July 28, 2014
Seeing and Enjoying Is Believing...
Live Theatre in New Orleans
You can feel the quickening pulse of New Orleans at this time of year. It's not just the changing of the season, since we are a semi-tropical climate the temperatures don't suddenly shift from one extreme to another. It's more gradual over a longer period of time. Four seasons don't come much into play in a place with mild winters.
Our climate proves that New Orleans moves to her own rhythms. Now look at how we approach the topic of directions. The compass serves little purpose in a town that follows the whims of a great river. In New Orleans, you don't need the compass and you won't need to pack layers of clothing.
You can't fool the sun, however, and as summer's long days get just a little shorter, the social pace returns as sure as the Tulane University Green Wave, the LSU Tigers, and the New Orleans Saints take to the gridiron in hopes of glory for their community and themselves.
While crazed fans pack our area's stadiums, the hallowed stages of our Theatre District are again trod by performances on a grand scale with stars from all over the world regaling us with their talents. But there are challenges: with so much going on in the true City That Never Sleeps, how are you going to do it all?
The latest, and most spectacular so far, renovation of a theatre is the recently reopened Saenger with shows that are setting a torrid pace of great performances, Sarah McLaughlan continues to make musical history with a one-night only stop in New Orleans at the Saenger, August 1. This multiple Grammy Award® winning artist has been topping musical charts for over 25-years and there is, thankfully, no end in sight. Over 40 million records sold proves the appeal of her stylings and her appearance in New Orleans will, no doubt, please her many fans.
Speaking of pleasing fans, next up on the Saenger stage, August 6, is Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Maybe you weren't old enough to remember "Big Girls Don't Cry; Sherry; Rag Doll; Walk Like a Man," and so many other monster hits when they were first played, but surely you have seen on Broadway or now in movie theatres, the amazing story of these Jersey Boys. The original group will be here and you'll be rocking and singing along.
On August 16, we dare you to hold your feet still when the Gipsy Kings begin their Andalusian flamenco stylings with such gusto that the grand crystal chandeliers in the Saenger will be swaying.
The members were raised in France but the Spanish musical influence was too strong and soon Los Reyes, the original name of the group, was visiting every corner of the globe, winning awards for performances and sales, and setting new lofty standards for the World Music category.
On August 23, the Saenger welcomes one of the landmark groups of the Age of Aquarius, Crosby, Stills, and Nash. These three monster talents have been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame multiple times, as solo artists, members of various groups, and as the key members of this group. Their influence on music and American life at a pivotal moment in history is beyond description. From Woodstock to the mellow sounds of "Southern Cross," this is a concert that promises to raise your spirits and energize your memory bank. David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash have accomplished so much musically and have brought messages of hope and happiness to audiences around the world for over forty years.
Then on August 29, the soothing, rich baritone voice of a rhythm & blues master, Mr. Will Downing, will share his considerable talents which include songwriter, musical arranger, singer and producer.
Downing knows his way around a sexy song. And no one leaves the performance at the Saenger without taking some haunting tune with them. Maybe several.
Has it been since 1964 when the Beatles stormed America on their second US tour? On September 16, 1964 the Beatles played in New Orleans City Park Stadium to a screaming throng of teenage girls and mop-topped boys.
Relive the days of Beatlemania on September 27 at the Saenger with "1964: The Tribute," a staging that Rolling Stone magazine crowned "The Best Beatles Tribute show on earth."
Buckle your seat belts because it's going to be a raucous time October 7-12 when the hit show, Chicago, treads the boards at the Saenger for eight amazing performances. A key component this season of the Broadway in New Orleans series, Chicago has been awarded 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy, and 6 Oscars at the 2003 Academy Award ceremonies. With all of that hardware, there is no doubt that this production represents the culmination of universal and well-deserved world-wide accolades since the show's debut in 1975.
The pride of the New England Culinary Institute, Alton Brown, hits America's greatest culinary town at The Saenger on October 24. No skillet will be spared and no sauce pan left unused.
