Theatre--Auditions

Omni Artiste', Inc.

is holding

AUDITIONS FOR

SUNDAY DINNER

A Stage play

by

Brian E Taylor

Audition Schedule:

Monday, April 18, 2011 5:00PM – 8:00 PM

Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 5:00PM – 8:00PM

Friday, April 22, 2011, 5:00PM – 8:00PM

Saturday, April 23, 2011, 3:00-5:00PM

Production Schedule:

Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 5:00PM – 8:00PM

Friday, April 22, 2011, 5:00PM – 8:00PM

Saturday, April 23, 2011, 3:00-5:00PM

Crew: $60.00/day

Talent: $55.00/day

Crew call: 1 Light & sound Tech, 1 Stage Manager

Two shows: Friday, May 28, Saturday May 29, 2011, 7:30-9:00PM

Tickets on sale now: $15.00

Call: (337) 291-1122 for tickets.

Cite' des Arts

109 Vine Street

Lafayette, La 70501

Cast Breakdown:

Log Line: Babyboy struggles to find his way as a businessman, only to find out that the only support he has is his momma's gumbo and cornbread on Sunday.

Character Breakdown:

Babyboy – 18, Lead, African American, can be said to b many things. A good-hearted teen, call it like he see it, determined, ambitious. Knows the MO of all the members of the hood, brown skinned. Cast-Nicholas Marchan

Mr. Jackson – (Stepfather) 65, Supporting, Think Mr. Brown (House of Payne), dark skinned. Cast-Paul Batiste

Mrs. Jackson – (mother) 54,lead 5'6', Christian woman, very helpful.Cast-Gethsemene Campbell

Mr. Wilson – (father) 56, Minor, old school with a sixth sense, live on Chicago Low-end, progressing to upper side, Babyboy's biological father.

Lou- (older brother) – 35, Minor, 6'1”, nine year older twin to Babyboy, large build,

always have to watch him. Black Patrick Swayze. Cast-Wendell Lewis

Booboo – (Oldest brother), 53, Minor, scrubby, Young Mr. Brown, Barney, Grump without Forest, sneaky, 5'10”, sings, smokes grass – Cast-Tommy Cole

Uncle Albert (Herb) – (Drunk) 5'9”, Co-Star, 49, slim/muscular, smooth, creep and groove, works hard for beer. Cast- Brian E Taylor

Derrick -(brother) 5'8”, 54, Minor, Social Security Brother, do weed and booze, to get back on dialysis, smile at you and hate at the same time. Cast- Gregory P Williams, double cast-

Vincent – (brother) 5'8”, 51, Minor, brown-teeth, need a job, steal government checks from children, bad odor.

Pam -(sister) 5'7”, 48, Supporting, sweetheart, educated, depressed, artistic, big sister, brown—skinned, turkey neck, good with children. Raised nieces and nephews.

Debra – (sister/crack head) 5'7”, Supporting, divorcee two times, educated, on crack, cocaine, heroin.

G – (thug/weed) man) 6'3”, 32, sneaky, slim, hater, brags, quiet, down to earth. Serious about “business.” Cross arms and stares a lot. Cast-Anri Mims

Mike – (Young/wan-a-be thug) 6'1”, 17-19, Mr. Smothers from The Simpson's.

Old Mike – (hustler/handicap) 5'11”, 65, Ex-con for Murder, had a stroke, (Pastor from New Jack City), walk like Denzel Washington.

Nosy neighbor # 1 – 49, Supporting, Belinda Ruiz, a little wide sided, mad black woman, married to Mexican man, with 5 children.

Mr. Ruiz- 30-40's, Husband to Mrs. Ruiz, laid back hispanic, Chicago dock worker, lazy.

Mia Naomi Ruiz -Oldest daughter 15, medium build, feisty. Blatino - Minor

Julio Hosea Jr. Ruiz -Oldest son con artist, 14, slim. Blexican. Minor

Tasha Angelique Ruiz - 12, princess of Monaco in the hood. Blatino.- Minor

Benino Ronald Riuz – 10, Smart son of family – Minor

Benita Ruiz – 9, Diva, youngest daughter - Minor

Nosy Neighbor # 2 – 45, Bald-headed, Haitian, 7 brothers, weed man, stands on porch all day everyday, checking out everybody. (Joe Artist, Sammy Sosa)

Nosy Neighbor # 3 – Mrs. Johnson – African American, 45, married, cougar, Black Panther, retired early as social worker due to cancer.

