Theatre--Performances (Cast Interview)

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH:  CATHARINE ARCENEAUX

1. Who do you play in The Complete Women of William Shakespeare?

          I play Prudence, I am one of four friends that go to Anne Hathaway’s house to ‘console’ her, aka get the juicy gossip on the rich folks in town.

2. What is your role in Second Best Bed?

          I think my role in Second Best Bed is to illustrate the weakness in envy.  My character wants everything that she doesn’t have.  So she looks for ways to undermine other people’s happiness and tries to capitalize on their pain in order to make herself feel better about not having the world.

 3. Favourite Scene to play? Favourite Line?

I love the first few opening lines that establish the relationship ‘the ladies of Stratford’ have with Anne and her household.  We just walk in and take over whatever space we can in the Shakespeare household much to their servant Dorothy’s, chagrin.  Dorothy cannot keep her distain for these women.  My favorite response to one of her quips is ‘If impoliteness were a virtue Dorothy would be a saint’. This line drips with irony.

 4. Through your character's eyes, what is Second Best Bed about?

          From Prudence’s eyes, this play is about the foibles of jealousy.  She wants anything she doesn’t have and hates those that have what she doesn’t.  I think this production shows that no matter the cause, if you act with hate and envy in your heart, you will lose against someone acting with love and patience. 

5. What do you hope audiences take away from these two shows?  

I hope people leave inspired and full of laughter!

Theatre--Performance

FIRE EYE, a new play by Daniel J. Povinelli will be presented by Acting Unlimited, Inc. at the Essanee Theatre in New Iberia. This production, which runs October 13-23, is being hosted by the Iberia Performing Arts League. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday Matinees at 3:00 p.m. Advance tickets are available at Delaune’s Pharmacy, Paul’s Flower Shop, or Accentrics on Main Street, all in New Iberia. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. All tickets are $10.00. Further information and tickets can be obtained by calling the theater at 364- 6114, e-mailing ipal@cox.net, or by visiting the IPAL website www.iberiaperformingartsleague.com

WARNING - This play is not recommended for children due to mature themes and language.

 Jack Robertson, Amy Williams, Bruce Coen, Amanda Shackleford

 Amy Williams and Bruce Coen 

Jack Robertson and Amanda Shackleford

Theatre--Performance

FIRE EYE, a new play by Daniel J. Povinelli will be presented by Acting Unlimited, Inc. at the Essanee Theatre in New Iberia as part of IPAL's regular subscription season.  This production runs October 13-23. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m. Advance tickets are available at Delaune’s Pharmacy, Paul’s Flower Shop, or Accentrics on Main Street, all in New Iberia. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. All tickets are $10.00.  


Further information and tickets can be obtained by calling the theater at 364-6114, e-mailing ipal@cox.net, or by visiting the IPAL website www.iberiaperformingartsleague.com 


WARNING - This play is not recommended for children due to mature themes and language.

Theatre--Performance

FIRE EYE, a new play by Daniel J. Povinelli will be presented by Acting Unlimited, Inc. at the Essanee Theatre in New Iberia.  This production, which runs October 13-23, is being hosted by the Iberia Performing Arts League. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday Matinees at 3:00 p.m. Advance tickets are available at Delaune’s Pharmacy, Paul’s Flower Shop, or Accentrics on Main Street, all in New Iberia. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. All tickets are $10.00.  Further information and tickets can be obtained by calling the theater at 364-6114, e-mailing ipal@cox.net, or by visiting the IPAL website www.iberiaperformingartsleague.com .

WARNING - This play is not recommended for children due to mature themes and language.

Former President of the United States, "Noah" Jones is nearing the end of his life--and he's having visions.  He believes God has appointed him to cradle humanity through the Great Flood.  Always larger than life, Noah finally appears to be cracking up--or is he?  His elder daughter, Rachel, and his longtime political strategist, Robert, are convinced it is all an act and that he is actually getting better.  But Noah's physician, Elizabeth, believes otherwise.  As Noah's predicament grows more amusing--and puzzling--he springs another surprise; he demands a birthday party a year early to celebrate his impending death!  Threaded through the comedic interplay of Noah's delusional conversations about the Ark and his preposterous push for a birthday-party-to-end-all-birhday-parties, all must grapple with darker secrets from their interconnected pasts as they struggle to uncover the meaning of true forgiveness.

