Cite des Arts is proud to present a theatre event unlike any the Acadiana area has seen -- the second annual Hub City Theatre Festival, a three-day theatre festival presenting original and published theatre work from local and national writers.
The Hub City Theatre Festival will present the world premieres of seven theatre pieces, the reprise of one piece by a local artist, and two performances of pieces from published playwrights. Local theatre companies and independent artists from across the Acadiana area are producing the pieces, and local audiences can expect a diverse offering of theatre visions -- from the comic to the thought-provoking, from the socially relevant to the personally intimate, from the solo performance to larger cast pieces.
Performances begin on Thursday, July 10 and run through Saturday, July 12. All pieces will alternate performances between Cite’s Mainstage Theatre and Cite’s Second Stage space. The final performance schedule will be announced shortly.
The Hub City Theatre Festival will also incorporate two new divisions to the festival. The first, HCTF Interactive, will include activities for the audience and participants to provide feedback on the festival as it is happening. The second, HCTF Kids, will be a series of interactive workshops scheduled on the morning of Saturday July 12, 2008.
The pieces selected for this year’s festival are:
* The Lamp by Cindy Brown.
This world premiere comedy takes a humorous and introspective look at life with Charlene and her middle-aged friends as they blossom and explore new possibilities. Directed by Dana Reed, this one act play marks the second year that the playwright has participated in the Hub City Theatre Festival.
* To Protect And Sever by Steven Cooper.
A world premier short play by local writer Steven Cooper. This short piece takes a darkly comic approach to the rising threat of terrorism, domestic spying, and the education of our youth.
* Gertrude Stein And A Companion by Win Wells
Firelight Theatre will present the first published work of the festival with their first HCTF production. This memory play presents snapshots of the strong relationship across time between Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Through reflective and intimate storytelling, incorporating some of Gertrude Stein's own writings, the play reveals the fascinating journey of their remarkable life together in a time before such liaisons achieved any measure of social acceptance.
* The Exile of Joe Gagliano by Chere Coen
Gris-Gris Productions joins HCTF for the second year with its world premiere production. Bruce and Chere Coen pair together to bring us a funny yet touching portrayal of a New Orleans family evacuated during hurricane Katrina and adjusting to relocating in Lafayette.
* Momma Jass by Austin Sonnier, Jr.
The established Louisiana playwright will reprise this production for the HCTF stage. This one woman show starring Bria Hobgood explores the history of jazz.
* Willie And Me by Kimberly Johnson-Nagle.
The 2007 HCTF Best Play winning playwright and Best Production winning director Dr. Alex C. Marshall have paired together once again to present this world premiere production. Imagine, William Shakespeare in present day Louisiana and a troubled young lady who is trying to guide him through this new world. Can these strangers become friends or are there differences too much to overcome?
* Exile by Maureen Brennan and Valerian Smith
Brenrose Productions will present the debut of this work in progress. Focusing on the final days of Napoleon’s exile to the Caribbean island of St. Helen, this piece relies on gospel music to help tell the story.
* Last Night Of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry
Eunice Player’s Theatre brings their version of this Tony Award winning play to the Lafayette area. This charming and bittersweet comedy is set in 1939 in Atlanta, where Gone With the Wind is premiering. A segment of Atlanta’s Jewish elite is more concerned with who will be attending Ballyhoo, the social event of the season, than Hitler’s invasion of Poland. The arrival of a handsome businessman from New York forces the Freitag family to deal with who they really are as they are pulled apart and mended again with plenty of gentle comedy, sweet romance, and unexpected turns.
* Regarding Moore by Christine Baniewicz and Nick Hwang
In Baniewicz’s second year of HCTF, she has teamed up with a fellow LSU student to present the world premiere of this work in progress musical. In the scenes presented, English professor Dr. Steven Moore confronts two conflicting forces: his recent literary fame and his unique relationship with a 19-year-old student.
* Committed: Gay Marriage And Other Nightmares of Middle America by Cody Daigle.
Committed is a solo exploration of love, marriage, and commitment in the age of same-sex marriage. Weaving together the history of the fight for same-sex marriage in America and the personal history of the playwright, Committed makes the modest proposal that, gay or straight, marriage is good for us all.
Additional programming will fill out the festival, including a playwrights roundtable, a storytelling event, and other events to be announced.
The Hub City Theatre Festival is offering a variety of ticketing options for patrons to fully enjoy the festival. Festival passes, which gives patrons admission to every show in the festival are sold for $50.00. Saturday passes, which gives patrons admission to the full Saturday slate of shows are sold for $25.00. General admission tickets are also available for $5.00 per performance. For more information on purchasing a Festival pass or Saturday pass, call 291-1122.
The Hub City Theatre Festival is a one-of-a-kind theatre event for the Acadiana area that should not be missed. For more information on the festival lineup, the individual shows, ticketing options, and any other questions, call Cite des Arts at 291-1122 or visit Cite on the web at www.citedesarts.org.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Theatre--Review
Ray Blum reviews Ezra Istre's Multiplicity (at Cite Des Arts)in the June 20th edition of the Daily Advertiser.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Theatre--Audition
The fall production at The Abbey Players theatre will be the hit musical comedy, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. This entertaining look at the dating and marriage game has roles for two men and two women between theages of 25 and 45. A violinist is also needed. Those interested in
auditioning may come with sheet music of their choice or with any prepared solo. The adult musical will be directed by Dianne Moss and will run several weekends in the fall. Exact show dates will be determined after the show is cast.
Auditions will take place at the Abbey Players theatre, 200 South State Street, on Tuesday, July 8th, at 7 pm, and again on Saturday, July 12th, at 2 pm. For more information about the show, call the Abbey Players office, 893-2442, between 9 and 11 am weekdays, or call Dianne Moss at 523-9995
For more information and a map to the theatre at www.abbeyplayers.com
auditioning may come with sheet music of their choice or with any prepared solo. The adult musical will be directed by Dianne Moss and will run several weekends in the fall. Exact show dates will be determined after the show is cast.
Auditions will take place at the Abbey Players theatre, 200 South State Street, on Tuesday, July 8th, at 7 pm, and again on Saturday, July 12th, at 2 pm. For more information about the show, call the Abbey Players office, 893-2442, between 9 and 11 am weekdays, or call Dianne Moss at 523-9995
For more information and a map to the theatre at www.abbeyplayers.com
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Theatre--Review
Opelousas Little Theatre will continue its production of Proof, David Auburn's Pulitzer and Tony award winning play, June 19 through 21 (7 PM), with a matinee on Sunday, June 22 at 2 PM. Tickets can be purchased at Sebastien Dupre Fine Jewelry (337-948-4367).
I strongly recommend this production to all you theatre buffs, even if you've already seen the Cite Des Arts (Lafayette) version, which just ended [Don Voorhies wrote a useful synopsis and review of it for this blog.].
Briefly, a solitary notebook containing the "proof" of a theorem is found in the locked drawer of the desk of a recently deceased mathematician, Robert, by one of his doctoral students, Harold. Who proved the theorem? Was it Robert, nutty as a fruitcake during much of the time when the proof was presumably written, or his care-giving daughter, Catherine, who had little formal mathematical education?
Elizabeth Satterly (Catherine) was perfectly cast in this lead role, even though she is apparently six or seven years younger than the character. Director Dana Reed was wise in casting a student of the legendary theatre guru, Walter Brown.
Gabe Ortego (Harold), a stalwart of OLT, was convincing as Catherine's first lover and as a mathematical protege of Robert.
Ed Dubuisson (Robert) was very touching and affecting in the pivotal scene where Catherine realizes that her beloved father is mentally incapacitated.
Roxanne Guillory (Claire), Catherine's older sister who is married and not a mathematician, effectively completes the cast in the difficult role of the only "normal" character.
Although I may be putting math-phobes to sleep, I’d like to tack on an addendum to my recent notes on Proof, the current production of The Opelousas Little Theatre. The premise of the play is that a young amateur could prove a major mathematical theorem. If the area of mathematics alluded to in the play is “number theory” the answer is a qualified “yes”. Theorems in this area can be easy to understand- not lots of fancy terms- but devilishly difficult to prove. Here are a couple of such “theorems” – one proved, so it is a true theorem, and one not, so it is a conjecture.
One of the most famous is Fermat’s Last “Theorem” (1637). Here’s what it says. Consider the equation xN + yN = zN where x, y, z, and N are all positive whole numbers (integers). Fermat claimed that if N is bigger than 2, there are no whole numbers x, y and z which will solve the equation. [When N=2 it’s easy, 32 + 42 = 52 . ]
Math historian Howard Eves noted, “Fermat’s Last Theorem has the peculiar distinction of being the mathematical problem for which the greatest number of incorrect proofs have been published.” Of course, the fact that there was a money prize probably led to the enthusiasm with the problem. Anyway, Andrew Wiles proved the theorem in 1993, over 350 years after Fermat claimed a proof.
Christian Goldbach, a minor Prussian mathematician, communicated the following conjecture to Leonard Euler, a major Swiss mathematician and physicist, in 1742.
“Every even integer greater than 2 can be written as the sum of two primes.” Remember a “prime” is a whole number that can be divided only by itself and 1. ‘5’ is a prime number but ‘4’ is not. Example: 60 = 7 + 53 = 13 + 47 = 17 + 43 = 19 + 41 = 23 + 37.
- Hasn’t been proved yet. Maybe that’s what Catherine proved. Have to wait for the sequel.
--Dr. Robert "Bob" Sidman
I strongly recommend this production to all you theatre buffs, even if you've already seen the Cite Des Arts (Lafayette) version, which just ended [Don Voorhies wrote a useful synopsis and review of it for this blog.].
Briefly, a solitary notebook containing the "proof" of a theorem is found in the locked drawer of the desk of a recently deceased mathematician, Robert, by one of his doctoral students, Harold. Who proved the theorem? Was it Robert, nutty as a fruitcake during much of the time when the proof was presumably written, or his care-giving daughter, Catherine, who had little formal mathematical education?
Elizabeth Satterly (Catherine) was perfectly cast in this lead role, even though she is apparently six or seven years younger than the character. Director Dana Reed was wise in casting a student of the legendary theatre guru, Walter Brown.
Gabe Ortego (Harold), a stalwart of OLT, was convincing as Catherine's first lover and as a mathematical protege of Robert.
Ed Dubuisson (Robert) was very touching and affecting in the pivotal scene where Catherine realizes that her beloved father is mentally incapacitated.
Roxanne Guillory (Claire), Catherine's older sister who is married and not a mathematician, effectively completes the cast in the difficult role of the only "normal" character.
Although I may be putting math-phobes to sleep, I’d like to tack on an addendum to my recent notes on Proof, the current production of The Opelousas Little Theatre. The premise of the play is that a young amateur could prove a major mathematical theorem. If the area of mathematics alluded to in the play is “number theory” the answer is a qualified “yes”. Theorems in this area can be easy to understand- not lots of fancy terms- but devilishly difficult to prove. Here are a couple of such “theorems” – one proved, so it is a true theorem, and one not, so it is a conjecture.
One of the most famous is Fermat’s Last “Theorem” (1637). Here’s what it says. Consider the equation xN + yN = zN where x, y, z, and N are all positive whole numbers (integers). Fermat claimed that if N is bigger than 2, there are no whole numbers x, y and z which will solve the equation. [When N=2 it’s easy, 32 + 42 = 52 . ]
Math historian Howard Eves noted, “Fermat’s Last Theorem has the peculiar distinction of being the mathematical problem for which the greatest number of incorrect proofs have been published.” Of course, the fact that there was a money prize probably led to the enthusiasm with the problem. Anyway, Andrew Wiles proved the theorem in 1993, over 350 years after Fermat claimed a proof.
Christian Goldbach, a minor Prussian mathematician, communicated the following conjecture to Leonard Euler, a major Swiss mathematician and physicist, in 1742.
“Every even integer greater than 2 can be written as the sum of two primes.” Remember a “prime” is a whole number that can be divided only by itself and 1. ‘5’ is a prime number but ‘4’ is not. Example: 60 = 7 + 53 = 13 + 47 = 17 + 43 = 19 + 41 = 23 + 37.
- Hasn’t been proved yet. Maybe that’s what Catherine proved. Have to wait for the sequel.
--Dr. Robert "Bob" Sidman
Monday, June 9, 2008
Theatre--Article
There is an article in the May 30th edtion of the Opelousas Daily World about the upcoming production of Proof by the Opelousas Little Theatre. The article also includes details about the OLT's upcoming auditions for their next production, Wit.
Theatre--Performance
The Opelousas Little Theatre presents Proof, opening on June 12th and running through the 22nd. Shows will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday of both weeks. There will be a Sunday matinee on June 22nd.
The play concerns Catherine, the daughter of Robert, a recently deceased mathematical genius and professor at the University of Chicago, and her struggle with mathematical genius and mental illness. Catherine had cared for her father through a lengthy mental illness: Can Catherine prove the proof's authorship?
The play concerns Catherine, the daughter of Robert, a recently deceased mathematical genius and professor at the University of Chicago, and her struggle with mathematical genius and mental illness. Catherine had cared for her father through a lengthy mental illness: Can Catherine prove the proof's authorship?
Theatre--Performance
IPAL is preparing a special production of The Wizard of Oz, directed by Leigh Simmons with assistance from Donna Berard and Suzi. Eith performances are scheduled over two wekks (June 10-20). Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances will start at 7 pm and Sunday matinees will begin at 3 pm.
This muscial is the Royal Shakespeare Company verion, which is close to the movie version. It is based on the book by L. Frank Baum, witih music and lyrics from the MGM motion picture by harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. The background musci is by Herbert Stothart. the book is adapted from the origianl screenplay by John Kane. Choral directors are Hellon Hodge and Suzi Thornton. Cathy Melancon is charge of soctumes and choreography is by Trudi Perret. Pianist is Marcus McCullough. The production is sponsored by Community First Bank.
The cat includes 52 young actors from area and home schools. With a cast this big, IPAL suggests that tickets be purchased early.
This muscial is the Royal Shakespeare Company verion, which is close to the movie version. It is based on the book by L. Frank Baum, witih music and lyrics from the MGM motion picture by harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. The background musci is by Herbert Stothart. the book is adapted from the origianl screenplay by John Kane. Choral directors are Hellon Hodge and Suzi Thornton. Cathy Melancon is charge of soctumes and choreography is by Trudi Perret. Pianist is Marcus McCullough. The production is sponsored by Community First Bank.
