Saenger Theatre
1111 Canal St. • New Orleans
800-218-7469 • saengernola.com
The majestic Saenger Theatre is a home on the road for Broadway musical companies and a host of big-name entertainers. Here are some highlights. (See the full lineup on the website.)
Upcoming:
“The Book of Mormon” (March 8-13). The Broadway blockbuster and nine Tony Award winner brings outrageous musical comedy to the local stage.
“II Volo” (March 14). Their U.S. tour brings the threesome to New Orleans in anticipation of their fifth studio album Grande Amore.
“Yanni” (March 26). His latest world tour brings this acclaimed musical phenomenon to the city.
“Cabaret” (April 5-10). Direct from Broadway, the acclaimed masterpiece returns as part of Roundabout Theatre Company’s 50th anniversary season.
“Wicked” (May 25-June 19). Back by popular demand, it is hailed as one of the most satisfying musicals of our time.
Whoopi Goldberg (June 25). The multi-talented and thoroughly entertainer performed brings an evening of unique observations and anecdotes.
See the website for the full lineup and purchase tickets online at BroadwayInNewOrleans.com or by calling 800-218-7469.
Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts
325 Minor St. • Kenner
504-461-9475 • rivertowntheaters.com
With artistic directors Gary Rucker and Kelly Fouchi at the helm, the lovely theaters near the Kenner riverside keep the musical fun coming.
Upcoming:
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (March 4-20). Directed by Chris Bentivangna, with musical direction by Alan Payne and choreography by Clayton Shelvin, the fun and funny musical returns and shows its audiences that winning isn’t everything.
“How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying” (May 6-22). Directed by Gary Rucker, the musical comedy follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch who aims to rise from lowly window-washer to high-powered executive.
“Into the Woods Jr.” (April 1-10). Directed by Marty Aikens, this new take on Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s groundbreaking musical fairytale features a host of long-favorite characters, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) and more in a lyrically rich re-telling of classic Brothers Grimm fables.
“Let the Good Times Roll,” coming in September.
Check the website for details of other upcoming shows, including a talent-packed fall season.
Southern Repertory Theatre
New Orleans • Box office: 504.522.6545
southernrep.com
A crown jewel of local theater continues to draw audiences interested in quality drama presented professionally under the artistic direction of Aimée Hayes. Check the website for updated times and locations.
Upcoming:
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (March 4-20). Directed by Chris Bentivangna, with musical direction by Alan Payne and choreography by Clayton Shelvin, the fun and funny musical returns and shows its audiences that winning isn’t everything.
“How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying” (May 6-22). Directed by Gary Rucker, the musical comedy follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch who aims to rise from lowly window-washer to high-powered executive.
“Into the Woods Jr.” (April 1-10). Directed by Marty Aikens, this new take on Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s groundbreaking musical fairytale features a host of long-favorite characters, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) and more in a lyrically rich re-telling of classic Brothers Grimm fables.
“Let the Good Times Roll,” coming in September.
Check the website for details of other upcoming shows, including a talent-packed fall season.
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré
616 St. Peter St. • New Orleans
Box office: 504-522-2081
lepetittheatre.com
Rejuvenated and still in its prime location just off Jackson Square in the French Quarter, Le Petit has brought hundreds of actors, designers, directors and technicians from around the country to this venerable stage. The theater offers a season of fresh performances under artistic director Maxwell Williams and Managing Director Katie Hallman.
Upcoming:
“The Glass Menagerie” (March 18-April 3). Marking a crucial turning point in American theatre, the play forever changed the life of its then unknown author. Tennessee Williams’ elegiac masterpiece brought a radical new lyricism to Broadway. Tragedy and tenderness converge in this “memory play” to make it one of America’s most powerful works of theatre, renowned for its vivid characters and exquisitely written dialogue.
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (May 20 – June 5). The Stephen Sondheim musical farce based on the 2,000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus brings the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. A joyous romp through Rome, this performance is full of desperate lovers, scheming neighbors and secrets behind every toga. Winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Anthony Bean Community Theatre
1333 South Carrollton Ave. • New Orleans
504-862-7529 • anthonybeantheater.com
Founder and Artistic Director Anthony Bean dedicates the organization to developing young talent and providing a stage where novices and professional actors may work together. The situations and characters of the productions reflect issues in the New Orleans community, past and present.