Mr. Harrison – 55, Grisly bear, alien looking, old school, sleep disorder, sneaks to drink.

Mrs. Harrison – 5'10”, 70, stroke victim, church woman, spits when she talks, Jerry Curl, one handed functioning. Cast-Marlice Young-Dugas

Teen-boy – 17-19, Boy, Any ethnicity, lazy, job-seeker..

Job-service Worker – 59, Caucasian woman, tired, mean, 30 years State worker. Cast- Suzy Labry

Pretty Tony - Tony Mitchell- average size to well-built. Italian/European/Venezuelan Pretty boy type – Big with a big heart- 24-34, English/Venezuelan/European accent preferred. He is from London/Europe, inherited commercial real estate from family fortune. Snobbish slum lord. Trying to fit in, in a Chicago society, starkly different from his Mother Country, London, England. Principle-Recurring

Marcello- Italian Fitness trainer at Tony's private club. Henchman - 30-55

Male Nurse 1- Fit, Male, any Ethnicity, 23-30- Cast – Jeremy Henry

Male Nurse 2 – Fit -male, average build, 23-30 European, Italian -

Nurse – 25-30, Female, firm – African American community (boss)- Cast- Kimbery Louis

-- 

Opera--Review

Why beat around the bush? This Mikado was a unadulterated delight.  The UL Opera Theater's production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado ended an all-too-short weekend run last Saturday, and for those who missed the show, here's an admonition: you missed one of the best shows Acadiana has seen in a long while.


This classically goofy operetta from the G&S canon is chock full of gooey romantic ballads, silly plot tangles, some broad characterizations, and a topsy-turvy plot that takes almost two and a half hours to finally unwind itself. The show requires some great singing, of course -- it's operetta -- but it also requires some deft comic acting as well. It's a challenging piece to sell to a modern audience weaned on romantic comedy a la the antics on "Jersey Shore." 


But what a joy this Mikado was.

Under the direction of Shawn Roy -- and aided in big ways by Kenneth Jenkins' choreography and Duncan Thistlethwaite's set -- this "Mikado" was a spirited and often laugh-out-loud funny rendering of the 19th century piece. The show never pandered as it reached for the laugh (well almost never pandered -- a second act lyric change that riffed on UL professors seemed a little heavy-handed), but song after song the production scored some terrific comic moments and even a few touching ones.

The show's beating heart was the pair of lovers, Nanki Poo and Yum Yum. As Nanki Poo, Holden Greene was a big-voiced romantic lead and acquitted himself well. (I look forward to seeing Greene develop a bit more confidence as an actor; the book scenes seemed to chip his confidence away a little.) And as Yum Yum, Jenee Luquette (the Yum Yum at the performance I saw) was sweet-voiced and lovely. The two made much with their straightforward romantic material, and gave the show a sturdy foundation.

The bigger impressions performance-wise were made by a trio around the lovers. As Pooh Bah, Miguel Ochoa was a slinking, slithering delight. As Pitti Sing, Alex Hollerman displayed the same comic chops that made
her so memorable in Too Many Sopranos and I was impressed with what a big impression she made in a smaller role. And Lindsay Leblanc as Katisha was a whole lot of brassy-voiced fun.

But I went away singing the praises of Jonah Slason, who essayed the role of Ko Ko, the reluctant executioner. Slason's performance was a blazing comic delight -- physically committed, beautifully-timed and simply funny. This kid's got that ineffable "it," and I cannot wait to see him in something new.

When a show works this well, it's easy to credit the performers with carrying the weight of that success. But I have to give the biggest kudos to the show's production team. Roy proves again and again that he's the area's best director for the stage: his shows are smart, kinetic, fun and impeccably staged. Kenneth Jenkins reminded me just how clever and funny movement can be when done with an expert hand. And the pared-down elegance of Duncan Thistlethwaite's set was a perfect complement for the pageantry of the show. And the Mikado's entrance was a clever piece of staging that showed off all three men's skill and flair for the theatrical.

How good was this show? I'm still thinking about it -- the moments I loved, the little bits of staging that made me smile, the subtle scenic changes that made huge impacts, the songs, the jokes, the energy coming off the stage.