The cat includes 52 young actors from area and home schools. With a cast this big, IPAL suggests that tickets be purchased early.
Theatre--Performance
This Thursday is the premier of Mulitplicity, an original play written and directed by Ezra Istre. What if everyone you see is not who you think they are? How far would you go to find the truth? Come and see hypocrisy at its best.
When: June 12th - 14th
Where: Cité des Arts
Cost: $10 on Thursday and $12 on Friday & Saturday
When: June 12th - 14th
Where: Cité des Arts
Cost: $10 on Thursday and $12 on Friday & Saturday
Friday, June 6, 2008
Theatre--Review
Hail St. Mary for the graciousness to again offer the Acadiana community a summer youth musical. For four years, St. Mary Mother of the Church has been host and sponsor of a Broadway musical bringing together students from elementary school to college. The effort has been tremendous, the musicals have been uplifting, and the success has been notable.
This year the presentation is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. The second of the Broadway duo’s great musicals, it is based on Farenc Molnar’s 1909 drama Liliom. Liliom was actually considered for the team’s first collaboration but the rights were denied. But with the great success of the team’s Oklahoma! permission was eventually given and work began leading to the 1945 opening, the Tony Award, and much more. The somewhat somber story deals with a carnival barker (Billy Bigelow) a shy factory worker (Julie Jordan) and a host of characters from a small New England fishing village. Notable songs include “If I Loved You,” “June is Bustin’ Out All Over,” “What’s the Use of Wond’rin’ and “You’ll Never Walk Alone".
In this production Lance Bordelon (Billy) and Shelby Runyan (Julie) carried off their difficult lead roles with distinction. Bigelow’s “Soliloquy” was impressively mature. Ashley Lopez, as Carrie Pipperidge, was outstanding in voice, characterization, and comedic style. Andy Best, as Enoch Snow, Sr., was suitably dour. Jason Petitjean, who had a host of jobs in the show (as did much of the cast) was particularly effective with his deep bass voice in song and lilting Irish accent as the star keeper. Parker Guidry (Jigger Craigin) is the “bad guy” of the plot. But his performance was anything but bad. In all his time on the stage, from the opening “Carousel Waltz” to his final appearance he oozed malevolence. In song, in dance, in attitude, he provided motivation for the eventual actions of Bigelow. High school senior Allison Schilhab played the very adult role of Mrs. Mullin convincingly while high school freshman Brittany Monaghan as cousin Nettie Fowler was Bustin’ Out each time she sang! Keep it up! Aside from these eight, there were twenty-six others in the cast. They too were excellent, versatile, and with so much time on stage were always in character.
Some mention must be made of many of the wonderful production values of this show. The choral singing, of which there is a lot, was of concert quality. Music director Margaret Kresse is to be congratulated. Marcus McCullough conducted an eighteen piece orchestra that never overpowered the show.
Great choreography by Matt Couvillion, well known in Acadiana dance circles, filled the stage. Bravo (yet again) for your work! There are three major dance sequences in Carousel - the opening “Carousel Waltz”, the “Blow High, Blow Low” sailors’ dance, and the “Beach Ballet.” Done on a difficult stage configuration, the movements were fresh and vital. The “Beach Ballet” was particularly well done and created real emotion to drive the play to its conclusion. Rodgers and Hammerstein first effectively integrated ballet into a Broadway musical in Oklahoma! In Carousel they continued their fine work. Couvillion and his dancers did it justice.
A final accolade must be given to Margaret Kresse, Director and Musical Director of this show, as well as heart and soul of the St. Mary summer musical program. Retiring after this show, she has done much for youth theater in Acadiana. Through her efforts (each play taking something like nine months to stage) she has contributed mightily to building theater for the future. She will be sorely missed.
--Donald "Doc" Voorhies
This year the presentation is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. The second of the Broadway duo’s great musicals, it is based on Farenc Molnar’s 1909 drama Liliom. Liliom was actually considered for the team’s first collaboration but the rights were denied. But with the great success of the team’s Oklahoma! permission was eventually given and work began leading to the 1945 opening, the Tony Award, and much more. The somewhat somber story deals with a carnival barker (Billy Bigelow) a shy factory worker (Julie Jordan) and a host of characters from a small New England fishing village. Notable songs include “If I Loved You,” “June is Bustin’ Out All Over,” “What’s the Use of Wond’rin’ and “You’ll Never Walk Alone".
In this production Lance Bordelon (Billy) and Shelby Runyan (Julie) carried off their difficult lead roles with distinction. Bigelow’s “Soliloquy” was impressively mature. Ashley Lopez, as Carrie Pipperidge, was outstanding in voice, characterization, and comedic style. Andy Best, as Enoch Snow, Sr., was suitably dour. Jason Petitjean, who had a host of jobs in the show (as did much of the cast) was particularly effective with his deep bass voice in song and lilting Irish accent as the star keeper. Parker Guidry (Jigger Craigin) is the “bad guy” of the plot. But his performance was anything but bad. In all his time on the stage, from the opening “Carousel Waltz” to his final appearance he oozed malevolence. In song, in dance, in attitude, he provided motivation for the eventual actions of Bigelow. High school senior Allison Schilhab played the very adult role of Mrs. Mullin convincingly while high school freshman Brittany Monaghan as cousin Nettie Fowler was Bustin’ Out each time she sang! Keep it up! Aside from these eight, there were twenty-six others in the cast. They too were excellent, versatile, and with so much time on stage were always in character.
Some mention must be made of many of the wonderful production values of this show. The choral singing, of which there is a lot, was of concert quality. Music director Margaret Kresse is to be congratulated. Marcus McCullough conducted an eighteen piece orchestra that never overpowered the show.
Great choreography by Matt Couvillion, well known in Acadiana dance circles, filled the stage. Bravo (yet again) for your work! There are three major dance sequences in Carousel - the opening “Carousel Waltz”, the “Blow High, Blow Low” sailors’ dance, and the “Beach Ballet.” Done on a difficult stage configuration, the movements were fresh and vital. The “Beach Ballet” was particularly well done and created real emotion to drive the play to its conclusion. Rodgers and Hammerstein first effectively integrated ballet into a Broadway musical in Oklahoma! In Carousel they continued their fine work. Couvillion and his dancers did it justice.
A final accolade must be given to Margaret Kresse, Director and Musical Director of this show, as well as heart and soul of the St. Mary summer musical program. Retiring after this show, she has done much for youth theater in Acadiana. Through her efforts (each play taking something like nine months to stage) she has contributed mightily to building theater for the future. She will be sorely missed.
--Donald "Doc" Voorhies
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Theatre--Performance
Picasso at the Lapin Agile, presented by The Abbey Players, places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904(just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism). In his first comedy for the stage, the popular actor and screenwriter Steve Martin plays fast and loose with fact, fame and fortune as these two geniuses muse on the century's achievements and prospects as well as other fanciful topics with infectious dizziness. Bystanders, including Picasso' agent, the bartender and his mistress, Picasso's date, an elderly philosopher, Charles Dabernow Schmendimen and an idiot inventor introduce additional flourishes of humor. The final surprise patron to join the merriment at the Lapin Agile is a charismatic dark haired singer time warped in from a later era.
Shows are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm.
Shows are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm.
Theatre--Submissions
Acting Up (in Acadiana) is calling for submissions for The Patriot ACTS II to be performed in October 2008. Songs, film, video, original short scripts, poetry, anything will be considered as local artists extract socio-political sentiments in the wake of the 2008 presidential election. The Patriot ACTS II is the sequel to the original series staged in October of 2004. This multi-disciplined, theatrical series made people laugh and cry (and sometimes want to scream); what happens this time will depend on the artists involved. Submissions will be accepted through July 20, 2008. Notification of artists whose works are accepted will take place by August 1, 2008. Acting Up (in Acadiana) will hold auditions to fill necessary roles at the end of August. For more information or to submit, contact Acting Up (in Acadiana) artistic director Amy Waguespack at (337) 739-4273.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Theatre--Audition
Auditions will be held at Cite des Arts on Saturday, June 7th from 11 am-1 pm and Sunday, June 8th from 1p-3 pm for the world premiere on an original play by local writer Chere' Dastugue Coen and directed by local actor/director Bruce Coen. The Exile of Joe Gagliano is a funny yet touching portrayal of the Gagliano family forced to leave their home and livelihood after Hurricane Katrina to seek refuge in Lafayette.
Characters:
Joe Gagliano 40's-50's
Marie Gagliano 40's-50's
Lisa Gagliano 15
Wayne Gagliano 18
Kevin Spears 40's-50's: Joe's best friend
A New Orleans "Y'at" accent is preferred for all the characters but not essential.
Characters:
Joe Gagliano 40's-50's
Marie Gagliano 40's-50's
Lisa Gagliano 15
Wayne Gagliano 18
Kevin Spears 40's-50's: Joe's best friend
A New Orleans "Y'at" accent is preferred for all the characters but not essential.
Theatre--Audition
Someone is needed to play the part of Shawn, the waiter and love interest in The Lamp, a one-act play that will be presented for one performance during the Hub City Theater Festival at Cite Des Arts in July.
This male character will play the love interest of Charlene, the main character, who will be around 50 years old. Shawn should be a younger man, ranging in age from about late 20's to late 30's.
Auditions will be Wednesday, June 4th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Cite.
For more info, call Cindy at (337) 839-9291 or 322-5166.
This male character will play the love interest of Charlene, the main character, who will be around 50 years old. Shawn should be a younger man, ranging in age from about late 20's to late 30's.
Auditions will be Wednesday, June 4th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Cite.
For more info, call Cindy at (337) 839-9291 or 322-5166.
Theatre--Article
There is an article in the Daily Advertiser about the St. Mary's Catholic Church production of Carousel in the June 2nd edition.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Theatre--Workshop
The Opelousas Little Theatre is holding their Theatre Summer Camp for children ages 5through 17. The Opelousas Daily World had an article about it in the May 28th edition.
Theatre--Online
There is a MySpace page about the upcoming auditions for the Opelousas Little Theatre's production of Wit.
Theatre--Article
There was an article in the May 30th edition of the Opelousas Daily World about Proof, which will open on June 12th at the Opelousas Little Theatre. The page includes information on dates, times and tickets.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Theatre--Auditions
Auditions will be held at Cité des Arts on June 9th and June 11th at 6:00pm for two original plays written by Steven Cooper.
TO PROTECT AND SEVER
This is a short comedy about the threat of terrorism, domestic spying, and the education of our youth. This show is to be presented at the Hub City Theatre Festival the first week of July.
Characters:
Sgt. McRuffle: Man- 30- 40
Teacher: Male or Female- 25-35
Kid 1: Male or Female- 13-18 (actor/actress can be older, but must look young)
Kid2: Male or Female- 13-18 (actor/actress can be older, but must look young)
Two Swat Team Members: Males 20-35
GNOSTIC COINCIDENCE
This is a full length play about two strangers becoming friends, their dreams, and the lessons they desire to learn. This show will run at Cite des Arts from August 14th-28th. Rehearsals will be in July and early August.
Characters:
Buzzbee: A very aware man of the street who is fighting an inner battle.
Male: 28-40
Ralph: A business man who is reaching a crossroads in his life.
Male: 28-40
Love: A muse that guides the characters in their dreams.
Female:20-40
Competition: A shadow character that challenges the characters in their dreams. Male: 20-35
The right age for the actors playing the characters is not as important as what
the actor can bring to the characters. Mr. Cooper is looking for the right ensemble to bring this play to life.
WHEN: June 9 and 11 at 6:00pm
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette between Jefferson St. and Third St.
For additional information, please contact Steven Cooper at
barrelmaker76@gmail.com.
TO PROTECT AND SEVER
This is a short comedy about the threat of terrorism, domestic spying, and the education of our youth. This show is to be presented at the Hub City Theatre Festival the first week of July.
Characters:
Sgt. McRuffle: Man- 30- 40
Teacher: Male or Female- 25-35
Kid 1: Male or Female- 13-18 (actor/actress can be older, but must look young)
Kid2: Male or Female- 13-18 (actor/actress can be older, but must look young)
Two Swat Team Members: Males 20-35
GNOSTIC COINCIDENCE
This is a full length play about two strangers becoming friends, their dreams, and the lessons they desire to learn. This show will run at Cite des Arts from August 14th-28th. Rehearsals will be in July and early August.
Characters:
Buzzbee: A very aware man of the street who is fighting an inner battle.
Male: 28-40
Ralph: A business man who is reaching a crossroads in his life.
Male: 28-40
Love: A muse that guides the characters in their dreams.
Female:20-40
Competition: A shadow character that challenges the characters in their dreams. Male: 20-35
The right age for the actors playing the characters is not as important as what
the actor can bring to the characters. Mr. Cooper is looking for the right ensemble to bring this play to life.
WHEN: June 9 and 11 at 6:00pm
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette between Jefferson St. and Third St.
For additional information, please contact Steven Cooper at
barrelmaker76@gmail.com.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Theatre--Article
Cody Daigle of the Daily Advertiser has an article about the renovations to Burke-Hawthorne Theatre, home to the University of Louisiana-Lafayette's Department of Performing Arts and to the structure of the Performing Arts' curriculum in the May 31th edition.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Theatre--Review
Drama can present real life in such a way that theatergoers enter another world. Recent area productions have done that. The Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts’ Steel Magnolias carried us (male and female alike) to the world of the “Beauty Salon.,” The University of Lousiana at Lafayette's Performing Arts Department's production of Closer carried us to merry-new-England, and not-so- merry modern love. Cite’ des Arts’ current production of David Auburn’s Proof brings us into the world of mathematics and very the real people who inhabit it. As with many modern dramas, the play debuted at the Manhattan Theatre Club, and moved on to Broadway. But this one then won the Pulitzer Prize, the Drama Desk Award, and the Tony Award for Best Play of 2001.
The essential story involves four characters. Robert (Bill Matthews), an older and respected mathematician has died after descending into some form of mental illness, and has left numerous notebooks full of ravings (mathematical and otherwise). He had been cared for by a college-dropout daughter Catherine (Betty Boudreau) who may or may not have inherited some of her father’s genius. Another sister, Claire (Kayla Lemaire) is in for the funeral and has none of her father’s traits. A former student of Robert’s, Hal (Steven Cooper), who is the only cast member NOT a member of this family, comes on the scene. The story is a mystery (who actually did the proof), a love story (father-daughter, boy-girl, man-profession) and a drama (about doubt, pride, fear, reality, illusion). It is a heady mix. And it is carried out with both intensity and insight under the able direction of Christy Leichty.