Upcoming:
“Madame Thames’s Spirit Bar” (April 1-17). This world premiere production is set in Jean Lafitte, Louisiana, during late August 1975. Madame Thames’s Spirit Bar is steeped in mysticism. Combined with the longing of a monetary payoff by the bar’s female owner and the presence of a cunning Vietnam Veteran, the work is riddled with intrigue, spiked by a ghostly encounter.
“Southern Knight: The New Musical Show” (May 20-June 12) New Orleans youth discover the incredible artistry of recently departed musical legend Allen Toussaint. Written and directed by Anthony Bean.
“Disney’s The Lion King” (July 29-31, Aug. 5-7). The world’s No. 1 musical presented on a local stage, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa.
“Detroit ‘67” (Sept. 9-25). Local premiere of the play by Dominique Morisseau. It’s 1967 and Motown music is getting the party started.
Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane
Dixon Hall • Tulane University Campus
New Orleans • 504.865.5269
summerlyric.tulane.edu
Summer Lyric Theatre, now in its 49th season, each summer employs the talents of dozens of paid and volunteer actors, singers, dancers, musicians, directors, choreographers, designers and technical artists. Its mission is to preserve one of America’s greatest art forms by producing the high-quality, timeless musical theater.
Upcoming:
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (June 16-19). Based on the “coat of many colors” story of Joseph, from the Book of Genesis, this Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical has a family friendly storyline and a wealth of catchy music.
“Thoroughly Modern Millie” (July 7-10). Forget about the boy when a small-town girl searches for a new life in the bright lights of 1920s New York City. The winner of six Tony Awards is filled with frisky flappers, dashing leading men and a dragon-lady of a villainess audiences will love to hate.
“Big River” (July 28-31). Mark Twain’s timeless classic takes a musical form, courtesy of Roger Miller and William Hauptman. Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River, with ample fun, suspense and heartwarming interactions along the way.
The Joy Theater
1200 Canal St. • New Orleans
504-528-9569 • thejoytheater.com
Renovated to its original art deco grandeur, including the iconic marquee, the Joy is conveniently located on the Canal streetcar line in downtown New Orleans, within walking distance of the French Quarter.
Upcoming:
Umphrey’s McGee + TAUK (April 14). A show for all ages.
Jim Norton: Mouthful of Shame Tour (April 21).
The Word (April 24). Featuring Robert Randolph, John Medeski and North Mississippi Allstars, with Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
RageFest (April 28). Feature Lettuce, Oteil Burbridge, Cyril Neville, Break Science and Nigel Hall Band.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (April 29-30).
The 12th Annual ZMR Music Awards Concert (May 7)
Explosions in the Sky (May 13).
RuPaul’s Drag Race (June 25) It’s the Battle of the Seasons Extravaganza Tour.
Mac Miller + Tory Lanez + Michael Christmas (Nov. 28). Skillful rhymes and humorous themes mark this hip hop performance.
The Orpheum Theater
129 Roosevelt Way • New Orleans
504-274-4870 • orpheumnola.com
The nearly century-old Beaux Arts theater in the heart of New Orleans’ Central Business District has at long-last come back to life in the hands of Roland Von Kurnatowski. One of the few remaining vertical-hall designs in the country, the Orpheum, built in 1918, has hosted vaudeville acts, films and countless performances by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Once again the home of the orchestra, the theater also offers other musical performances.
Upcoming:
Chick Corea and Bela Fleck (April 16).
David Cross (April 18). His “making America great again” show.
The Meters (April 22). Featuring very special guests.
Donald Harrison (April 26).
Galactic, JJ Grey and Mofro (April 30). Presented by the Orpheum and WWOZ, with special guests Moon Hooch.
Paul Taylor Dance Company (May 21).
Jefferson Performing Arts Society
6400 Airline Drive • Metairie
box office: 504-885-2000
jpas.org
Now in its 38th season, and at home in the beautiful new Jefferson Performing Arts Center, the organization led by Artistic Director Dennis Assaf offers a line-up of shows sure to excite audiences from around the region. Performances also are on tap at Teatro Wego on the West Bank.
Upcoming:
“Mary Poppins” (March 11-20). Everyone’s favorite nanny takes the stage.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream Ballet” (May 14-15). Based on the play by William Shakespeare, set to music by Felix Mendelssohn, a two-act ballet.
