Spoken Word--Performance

Theatre--Performance

Best Jest,” a delightful comedy by James Sherman, will be performednightly Oct. 11-13 with a Sunday matinee Oct 14 at Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St. in downtown Lafayette.

The play follows Sarah Goldman, a young teacher from Chicago who’s in love with a great guy. Chris Cringle has only one major flaw (besides his very Gentile name) — he’s not Jewish! To keep her parents happy, Sarah invents the perfect boyfriend. When her parents demand to meet the man of her mother’s dreams, Sarah brings home Bob, an unsuspecting actor who’s in for the ride of his life.

The heartwarming and hilarious “Beau Jest” is directed by Bruce Coen and stars Hope Garrett Cook, Scott Gremillion, Rudy Eisenzopf and Todras Sam. Bob and Patricia Sidman, a Lafayette couple in real life, play Sarah’s parents.

Performances for “Beau Jest” are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Oct. 11-13 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14.

Admission is $12, $8 for students and seniors. For tickets, call Cité desArts at             (337) 291-1122       or visit citedesarts.org.

Theatre--Auditions

The St. Martinville Evangeline Players announce auditions for their holiday production A Dickens' Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts (A Play) By Mark Landon Smith DATES Auditions: October 8 (6:00-9:00 PM) Performances: December 7-16 (Friday-Sunday) Directed by Alicia Chaisson SYNOPSIS From the author of the popular Faith County and An Evening of Culture - Faith County IIcomes a completely different adaptation of the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. From the bonny shores of England comes the Styckes-Upon-Thump Repertory Theatre Company, a stuffy old travelling troupe embarking on their fifteenth annual farewell tour of the Dickens' tale. The company includes Sir Selsdon Piddock, the consummate actor, in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, with Mrs. Bettina Salisbury, Dame Rowena Middleton-Lewis, Mrs. Cordelia ffoliet-ffolkes ffortescue Woods, Teddy Shub and Elyot Crummels in multiple supporting roles. Sweet Cynthia Imbry, the general understudy, suddenly finds herself thrust onstage to perform a role she's ill-prepared for! Bettina, the company diva, pretends to be ill, certain the production will be cancelled. However, much to her shock and rage, the show does go on without her! Roles are shuffled at the last minute and poor Cynthia finds herself center stage. The play begins but mid-way through the theatre doors open and in rushes Bettina, determined to reclaim her roles. Mayhem ensues as this professional company scrambles to keep the show going and everything that could possibly go wrong does, to hilarious, ridiculous results! CHARACTERS Sir Selsdon Piddock – A “Classical” actor in the truest sense of the word who will be playing Ebenezer Scrooge. Mrs. Cordelia Ffoliet-Ffolkes Ffortescue Woods – An actress who wishes her resume were as long as her name. She will be playing multiple roles this evening. Dame Rowena Middleton-Lewis – An actress of some pretensions who plays multiple roles. Cynthia Imbry – A young actress who is the company understudy and is suddenly forced into the production and isn’t prepared but anxious to make an impression. Mr. Elyot Crummels – A once dashing leading man now playing character parts. He will be very busy in this evening’s production. Teddy Shub – An over-anxious young actor who appears to be all teeth. He plays every scene as though he were Macbeth. Mrs. Bettina Salisbury – The company diva who was pretending to be ill for this evening’s performance, assured that the show would be canceled. It hasn’t happened and she appears mid-way through the show determined to play her roles.

Theatre--Performance

Bram Stoker’s classic Gothic horror story of the supernatural is brought to life in the Deane and Balderston adaptation, DRACULA.  This Acting Unlimited production will reintroduce Count Dracula in a more traditional incarnation to audiences who have grown used to more modern and human vampires.

DRACULA is directed by Walter Brown, whose diverse cast is composed of both seasoned performers and newcomers to the Lafayette stage.  The cast includes Steven Cooper, David Keadle, Joseph Diaz, Erin Segura, Phillip Spear, Mark Smith, Shannon Kenast and Cody Dunstan.  Calli Michelle Malorin will be the makeup/special effects makeup artist for the show.