Before continuing, and in the spirit of “full disclosure,” this reviewer in his real life is a mathematician (more accurately a math teacher) whose world view has been affected by the very real mathematicians he has met personally and professionally. He knows the frequently stereotyped world of mathematics as a world more passionate and artistic than any other. It is true that mathematicians use symbols on a page –but those are but their language. Their real work is about the underlying realities of universe - what the finger of God has writ in the sands of logic, of structure, and ultimately of reality. Mathematicians use words like “beautiful” or “subtle” or “elegant” to describe their work. To “normal” people it all seems mysterious.
Auburn’s play and director Leichty’s interpretation thereof captured this world artfully. While there are a few math jokes scattered in the play, no real knowledge (or memory of high school Algebra) is needed to follow the plot. Accepting the very real passion of mathematicians is. Opening with a dimly lit flashback scene, the play goes in and out of the real world and the mathematical world as Robert(deceased) and Catherine move in and out of the light. Isn’t that the way we think of mathematics? Sometimes there, sometimes not. The action quickly commences as the relationships of the characters develops. The visiting sister (Claire) is a practical, correct, controlling New Yorker--with all the abrasiveness and superficiality of that city. She quickly conflicts with Catherine, the gifted college-dropout who took time out from her life to care for a father. Catherine has all the grittiness and strength of her home--Chicago--the “Hog Butcher of the World … Stormy, husky, brawling City of the Big Shoulders.” A young mathematician (Hal) arrives and his motivations are soon thrown into the mix. Is he there to truly pay tribute to his mentor; is his relationship with Catherine a real one; is he there for his own professional advancement? The mystery of the show revolves around who actually did the “proof” and various clues to its authorship. Was it Robert in a lucid interlude, or does Catherine perhaps have her father’s mathematical gifts (and instability)?
In the hands of the wonderful Cite’ cast and crew the complexities of the story, the conflicts, and the emotions felt by these characters swirl around us. Director Christy Leichty keeps the entire enterprise under control, with a neat balance between the mathematical world and the real world. The quiet first scene is a pastoral leading to tempests in the second act. The subject matter is the world of abstract mathematics and three fourths (75%, .75, 12/16) of the characters are mathematicians. But we relate to them as the real people they are. Center stage in the drama is Betty Boudreau, whose Catherine is strong, fragile, abrasive, yet tender. Boudreau switches mood and relationship quickly and effortlessly and is a pleasure to watch. Kayla Lemaire’s Claire treads a fine line between “villainy” and “caring sister.” She is an outsider in the group, not caught up in this mathematical world. She is the voice of reality for better or worse. Steven Cooper as the young mathematician, Hal, is an outsider too-–the only non-family member. That separation is clear and he carried out the “professional mathematician” aspect of his role convincingly. He was especially effective in the personal relationship he established with Catherine–-be it love, doubt , support or argument. Bill Matthews as Robert brought a reality and an abstractness to the part-–the reality and abstractness that are part of mathematics. Matthews only previous acting was in high school. Bravo on your re-debut. The simple, evocative, need I say elegant, Craftsman Style “porch” designed by Duncan Thistlewaite, executed by Sarah Briggs and lit by Will Moody helped transport us from a small theater in Lafayette to another world.
This Proof is a short one, and ends on June7. The literate script, the excellent cast, and the first rate production make it a must see you will love. Go, enter Cite’s alternate reality, and you’ll need no more proof!
--Donald “Doc” Voorhies
The essential story involves four characters. Robert (Bill Matthews), an older and respected mathematician has died after descending into some form of mental illness, and has left numerous notebooks full of ravings (mathematical and otherwise). He had been cared for by a college-dropout daughter Catherine (Betty Boudreau) who may or may not have inherited some of her father’s genius. Another sister, Claire (Kayla Lemaire) is in for the funeral and has none of her father’s traits. A former student of Robert’s, Hal (Steven Cooper), who is the only cast member NOT a member of this family, comes on the scene. The story is a mystery (who actually did the proof), a love story (father-daughter, boy-girl, man-profession) and a drama (about doubt, pride, fear, reality, illusion). It is a heady mix. And it is carried out with both intensity and insight under the able direction of Christy Leichty.
Before continuing, and in the spirit of “full disclosure,” this reviewer in his real life is a mathematician (more accurately a math teacher) whose world view has been affected by the very real mathematicians he has met personally and professionally. He knows the frequently stereotyped world of mathematics as a world more passionate and artistic than any other. It is true that mathematicians use symbols on a page –but those are but their language. Their real work is about the underlying realities of universe - what the finger of God has writ in the sands of logic, of structure, and ultimately of reality. Mathematicians use words like “beautiful” or “subtle” or “elegant” to describe their work. To “normal” people it all seems mysterious.
Auburn’s play and director Leichty’s interpretation thereof captured this world artfully. While there are a few math jokes scattered in the play, no real knowledge (or memory of high school Algebra) is needed to follow the plot. Accepting the very real passion of mathematicians is. Opening with a dimly lit flashback scene, the play goes in and out of the real world and the mathematical world as Robert(deceased) and Catherine move in and out of the light. Isn’t that the way we think of mathematics? Sometimes there, sometimes not. The action quickly commences as the relationships of the characters develops. The visiting sister (Claire) is a practical, correct, controlling New Yorker--with all the abrasiveness and superficiality of that city. She quickly conflicts with Catherine, the gifted college-dropout who took time out from her life to care for a father. Catherine has all the grittiness and strength of her home--Chicago--the “Hog Butcher of the World … Stormy, husky, brawling City of the Big Shoulders.” A young mathematician (Hal) arrives and his motivations are soon thrown into the mix. Is he there to truly pay tribute to his mentor; is his relationship with Catherine a real one; is he there for his own professional advancement? The mystery of the show revolves around who actually did the “proof” and various clues to its authorship. Was it Robert in a lucid interlude, or does Catherine perhaps have her father’s mathematical gifts (and instability)?
In the hands of the wonderful Cite’ cast and crew the complexities of the story, the conflicts, and the emotions felt by these characters swirl around us. Director Christy Leichty keeps the entire enterprise under control, with a neat balance between the mathematical world and the real world. The quiet first scene is a pastoral leading to tempests in the second act. The subject matter is the world of abstract mathematics and three fourths (75%, .75, 12/16) of the characters are mathematicians. But we relate to them as the real people they are. Center stage in the drama is Betty Boudreau, whose Catherine is strong, fragile, abrasive, yet tender. Boudreau switches mood and relationship quickly and effortlessly and is a pleasure to watch. Kayla Lemaire’s Claire treads a fine line between “villainy” and “caring sister.” She is an outsider in the group, not caught up in this mathematical world. She is the voice of reality for better or worse. Steven Cooper as the young mathematician, Hal, is an outsider too-–the only non-family member. That separation is clear and he carried out the “professional mathematician” aspect of his role convincingly. He was especially effective in the personal relationship he established with Catherine–-be it love, doubt , support or argument. Bill Matthews as Robert brought a reality and an abstractness to the part-–the reality and abstractness that are part of mathematics. Matthews only previous acting was in high school. Bravo on your re-debut. The simple, evocative, need I say elegant, Craftsman Style “porch” designed by Duncan Thistlewaite, executed by Sarah Briggs and lit by Will Moody helped transport us from a small theater in Lafayette to another world.
This Proof is a short one, and ends on June7. The literate script, the excellent cast, and the first rate production make it a must see you will love. Go, enter Cite’s alternate reality, and you’ll need no more proof!
--Donald “Doc” Voorhies
Theatre--Article
There is an article by Herman Fusilier about the Cite Des Arts production of Proof in the May 30th edition of the Daily Advertiser.
Theatre--Review
The Cite Des Arts production of Proof is reviewed by Ray Blum in the May 30th edition of the Daily Advertiser.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Theatre--Workshop
DRAMATIKS PRODUCTIONS presents
YOUNG PEOPLE’S SUMMER THEATRE WORKSHOP
Dramatiks Productions and Jennifer Miller-Frank presents a summer theatre workshop June 7th - July 1lth 2008 at Cité des Arts. Focusing on improvisation, concentration, characterization, projection, technique, teamwork, theater terminology and more, students will also have the opportunity to take part in the finale show The Big Bad Musical.
WHEN: Classes meet Saturdays from 9:00am – 11:00am.
(Additional rehearsals will be required two weeks prior to performance date)
WHO: boys and girls, ages 10 – 17
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette between Jefferson St. and Third St.
COST: $150.00 (this fee includes a $30.00 costume and script fee)
For additional information and registration, please contact
Jennifer Miller-Frank at 337-780-8555.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S SUMMER THEATRE WORKSHOP
Dramatiks Productions and Jennifer Miller-Frank presents a summer theatre workshop June 7th - July 1lth 2008 at Cité des Arts. Focusing on improvisation, concentration, characterization, projection, technique, teamwork, theater terminology and more, students will also have the opportunity to take part in the finale show The Big Bad Musical.
WHEN: Classes meet Saturdays from 9:00am – 11:00am.
(Additional rehearsals will be required two weeks prior to performance date)
WHO: boys and girls, ages 10 – 17
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette between Jefferson St. and Third St.
COST: $150.00 (this fee includes a $30.00 costume and script fee)
For additional information and registration, please contact
Jennifer Miller-Frank at 337-780-8555.
Theatre (Playwriting)--Workshop
NEW VOICES PLAYWRITING CAMP: A two-week theatre workshop for young people
July 14 – July 26, 2008
Cité des Arts
337-291-1122
Got a story to tell? Ideas to share? If you’re looking for a creative way to
spend part of your summer, then Cité des Arts has a solution for you. For the sixth year in a row, Cité is offering its New Voices Playwriting Camp, a summer theatre workshop for young people.
New Voices is a two week-long theatre workshop that offers students hands-on lessons in the art and craft of making plays. Through writing exercises,
improvisation, theatre games, and group work; students will dream up, develop,
and write a one-act play. These plays are then compiled into an evening of
theatre that is produced at Cité des Arts for the general public.
The camp is designed for students aged 10-16. No prior theatre or writing
experience is necessary.
WHEN: 1pm – 5pm, July 14 – July 26, 2008
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette between Jefferson St. and Third St.
WHO: for students aged 10-17
COST: $50.00
Students interested in the New Voices Playwriting Camp should contact Cité des Arts at 291-1122 for information on registering.
July 14 – July 26, 2008
Cité des Arts
337-291-1122
Got a story to tell? Ideas to share? If you’re looking for a creative way to
spend part of your summer, then Cité des Arts has a solution for you. For the sixth year in a row, Cité is offering its New Voices Playwriting Camp, a summer theatre workshop for young people.
New Voices is a two week-long theatre workshop that offers students hands-on lessons in the art and craft of making plays. Through writing exercises,
improvisation, theatre games, and group work; students will dream up, develop,
and write a one-act play. These plays are then compiled into an evening of
theatre that is produced at Cité des Arts for the general public.
The camp is designed for students aged 10-16. No prior theatre or writing
experience is necessary.
WHEN: 1pm – 5pm, July 14 – July 26, 2008
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette between Jefferson St. and Third St.
WHO: for students aged 10-17
COST: $50.00
Students interested in the New Voices Playwriting Camp should contact Cité des Arts at 291-1122 for information on registering.
Theatre--Auditions
Children's Theatre Guild will hold auditions for Telling Tales Again, Sam? directed by Marie Vaughan on Saturday, June 14th and Sunday, June 15th at 2pm at the Abbey Players Theatre at 200 South State Street in Abbeville.
Please contact Marie Vaughan at (337)893 2442 from 9-11 am weekdays for more information.
Please contact Marie Vaughan at (337)893 2442 from 9-11 am weekdays for more information.
Theatre--Performance
Picasso at the Lapin Agile, a long running Off-Broadway absurdist comedy, places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism. In his first comedy for the stage, the popular actor and screenwriter plays fast and loose with fact, fame and fortune as these two geniuses muse on the century's achievements and prospects as well as other fanciful topics with infectious dizziness. Bystanders, including Picasso' agent, the bartender and his mistress, Picasso's date, an elderly philosopher, Charles Dabernow Schmendimen and an idiot inventor introduce additional flourishes of humor. The final surprise patron to join the merriment at the Lapin Agile is a charismatic dark haired singer time warped in from a later era.
Directed by Jerrod Arabie Assistant Director - Pamela Broussard
Regular performance tickets are $12.00 and run every Friday and Saturday from May 10th - June 14th...at 8pm.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! HURRY ABBEY PLAYERS SHOWS FREQUENTLY SELL OUT!
Purchase tickets ONLINE or by calling 337 893 2442.
Directed by Jerrod Arabie Assistant Director - Pamela Broussard
Regular performance tickets are $12.00 and run every Friday and Saturday from May 10th - June 14th...at 8pm.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! HURRY ABBEY PLAYERS SHOWS FREQUENTLY SELL OUT!
Purchase tickets ONLINE or by calling 337 893 2442.
Theatre--Performance Schedule
Cite Des Arts announces their schedule of theatrical performances for the next few months:
May 22 – June 7: Cité des Arts presents Proof
June 12 – 14: Multiplicity, a new original work of theatre by Ezra Istre
June 20 – 21: Theatre Production by The Foundry Theatre Company
June 26 – 28: Firelight Children’s Theatre presents Three Piggy Opera and Peter Pan
July 10 -12: Cité des Arts presents the 2nd Annual Hub City Theatre FestivalJuly 18 – August 9: SAS and Shane Guilbeau Production
August 14 – August 30: Gnostic Coincidence, an original work by
Steven Cooper
September 4 – 20: Cité des Arts presents Greezy Spoon, an original work by Austin Sonnier, Jr.
September 25 – November 1: Alternating shows of the Cité des Arts’ production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Blaine Peltier and Discoproductions’ production of The Rocky Horror Show.
