Theatre--Staged Reading and Auditions

Cite Des Arts is presenting a reading of Chez Gisele on Monday, March 29th at 6:30 pm.  This reading is open to the public and is being done in preparation for the production of the show at Cite Des Arts theater, 109 Vine St. in Lafayette on  May 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th .   Performances will be at 7:30 pm with Sunday matinees at 2:30 pm.  Tickets are $10.00 for students and senior citizens with general admission $15.00 which can be obtained in advance by calling 337-291-1122.

Chez Gisele is a drag musical comedy noire.  It's a tribute to the life of a lovely French woman, Gisele  Carriton (1927-2007), who had the first gay cabaret nightclub in Lafayette during the late 1960s and early 1970s.


It was an era of emerging civil rights for gay and African-Americans, who wildly supported Chez Gisele because it was a safe haven for acceptance.  Gisele was put into the spotlight by a local bigot with political ambitions, Puggy Mottie.  He used his television show and newspaper to slander and libel Gisele and build a consensus of hatred directed at her personally, calling her a madam and her nightclub a house of male prostitution.


Gisele had to make her nightclub into a private membership club to protect her customers because of a hate crime that occurred at the bar.  She strictly kept the identity of her customers protected as she wanted them to have one place in their lives where they were free of harassment, hate, prejudice and  simply be themselves.  Within the walls of Chez Gisele, gay people and African American heterosexual couples could find acceptance, entertainment, fun, Parisian elegance, and unconditional love from Gisele who was considered their friend and extended family. 


Unfortunately, a murder of a Chez Gisele employee took place in the parking lot of the nightclub and never prosecuted, not uncommon at the time as crimes against gay people didn't carry the interest of the police or judicial system.  


The music of the play assists to tell the story of colorful characters that passed through Chez Gisele and recreate poignant memories of an era in Lafayette history.  Chez Gisele was more than the house of Gisele; it was the birth of an attitude of grace that is still growing today.


For those interested in participating in the reading, or in the auditions to be held April 5th, 6th and 7th at Cite Des Arts theater at 6:30pm, the cast of characters is as follows:


Gisele “Gigi”  Carriton        age 30-45 can do a French accent
Clarence Dupuis                age 20-35  handsome and well built
Miss Doo                          age 20-40  able to be a drag queen, man or woman
Miss Marie                        age 20-40 able to be a drag queen, man or woman
Miss Fancy Fontenot         age 20-40 able to be a drag queen, man or woman
Miss Hannah                     age 30-60 man or woman Cajun looking a plus
The Reverend                    age 30-60 man
Sofonda Peters                  age 20-35 man or woman to be able to play a transvestite
Puggy Mottie                     age 35-60 man   
Sheriff Landry                    age 30-60 man
Gov. Edwin Edwards         age 30-60 man

The roles of  Gisele, the Reverend and the drag queens require the ability to lipsync and dance.  Monologues are not required as cold readings (unprepared reading from the script) will be done.