Brown's main project is for The Food Network and the show is called "Good Eats." But then he also was the peacekeeper, or trouble maker, for the hit show, Iron Chef. The author of a number of books and always with several projects on his plate, the James Beard Foundation named Brown the Best TV Food Personality in 2011.
Brown's irreverent and topically insensitive style is sure to shake up a couple of core beliefs and break a few eggs.
The Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts in Armstrong Park gets into the act with funny-man, Ron White on September 6.
Proof that Southern boys can tell stories and earn laughs, Ron is a star of movies, as well as the centerpiece of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour phenomenon. Nicknamed "Tater Salad," Ron has not allowed his success or his Grammy nominations to go to his head.
He grew up in a small town next door in Texas, and every tale has the ring of truth with a lot of "funny" involved.
Ten male voices in full throat, a cappella. If that sounds like a cheesy evening, you have not enjoyed the irreverent, funny, and surprising song stylings of Straight No Chaser who will take the stage at the Mahalia Jackson on October 28. The group is on their Happy Hour Tour, promoting their fourth Atlanta Records release, Under the Influence. Are you sensing a theme here?
The album features such super-star supporters as Rob Thomas, Jason Mraz, Phil Collins, Dolly Parton, among others. When all has been said and sung, you too will be among those supporters. The massive Harrah's Casino complex, which now includes restaurants, bars, personal beauty services, and even a bowling alley on Fulton Street just across Poydras Street, offers its guests a comfortable, intimate space for a first-rate live performance theater experience. Just steps from the gaming area and the many overwhelming dining areas, the Theatre at Harrah's is an ideal place to enjoy musical and comedy acts that have pleased audiences around the world.
At Harrah's Theatre, on August 14-16, Under The Streetlamp, will introduce you to, or bring back memories of, the American Radio Songbook from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Retro never sounded so good or so fresh. This pop quartet is on their "Let the Good Times Roll Tour," or as we say around New Orleans, laissez les bon temps rouler.
The Streetlamp lads will figure that out when they hit town. And we can't wait for their harmonies and arrangements.
Founded in 1916 as the New Orleans Chapter of the Drama League of America, Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre for almost 100 years has occupied a special place in the hearts of locals and on the French Quarter's grid. Just steps from Jackson Square, Le Petit stages dramas, comedies and musicals in its recently renovated space.
The Tony Award-winning play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, answers the call of the curtain September 5-20.
The Southern Repertory Theatre is the proper full name but everyone just calls it, Southern Rep. Founded in 1986, Southern Rep soon became an important theatrical force not just in New Orleans but also in the region and beyond. Here is professional theatre at its most approachable level. Southern Rep stages performances of dramatic and comedic plays around town in various venues, giving all residents the opportunity to have a theatrical presence in their neighborhood.
This season the shows to be mounted include "Broomstick," "Boudin, the New Orleans Music Project." There will also be staged Debauchery, the Soap Opera; 6 x 6; and 3 x 3.
Over at the Historic New Orleans Collection on Royal Street, they are telling the old in a stylish exhibition and a very new story of New Orleans' and Louisiana's role in motion picture filming and production.
The first Tarzan motion picture was filmed in the swamps near Morgan City, Louisiana, not far from New Orleans, and the crew was often rewarded with trips to the Big City during breaks in the filming. Fast forward to present day, in 2013 more live-action motion pictures were filmed in Louisiana, and that includes New Orleans in a big way, than were filmed in any other state, including California. So when you're walking around, you may see film stars " LIVE, in the flesh " making the next hit flick!
Then again, what else could be expected from the community, New Orleans that gave birth to jazz and first nourished such great contributors to modern literature such as William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, and Anne Rice?
Performing arts are alive, well, and continuing to flourish in New Orleans.
Saenger Theatre
1111 Canal Street
Ticketmaster 800-745-3000
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/221664
Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
1419 Basin Street
Ticketmaster 800-745-3000
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/221664
The Theatre at Harrah's New Orleans
228 Poydras Street
800-427-7247
www.harrahsneworleans.com
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre
616 St. Peter Street
504-522-2081
www.lepetittheatre.com
Southern Rep
Various Venues
504-522-6545
www.southernrep.com
The Historic New Orleans Collection 533 Royal Street
504-523-4662
www.hnoc.org
Live Theatre in New Orleans
You can feel the quickening pulse of New Orleans at this time of year. It's not just the changing of the season, since we are a semi-tropical climate the temperatures don't suddenly shift from one extreme to another. It's more gradual over a longer period of time. Four seasons don't come much into play in a place with mild winters.