May 22 – June 7: Cité des Arts presents Proof
June 12 – 14: Multiplicity, a new original work of theatre by Ezra Istre
June 20 – 21: Theatre Production by The Foundry Theatre Company
June 26 – 28: Firelight Children’s Theatre presents Three Piggy Opera and Peter Pan
July 10 -12: Cité des Arts presents the 2nd Annual Hub City Theatre FestivalJuly 18 – August 9: SAS and Shane Guilbeau Production
August 14 – August 30: Gnostic Coincidence, an original work by
Steven Cooper
September 4 – 20: Cité des Arts presents Greezy Spoon, an original work by Austin Sonnier, Jr.
September 25 – November 1: Alternating shows of the Cité des Arts’ production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Blaine Peltier and Discoproductions’ production of The Rocky Horror Show.
Theatre--Performance
Cité des Arts continues this Thursday with the production of the Pulitzer Prize winning play, Proof. If you did not get out to see it on opening weekend, make sure you get your reservations in for one of the upcoming shows! The staff at Cité and the cast received wonderful feedback and comments from the audiences that were here this past weekend.
Written by David Auburn and directed by Christy Leichty, Proof features a great cast including Betty Boudreau, Steven Cooper, Kayla Lemaire and Bill Matthews. And the other star of the show is the set! Designed by Duncan Thistlethwaite with lighting designed by Will Moody, the back area and porch of a house which is the scene for the entire play, is inviting to everyone who walks in the door. It is well worth checking out!
The show runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm through Saturday,
June 7th.
WHEN: May 29 – 31, June 5 –7 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays), 7:30pm
WHERE: Cite Des Arts, 109 Vine Street, downtown Lafayette between
Jefferson St. and Third St.
ADMISSION: $15 for Adults; $10 for Senior Citizens and Students
For information and reservations, please call 291-1122
PLAY SYNOPSIS
The story focuses on Catherine, a troubled young woman who has spent years
caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now,
following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival
of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal a former student of
her father’s, who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her
father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and
the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult
problem of all: How much of her father’s madness – or genius will she inherit?
Written by David Auburn and directed by Christy Leichty, Proof features a great cast including Betty Boudreau, Steven Cooper, Kayla Lemaire and Bill Matthews. And the other star of the show is the set! Designed by Duncan Thistlethwaite with lighting designed by Will Moody, the back area and porch of a house which is the scene for the entire play, is inviting to everyone who walks in the door. It is well worth checking out!
The show runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm through Saturday,
June 7th.
WHEN: May 29 – 31, June 5 –7 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays), 7:30pm
WHERE: Cite Des Arts, 109 Vine Street, downtown Lafayette between
Jefferson St. and Third St.
ADMISSION: $15 for Adults; $10 for Senior Citizens and Students
For information and reservations, please call 291-1122
PLAY SYNOPSIS
The story focuses on Catherine, a troubled young woman who has spent years
caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now,
following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival
of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal a former student of
her father’s, who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her
father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and
the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult
problem of all: How much of her father’s madness – or genius will she inherit?
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Theatre--Review
Steel Magnolias, the Richard Harling dramedy about six women in Truvy’s Beauty Salon, is a staple of community theater across America. The show is filled with pithy one-liners, as well as personal conflict (this IS a beauty parlor after all) and more substantive themes of interpersonal relations (we are stuck with our family but can choose our friends) and the consequences of choices we make. It is especially endearing to Louisiana, as it is set in our very own Natchitoches. Made into a movie, and performed in virtually every theater venue in Acadiana, the Teche Theater of the Performing Arts gave its take on the show – and a successful take it was.
The ensemble cast was wonderful. Each actress took a personal slant on her character, her humor, and her own tragedy. By the end of the play, they seemed like friends of mine. While all six cast members were excellent, particularly outstanding were Erin Segura as Shelby and Denise Hodge as Ouiser. Segura’s character was a standout, maintaining the upstate accent throughout. She was assertive, flippant, and altogether modern in contrast to the other “ladies.” Hodge was a hysterical – from the moment she took the stage eyes focused on her bombastic, spitfire take on Ouiser. Hodge’s every line was given with confidence, character, and punch and got more than an appropriate laugh. I was surprised to find out during the curtain call that this was her very first time on stage … she seemed to be a veteran! Speaking of first timers, Director Ed “Tiger” Verdin was making his directorial debut. His staging was virtually flawless. The many levels of the stage, made it easy to see all characters from any point in the theater, so all were clearly heard and seen. Interestingly, a simple window frame and door frame separated the shop from the beautiful townscape outside … and did the job perfectly well. In the hands of a creative director and crew, such miracles are possible!
The Teche Theater, with its multiple levels of seating, was a perfect environment for this show and every member of the “house staff” made the audience feel welcome and part of the family. It is almost as though we were at Truvy’s Beauty Salon sitting in the “waiting seat” and next on the hot seat! Many consider Steel Magnolias a “chick show” and that it is. The audience was over 80% on the distaff side. But show is a chance for everyone (i.e., men) to look into this particular slice of the world, the people, and the problems in it.
--Donald "Doc" Voorhies
The ensemble cast was wonderful. Each actress took a personal slant on her character, her humor, and her own tragedy. By the end of the play, they seemed like friends of mine. While all six cast members were excellent, particularly outstanding were Erin Segura as Shelby and Denise Hodge as Ouiser. Segura’s character was a standout, maintaining the upstate accent throughout. She was assertive, flippant, and altogether modern in contrast to the other “ladies.” Hodge was a hysterical – from the moment she took the stage eyes focused on her bombastic, spitfire take on Ouiser. Hodge’s every line was given with confidence, character, and punch and got more than an appropriate laugh. I was surprised to find out during the curtain call that this was her very first time on stage … she seemed to be a veteran! Speaking of first timers, Director Ed “Tiger” Verdin was making his directorial debut. His staging was virtually flawless. The many levels of the stage, made it easy to see all characters from any point in the theater, so all were clearly heard and seen. Interestingly, a simple window frame and door frame separated the shop from the beautiful townscape outside … and did the job perfectly well. In the hands of a creative director and crew, such miracles are possible!
The Teche Theater, with its multiple levels of seating, was a perfect environment for this show and every member of the “house staff” made the audience feel welcome and part of the family. It is almost as though we were at Truvy’s Beauty Salon sitting in the “waiting seat” and next on the hot seat! Many consider Steel Magnolias a “chick show” and that it is. The audience was over 80% on the distaff side. But show is a chance for everyone (i.e., men) to look into this particular slice of the world, the people, and the problems in it.
--Donald "Doc" Voorhies
Friday, May 23, 2008
Theatre--Audition Cancellation
The following AUDITIONS have been CANCELLED at Cité des Arts for the one act comedy, The Lawyer Who Stopped Talking.
Saturday, May 24: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Sunday, May 25: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Monday, May 26: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
THESE WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED. Cite apologizes for any inconvenience.
Saturday, May 24: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Sunday, May 25: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Monday, May 26: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
THESE WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED. Cite apologizes for any inconvenience.
Theatre--Review
The Daily Advertiser is carrying Ray Blum's review of the IPAL production of The Queen of Bingo in the May 23rd edition.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Theatre--Audition
Auditions for The Lamp, a one act drama/comedy, will take place at Cite des Arts June 2nd and June 4th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. This play will be performed as part of the Hub City Theater Festival, July 10th-12th at Cité des Arts. The Lamp is an original piece by Cindy Brown.
The play includes 3 female characters and 2 male characters....
Charlene- A widow 45-55 years old
Ruby- Charlene's best friend, 45-55 years old
Loretta- another of Charlene's friends, 45-55 years old, attractive and vain,
speaks her mind
Genie- A male character probably over 40
Shawn- A male character quite a bit younger than Charlene
WHEN: Monday, June 2nd and Wednesday, June 4th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette between Jefferson St. and Third St.
For additional information please contact Cindy Brown at 839-9291 or
322-5166, or e-mail her at jasmine276@aol.com.
The play includes 3 female characters and 2 male characters....
Charlene- A widow 45-55 years old
Ruby- Charlene's best friend, 45-55 years old
Loretta- another of Charlene's friends, 45-55 years old, attractive and vain,
speaks her mind
Genie- A male character probably over 40
Shawn- A male character quite a bit younger than Charlene
WHEN: Monday, June 2nd and Wednesday, June 4th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette between Jefferson St. and Third St.
For additional information please contact Cindy Brown at 839-9291 or
322-5166, or e-mail her at jasmine276@aol.com.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Theatre--Auditions
Auditions will be held for the one act comedy, The Lawyer Who Stopped Talking, an original piece by Jim Phillips. The performance of this play will take place during the Hub City Theatre Festival, July 10-12th at Cité des Arts. Some characters will play multiple roles and some roles are non-speaking.
WHEN:Saturday, May 24: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Sunday, May 25: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Monday, May 26: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette, between Jefferson St. and Third St.
For additional information, please contact Jim Phillips at 337-290-1601.
Cast of Characters, The Lawyer Who Stopped Talking:
Tom Harris, Esquire: A man in his 30s-50s;
Scenes 1-4 The main character, a lawyer
Denise Harris: A woman in her late 20s-30s;
Scenes 1&4 Tom’s soon to be ex-wife
Maha Baba: A man in his late 40s-50s.
Scenes 1-4 Denise’s guru
Alice Barkley: A woman in her late 70s;
Scenes 2-4 Tom’s first devotee.
Director / Stage Manager: A man/woman in 20s-60s
Prologue
Bob: A man in his 20s-60s;
Scenes 1&4 Denise’s divorce lawyer.
Mr. Gunn: A man in his late 30s-40s;
Scenes 3&4 Detective
Sonia: A woman in her early 20s;
Scenes 1-4 Assistant detective
Lawyer No. 1: A man in his 30s-50s;
Scene 3 From Tom’s law firm
Lawyer No. 2: A man/woman in 30s-50s;
Scene 3 From Tom’s law firm
Television reporter: A man/woman in 20s-30s;
Scene 3
TV camera operator: A man/woman in 20s-30s;
Scene 3
Group of devotees: 6-10 men/women in their teens-50s
Scene 3
The Breather
Cloth Over Head
Tie-dyed Stretcher
Arrow Meditator
WHEN:Saturday, May 24: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Sunday, May 25: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Monday, May 26: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette, between Jefferson St. and Third St.
For additional information, please contact Jim Phillips at 337-290-1601.
Cast of Characters, The Lawyer Who Stopped Talking:
Tom Harris, Esquire: A man in his 30s-50s;
Scenes 1-4 The main character, a lawyer
Denise Harris: A woman in her late 20s-30s;
Scenes 1&4 Tom’s soon to be ex-wife
Maha Baba: A man in his late 40s-50s.
Scenes 1-4 Denise’s guru
Alice Barkley: A woman in her late 70s;
Scenes 2-4 Tom’s first devotee.
Director / Stage Manager: A man/woman in 20s-60s
Prologue
Bob: A man in his 20s-60s;
Scenes 1&4 Denise’s divorce lawyer.
Mr. Gunn: A man in his late 30s-40s;
Scenes 3&4 Detective
Sonia: A woman in her early 20s;
Scenes 1-4 Assistant detective
Lawyer No. 1: A man in his 30s-50s;
Scene 3 From Tom’s law firm
Lawyer No. 2: A man/woman in 30s-50s;
Scene 3 From Tom’s law firm
Television reporter: A man/woman in 20s-30s;
Scene 3
TV camera operator: A man/woman in 20s-30s;
Scene 3
Group of devotees: 6-10 men/women in their teens-50s
Scene 3
The Breather
Cloth Over Head
Tie-dyed Stretcher
Arrow Meditator
Monday, May 19, 2008
Theatre--Auditions
The Evangeline Players will produce the Neil Simon comedy The Odd Couple as part of their 2008-2009 season. Performances of this classic will be the first three weekends in August 2008. Vincent P. Barras will be directing and the parts of Felix and Oscar are pre-cast. They are searching for six supporting characters. There are four poker-playing buddies (males from 20s to 60s) who have small scenes in all three acts. There are two females needed to play the Pidgeon sisters from England, so British accents are important. The two females can be any age from 20s-40s.
Tryout dates are Monday, May 19th and Tuesday, May 20th from 6-8 pm. People do not need to be at both audition dates. If you cannot make those dates, please contact Vincent P. Barras at 519-0865 to make other arrangements.
Those cast will be notified and given scripts by May 23rd. Rehearsals will begin on Monday, June 9th, but the poker scenes as well as the Pidgeon sister scenes will rehearse one day a week for the first five weeks with more frequent rehearsals as we near opening night.
Tryout dates are Monday, May 19th and Tuesday, May 20th from 6-8 pm. People do not need to be at both audition dates. If you cannot make those dates, please contact Vincent P. Barras at 519-0865 to make other arrangements.
Those cast will be notified and given scripts by May 23rd. Rehearsals will begin on Monday, June 9th, but the poker scenes as well as the Pidgeon sister scenes will rehearse one day a week for the first five weeks with more frequent rehearsals as we near opening night.
Theatre--Performances
Set aside July 10 – 12, 2008 for the Second Annual Hub City Theater Festival.
After a successful 2007 premiere year, the Hub City Theatre Festival returns this summer with something for every theatre lover out there. Cité des Arts will again produce the event and HCTF director, Cara Hayden, is very excited about the number of submissions that have been received this year. According to Hayden, one of the main missions of this Festival was to create a sense of community among the theatres throughout the Acadiana area and also to provide the opportunity for the number of talented individuals in the area to submit original works.
Besides one-act theatre pieces, the Festival will also feature theatre workshops and presentations as well as showcase improv works. Information will be updated as the schedule comes together. Come celebrate a weekend of theater!
________________________________________________________________
After a successful 2007 premiere year, the Hub City Theatre Festival returns this summer with something for every theatre lover out there. Cité des Arts will again produce the event and HCTF director, Cara Hayden, is very excited about the number of submissions that have been received this year. According to Hayden, one of the main missions of this Festival was to create a sense of community among the theatres throughout the Acadiana area and also to provide the opportunity for the number of talented individuals in the area to submit original works.
Besides one-act theatre pieces, the Festival will also feature theatre workshops and presentations as well as showcase improv works. Information will be updated as the schedule comes together. Come celebrate a weekend of theater!
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Theatre--Performance
Cité des Arts theatre season continues with The Pulitzer Prize winning play, Proof.
Written by David Auburn and directed by Christy Leichty, Proof opens May 22nd for a three week run, closing on Saturday June 7th.