That doesn't happen very often. This show was a delight. And next time UL Lafayette Opera Theater mounts a show, make sure you do whatever you can to see it.
--- CODY DAIGLE


Website: www.codydaiglewrites.com
Facebook: Cody Daigle Writes Stuff
Twitter: @CodyDaigle

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

Audiitions for IPAL's summer production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." will be Saturday, April 30th(from 1 to 4) and Monday, May 2nd (from 6 to 8).

There have been many questions about the auditions for Beauty and the Beast, Jr., specifically concerning the musical requirements. All people auditioning will be asked to sing something, even if it just "Happy Birthday" or the National Anthem. We need to have an idea how well you can sing, plus we need to know what your musical range is. Many songs like "Be Our Guest", "Belle," "Gaston" and "The Mob Song", have solo lines for a chorus member to sing, as well as four-part harmonies which we wish to utilize. If someone does not wish to sing during the actual run of the play, that is fine because there are numerous non-singing parts and people can pantomime their singing.

For particular parts, here are just a few suggestions.

For the part of Belle, people auditioning should sing any Disney heroine song. There really isn't a particular solo in Beauty and the Beast, Jr. for Belle, so my suggestion is Ariele's song "Part of Your World: from The Little Mermaid, or Pocahontas's song "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahantas. Any Disney heroine song is appropriate.

For the parts of the Beast, Lumiere or Cogsworth, people auditioning should sing "Be Our Guest," though not the entire song. The Beast has no "solo" of his own, but does have to sing a portion of a song during the play.

For the part of Gaston or LeFou, people auditioning should sing "Gaston," though not the entire song.

For the part of Mrs. Potts or the Wardrobe, people auditioning should sing "Beauty and the Beast."

For chorus, people can sing anything from the play or "Happy Birthday," or something they are comfortable singing. There are numerous musical parts for townspersons in the song "Belle" and "The Mob Song."

Anyone auditioning for the parts just mentioned do not need to bring sheet music. We already have the sheet music and will be using the accompanying CD for auditions. If you're singing something not from Beauty and the Beast Jr. (like the other Disney heroine songs) you may either bring sheet music or sing acappella.

On the day of auditions, it would be helpful for all people auditioning to bring a head-shot. We will have a camera ready to take such a shot, but it would help tremendously to have one ready.

All auditions will begin in the front lobby of the Essanee Theatre (126 Iberia Street in New Iberia) where you will be given a number and asked to fill out an audition form. From there, you will be called into the main theatre for your audition. For convenience, we will be taking auditions on a first-come basis. Once we have heard your audition, there is no reason to stay at the theatre, as the lobby area may fill up quickly. We thank you in advance for your cooperation on this matter.


 If it is absolutely impossible for you to make either of the audition dates, please contact me (Vincent P. Barras) as soon as you can by email at vpbarras@aisp.net because I know there are always circumstances beyond our control. If you contact me using my cell (337-519-0685), please remember that I am a public school teacher and may not contact you until school is over. Notifications of the assigned roles will be sent via email within a few days of the last auditions.

Opera--Article

An article by Cody Daigle about the UL-Lafayette Opera Theater production of The Mikado appears in the Daily Advertiser.

Opera--Performance

The UL Lafayette Opera Theater in collaboration with the UL Lafayette Wind Ensemble will present the operetta,  The Mikado, by Gilbert and Sullivan.

The performances will take place on Thursday, April 14 at 7:30PM, Friday, April 15 at 7:30PM and Saturday, April 16 at 2:00PM.  There will also be an educational performance on Friday morning, April 15 for school children.  The performances will take place in Ducrest-Gilfry Auditorium in Angelle Hall on the UL Lafayette campus.

Tickets are available at the door only and are $10 for the general public and free for UL Lafayette students, faculty, staff and members of the UL Lafayette Opera Guild.  For more information about the performances, call the School of Music and Performing Arts at 337-482-6012.
 
The operetta is considered to be Gilbert and Sullivan’s finest work and revolves around a small town in Japan called Titipu.  As is all of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas, the situation is comic and many plot twists and turns occur during the evening.  The show is suitable for all ages.  The show is being directed by Shawn Roy and conducted by Dr. William Hochkeppel with 24 members of the Wind Ensemble.  Sets are by Duncan Thistlethwaite, Lighting Design by Ken Harrelson, Choregraphy is by Kenneth Jenkins and Costumes are being provided by Malabar Costume Rental in Canada.  