This production is the latest to be presented by Acting Unlimited.  Beginning with BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL and including a stage version of DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-ALONG BLOG and Shakespeare’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Acting Unlimited has presented an incredible diversity of theatrical productions to the Lafayette area.  Most recently, Acting Unlimited collaborated with Wanderlust Theatre Co. to co-produce the world premiere of Cody Daigle’s original adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s award winning “Wolves in the Walls”.  Produced in association with the ULL Performing Art’s Program, WOLVES was extraordinarily successful, both as a production and a learning tool for both companies.

DRACULA will open with a special showing on Halloween night at 8:30 (to accommodate families who participate in trick or treating) at Theatre 810.  Since this show will be on Halloween night, those who attend in costume will receive a $2 discount on their tickets (these seats must be paid for at the door and not purchased online.  Phone reservations will be accepted). The show will continue its run from Thursday, November 1st through Sunday, November 4th.  The evening shows from Thursday through Saturday will begin at 7:30 and the Sunday matinee begins at 3 pm.

Tickets are $10 for all seats, and may be obtained online at auidracula.eventbrite.com or by phone reservation at (337) 484-0172.

Wednesday, October 31 at 8:30 pm
Thursday, November 1 through Saturday, November 3 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 4 at 3:00 pm
Theatre 810/ 810 Jefferson Street

$10 Admission
For ticket reservations, call (337) 484-0172 or purchase tickets online at
auidracula.evenbrite.com.

For additional information about the company, visit http://actingunlimitedinc.org or https://www.facebook.com/AUI.AURA.

Theatre--Auditions

From the Evangeline Players' webmaster:

CHANGE TO AUDITION SCHEDULE:  The Saturday auditions have been cancelled. Auditions will now be held on Monday, Oct 8 from 6-9pm. Sorry for any inconvenience

Theatre--Performance

Murphy Richard - Allen Higginbotham - Vincent P. Barras 

Vincent P. Barras and Sarah Soileau

After a successful first week run, "On Golden Pond" continues at Eunice Players' Theatre with four more shows.   Evening performances will be held Wednesday through Saturday, September 26, 27, 28 and 29 at 7:00 p.m. Individual tickets for the show are $10; they can be purchased at David Ltd. Salon or by calling David at 546-0163 or Debi at 457-2156 to charge by phone.Season tickets are also still available to include this show and the final show of the season.

 

Under the direction of Vincent P. Barras, the warm but funny story, written by Ernest Thompson, centers around Norman and Ethel Thayer, a spirited and lovable elderly couple facing the complications of their twilight years during their 48^th year at their summer home on Golden Pond in Maine. While there, they are visited by Chelsea, their divorced, middle-aged daughter and her dentist fiancé, who then go off to   Europe, leaving his teenage son behind for the summer. The boy quickly becomes the "grandchild" the elderly couple has longed for. As the summer wanes and the family is brought even closer together, they reflect on time, relationships, and the prospect of spending another summer on Golden Pond.

Doing double-duty, director Vincent P. Barras also takes the lead role of Norman Thayer. Vincent was seen on EPT’s stage as Carl in “A Nice Family Gathering” last season. He has also recently played Amos in “Chicago” and the mayor in “Remember When Again” with Iberia Performing Arts League, and Father Tim Farley in “Mass Appeal” at Theatre 810 in Lafayette.

Playing Norman’s wife, Ethel, is Jody L. Powell, a board member for EPT. Jody’s last role at EPT was that of Nettie in “The Subject Was Roses”, for which she won the Irving Award for Best Actress. Other recent roles include Boo in “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” at EPT and Melissa in“Love Letters”, which she performed in St. Martinville and Opelousas. She has also recently directed “A Nice Family Gathering” and “The Murder Room” at EPT.