On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman,
has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathe-matician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal (a former student of her father’s), who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father’s madness – or genius will she inherit?
WHEN: May 22 – 31, June 5 –7 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays)
WHERE: Cite Des Arts, 109 Vine Street, downtown Lafayette between
Jefferson St. and Third St.
ADMISSION: $15 for Adults; $10 for Senior Citizens and Students
For information and reservations, please call 291-1122
Written by David Auburn and directed by Christy Leichty, Proof opens May 22nd for a three week run, closing on Saturday June 7th.
On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman,
has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathe-matician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal (a former student of her father’s), who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father’s madness – or genius will she inherit?
WHEN: May 22 – 31, June 5 –7 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays)
WHERE: Cite Des Arts, 109 Vine Street, downtown Lafayette between
Jefferson St. and Third St.
ADMISSION: $15 for Adults; $10 for Senior Citizens and Students
For information and reservations, please call 291-1122
Notice
This is just an announcement to let you all know that the next couple of weeks are going to be really busy for me (birthdays, graduations, etc.). I will do my best to keep the blog current, but I may be late updating. I'll be back as soon as I can.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Theatre--Review
Ray Blum has a review of the Abbey Players' production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile in the May 16th edition of the Daily Advertiser.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Theatre--Performance
The Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts has released the cast list for their production of Steel Magnolias, which will open on May 22nd. The cast will be:
Truvy: Faye Coots
Annelle: Julia Franks
Clariee: Allison Jones
Shelby: Erin Segura
M'Lynn: Mary Ann Fournier
Quiser: Denise Hodge
Truvy: Faye Coots
Annelle: Julia Franks
Clariee: Allison Jones
Shelby: Erin Segura
M'Lynn: Mary Ann Fournier
Quiser: Denise Hodge
Theatre--Article
The May 15 edition of the Daily Advertiser includes an article by Cody Daigle on the possibility of professional theatre in Lafayette. The article includes comments by Amy Waguespack (Acting Up in Acadiana)and Nyalls Hartmann (UL-Lafayette Department of Performing Arts), as well as Duncan Thistlethwaite and Cheryl Castille (Cite Des Arts) and others.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Theatre--Article
The May 12th edition of the Daily Advertiser has an article by Cody Daigle about the Lafayette Parish High School Arts Academy and the proposed changes to it.
There is also an article (also by Cody Daigle) about the new black box theatre which the Arts Academy students and teacher constructed from an old classroom.
There is also an article (also by Cody Daigle) about the new black box theatre which the Arts Academy students and teacher constructed from an old classroom.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
The Pulitzer Prize winning play Proof by David Auburn opens on May 22 for its three week run at Cite Des Arts.
On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathmatician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal a former student of her father's, who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all:How much of her father's madness or genius will she inherit?
Directed by Christy Leichty.
WHEN: May 22-31, June 5-7 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays)
For information and reservations, please call Cite at 291-1122
On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathmatician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal a former student of her father's, who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all:How much of her father's madness or genius will she inherit?
Directed by Christy Leichty.
WHEN: May 22-31, June 5-7 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays)
For information and reservations, please call Cite at 291-1122
Theatre--Performance
Dramatiks Productions presents A Dragon In The Mix, written by Sue Ann Gunn and directed by Jennifer Miller-Frank. In one large palace, combine a queen, her mother, ladies-in-waiting and assorted princesses. That's the recipe four mischievous fairies are cooking up in this witty fairy tale spoof. It is a one act comedy andfamily fun at its finest.
WHEN: May 16 &17, 2008 at 7:30 PM
WHERE: Cite Des Arts, 109 Vine Street, downtown Lafayette between
Jefferson St. and Third St.
ADMISSION: Adults, $10.00 ; Students and Senior Citizens $8.00
For additional information and reservations, please contact Cité at
337-291-1122
WHEN: May 16 &17, 2008 at 7:30 PM
WHERE: Cite Des Arts, 109 Vine Street, downtown Lafayette between
Jefferson St. and Third St.
ADMISSION: Adults, $10.00 ; Students and Senior Citizens $8.00
For additional information and reservations, please contact Cité at
337-291-1122
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Theatre--Audition
Bruce Coen is still looking for one male in his 20's and 2 males 40-60 for Multiplicity at Cite Des Arts. For information, call Bruce at 739-4389 or Cite at 291-112.
Theatre--Audition
Tryouts for The Odd Couple have Changed.
Tryout dates are Monday, May 19th and Tuesday, May 20th from 6-8 pm. People do not need to be at both rehearsal dates. If you cannot make those dates, or if you need more information about where the tryouts will be held, please contact Vincent P. Barras at 519-0865 to make other arrangements.
Tryout dates are Monday, May 19th and Tuesday, May 20th from 6-8 pm. People do not need to be at both rehearsal dates. If you cannot make those dates, or if you need more information about where the tryouts will be held, please contact Vincent P. Barras at 519-0865 to make other arrangements.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Theatre--Review
Patrick Marber’s Closer, produced by the University of Louisiana—Lafayette’s Department of Performing Arts at Fletcher Hall Auditorium is not a theatrical version on the well-known television program. It is a witty and biting dissection of what passes for romance in the modern era. It is for mature audiences. It succeeds as piece of art because it allows one to look to the lives of others and perhaps realize something meaningful to one’s own life. As Marber himself notes, he is “not concerned with the “good” or “bad” here, nor in passing judgment on the characters. This is what they said. This is what they did. How they behaved is really none of my business. The audience will see them as they like, and may well disagree with each other, but hopefully they’ll recognize something true.” Marber’s play won much recognition: the Olivier Award in London, The New York Critics Award, and two Tony nominations. UL-L’s presentation was up to that proud lineage.
It is characters and how they are brought to live by first-time director Sarah Gauthier that brings the show to life (and to what passes for love). The four-character ensemble plays their roles superbly both as individuals and in various pairing. No individual ever dominates. Allison Barron (Anna) and Sarah Hitchcock (Alice) play the female half of the relationships wonderfully, while Hunter Burke (Dan) and Blaine Peltier (Larry) play the male half strongly. As Anna, Barron is artistic, sophisticated, and yet vulnerable. She evokes sympathy throughout. Hitchcock’s Alice is common, dependent, wounded and simply “disarming.” Burke’s Dan, an “obit writer” comes full circle in the story. At first reserved, then dynamic, later wounded, and then reserved again, he evokes the fantasies (real and unreal) of many a man. His is the opening and the closing. Peltier’s Larry (a doctor in the story) is loud, bombastic, selfish, and yet sympathetic. He plays the part with bravado!
The emotions this group evokes are diverse. What are they so sad about? Love--or what passes for it. What happens in the course of the story? At the end, the characters are not so innocent anymore. Everyone says loving things to everyone. But they find that falling in love, not being in love, is what is addictive. After all of the humor, the arguments, the electricity, the excitement, the sad comment is “What do you have to do to get intimacy?” The greatness of this particular show, and the staging at UL-L, is that the characters--all of them—hurt, and make the audience hurt for and with them. By the end, it is not cartoon characters on stage; it is the real people for whom the audience can care. Little more can be asked from a night’s entertainment.
Production values are high. Jenna Fontenot’s set is minimalist, but invokes a strong sense of place. The set focuses attention on the characters rather than on itself. Meagan Mod’s choreography of the opening of Act II develops Alice’s character as much as her words do. And, again, Sarah Gauthier’s direction was right-on. The accents were consistently British, but not intrusive. Silence, touches and the lack thereof carried the real meanings as much as the words. Even the typing on a computer was done in character. The lighting, the music, the costumes focused attention on the characters and their development.
A word of warning: The language, the situations, the discussions are for mature adult audiences with strong adult content. Much would be “bleeped” on the airwaves! However nothing untoward “goes on” onstage. A thank you: In all of the publicity I saw concerning the play that was perfectly clear, and appropriate warnings (wisely) restricted the show to 17 years old and over! This show only plays two more night, May 9 and 10. If you are interested in a moving, thoughtful experience, by all means see it.
--Donald "Doc" Voorhies
It is characters and how they are brought to live by first-time director Sarah Gauthier that brings the show to life (and to what passes for love). The four-character ensemble plays their roles superbly both as individuals and in various pairing. No individual ever dominates. Allison Barron (Anna) and Sarah Hitchcock (Alice) play the female half of the relationships wonderfully, while Hunter Burke (Dan) and Blaine Peltier (Larry) play the male half strongly. As Anna, Barron is artistic, sophisticated, and yet vulnerable. She evokes sympathy throughout. Hitchcock’s Alice is common, dependent, wounded and simply “disarming.” Burke’s Dan, an “obit writer” comes full circle in the story. At first reserved, then dynamic, later wounded, and then reserved again, he evokes the fantasies (real and unreal) of many a man. His is the opening and the closing. Peltier’s Larry (a doctor in the story) is loud, bombastic, selfish, and yet sympathetic. He plays the part with bravado!
The emotions this group evokes are diverse. What are they so sad about? Love--or what passes for it. What happens in the course of the story? At the end, the characters are not so innocent anymore. Everyone says loving things to everyone. But they find that falling in love, not being in love, is what is addictive. After all of the humor, the arguments, the electricity, the excitement, the sad comment is “What do you have to do to get intimacy?” The greatness of this particular show, and the staging at UL-L, is that the characters--all of them—hurt, and make the audience hurt for and with them. By the end, it is not cartoon characters on stage; it is the real people for whom the audience can care. Little more can be asked from a night’s entertainment.
Production values are high. Jenna Fontenot’s set is minimalist, but invokes a strong sense of place. The set focuses attention on the characters rather than on itself. Meagan Mod’s choreography of the opening of Act II develops Alice’s character as much as her words do. And, again, Sarah Gauthier’s direction was right-on. The accents were consistently British, but not intrusive. Silence, touches and the lack thereof carried the real meanings as much as the words. Even the typing on a computer was done in character. The lighting, the music, the costumes focused attention on the characters and their development.
A word of warning: The language, the situations, the discussions are for mature adult audiences with strong adult content. Much would be “bleeped” on the airwaves! However nothing untoward “goes on” onstage. A thank you: In all of the publicity I saw concerning the play that was perfectly clear, and appropriate warnings (wisely) restricted the show to 17 years old and over! This show only plays two more night, May 9 and 10. If you are interested in a moving, thoughtful experience, by all means see it.
--Donald "Doc" Voorhies
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Theatre--Performance
The hilariously funny comic duo of Shane Guilbeau and Sandra LaBorde Broussard are returning to the Cité des Arts' stage with their productions of Grosbecs and Eulalie. This is a fundraiser for Comeaux and Lafayette High Schools Speech and Drama Clubs. The students receive all the funds brought in from these shows.
WHEN: Friday, May 9th at 7:30pm and Saturday, May 10th at 2:00pm and 7:30pm.
WHERE: Cite Des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette between Jefferson St. and Third St.
TICKET PRICES: $10.00
For reservations please call 337-291-1122.
WHEN: Friday, May 9th at 7:30pm and Saturday, May 10th at 2:00pm and 7:30pm.
WHERE: Cite Des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette between Jefferson St. and Third St.
TICKET PRICES: $10.00
For reservations please call 337-291-1122.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Theatre--Performance
Imagine if you will ... Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein, both in their early twenties, before either became well-known, just happen to meet by chance in a bar in Paris circa 1904. Picasso at the Lapin Agile, the long running Off-Broadway absurdist comedy, places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism. In his first comedy for the stage, Steve Martin (the popular actor and screenwriter) plays fast and loose with fact, fame and fortune as these two geniuses muse on the century's achievements and prospects as well as other fanciful topics with infectious dizziness. Bystanders, including Picasso's agent, the bartender and his mistress, Picasso's date, an elderly philosopher, Charles Dabernow Schmendimen and an idiot inventor introduce additional flourishes of humor. The final surprise patron to join the merriment at the Lapin Agile is a charismatic dark haired singer time warped in from a later era.
May 9th, 2008, 8pm is Patron's Premiere night! This event is open to the public. For $35.00, you get dinner served at 7 pm by a prominent Acadiana restaurant, two complimentary drinks from our antique bar, dessert and a ticket to the show. Regular performance tickets are $12.00 and run every Friday and Saturday from May 10th - June 14th at 8 pm.
Purchase tickets online or by calling 337 893 2442.
May 9th, 2008, 8pm is Patron's Premiere night! This event is open to the public. For $35.00, you get dinner served at 7 pm by a prominent Acadiana restaurant, two complimentary drinks from our antique bar, dessert and a ticket to the show. Regular performance tickets are $12.00 and run every Friday and Saturday from May 10th - June 14th at 8 pm.
Purchase tickets online or by calling 337 893 2442.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Theatre--Auditions
The Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts is holding auditions for its production of Annie Warbucks on May 26, 27, 28 and 29 at 7 pm. For more information, call 337-828-2787.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Theatre--Performance
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Department of Performing Arts presents Closer. Written by Patrick Marber and directed by Sarah Gauthier, the play follows a brilliant exploration into the brutal anatomy of modern romance, where a quartet of strangers meet, fall in love, and become caught up in a web of sexual desire and betrayal.
The play runs May 8, 9, and 10 in Fletcher Hall Auditorium at 7:30pm. It is free admission for all, but because of the strong Adult content, no one under the age of 17 will be admitted to the show.
The play runs May 8, 9, and 10 in Fletcher Hall Auditorium at 7:30pm. It is free admission for all, but because of the strong Adult content, no one under the age of 17 will be admitted to the show.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Theatre--Audition
This is very last minute, but the Acadia Players of Crowley are holding auditions for a play by Natalie E. White tonight until 8 pm. The cast requires 10 women and one man between the ages of 18-75. The auditions will be at the Rice Theatre (323 N. Parkerson Avenue, Crowley). For more information, call 788-1879.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Theatre--Auditions
The Evangeline Players will produce the Neil Simon comedy The Odd Couple as part of their 2008-2009 season. Performances of this classic will be the first three weekends in August 2008. Vincent P. Barras will be directing and the parts of Felix and Oscar are pre-cast. They are searching for six supporting characters. There are four poker-playing buddies (males from 20s to 60s) who have small scenes in all three acts. There are two females needed to play the Pidgeon sisters from England, so British accents are important. The two females can be any age from 20s-40s.
