repertoy Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner. (504) 468-7221. www.rivertowntheaters.com. ($30-$35)
“HOT STUFF”
May 11
Starring Harry Mayronne, Chris Wecklein and Becky Allen … three great friends have a fabulous time on stage. As one of the most successful performing teams that the city has ever known, Allen and Graham have worked together longer than many marriages have lasted.
At Mid-City Theatre, 3540 Toulouse St., New Orleans. (504) 488-1460. www.midcitytheatre.com. ($20)
“TURTLES & ALLIGATORS”
May 17 through June 16
“Okra” playwright Anne Galjour’s World Premiere production will be closing out our season with another raucous Cajun comedy! Come be the first to see another quirky Cajun family battle it out on stage in this hilarious brand new play written especially for the Bayou Playhouse stage.
At the Bayou Playhouse, 101 Main St., Lockport. (888) 99-BAYOU. www.bayouplayhouse.com. ($20-$23)
“CLYBOURNE PARK”
May 17 through June 23
“Clybourne Park,” winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2011), London’s Olivier Award for Best New Play (2011), and the Tony Award for Best Play (2012), explodes in two, riveting acts set 50 years apart. Act One takes place in 1959 Chicago, Ill., as nervous community leaders attempt to prevent the sale of a home to a black family, while Act Two unfolds in exact same location only in the present-day, revealing the plight of a now predominantly black community as it struggles to maintain solidarity in the face of an ever-encompassing threat: Gentrification.
At the All-Ways Theatre and Lounge, 2240 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans. (504) 264-1776. www.theallwayslounge.net.
“NEXT TO NORMAL”
May 15 through June 9
A groundbreaking powerhouse musical and smash hit with Leslie Castay in a tour de force role! A heartbreaking but beautifully told story about a suburban mother’s fight with mental illness and her family’s attempt to hold it all together for her and themselves. With an exciting contemporary score and thrilling lyrics, this prize-winning musical strives to understand what “normal” means in an unknowable, complicated world.
At the Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., New Orleans. (504) 528-3800. www.cacno.org.
“RE-DESIGNING WOMEN”
May 23 through June 2
The latest wacky take-off from Varla Jean Merman, and “Shut Up Sweet Charlotte” co-stars Ricky Graham, Brian Peterson and Jack Long. See those cracked Southern Belles from Sugarbaker’s re-imagined as only our local “ladies” can! Hoot at the 1980s clothes, holler at Suzanne’s hair, and shout along with Julia’s favorite rants!
At the Mid-City Theatre, 3540 Toulouse St., New Orleans. (504) 488-1460. www.midcitytheatre.com. ($30)
“6X6”
May 29
Six staged readings of six brand new 10-minute plays exploring themes close to the heart of New Orleans.
At the Mid-City Theatre, 3540 Toulouse St., New Orleans. (504) 488-1460. www.MidCityTheatre.com. ($10)
The second annual Giant Puppet Festival runs through May 5 at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans.