Sarah Soileau portrays Chelsea, the couple’s daughter. Sarah was most recently seen at EPT in “A Nice Family Gathering”. Allen Higginbotham has the role of Bill Ray, Chelsea’s fiancé’.Allen’s first and most recent time on the EPT stage was almost twenty years ago, when he played a police officer in“Rumours”.

Taking the role of Bill’s son, Billy, is Murphy Richard. At only 12 years of age, Murphy already has a list of stage credits including “Humpty Dumpty is Missing!” at EPT and “A Place Called Christmas” and “A Neverland Christmas Carol” with Pandemonium Theatre in Crowley.

Kevin Miller, a veteran of many EPT plays and Irving Award winner for many roles, portrays Charlie, the local mailman and Chelsea’s former summer boyfriend at Golden Pond. Kevin’s recent shows at EPT include “Completely Hollywood (abridged)”, “The Subject Was Roses”, “A Tuna Christmas” and “Misery”. He was also recently seen in “The Rehearsal” at Cite’ des Arts in Lafayette.

More pictures can be found on EPT’s Facebook page  or at www.euniceplayers.blogspot.com.    

Theatre--Performance

The Tea Sippers of Lafayette would like to say “Happy Halloween!” to all of those who are ready and in the mood for the scariest time of the year. The Tea Sippers are a local theatre company who will be bringing Jeffrey M. Jones's wild and unforgettable play 70 Scenes of Halloween to Theatre 810 this October.
“It's become quite a tradition”, says Andrew Lee Vincent, one of the Tea Sippers' directors, “I was introduced to this show 3 years ago and...well, let's just say it's nothing short of terrific; the play certainly has a certain quirky-style of theatre that I love”.

“The play is almost like a cartoon, a succession of brief scenes –some Stan Mack-realistic, some perfectly absurd –separated by blackouts. A young, hip suburban couple sits at home on Halloween watching TV, greeting trick-or-treaters, drinking, quarreling, and so on, while all purpose 'Beasts' and 'Witches' make strange appearances...”, said Don Shewey of Soho News.

Kaitlin Romero, another Tea Sipper director says, “It's a style of theatre not only atypical for Lafayette, but elsewhere as well. The scenes have an unusual and seemingly random order and the plot, unclear throughout the performance, provides a very interesting and unique aesthetic”.

Diving into this play every year for the past three years has become almost like breathing to these performers and growing so close to the show, it's almost as if they've been doing it forever. The play is hilariously woven together and while the scenes aren't in any specific order, the emotional roller coaster between the couple is nothing short of natural.

70 Scenes raises many questions, such as: What is scary? What's in your closet? Do we have any kandy korn? Who is watching you? Does anything ever change? Do you want to go to the DQ? Is this yours? Who’s creeping around the house? And; where can I set this chicken down?

“The play is probably one of the weirdest, most memorable, and best things in life”, shared a young, thriving actor in the Lafayette area.

Join the Tea Sippers and their production of 70 Scenes of Halloween at Theatre 810, Downtown Lafayette on October 18-20 @ 7:30pm and October 21 @ 2:00pm. General admission is $10, BUT come in your Halloween costume and get in for ONLY $5!!! There will be a Halloween Costume Contest every performance! We hope that you will join us this Halloween Season for a wicked fun time! Happy Halloween!!!

Theatre--Performance

David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize winning play Proof is the struggle of a young woman to be her own person.
This play is the story of a young woman climbing out of her father’s shadow. Catherine, age 25, is the daughter of a brilliant mathematician, Robert, who of the last five years has suffered from a psychological, degenerative disease that caused him extreme paranoia and disorientation on a good day. Catherine is the one who has had to take care of him while her older sister, Claire has been living her dream life in New York City. When Robert dies, a former student, Hal, appears to try and see if Robert had done any mathematical finds even whilst in sickness. Catherine tells him to give up because it is impossible but he is persistent. On top of the struggles she is already going through, she is also struggling with the worry that she may have inherited more than just her father’s genius.