Tryout dates are Sunday, May 18th from 2-4 pm and Tuesday, May 20th from 6-8 pm. People do not need to be at both audition dates. If you cannot make those dates, please contact Vincent P. Barras at 519-0865 to make other arrangements.
Those cast will be notified and given scripts by May 23rd. Rehearsals will begin on Monday, June 9th, but the poker scenes as well as the Pidgeon sister scenes will rehearse one day a week for the first five weeks with more frequent rehearsals as we near opening night.
Tryout dates are Sunday, May 18th from 2-4 pm and Tuesday, May 20th from 6-8 pm. People do not need to be at both audition dates. If you cannot make those dates, please contact Vincent P. Barras at 519-0865 to make other arrangements.
Those cast will be notified and given scripts by May 23rd. Rehearsals will begin on Monday, June 9th, but the poker scenes as well as the Pidgeon sister scenes will rehearse one day a week for the first five weeks with more frequent rehearsals as we near opening night.
Theatre--Article
This is not a newly published article, but the Teche News website has an article written by Ken Grissom on April 4th about the Evangeline Players' production of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Opera--Performance
Herman Fusilier has an article about the upcoming production of Carmen by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and the UL-Lafayette College of the Arts in the April 29 edition of the Daily Advertiser.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Opera--Performance
Carmen, an opera by Georges Bizet will be performed in French with supertitles on May 1 and 3, 2008 at 7:30PM in the Ducrest-Gilfry Auditorium in Angelle Hall on the campus of UL Lafayette. This is a joint production between the Acadiana Symphony and the UL Lafayette College of the Arts. It tells the story of the ill-fated gypsy girl, Carmen, who through manipulation and sexuality, manages to get herself murdered by a extremely jealous lover. The cast will be made up of professional singers in the leading roles and UL Lafayette students in the secondary parts. The role of Carmen will portrayed by Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Edyta Kulczak of Poland. Tickets are available at the offices of the Acadiana Symphony. For more information, call ASO at 232-4277.
Theatre--Performance
The Lafayette Parish Arts Academy theatre students will demonstrate the versatility of their new back box theatre on Thursday, May 1st by performing Eugene Ionesco's The Lesson and WASP by Steve Martin (one-act plays). A gala is scheduled on Friday, May 2nd to mark the official opening of the facility. Food, beverages, as well as before-and-after photos will be provided that night. Performances on both dates will begin at 8 PM at the N.P. Moss Annex on 801 Mudd Ave. All are welcome to attend as well as donate to the Arts Academy Theatre Arts program (There is no admission fee, but a donation--suggested at $5--would be appreciated.). Please call 212-4471 for further information.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Theatre--Performance
IPAL will present The Queen of Bingo by Jeanne Michels and Phyllis Murphy as the closing production of the 2007-2008 season.
The play focuses on two sisters and their love of bingo. During the course of their regular bingo get together at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, they play, comment on the other players and reminisce about each other and the people in their lives. The two ladies complement each other and support each other in true sisterly fashion and on this one night share something new, confess secrets and find redemption.
The cast features Ava Mingo as Sis and Barbie Delhomme as Babe. Michael Durand directs and plays the part of Father Muldoon. Whether or not the audience members know or care about bingo, everyone should see someone they know in these two sisters.
The show opens on May 2 at 7:30 pm and will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday through May the 18th.
For more information, call IPAL at (337) 364-6114.
The play focuses on two sisters and their love of bingo. During the course of their regular bingo get together at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, they play, comment on the other players and reminisce about each other and the people in their lives. The two ladies complement each other and support each other in true sisterly fashion and on this one night share something new, confess secrets and find redemption.
The cast features Ava Mingo as Sis and Barbie Delhomme as Babe. Michael Durand directs and plays the part of Father Muldoon. Whether or not the audience members know or care about bingo, everyone should see someone they know in these two sisters.
The show opens on May 2 at 7:30 pm and will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday through May the 18th.
For more information, call IPAL at (337) 364-6114.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Theatre--Performance
Despite the fact that this is the weekend of Festival International de Louisiane and most people think of music, there will be a lot of theatre and dance happening in the area connected to Festival.
PASA and Cite Des Arts are presenting John Bray's Trickster at the Gate, an original show, as part of The Big Read. Special Festival showtimes are 7 pm on both Friday and Saturday.
Acting Up (in Acadiana) is presenting 2 shows at the LUS Pavillon de Cuisine. The first, which will begin on Friday night at 7:15, is a one time production of Sustained Winds, an original show which the company has performed in New York. The second, which will be performed at the same venue on Saturday at 2:30 pm is Avon Lady.
The UL-Lafayette Department of Performing Arts will present a number of dance pieces at the LUS Pavillon de Cuisine. On Saturday, April 26th, the dancers will present Their Tongue, She Held a Sign in the Heir, and Windowpain at 1 pm. At 8 pm the same day, they will perform Manic. On Sunday, April 27th, the dancers will perform VIM and Get Over It at the same venue at 1 pm. That evening, they will perform Dissolve and Breaking the Mold at 4:00 pm and Transforming Embrace at 5:45 pm.
Fianlly, completely unconnected to Festival, the Opelousas Little Theatre is presenting the final weekend on You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
PASA and Cite Des Arts are presenting John Bray's Trickster at the Gate, an original show, as part of The Big Read. Special Festival showtimes are 7 pm on both Friday and Saturday.
Acting Up (in Acadiana) is presenting 2 shows at the LUS Pavillon de Cuisine. The first, which will begin on Friday night at 7:15, is a one time production of Sustained Winds, an original show which the company has performed in New York. The second, which will be performed at the same venue on Saturday at 2:30 pm is Avon Lady.
The UL-Lafayette Department of Performing Arts will present a number of dance pieces at the LUS Pavillon de Cuisine. On Saturday, April 26th, the dancers will present Their Tongue, She Held a Sign in the Heir, and Windowpain at 1 pm. At 8 pm the same day, they will perform Manic. On Sunday, April 27th, the dancers will perform VIM and Get Over It at the same venue at 1 pm. That evening, they will perform Dissolve and Breaking the Mold at 4:00 pm and Transforming Embrace at 5:45 pm.
Fianlly, completely unconnected to Festival, the Opelousas Little Theatre is presenting the final weekend on You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Theatre--Review
Ray Blum reviews Lafayette High School's production of Guys and Dolls in the April 25th edition of the Daily Advertiser.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Theatre--Workshop
Dana Reed’s Summer Theatre Camp is back again this year and the Opelousas Little Theatre campers will produce the hit production Charlotte’s Web. Unlike the OLT season show, which is a musical, this production will only use the campers to produce, act and work the non-musical show of Charlotte’s Web. Campers ages range from 7 – 17 and will start camp Wednesday, May 16th at 6pm and Saturday, May 19th from 10am – 12noon. Our regular camp schedule starting June 4 & 7, will be Mondays and Thursdays 1pm – 5pm at the Opelousas Little Theatre. The production will be held August 2, 3, 4 at 7pm and August 5th as a 2pm matinee. For more information, call 351-2591
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Theatre--Review
The newest reviewer for the blog is Cody Daigle. Cody is a playwright and former Lafayette Parish Arts Academy theatre instructor. His plays The Last Night of the World, Life/Play, and Providence have been produced in New York, and many of his plays have been seen locally. He is currently a reporter for The Daily Advertiser.
The Eunice Players' production of Alfred Uhry's The Last Night of Ballyhoo is awash in a quality often missing these days in the theatre – charm. From its opening moments, this production works hard to win us over, and it does so without feeling forced or pushy. It's an ingratiating production that never becomes grating, and by evening's end we're glad to have made its acquaintance.
The Last Night of Ballyhoo, the 1997 Tony-winner for Best Play, takes place in the Atlanta home of Adolph Freitag (Wesley Saunders), who lives with his two sisters, Reba (Deborah Ardoin) and Boo (Jody Powell). Boo's daughter Lala (Claire Anding) has returned home after a disastrous semester at college, and Boo is determined to set her back on track in Atlanta's social circles. Her plan centers around getting Lala the perfect date for Ballyhoo, an annual dance for the wealthiest of Atlanta's Jewish population. Complicating matters is the visit of Reba's daughter Sunny (Abby Deger) from Wellesley and the appearance of Joe Farkas (Gabe Ortego), a Jewish boy from New York recently employed by Adolph's bedding company.
From there, the play follows typical romantic comedy plot turns. Lala falls for Joe, while Joe falls for Sunny. Boo contrives to get a good Jewish boy from Lake Charles named Peachy (Ryan Buxton) in for Ballyhoo. Adolph tries to dodge the romantic entanglements brewing under his roof, and Reba spouts a seemingly endless supply of priceless Uhry one-liners.
The best acting on stage comes from the trio of Saunders, Powell, and Ardoin. These three ground the production and do an excellent job capturing the buoyant spirit of the play. The time these three spend on stage together is a delight, and I was always eager for their return. Ardoin in particular delivers the goods, giving Reba a warmth and poignancy that elevated her above just being comic relief.
Among the younger cast members, Ortego turns in a confident performance as Joe, and Buxton makes an impression with the show's smallest role. Anding and Deger both do nice work in the show's ingénue roles, but their footing falters when the play hits its more somber notes.
And it is in those moments when the production itself fails to impress. The beauty of Ballyhoo lies in Uhry's ability to puncture the comedy with moments of real emotional force – the bitter confrontation between cousins at the close of Act One, a deeply moving recollection by Sunny in Act Two – without which the play loses an important texture. These moments are never fully realized in this production, and one wishes for the opportunity to peek past the charming exteriors of the characters into their darker, less comfortable spaces.
Because, while the bulk of the narrative traffics in "Who will ask who to Ballyhoo?" romantic comedy, Uhry's real focus is deeper -- the assimilation of American Jews in the South prior to WWII. Beneath the fuss over dresses, dates, and Ballyhoos past, the play lays bare the systematic peeling away of the family's Jewish identity and the brutal prejudices that surface once that identity is taken away.
In one of the play's pivotal scenes, Sunny tells Joe, "There's a hole in me where Judaism should be." That hole exists in each of the central characters, and without experiencing the wreckage that absence leaves behind, the audience never feels the full impact of Uhry's message. Without rough edges, Ballyhoo never gets under our skin, which is where it aims to be.
That aside, the production remains a delight. Ortego (doing double-duty as director with Angie LaCalle) has put together a good-looking and entertaining evening of theatre. The Eunice Players have done a commendable job with a difficult play, and I left the theatre eager to see what they'd do next.
Long on charm, this Ballyhoo will leave you smiling.
--Cody Daigle
The Eunice Players' production of Alfred Uhry's The Last Night of Ballyhoo is awash in a quality often missing these days in the theatre – charm. From its opening moments, this production works hard to win us over, and it does so without feeling forced or pushy. It's an ingratiating production that never becomes grating, and by evening's end we're glad to have made its acquaintance.
The Last Night of Ballyhoo, the 1997 Tony-winner for Best Play, takes place in the Atlanta home of Adolph Freitag (Wesley Saunders), who lives with his two sisters, Reba (Deborah Ardoin) and Boo (Jody Powell). Boo's daughter Lala (Claire Anding) has returned home after a disastrous semester at college, and Boo is determined to set her back on track in Atlanta's social circles. Her plan centers around getting Lala the perfect date for Ballyhoo, an annual dance for the wealthiest of Atlanta's Jewish population. Complicating matters is the visit of Reba's daughter Sunny (Abby Deger) from Wellesley and the appearance of Joe Farkas (Gabe Ortego), a Jewish boy from New York recently employed by Adolph's bedding company.
From there, the play follows typical romantic comedy plot turns. Lala falls for Joe, while Joe falls for Sunny. Boo contrives to get a good Jewish boy from Lake Charles named Peachy (Ryan Buxton) in for Ballyhoo. Adolph tries to dodge the romantic entanglements brewing under his roof, and Reba spouts a seemingly endless supply of priceless Uhry one-liners.
The best acting on stage comes from the trio of Saunders, Powell, and Ardoin. These three ground the production and do an excellent job capturing the buoyant spirit of the play. The time these three spend on stage together is a delight, and I was always eager for their return. Ardoin in particular delivers the goods, giving Reba a warmth and poignancy that elevated her above just being comic relief.
Among the younger cast members, Ortego turns in a confident performance as Joe, and Buxton makes an impression with the show's smallest role. Anding and Deger both do nice work in the show's ingénue roles, but their footing falters when the play hits its more somber notes.
And it is in those moments when the production itself fails to impress. The beauty of Ballyhoo lies in Uhry's ability to puncture the comedy with moments of real emotional force – the bitter confrontation between cousins at the close of Act One, a deeply moving recollection by Sunny in Act Two – without which the play loses an important texture. These moments are never fully realized in this production, and one wishes for the opportunity to peek past the charming exteriors of the characters into their darker, less comfortable spaces.
Because, while the bulk of the narrative traffics in "Who will ask who to Ballyhoo?" romantic comedy, Uhry's real focus is deeper -- the assimilation of American Jews in the South prior to WWII. Beneath the fuss over dresses, dates, and Ballyhoos past, the play lays bare the systematic peeling away of the family's Jewish identity and the brutal prejudices that surface once that identity is taken away.
In one of the play's pivotal scenes, Sunny tells Joe, "There's a hole in me where Judaism should be." That hole exists in each of the central characters, and without experiencing the wreckage that absence leaves behind, the audience never feels the full impact of Uhry's message. Without rough edges, Ballyhoo never gets under our skin, which is where it aims to be.
That aside, the production remains a delight. Ortego (doing double-duty as director with Angie LaCalle) has put together a good-looking and entertaining evening of theatre. The Eunice Players have done a commendable job with a difficult play, and I left the theatre eager to see what they'd do next.
Long on charm, this Ballyhoo will leave you smiling.
--Cody Daigle
Monday, April 21, 2008
Dance--Performance
In connection with Festival International de Louisiane, the UL-Lafayette Department of Performing Arts will present a number of dance pieces at the LUS Pavillon de Cuisine.
On Saturday, April 26th, the dancers will present Their Tongue, She Held a Sign in the Heir, and Windowpain at 1 pm. At 8 pm the same day, they will perform Manic.
On Sunday, April 27th, the dancers will perform VIM and Get Over It at the same venue at 1 pm. That evening, they will perform Dissolve and Breaking the Mold at 4:00 pm and Transforming Embrace at 5:45 pm.