Our climate proves that New Orleans moves to her own rhythms. Now look at how we approach the topic of directions. The compass serves little purpose in a town that follows the whims of a great river. In New Orleans, you don't need the compass and you won't need to pack layers of clothing.
You can't fool the sun, however, and as summer's long days get just a little shorter, the social pace returns as sure as the Tulane University Green Wave, the LSU Tigers, and the New Orleans Saints take to the gridiron in hopes of glory for their community and themselves.
While crazed fans pack our area's stadiums, the hallowed stages of our Theatre District are again trod by performances on a grand scale with stars from all over the world regaling us with their talents. But there are challenges: with so much going on in the true City That Never Sleeps, how are you going to do it all?
The latest, and most spectacular so far, renovation of a theatre is the recently reopened Saenger with shows that are setting a torrid pace of great performances, Sarah McLaughlan continues to make musical history with a one-night only stop in New Orleans at the Saenger, August 1. This multiple Grammy Award® winning artist has been topping musical charts for over 25-years and there is, thankfully, no end in sight. Over 40 million records sold proves the appeal of her stylings and her appearance in New Orleans will, no doubt, please her many fans.
Speaking of pleasing fans, next up on the Saenger stage, August 6, is Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Maybe you weren't old enough to remember "Big Girls Don't Cry; Sherry; Rag Doll; Walk Like a Man," and so many other monster hits when they were first played, but surely you have seen on Broadway or now in movie theatres, the amazing story of these Jersey Boys. The original group will be here and you'll be rocking and singing along.
On August 16, we dare you to hold your feet still when the Gipsy Kings begin their Andalusian flamenco stylings with such gusto that the grand crystal chandeliers in the Saenger will be swaying.
The members were raised in France but the Spanish musical influence was too strong and soon Los Reyes, the original name of the group, was visiting every corner of the globe, winning awards for performances and sales, and setting new lofty standards for the World Music category.
On August 23, the Saenger welcomes one of the landmark groups of the Age of Aquarius, Crosby, Stills, and Nash. These three monster talents have been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame multiple times, as solo artists, members of various groups, and as the key members of this group. Their influence on music and American life at a pivotal moment in history is beyond description. From Woodstock to the mellow sounds of "Southern Cross," this is a concert that promises to raise your spirits and energize your memory bank. David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash have accomplished so much musically and have brought messages of hope and happiness to audiences around the world for over forty years.
Then on August 29, the soothing, rich baritone voice of a rhythm & blues master, Mr. Will Downing, will share his considerable talents which include songwriter, musical arranger, singer and producer.
Downing knows his way around a sexy song. And no one leaves the performance at the Saenger without taking some haunting tune with them. Maybe several.
Has it been since 1964 when the Beatles stormed America on their second US tour? On September 16, 1964 the Beatles played in New Orleans City Park Stadium to a screaming throng of teenage girls and mop-topped boys.
Relive the days of Beatlemania on September 27 at the Saenger with "1964: The Tribute," a staging that Rolling Stone magazine crowned "The Best Beatles Tribute show on earth."
Buckle your seat belts because it's going to be a raucous time October 7-12 when the hit show, Chicago, treads the boards at the Saenger for eight amazing performances. A key component this season of the Broadway in New Orleans series, Chicago has been awarded 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy, and 6 Oscars at the 2003 Academy Award ceremonies. With all of that hardware, there is no doubt that this production represents the culmination of universal and well-deserved world-wide accolades since the show's debut in 1975.
The pride of the New England Culinary Institute, Alton Brown, hits America's greatest culinary town at The Saenger on October 24. No skillet will be spared and no sauce pan left unused.
Brown's main project is for The Food Network and the show is called "Good Eats." But then he also was the peacekeeper, or trouble maker, for the hit show, Iron Chef. The author of a number of books and always with several projects on his plate, the James Beard Foundation named Brown the Best TV Food Personality in 2011.