The cast is made up of students in the Theatre Emphasis at University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a very well-known and experienced actor and designer in Lafayette, La. Playing the lead role is sophomore Casie Heim, her father is played by Duncan Thistlethwaite, her sister is played by Kristen Dubois, and the student is played by Casey Robichaux. The design team include UL senior Kelsey LaCoste as a student director with Nathan Gabriel as her mentor; UL junior Mario Raymond as the scenic and lighting designer with Travis Johnson as his mentor; Robert Benoit, a sound designer from New Orleans; and Amanda Lyon, a graduate from  UL’s college of the arts, as the Costume designer.

“The first time I read this play, it spoke to me. When I discovered the opportunity through the Music and Performing Arts Department to produce a play at the intimate space at Theatre 810, I realized this play would fit into that space perfectly” said Kelsey LaCoste, the director. The play goes up September 28 and 29 at 7 pm and September 30 at 2 pm with tickets at $10 general admission and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at http://proofulpad.eventbrite.com/ or reserved over the phone at (337) 484-0172.

Theatre--Classes

This weeks Firelight "Spotlight" is Ryley Doucet! Ryley is the daughter of Chad and Brooke Doucet! Ryley is 9 years old and is a 4th grader at Green T Lindon. She has been acting with firelight for 4 years. Some of her past acting roles have included Oliver, The Pirates of Penzance, and Joseph and The amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Ryley's favorite acting role was Asher in Joseph! When Ryley grows up, she wants to be a teacher. Ryley's hero is her mom Brooke, "Because she's there for me when I need her!". Congratulations Ryley!!!

Theatre--Performance

Iberia Preservation Alliance and the Iberia Performing Arts League will present Jay Suire in a one-man performance entitled "The Kingfish" on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, at 7 p.m. at the Essanee Theater, 129 Iberia St., New Iberia. Proceeds from the ticket sale will benefit the  "New Iberia Beneath The Balconies" event coming up in October.  

"The Kingfish" focuses on the life and times of former Governor Huey P. Long. Written by Ben Z. Grant and Larry L. King, playwright for the Broadway version of "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," The two-act play has Governor Long "coming back from the dead" to reflect on today's Louisiana politics and reminisce about his tumultuous political life.
Tickets are available for $20 at the Shadows-on-the-Teche Visitors Center, the Bayou Teche Museum, or by calling Carmen Nicholson at             337-365-3198       or             337-224-1280      . $30 tickets include a 5:30 p.m. wine and cheese reception, as well as admission to the performance. 

Theatre--Performance

The Eunice Players' Theatre presents the second show of the 43rd seaon, "On Golden Pond"  This classic show deals with built up anger and frustrations of the typical family issues of growing older.  "On Golden Pond" opens Sept. 19th and runs through Sept. 29  For tickets, please call David's Hair Salon at 546-0163 and season ticket holders are encouraged to make their reservation for this family classic.  The Eunice Players' Theatre is located at 121 South Second St. in the heart of the historic downtown section of Eunice.

Pictured: Jody L. Powell, of Eunice, as Ethel; Sarah Soileau, of Eunice, as her daughter Chelsey, and seated, Dr. Kevin Miller, of Eunice, as Charlie

Pictured in a tender moment: Vincent Barras, of Lafayette, as Norman and Jody L. Powell, as his wife, Ethel

Theatre--Performance

Tickets for the Eunice Players' Theatre production of "ON GOLDEN POND" are now available. This family classic runs from Wed., Sept. 19 through Sat. Sept. 29th. Tickets may be purchased by calling David's Hair Salon at 546-0163 or Turning Point at 457-2156. This is the second production of the Eunice Players' Theatre 43rd season and season ticket holders are encouraged to make their reservation for this heartwarming show. The theatre is located at 121 South Second St. in the heart of the historic downtown section of Eunice.  

Theatre--Performance

 “Best Jest,” a delightful comedy by James Sherman, will be performed
nightly Oct. 11-13 at 7:30pm with a Sunday matinee Oct 14 at 2:00pm at Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St. in downtown Lafayette.