FIRE EYE had a staged reading at Cape May Stage, a professional theatre across the river from New York City on June 21, 2011.  The cast for the New Iberia production, under the direction of Daniel Povinelli, consists of Bruce Coen from Lafayette who plays Former President "Noah" Jones, Amy Williams from Lafayette who plays "Noah"'s daughter, Rachel, Amanda Shackleford who has appeared in two major roles for IPAL as his doctor and friend, Elizabeth, and Jack Robertson of Lafayette who has played major roles for almost every theatre group in Acadiana who plays the longtime confidante, Robert.

FIRE EYE is the second play by Daniel J. Povinelli which AUI has produced.  Two years ago, AUI produced the world premier of BEFORE YOU at Cite Des Arts in Lafayette.  Bruce Coen and Jack Robertson were also in that production. In addition to writing, directing and acting, Daniel Povinelli is an award winning set and light designer.

Theatre--Performance

Iberia Performing Arts League and Acting Unlimited Inc. present Fire Eye, a original new play by Daniel Povinelli, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13-15, 20-22 with 3 p.m. matinees Oct. 16 and 23 at the Essanee Theater, 126 Iberia St. in New Iberia.

The play stars Bruce Coen, Jack Robertson, Amanda Shackelford and Amy Williams and concerns a former President of the United States, Noah Jones, nearing the end of his life. Noah is having visions, believing God has appointed him to cradle humanity through the Great Flood. Always larger-than-life, Noah finally appears to be cracking up. Or is he? His eldest daughter, Rachel, and his long-time political strategist, Robert, are convinced it’s all an act, and that he’s actually getting better. But Noah’s physician, Elizabeth, believes otherwise.

As Noah’s predicament grows more amusing — and puzzling — he springs another surprise: he demands a birthday party a year early to celebrate his impending death!

Threaded through the comedic interplay of Noah’s delusional conversations about the Ark and his preposterous push towards a birthday-party-to-end-all-birthday-parties, all must grapple with darker secrets from their interconnected pasts as they struggle to uncover the meaning of true forgiveness.

For tickets, call (337) 364-6114.

Theatre--Performance

IPAL's production of Fire Eye opens October 13th for 2 consecutive week-ends for a total of 8 performances (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). The author, Danny Pavinelli, will be directing the cast of 4 in a work of drama, with a hint of comedy. Look for more information to be posted soon. For those who have not joined IPAL's 2011-2012 Membership, there is still time. For more information, call 337-364-6114 and leave a message. Someone will get back to you.

Theatre--Performance

The Iberia Performing Arts League presents Acting Unlimited Inc.’s production of FIRE EYE, A new play by Daniel Povinelli.

Former President of the United States, Noah Jones, is nearing the end of his life -- and he’s having visions. He believes God has appointed him to cradle humanity through the Great Flood. Always larger-than-life, Noah finally appears to be cracking up. Or is he? His eldest daughter, Rachel, and his long-time political strategist,
Robert, are convinced it’s all an act, and that he’s actually getting better. But Noah’s physician, Elizabeth, believes otherwise. As Noah’s predicament grows more amusing -- and puzzling -- he springs another surprise: he demands a birthday party a year early -- to celebrate his impending death! Threaded through the comedic
interplay of Noah’s delusional conversations about the Ark and his preposterous push towards a birthday-party-to-end-all-birthday-parties, all must grapple with darker secrets from their interconnected pasts as they struggle to uncover the meaning of true forgiveness.