For the full Festival International schedule, see here.
On Saturday, April 26th, the dancers will present Their Tongue, She Held a Sign in the Heir, and Windowpain at 1 pm. At 8 pm the same day, they will perform Manic.
On Sunday, April 27th, the dancers will perform VIM and Get Over It at the same venue at 1 pm. That evening, they will perform Dissolve and Breaking the Mold at 4:00 pm and Transforming Embrace at 5:45 pm.
For the full Festival International schedule, see here.
Theatre--Performance
In connection with Festival International de Louisiane, Acting Up will present Sustained Winds, an original work, at the LUS Pavillon de Cuisine at 7:15 pm on Friday, April 25th.
Acting Up will also present Avon Lady at the same venue on Sunday, April 27th at 2:30pm.
For the full Festival schedule, see here.
Acting Up will also present Avon Lady at the same venue on Sunday, April 27th at 2:30pm.
For the full Festival schedule, see here.
Theatre--Performance
In connection with Festival International de Louisiane, PASA and Cite Des Arts are presenting John Patrick Bray's original Trickster at the Gate. Performances will be Friday, April 25th and Saturday, April 26th at 7:00 pm. For more information, tickets or reservations, call Cite Des Arts at 291-1122.
For the full Festival schedule, see here.
For the full Festival schedule, see here.
Opera--Article
There is a short article about the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra/UL College of the Arts production of Carmen in the April 21st edition of the Daily Advertiser.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Opera--Article
Lifestyle magazine has an article about Carmen, (the opera to be produced in collaboration by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and the UL-Lafayette College of the Arts) in the April-May edition.
Theatre--Review
Ray Blum of the Daily Advertiser reviews Searching for Eden: Adam and Eve in the April 18th edition of the paper.
Theatre--Summer Camp
Firelight Children's Theatre announces its schedule for Summer Camps 2008. The T'Lights Camp (ages 4-8) will present The Three Piggy Opera. This camp will run from June 16-26 at 2p.m.-3:30p.m.
Firelight Children's Theatre Camp (9 and up) will work on a production of Peter Pan from June 9-26, 2008 at 9a.m.-1p.m.
Performances of both shows will be at Cite' des Arts beginning on June 27 and running through the 29th.
For more information,see Firelight Children's Theatre online or call (337) 856-0595.
Firelight Children's Theatre Camp (9 and up) will work on a production of Peter Pan from June 9-26, 2008 at 9a.m.-1p.m.
Performances of both shows will be at Cite' des Arts beginning on June 27 and running through the 29th.
For more information,see Firelight Children's Theatre online or call (337) 856-0595.
Theatre--Review
This is the first review by Donald "Doc" Voorhies. Doc has been active as a player and director with both Evangeline Players and IPAL since 2006. He most recently directed Little Shop of Horrors in New Iberia and is presently in To Kill a Mockingbird in St. Martinville.
Guys and Dolls, the legendary Frank Loesser musical, is fifty-eight. But as presented by Lafayette High School as its spring musical, it has a vitality, excitement, and quality that makes every moment a joy! Guys and Dolls tells the story of Nathan Detroit, a New York City Gambler, and his fiancée (for 14 years) Adelaide. The plot centers on Nathan’s efforts to find a place for “the game” and Adelaide’s efforts to get Nathan to actually marry her. Filled with great musical numbers, including at least five songs that became (what used to be called) hits, it provides great humor, great dance, and great song.
The large cast of students at Lafayette High certainly lived up to the potential of the show. Leading the cast was Josh Coen as Nathan and Alex Hollerman as Adelaide. Coen’s singing and acting brought out the schemer in Nathan, and entertained the audience throughout. Hollerman was simply sensational as Adelaide – whether belting out songs like “Bushel and a Peck” or enthralling the audience with the humor and melodies of “Adelaide’s Lament,” her accent (remarkable), stage presence (formidable) and abilities (numerous) brought down the house. These leads were ably assisted by Jared Price as Sky Masterson and Alicia Neto as Sarah Brown who gave a most realistic interpretation of the secondary love story and by Phillip Boudreaux, Josef Rowe, and Johnny Johnson as sidekicks and co-conspirators with Detroit. Seth Minix was perfect as the serious Arvide.
Production values were high. Particularly well executed in this production were the large (very large) production numbers like “Bushel and a Peck” and “Take Back Your Mink” (doll night club numbers) and “Luck Be a Lady” (guy dance number) and “Havana” (a night club number). These were done with humor, originality, and dancing skill remarkable for high school students. The set and costumes were evocative of the 50’s era, and transitions between the many and varied scenes were virtually instantaneous. The rather large band was “right on” and did not overwhelm and singers on stage. Both the overture and exit music were an enjoyable concert in their own right. Bravo!
Director Paula Horn is to be congratulated for such an ambitious undertaking, done with such fidelity to the original. The discipline and coordination of the cast, stage crew, and musicians was remarkable. Choreographer Allison Barron, musical directors Holly Grefe and Marcus McCullough, and band director Scotty Walker brought the kids in the show up to a standard not always reached in a High School Musical. In the finale the entire cast (I believe over 70) was on stage and it was a remarkable sight to see! Luck was a lady to me and other theatergoers that night!
--Donald "Doc" Voorhies
Guys and Dolls, the legendary Frank Loesser musical, is fifty-eight. But as presented by Lafayette High School as its spring musical, it has a vitality, excitement, and quality that makes every moment a joy! Guys and Dolls tells the story of Nathan Detroit, a New York City Gambler, and his fiancée (for 14 years) Adelaide. The plot centers on Nathan’s efforts to find a place for “the game” and Adelaide’s efforts to get Nathan to actually marry her. Filled with great musical numbers, including at least five songs that became (what used to be called) hits, it provides great humor, great dance, and great song.
The large cast of students at Lafayette High certainly lived up to the potential of the show. Leading the cast was Josh Coen as Nathan and Alex Hollerman as Adelaide. Coen’s singing and acting brought out the schemer in Nathan, and entertained the audience throughout. Hollerman was simply sensational as Adelaide – whether belting out songs like “Bushel and a Peck” or enthralling the audience with the humor and melodies of “Adelaide’s Lament,” her accent (remarkable), stage presence (formidable) and abilities (numerous) brought down the house. These leads were ably assisted by Jared Price as Sky Masterson and Alicia Neto as Sarah Brown who gave a most realistic interpretation of the secondary love story and by Phillip Boudreaux, Josef Rowe, and Johnny Johnson as sidekicks and co-conspirators with Detroit. Seth Minix was perfect as the serious Arvide.
Production values were high. Particularly well executed in this production were the large (very large) production numbers like “Bushel and a Peck” and “Take Back Your Mink” (doll night club numbers) and “Luck Be a Lady” (guy dance number) and “Havana” (a night club number). These were done with humor, originality, and dancing skill remarkable for high school students. The set and costumes were evocative of the 50’s era, and transitions between the many and varied scenes were virtually instantaneous. The rather large band was “right on” and did not overwhelm and singers on stage. Both the overture and exit music were an enjoyable concert in their own right. Bravo!
Director Paula Horn is to be congratulated for such an ambitious undertaking, done with such fidelity to the original. The discipline and coordination of the cast, stage crew, and musicians was remarkable. Choreographer Allison Barron, musical directors Holly Grefe and Marcus McCullough, and band director Scotty Walker brought the kids in the show up to a standard not always reached in a High School Musical. In the finale the entire cast (I believe over 70) was on stage and it was a remarkable sight to see! Luck was a lady to me and other theatergoers that night!
--Donald "Doc" Voorhies
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Theatre--Black Box Opening
With the help of the students, the Theatre Arts classroom (formerly an old band and storage room) has been transformed into a fully-functional “black box” performance facility ideal for intimate pro-ductions. The students will demonstrate the versatility of their new theatre on Thursday, May 1st as they perform one-act plays by Eugene Ionesco and Steve Martin. A gala is scheduled on Friday, May 2nd to mark the official opening of the facility. Food, beverages, as well as before-and-after photos will be provided that night. Performances on both dates will begin at 8 PM at the N.P. Moss Annex on 801 Mudd Ave. All are welcome to attend as well as donate to the Arts Academy Theatre Arts program (There is no admission fee, but a donation--suggested at $5--would be appreciated.). Please call 212-4471 for further information.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Theatre--Performance
Lafayette High School will present Guys and Dolls, beginning with two school performances on April 16th and 17th at 9:15 am at Lafayette High. Tickets for those performances will be $5.00.
The evening opening performance will be on Thursday, April 17th and run through Saturday the 19th. The shows will start at 7 pm. Tickets will be $10.
For more information, call (337)984-4327.
The evening opening performance will be on Thursday, April 17th and run through Saturday the 19th. The shows will start at 7 pm. Tickets will be $10.
For more information, call (337)984-4327.
Theatre--Performance
Cite des Arts is proud to host the world premier of John P. Bray’s Trickster at the Gate, an original play based on the work of Zora Neal Hurston. Commissioned by PASA to coincide with The Big Read Acadiana, Trickster has the feel of African folk tales set in Louisiana and takes the audience on a journey through theater, poetry, art and dance.
Trickster runs April 17,18,19 at 7:30 and during Festivals International. COST: $15.00 for adults; $10.00 for senior citizens 65+ and students of any age. For additional information or reservations, please call 337-291-1122.
Please check www.pasa-online.org for additional information about The Big Read Acadiana and the events associated with it.
Trickster runs April 17,18,19 at 7:30 and during Festivals International. COST: $15.00 for adults; $10.00 for senior citizens 65+ and students of any age. For additional information or reservations, please call 337-291-1122.
Please check www.pasa-online.org for additional information about The Big Read Acadiana and the events associated with it.
Theatre--Review
Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird presents a host of challenges to any theater company willing to take it on. The script calls for at least twenty characters and more, if the courtroom and other scenes are fleshed out with spectators; crucial roles must be handled by children actors, and the play is rife with the difficult subject matters of Jim Crow racism, and sexual content and multiple tableaus of a whole community, with scene shifts to a courtroom interior, a jailhouse exterior, woodlands on a stormy night and more, must somehow be conveyed to support the dramatic action.
The Evangeline Players, under the direction of Mac Stearns and his assistant Steven “Smitty” Smith, Jr. took on all of these challenges and won, presenting a compelling and entertaining show at the DuChamp Opera House in St. Martinville.
Fine acting was evident from the get-go: Katherine Caffery’s narration as the reminiscing adult Jean Louise Finch was spot on; Carmen Nicholson’s rip-roaring take on the eccentric Mrs. Henry Lafayette DuBose was an absolute delight to watch, Vincent Barras’ composed and controlled Atticus Finch, especially in the monumental summation to the jury, was powerful without being showy. Most of all, and most startling because of her young age, the absolutely amazing performance by Anne Caffery as the young “Scout” was a tour-de-force. Her control, her sense of the character, her range, her in-the-moment realness throughout was stunning. The play more or less rests on the young shoulders of any actress cast in that role, and Anne Caffery shouldered that load with the aplomb and finesse of someone way past her years. Bravo!
The set was efficient and the limited space of the DuChamp stage was well used. The audience got the sense of the Finch neighborhood and the town as the action moved from location to location. Particularly impressive was the efficient shift to the courtroom scene and back, with the many actors moving in precise choreography, taking set pieces on and off with the smoothness of a well-rehearsed dance. Well done!
The Evangeline Players have once again given local theater fans a compelling reason to make the drive down to St. Martinville’s DuChamp Opera house for a fine evening of entertainment. Mark your calendars for the upcoming The Odd Couple, which opens in August there. If To Kill A Mockingbird is any guide, it will be a “not-to-be-missed” offering.
--Duncan Thistlethwaite
The Evangeline Players, under the direction of Mac Stearns and his assistant Steven “Smitty” Smith, Jr. took on all of these challenges and won, presenting a compelling and entertaining show at the DuChamp Opera House in St. Martinville.
Fine acting was evident from the get-go: Katherine Caffery’s narration as the reminiscing adult Jean Louise Finch was spot on; Carmen Nicholson’s rip-roaring take on the eccentric Mrs. Henry Lafayette DuBose was an absolute delight to watch, Vincent Barras’ composed and controlled Atticus Finch, especially in the monumental summation to the jury, was powerful without being showy. Most of all, and most startling because of her young age, the absolutely amazing performance by Anne Caffery as the young “Scout” was a tour-de-force. Her control, her sense of the character, her range, her in-the-moment realness throughout was stunning. The play more or less rests on the young shoulders of any actress cast in that role, and Anne Caffery shouldered that load with the aplomb and finesse of someone way past her years. Bravo!
The set was efficient and the limited space of the DuChamp stage was well used. The audience got the sense of the Finch neighborhood and the town as the action moved from location to location. Particularly impressive was the efficient shift to the courtroom scene and back, with the many actors moving in precise choreography, taking set pieces on and off with the smoothness of a well-rehearsed dance. Well done!
The Evangeline Players have once again given local theater fans a compelling reason to make the drive down to St. Martinville’s DuChamp Opera house for a fine evening of entertainment. Mark your calendars for the upcoming The Odd Couple, which opens in August there. If To Kill A Mockingbird is any guide, it will be a “not-to-be-missed” offering.
--Duncan Thistlethwaite
Theatre--Performance
The Eunice Players are presenting The Last Night of Ballyhoo on April 14th and the 17th through the 20th. The show on the 14th is a dinner theatre and begins at 6 pm. The shows on the 17th through the 19th begin at 7 pm. For ticket prices and more information, call (337) 457-3330.
The comedy-drama is set in the upper class German-Jewish society of Atlanta, Georgia in December 1939. Hitler is invading Poland, Gone with the Wind is about to premiere, and Adolph Freitag (owner of the Dixie Bedding Company) and his sister Boo and nieces Lala and Sunny - a Jewish family so highly assimilated they have a Christmas tree in the front parlor - is looking forward to Ballyhoo, a lavish cotillion sponsored by their restrictive country club. Adolph's employee Joe Farkas is an attractive eligible bachelor and an Eastern European Jew, familiar with prejudice but unable to fathom its existence within his own religious community. His presence prompts college student Sunny to examine intra-ethnic bias, her Jewish identity (or lack thereof), and the beliefs with which she's been raised.