            The play follows Sarah Goldman, a young teacher from Chicago who’s in love with a great guy. Chris Cringle has only one major flaw (besides his very Gentile name) — he’s not Jewish! To keep her parents happy, Sarah invents the perfect boyfriend. When her parents demand to meet the man of her mother’s dreams, Sarah brings home Bob, an unsuspecting actor who’s in for the ride of his life.

            The heartwarming and hilarious “Beau Jest” is directed by Bruce Coen and stars Hope Garrett Cook, Scott Gremillion, Rudy Eisenzopf and Todras Sam. Bob and Patricia Sidman, a Lafayette couple in real life, play Sarah’s parents.

            Performances for “Beau Jest” are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Oct. 11-13 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14.

            Admission is $12, $8 for students and seniors. For tickets, call Cité des Arts at (337) 291-1122 or visit citedesarts.org.

Theatre--Auditions

Due to a family emergency for a member of the production team, auditions for "A Christmas Story" are cancelled for Sept. 16 and 17. Auditions will be rescheduled at a future date. Notice of the new date will be available via e-mail, IPAL's website, IPAL's Facebook Page, and press releases. Thank you for your understanding.

Theatre--Performance

The Eunice Players Theatre is presenting ON GOLDEN POND.

The warm but funny story, written by Ernest Thompson, centers around Norman and Ethel Thayer, a spirited and lovable elderly couple facing the complications of their twilight years during their 48^th year at their summer home on Golden Pond in Maine.  While there, they are visited by Chelsea, their divorced, middle-aged daughter and her dentist fiancé, who then go off to Europe, leaving his teenage son behind for the summer. The boy quickly becomes the "grandchild" the elderly couple has longed for.  As the summer wanes and the family is brought even closer together, they reflect on time, relationships, and the prospect of spending another summer on Golden Pond.

 

Cast:

Vincent P. Barras as Norman Thayer

Jody L. Powell as Ethel Thayer

Sarah Soileau as Chelsea Thayer Wayne

Murphy Richard as Billy Ray

Kevin Miller as Charlie Martin

Allen Higginbotham as Bill Ray

Dates, Times, Ticket Info: 

The play will open with Dinner Theatre (steak and trimmings) on Wednesday, September, 19 at 6:00 p.m. at Ruby’s Restaurant, next door to the theatre.  Evening performances will be held September 20, and 26, 27, 28 and 29 at 7:00 p.m.  A matinee is scheduled for Sunday, September 23 at 2:00 p.m.  Individual tickets for the show are $10; dinner theatre is an additional $15.  They can be purchased at David Ltd. Salon or by calling David at 546-0163 or Debi at 457-2156 to charge by phone.  Season tickets are also still available to include this show and the final show of the season.  More information can be found on EPT’s Facebook page or at www.euniceplayers.blogspot.com.  

 

Theatre--Auditions

"Through Thick and Thin" Audition Dates:
Saturday, September 15th 3pm-5pm
Sunday, September 16th 4pm - 6pm
Cast needed:
3 African American Females:
*Lynette Patterson-  40's - 50's age range; Witty and quick with words, sarcastic, overprotective of her children; Mother of Lisa and Lance, married to Quincy Patterson
*Lisa Patterson- 20's age range,  young and naïve, recently moved back in with her parents; dating Jason Bell
*Evie Deville- late 20's- early 30's age range; a therapist, works long hours, interested in protecting what she has worked hard for; dating Lance Patterson
4 African American Males:
*Quincy Patterson-40's-50's age range; has a "matter of fact" personality, but can be sneaky, loves his family, Father of Lisa and Lance, married to Lynette Patterson
*Lance Patterson-20's age range; a driven and hardworking blue collar worker; dating Evie Deville
*Jason Bell-20's age range; a smooth talker who stays in and out of jail; dating Lisa Patterson
*Damon George-20's age range; a laid back guy who has made some mistakes but learned from them; friends with Jason

Here is a breif synposis of the play:

Lance and Lisa Patterson may not be identical twins, but they do share an identical thorn in the side, their mother!  Lynette Patterson is determined that she knows what’s best for her children especially when it involves their love lives.  The only person who is able to contain Lynette’s comical sarcasm is her husband, Quincy. “Through Thick or Thin” explores relationships between lovers, parents, siblings, and friends. When these relationships become intertwine, communication can become confusing.