Brown's irreverent and topically insensitive style is sure to shake up a couple of core beliefs and break a few eggs.
The Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts in Armstrong Park gets into the act with funny-man, Ron White on September 6.
Proof that Southern boys can tell stories and earn laughs, Ron is a star of movies, as well as the centerpiece of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour phenomenon. Nicknamed "Tater Salad," Ron has not allowed his success or his Grammy nominations to go to his head.
He grew up in a small town next door in Texas, and every tale has the ring of truth with a lot of "funny" involved.
Ten male voices in full throat, a cappella. If that sounds like a cheesy evening, you have not enjoyed the irreverent, funny, and surprising song stylings of Straight No Chaser who will take the stage at the Mahalia Jackson on October 28. The group is on their Happy Hour Tour, promoting their fourth Atlanta Records release, Under the Influence. Are you sensing a theme here?
The album features such super-star supporters as Rob Thomas, Jason Mraz, Phil Collins, Dolly Parton, among others. When all has been said and sung, you too will be among those supporters. The massive Harrah's Casino complex, which now includes restaurants, bars, personal beauty services, and even a bowling alley on Fulton Street just across Poydras Street, offers its guests a comfortable, intimate space for a first-rate live performance theater experience. Just steps from the gaming area and the many overwhelming dining areas, the Theatre at Harrah's is an ideal place to enjoy musical and comedy acts that have pleased audiences around the world.
At Harrah's Theatre, on August 14-16, Under The Streetlamp, will introduce you to, or bring back memories of, the American Radio Songbook from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Retro never sounded so good or so fresh. This pop quartet is on their "Let the Good Times Roll Tour," or as we say around New Orleans, laissez les bon temps rouler.
The Streetlamp lads will figure that out when they hit town. And we can't wait for their harmonies and arrangements.
Founded in 1916 as the New Orleans Chapter of the Drama League of America, Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre for almost 100 years has occupied a special place in the hearts of locals and on the French Quarter's grid. Just steps from Jackson Square, Le Petit stages dramas, comedies and musicals in its recently renovated space.
The Tony Award-winning play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, answers the call of the curtain September 5-20.
The Southern Repertory Theatre is the proper full name but everyone just calls it, Southern Rep. Founded in 1986, Southern Rep soon became an important theatrical force not just in New Orleans but also in the region and beyond. Here is professional theatre at its most approachable level. Southern Rep stages performances of dramatic and comedic plays around town in various venues, giving all residents the opportunity to have a theatrical presence in their neighborhood.
This season the shows to be mounted include "Broomstick," "Boudin, the New Orleans Music Project." There will also be staged Debauchery, the Soap Opera; 6 x 6; and 3 x 3.
Over at the Historic New Orleans Collection on Royal Street, they are telling the old in a stylish exhibition and a very new story of New Orleans' and Louisiana's role in motion picture filming and production.
The first Tarzan motion picture was filmed in the swamps near Morgan City, Louisiana, not far from New Orleans, and the crew was often rewarded with trips to the Big City during breaks in the filming. Fast forward to present day, in 2013 more live-action motion pictures were filmed in Louisiana, and that includes New Orleans in a big way, than were filmed in any other state, including California. So when you're walking around, you may see film stars " LIVE, in the flesh " making the next hit flick!
Then again, what else could be expected from the community, New Orleans that gave birth to jazz and first nourished such great contributors to modern literature such as William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, and Anne Rice?
Performing arts are alive, well, and continuing to flourish in New Orleans.
Saenger Theatre
1111 Canal Street
Ticketmaster 800-745-3000
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/221664
Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
1419 Basin Street
Ticketmaster 800-745-3000
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/221664
The Theatre at Harrah's New Orleans
228 Poydras Street
800-427-7247
www.harrahsneworleans.com
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre
616 St. Peter Street
504-522-2081
www.lepetittheatre.com
Southern Rep
Various Venues
504-522-6545
www.southernrep.com
The Historic New Orleans Collection 533 Royal Street
504-523-4662
www.hnoc.org