Originally a series of vignettes, each featuring a different member family of the city's exclusive Standard Club, Ballyhoo was inspired by the playwright's childhood memories. It was commissioned by the Olympic Arts Festival for the 1996 Summer Olympics and was staged at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre that year. In revising the play for a New York City opening, the playwright opted to focus solely on the Freitags and expanded their storyline into two acts.
The comedy-drama is set in the upper class German-Jewish society of Atlanta, Georgia in December 1939. Hitler is invading Poland, Gone with the Wind is about to premiere, and Adolph Freitag (owner of the Dixie Bedding Company) and his sister Boo and nieces Lala and Sunny - a Jewish family so highly assimilated they have a Christmas tree in the front parlor - is looking forward to Ballyhoo, a lavish cotillion sponsored by their restrictive country club. Adolph's employee Joe Farkas is an attractive eligible bachelor and an Eastern European Jew, familiar with prejudice but unable to fathom its existence within his own religious community. His presence prompts college student Sunny to examine intra-ethnic bias, her Jewish identity (or lack thereof), and the beliefs with which she's been raised.
Originally a series of vignettes, each featuring a different member family of the city's exclusive Standard Club, Ballyhoo was inspired by the playwright's childhood memories. It was commissioned by the Olympic Arts Festival for the 1996 Summer Olympics and was staged at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre that year. In revising the play for a New York City opening, the playwright opted to focus solely on the Freitags and expanded their storyline into two acts.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Theatre--Workshopping
Cite Des Arts is starting a new event, the Monday Night Reads. The Reads occur once a month. The purpose of this evening is to provide writers the opportunity to hear their new pieces, whether finished or works in progress, read out loud to an audience and then given feedback by the audience members.
The first one kicks off this Monday evening, April 14th, at 7:00 pm with a reading of The Lawyer Who Stopped Talking, written by Jim Phillips. This is a one-act play that is being submitted to this year’s Hub City Theatre Festival.
WHAT: The Monday Night Reads
WHEN: Monday, April 14th at 7:00pm
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., Downtown Lafayette, between Jefferson St. and Third St.
For additional information, please call Cité at 337-291-1122
The first one kicks off this Monday evening, April 14th, at 7:00 pm with a reading of The Lawyer Who Stopped Talking, written by Jim Phillips. This is a one-act play that is being submitted to this year’s Hub City Theatre Festival.
WHAT: The Monday Night Reads
WHEN: Monday, April 14th at 7:00pm
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., Downtown Lafayette, between Jefferson St. and Third St.
For additional information, please call Cité at 337-291-1122
Theatre--Article
Herman Fusilier has written an article about the upcoming Lafayette High production of Guys and Dolls in the April 11th edition of the Daily Advertiser.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Theatre--Performance
The 2007-2008 season of the Abbey Players will close with Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin (anticipated run, May 9 – June 20).
The play involves an imaginary meeting of Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein at a quaint bar in Paris in 1904, before either of the gentlemen had achieved fame. They talk of life, love, art and science and poke fun at themselves, the people in the bar and the world in general. A visitor from the future appears near the end and puts everyone’s life and dreams back into perspective. It’s a fun comedy sprinkled with the humor of Steve Martin.
Jerrod Arabie- Director
Pamela Broussard- Assistant Director
Jack Sorenson- Schmendimen
Mattie Hartman- Suzanne
Mickey Atchetee- Einstein
Nathan Bodin- Picasso
Bob LeMaire- Gaston
Angelle Bellard- Germaine
Lydia Soileau- Countess/Woman
Scott Meddows- Freddy
Chris DeShazo- Singer/Elvis
Bob Sidman – Sagot
The play involves an imaginary meeting of Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein at a quaint bar in Paris in 1904, before either of the gentlemen had achieved fame. They talk of life, love, art and science and poke fun at themselves, the people in the bar and the world in general. A visitor from the future appears near the end and puts everyone’s life and dreams back into perspective. It’s a fun comedy sprinkled with the humor of Steve Martin.
Jerrod Arabie- Director
Pamela Broussard- Assistant Director
Jack Sorenson- Schmendimen
Mattie Hartman- Suzanne
Mickey Atchetee- Einstein
Nathan Bodin- Picasso
Bob LeMaire- Gaston
Angelle Bellard- Germaine
Lydia Soileau- Countess/Woman
Scott Meddows- Freddy
Chris DeShazo- Singer/Elvis
Bob Sidman – Sagot
Theatre--Performance
Not My Child will be performed by Lynda's Drama Company at the Rice Theater (328 N. Parkerson Ave.) in Crowley. This funny, yet heartfelt, real life play unwraps the story of three teen girls fighting a life of drugs, sex and adult responsibility. The show was written and directed by Lynda Carmouche.
The show opens on Friday, April 11th at 7:30 pm. It runs through Sunday, April 13th.
For show times,ticket prices and availability or more information, call (337) 593-8642.
The show opens on Friday, April 11th at 7:30 pm. It runs through Sunday, April 13th.
For show times,ticket prices and availability or more information, call (337) 593-8642.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Theatre--Performance
The Opelousas Little Theatre is presenting You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown beginning on April 10th and running Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through April 26 at 7 pm. There will be two additional matinees at Sunday the 13th and 20th at 2 pm. All seats are $10.
A program note says that the time of the action is "an average day in the life of Charlie Brown." It really is just that, a day made up of little moments picked from all the days of Charlie Brown, from Valentine's Day to the baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair, all mixed in with the lives of his friends (both human and non-human) and strung together on the string of a single day, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening.
For more information, call 308-7108 or visit the Opelousas Little Theatre online.
A program note says that the time of the action is "an average day in the life of Charlie Brown." It really is just that, a day made up of little moments picked from all the days of Charlie Brown, from Valentine's Day to the baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair, all mixed in with the lives of his friends (both human and non-human) and strung together on the string of a single day, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening.
For more information, call 308-7108 or visit the Opelousas Little Theatre online.
Theatre--Performance
Omni Artiste Productions continues its Spring 2008 season with Searching for Eden: Adam and Eve. The play is a modern twist on Mark Twain's The Diaries of Adam and Eve.
Public performances for Searching for Eden: Adam and Eve are scheduled for April 11th and 12th at 7:30 p.m., April 13th at 3 p.m., April 18th and 19th at 7:30 p.m. and April 20th at 3:00 p.m. on the Second Stage at Cite’ des Arts.
Cite’ des Arts is located in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana at 109 Vine Street. Ticket prices are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students and Seniors. A $5.00 discount per ticket applies when tickets are purchased in advance. For more information and group discounts, call Cite’ des Arts at 337-291-1122.
Public performances for Searching for Eden: Adam and Eve are scheduled for April 11th and 12th at 7:30 p.m., April 13th at 3 p.m., April 18th and 19th at 7:30 p.m. and April 20th at 3:00 p.m. on the Second Stage at Cite’ des Arts.
Cite’ des Arts is located in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana at 109 Vine Street. Ticket prices are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students and Seniors. A $5.00 discount per ticket applies when tickets are purchased in advance. For more information and group discounts, call Cite’ des Arts at 337-291-1122.
Theatre--Performance
TheatreworksUSA presents at the Heymann Center at 10 am on April
8th a sparkling musical revue based on popular children's books, including:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (by Laura Joffe Numeroff) When a boy shares his snack with a hungry, demanding mouse, he learns a hilarious lesson about cause-and-effect.
Amazing Grace (by Mary Hoffman) Follow young Grace as she attempts to break stereotypes in an effort to play the title character in her school's production of Peter Pan.
Borreguita and the Coyote (by Verna Aardema) The classic Mexican tale of a little lamb, or borreguita, who uses her wits to escape a hungry coyote.
Imogene's Antlers (by David Small) Young Imogene is delighted to wake up with "cool" antlers, but soon discovers that her parents and school principals do not share her enthusiasm.
Martha Speaks (by Susan Meddaugh) The adventurous tale of a family dog who literally becomes outspoken after dining on alphabet soup.
Master Man (by Aaron Shepard) A man whose muscles are as big as his ego earns his comeuppance when he claims to be the world's strongest man in this Nigerian tall tale.
Math Curse (by Jon Scieszka) This story playfully addresses the phobia some kids have when tackling seemingly impossible math problems.
Owen (by Kevin Henkes) Owen just can't bear to part with his beloved blanket, Fuzzy - a problem, since he is about to start kindergarten. Owen's understanding mother provides a clever solution.
For more information about the production or about tickets, contact Theatreworksusa at 800-497-5007 or on the internet.
8th a sparkling musical revue based on popular children's books, including:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (by Laura Joffe Numeroff) When a boy shares his snack with a hungry, demanding mouse, he learns a hilarious lesson about cause-and-effect.
Amazing Grace (by Mary Hoffman) Follow young Grace as she attempts to break stereotypes in an effort to play the title character in her school's production of Peter Pan.
Borreguita and the Coyote (by Verna Aardema) The classic Mexican tale of a little lamb, or borreguita, who uses her wits to escape a hungry coyote.
Imogene's Antlers (by David Small) Young Imogene is delighted to wake up with "cool" antlers, but soon discovers that her parents and school principals do not share her enthusiasm.
Martha Speaks (by Susan Meddaugh) The adventurous tale of a family dog who literally becomes outspoken after dining on alphabet soup.
Master Man (by Aaron Shepard) A man whose muscles are as big as his ego earns his comeuppance when he claims to be the world's strongest man in this Nigerian tall tale.
Math Curse (by Jon Scieszka) This story playfully addresses the phobia some kids have when tackling seemingly impossible math problems.
Owen (by Kevin Henkes) Owen just can't bear to part with his beloved blanket, Fuzzy - a problem, since he is about to start kindergarten. Owen's understanding mother provides a clever solution.
For more information about the production or about tickets, contact Theatreworksusa at 800-497-5007 or on the internet.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Dance--Performance
The UL-Lafayette Department of Performing Arts presents the final two performances of An Evening of Dance at Angelle Hall on the UL-Lafayette campus. The pictures below are from the rehearsals of student choreographer Caroline Rose Randall's piece entitled Transforming Embrace.
Dance--Performance
The UL-Lafayette Department of Performing Arts presents the final two performances of An Evening of Dance at Angelle Hall on the UL-Lafayette campus. The pictures below are from the rehearsals of student choreographer Teri Wyble's piece entitled She Used to be a Kaleidoscope.
Opera--Performance
Carmen, an opera by Georges Bizet will be performed in French with supertitles on May 1 and 3, 2008 at 7:30PM in the Ducrest-Gilfry Auditorium in Angelle Hall on the campus of UL Lafayette. This is a joint production between the Acadiana Symphony and the UL Lafayette College of the Arts. It tells the story of the ill-fated gypsy girl, Carmen, who through manipulation and sexuality, manages to get herself murdered by a extremely jealous lover. The cast will be made up of professional singers in the leading roles and UL Lafayette students in the secondary parts. The role of Carmen will portrayed by Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Edyta Kulczak of Poland. Tickets are available at the offices of the Acadiana Symphony at 232-4277.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Theatre--Article
Herman Fusilier has an article about Firelight Children's Theatre and its production of Aladdin in the April 4th edition of the Daily Advertiser.
Theatre--Article
Herman Fusilier, entertainment editor of the Daily Advertiser, has an article about the Lafayette Ballet Theatre's production of Cinderella, in the April 4th edition.
Theatre--Review
Krista Richmond of the Daily Advertiser has a review of the Theatre League's presentation of Chicago in the April 4th edition.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Theatre--Performance
To Kill a Mockingbird, the upcoming production of the Evangeline Players in St. Martinville, was adapted by playwright Christopher Sergel from the novel by Harper Lee. Set in a small Alabama town in the Great Depression, the story concerns the trial of a young black man falsely accused of rape. The theme, however, is the loss of innocence (the mockingbird of the title).
This production is under the direction of Mac Stearns, assisted by Steven Smith, Jr. It will open on Friday, April 4th and run through Sunday, April 20th. Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees will start at 2 pm. For tickets, call (337) 394-5574.
This production is under the direction of Mac Stearns, assisted by Steven Smith, Jr. It will open on Friday, April 4th and run through Sunday, April 20th. Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees will start at 2 pm. For tickets, call (337) 394-5574.
Theatre--Article
The Daily Iberian has an article about the Evangeline Players' production of To Kill a Mockingbird in the April 3rd edition.
Theatre--Performance
Firelight Children's Theatre, in conjunction with Cite Des Arts, will present Aladdin (an adaptation of the Disney Company's Aladdin) beginning April 4 through the 13th at 7:30 pm. Friday and Saturday evening performances are at 7 pm and there are 3 pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, call Cite Des Arts at 291-1122.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Dance--Performance
The Performing Arts Department of the University of Louisiana--Lafayette opens their spring performance, An Evening of Dance, on April 3rd. These are adjudicated performances choreographed by dance students at ULL. Performances will be presented in Angelle Hall at 7:30 on Thursday (April 3rd), Friday (April 4th) and Saturday (April 5th). There will also be a Sunday matinee at 2:00 on April 6. Tickets are free to ULL students and faculty; $5 for alumni, students and seniors and $10.00 general admission.
Theatre--Auditions (2nd Post)
Cité des Arts will hold open auditions for its production of Proof, David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play on Sunday, April 6th, from 3-6 pm, Monday, April 7th, from 6-8 pm, and Wednesday, April 9th, from 6-8. Prepared monologues are not required. The parts being cast are:
Catherine – 25
Robert – 50s
Hal – 28
Claire – 29
The production runs from May 22nd through June 7th , 2008.
Character ages are only approximate. Actors should appear to be within that broad age range. If audition times are not convenient, or for additional information, call Cité des Arts
WHAT: Audition for Proof
WHEN: April 6, 4:00pm – 6:00 pm; April 7, 6-8pm April 9, 6-8pm.
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine Street, downtown Lafayette
CONTACT: Cité des Arts at 337- 291-1122
Catherine – 25
Robert – 50s
Hal – 28
Claire – 29
The production runs from May 22nd through June 7th , 2008.
Character ages are only approximate. Actors should appear to be within that broad age range. If audition times are not convenient, or for additional information, call Cité des Arts
WHAT: Audition for Proof
WHEN: April 6, 4:00pm – 6:00 pm; April 7, 6-8pm April 9, 6-8pm.
WHERE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine Street, downtown Lafayette
CONTACT: Cité des Arts at 337- 291-1122
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