“Blueberry Hill” (Sept. 17-27). Written and directed by Butch Caire, this presentation features classic New Orleans R&B songs made famous by such icons as Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Ernie K-Doe and many others, in the story of the recording business and the everyday people involved in it. At Teatro Wego!
“Ain’t Got No Home” (Oct. 2-11). The story from Blueberry Hill continues. What happens to the characters you loved? Find out in a play written and directed by Butch Caire, at Teatro Wego!
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
1010 Common Street • New Orleans
Box office: 504.523.6530 • lpomusic.com
In its 25th anniversary season, the orchestra is again at home in the grand and newly restored Orpheum Theater. The orchestra remains in the hands of its director and principal conductor, Carlos Miguel Prieto. The LPO also will continue to perform concerts at other venues as well. Check the website for many more events and details.
Upcoming:
An American Spring (March 17). Presenting Schimmel, “Woolgatherer’s Chapbook,” Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” and Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.”
Adventures in Space (April 3) The orchestra blasts off into a musical space adventure, with a trip to Holst’s “The Planets” and forays into “Star Wars,” “Star Trek” and more. At Roussell Hall.’’
Osorio Plays Brahms (April 15). Selections by Beethoven and Bartok join the program featuring Jorge Federico Osorio playing Brahams’ Piano Concerto No. 1.
Fidelity’s Concerts in the Park (April 19). Swing in the oaks, at New Orleans City Park.
Beethoven’s Fifth (May 12). Also featuring Haber’s “A Wine-Dark Sea” and Martin’s Concerto for Seven Winds.
The Music of ABBA (May 14). Featuring the tribute band Arrival from Sweden.
A Hero’s Life (May 20. A glorious fanfare composed by LPO Principal Bassist David Anderson, followed by Edouardo Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, performed by violin virtuoso Robert McDuffie, and “A Hero’s Life” by Richard Strauss.
New Orleans Opera Association
Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
New Orleans
Box office: 504.529.3000, 800.881.4459
neworleansopera.org
Artistic Director Robert Lyall continues a blockbuster season as he leads the organization in presenting opera of the highest musical and artistic caliber. watch for announcements of the coming fall season.
Upcoming:
Dead Man Walking (March 4, 6). From the shocking opening scene to the searing finale, this opera changes everyone who encounters it. Composed by Jake Heggie with libretto by Terrence McNally, the production is based on Sister Helen Prejean’s 1993 account of her work on death row at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
Opera Orientation and Roundtable (April 3). The Women’s Guild presents an orientation and discussion of Puccini’s TOSCA from 4-6 p.m. at the Opera Guild Home, 2504 Prytania St.
Tosca (April 8, 10). Floria Tosca is a fiery diva whose life is equal parts drama and passion, played out against a background of political intrigue. Puccini’s brilliant score accentuates Tosca’s emotional extremes as the story rushes toward its thrilling conclusion. Described by experts as a “shabby little shocker,” this exciting melodrama grabs you from the start, making it an ideal opera for both newcomers and aficionados.
New Orleans Ballet Association
Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
New Orleans
Box office: 504.522.0996
nobadance.com
The central Gulf region’s premiere presenting organization dedicated solely to dance, the association offers another season of main stage and educational programs featuring world-class dance companies and artists.
Upcoming:
Malpaso Dance Company from Cuba (March 11-12). Cuba’s newest dance export debuted in New York in 2014. Based in Havana, this highly-trained ensemble of 10 dancers is an independent company bringing Cuban contemporary dance into the 21st century. Co-presented with The NOCCA Institute at Freda Lupin Memorial Hall, NOCCA.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (April 2). International stars bring the pure magic of this beautiful group to the stage under artistic director Glenn Edgerton. The “immaculately technical” group includes Jirí Kylián, Crystal Pite and Hubbard Street resident choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo.
Che Malambo from Argentina (May 7). Artistic director Gilles Brinas presents precision footwork, drumming and whirling boleadoras in a thrilling dance and music spectacle celebrating South American cowboy traditions.
Adventures in Dance Camp (July 11-29). For youth ages 7-11, educational adventures in movement to motivate, educate and inspire. From 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with breakfast and lunch provided.