Starring:
Bruce Coen …. “Noah (Johnny David) Jones”
Amy Williams …. “Rachel”
Amanda Shackelford …. “Elizabeth”
Jack Robertson …. “Robert”

October 13-15, 20-22 at 8 pm and October 16 & 23 at 3 pm
Essanee Theater
126 Iberia St., New Iberia, LA, 70562

(337) 364-6114

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

AUI/AURA's newest productions, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog and Cody Daigle's adaptation of Aristophanes' The Frogs, open Thursday, January 6th at 7:30 at Cite Des Arts in downtown Lafayette.  The shows will run through Sunday, January 9th.  For more information or to make ticket reservations, please call Cite at (337) 291-1122.  Tickets may also be purchased online at the Cite website here.

 Michael Mouton (Dionysus) and Erin Segura (Xanthius) in The Frogs

Joseph Diaz (Heracles) and Michael Mouton (Dionysus) in The Frogs 

 

 Shannon Kenast (Charon) in The Frogs

 The Frog Chorus from The Frogs

 The Mystic Chorus from The Frogs

Phillip Spear (Pluto) in The Frogs

 (from bottom left to right) Martha Diaz (the Maidservant), Morgan James (Plathane), Kelly Griffin (the Bistrokeeper) and Erin Segura (Xanthius) in The Frogs

 Erik Schneider (Billy) and Martha Diaz (Penny) in Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

 Erik Schneider (Dr. Horrible) and Kelly Griffin (Moist) in Dr. Horrible

 Erik Schneider (Dr. Horrible) and Phillip Smith (Captain Hammer) in Dr. Horrible

 Erik Schneider (Dr. Horrible), Phillip Smith (Captain Hammer), Martha Diaz (Penny) and Morgan James (Fan Girl) in Dr. Horrible

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

Theatre--Public Service

Left to right:  Walter Brown (president of AUI) Amy Fusilier (Lafayette Branch Manager of Second Harvest Food Bank) and Ruth Diaz (project director of AUI's production of Bat Boy: The Musical)

Today, Acting Unlimited, Inc. (AUI) presented Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana with a check to provide nearly 3,000 meals in the Lafayette community. The presentation was made by Walter Brown, AUI President at Second Harvest Food Bank located at 215 E. Pinhook Road. 

When Acting Unlimited, Inc. held auditions for Bat Boy: The Musical in April 2010, the explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon was only a week in the future. Throughout the rehearsal process for the musical, the national and local news were both filled with the repercussions of that disaster, including the plight of the residents of the coastal communities. The issue of economic problems was also a deep theme in Bat Boy, and that parallel gave the president of AUI an idea that would allow him to fulfill a dream that he had had for years.

"Independent theatre companies need to be deeply connected to the communities they serve," says Walter Brown, AUI president and director of Bat Boy: The Musical. "Knowing that there was a part of the local community that was facing the disruption of their entire lives and lifestyles because of the oil escape provided me with a chance for the theatre community to give back to the area. And because there was a connection to the story that we were working on, it provided a chance for the cast and crew to experience the real effects of having to change a community's whole way of living."

In searching for a charity which would serve the people affected by the oil spill, Brown believed the partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana was a perfect fit. Second Harvest Food Bank serves the 23 coastal parishes in Louisiana from the Texas boarder to the Mississippi boarder. The organization works through food distribution, advocacy, education and disaster response to fight the everyday disaster of hunger. 

AUI donated $725, their proceeds from one performance of Bat Boy: The Musical to Second Harvest. With every dollar donated, Second Harvest Food Bank can feed a family of four. The $725 that AUI raised will have far reaching effects on the community resulting in nearly 3,000 meals. 

“It is easy for one individual to have a large impact in the fight against hunger,” says Amy Fuselier, Lafayette Branch Manager of Second Harvest Food Bank. “Anyone can help by donating time, food or funds.” 

AUI is currently working on new projects and plans to make charitable donations a part of every productions. 

“We hope that additional companies will follow AUI’s lead in supporting Second Harvest,” added Fuselier. 

To contact Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, visit their website at www.no-hunger.org or call the office at 337-408-2465.  

Theatre--Benefit Performance (Musical Theatre)

AUI's production of Bat Boy: The Musical (running at Cite Des Arts) enters its second weekend on Thursday, August 5th.  The Friday, August 6 performance will be a benefit, with all AUI proceeds going to Second Harvest, to assist those in need as a result of the oil disaster in the Gulf.