Theatre--Performance

"PROMISES"- an original play by Jermain Warner, plays Sept. 14-16, & 21-23 7:30pm, Sunday Matinees 2:00pm

The McLeod's, immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago, have been chasing the American Dream in sunny Miami for years . . . without any luck.  They don't know whether to pack it in or leave with the promise of a better life unfulfilled. Come see them - their story, their hopes, fears, cries and laughs live on stage at Cite de Arts.  Directed by Maureen Brennan, the cast includes Patricia Cravins, Andrew Hunter III, Julien Hunter, Madeline Labbe-Marsh, Jennifer & Simone Chargois, and John Bess.

Tickets may be reserved by calling             337-291-1122      , or maybe purchased from the website at www.citedesarts.org

Theatre--Auditions

Need to cast a role in Gris-Gris Productions performance of Beau Jest by James Sherman at Cite des Arts for Oct 5th & 6th and 12th & 13th. The role is: Chris Cringle ( a supporting role but essential to the play) white male mid 20s-early 30s, looks non-Jewish. If interested please contact the director Bruce Coen at 984-0754 home or 989-4142 work or e-mail bcoen@lusfiber.net. Rehearsals have already begun so the role needs to be cast immediately .

Theatre--Auditions

The Iberia Performing Arts League (IPAL) is proud to present as its December show the heartwarming and nostalgic look at growing up in a small town in America, Jean Shepherd’s A Christmas Story. IPAL will perform this Christmas classic from December 6^th, 2012 until December 16^th, with 7:30 pm evening performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and Sunday matinees at 3:00 pm.

The director, Vincent P. Barras, is looking for characters of all ages to play the adults, (Adult Ralph, Mother, The Old Man, Miss Shields, and others). Children of all ages—seven and up please—are needed for the children’s parts, and the more children on stage, the merrier. Auditions for this charming show will be Sunday, September 16^th, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Monday, September 17^th, 2012 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Essanee Theatre located at 126 Iberia Street. Anyone with questions is free to email the theatre at ipal@cox.net or contact the director at either vpbarras@aisp.net or 337-519-0865.

Theatre--Auditions

AUI will hold open auditions for DRACULA by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston to be directed by Walter Brown.  Auditions will be Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9 at 1 PM at Theatre 810 (810 Jefferson Street in downtown Lafayette).  Performances run November 1 (All Saints Day) through November 11, 2012.  Rehearsals will begin the week of September 10. 

We need 2 women--Lucy in her 20's and a maid of any age.  We also need 2 men 20 to 40 to play Harker and Renfield, a man of any age to play an attendant to Renfield, two middle-aged men to play Dr. Seward and Van Helsing and a man to play 30-50 for the role of Dracula.

Lucy Seward has become sick with a strange form of anemia.  Her father, Dr. Seward, runs a private sanitarium in an isolated area outside London.  Currently, his only patient is the very disturbed Renfield who eats flies and spiders.  The Sewards are regularly visited by their new neighbor, Count Dracula, who plans to make Lucy Seward his vampire bride.  Dr. Seward and Lucy's fiance, Jonathan Harker, turn to Abraham Van Helsing who knows there is more than mortal danger to Lucy's body and soul.  The finale takes place in Dracula's crypt.

Comic relief is supplied by the maid and attendant although both have dramatic scenes as well.

We will also need crew to work special effects.

This will be a straightforward production with no camp qualities.  We intend to bring back the real Dracula--no glitter allowed.

Auditions will be Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9 at 1 PM at Theatre 810 (810 Jefferson Street in downtown Lafayette).  Performances run November 1 (All Saints Day) through November 11, 2012.  Rehearsals will begin the week of September 10.

For more information, email us at actingunlimitedinc@gmail.com.