Theatre--Performance

Editor's Note

Please excuse the lack of updates over the last week or so.  I've been having computer issues.  Hopefully, these have been resolved, and I will be able to update.

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

The Iberia Performing Arts League 2011 Summer Youth Production will be the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast Jr. This is a stage show based on the hit movie and Broadway show. The audition dates are Saturday, April 30th from 1 to 4, and Monday, May 2nd from 6 to 8. The age range for all performers in this youth musical is from 10 to 20 and all parts are open. Those desiring to audition do not need to come to both auditions, but they are certainly welcome. Rehearsals will be held in afternoons beginning May 30th and performances are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from July 15th through the 24th. Additional information can be obtained by contacting director Vincent Barras at (337) 519-0865, by internet at vpbarras@aisp.net or ipal@cox.net.

Theatre--Review (IPAL)

Ray's Blum's review of the IPAL production of South Pacific appears in the Friday, April 8th edition of the Daily Advertiser.

Editor's Note

There is a serious effort underway to cut public funding for the arts.  Please take a look at the interview in the clip below.  Arts are very important to this area and to our lives.  We need to make sure that they are supported.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Theatre--Special Event

AUI/AURA is hosting a special House Warming event at their new summer rehearsal space at 810 Jefferson Street in Lafayette on Saturday, April 9th from 5 pm to 8 pm.  The company has arranged a fund raising raffle, which will begin that day, and there will also be food (provided by Naked Pizza) and entertainment.

For more information, check AUI/AURA's website or their FB Event page.

Theatre--Auditions

The Abbey Players need one actor to play Pam in their spring comedy Rich Is Better.  Auditions will be held by appointment with the director.  If interested, contact Gloria Breaux directly at (337) 234-2510.

The story:  Nona is unaware that her husband Gino owns the company for which she does telephone sales because during their courtship he posed as a laborer.  When Gino's secretary (Pam) shows up with papers for him to sign, he introduces her as a co-worker looking for advice on a romantic problem.  Nona insists that Pam bring her lover to dinner.  Pam talks her chiropodist into making what he thinks will be a house call.  By the time the dinner party happens, mistakes and comic situations abound.

Theatre--Performance

Co-directors Walter Duncan McBride and Travis Fontenot lead the way on a quest back in time to Verona, Italy around 1590.  The players of the Opelousas Little Theatre will breathe life into William Shakespeare's iconic tale of Romeo and Juliet on the Delta Grand stage this Wednesday night in downtown Opelousas. Join this unforgettable event of comedy and tragedy with some of the area's best actors.  Many OLT veterans populate the cast, but there are even more that are new to our community theater.  Acadiana offers to us her best student actors from the tri-parish area and numerous area high schools from OHS, OC, to Pine Prairie and others.  This is a true testament of community unity.

     Among the cast are Andrew Markel (Romeo) from Lafayette High and Austin Guidroz (Juliet) from Opelousas Catholic.  Jersten Seraile (Tybalt) and Cody Richard (Benvolio) attend OHS.  Sarah Bourgeious (Nurse) and Dalton Guiterrez (Paris) attend Pine Prairie High.  Andy Doucet (Mercutio) and Casey Harmon (Friar Lawrence) are long time veterans of the OLT stage.  This is just a glimpse of the talented cast of 18 area actors.

     The show starts Wednesday, April 6th at the Delta Grand.  The show schedule is as follows:  April 7th, 8th, 9th at 7 pm, 10th at 2pm, April 13th, 14th,15th, 16th at 7 pm and the 17th at 2 pm.
  

     Advance tickets can be purchased at Sebastien-Dupre Fine Jewelry or by phone at (337-948-4367), or at the door on the day of show.  April 15th is sold out.  Get your tickets early,as they are going quick.  Tickets are $10.

     We at the Opelousas Little Theatre thank you in advance for your patronage and support of the local arts.

     Look us up online at  www.opelousaslittletheatre.com or become a friend on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Theatre--Review (Cite)

Modest Modeste is a sad-sack pianist with a drinking problem.  Since his boss is not present, Modeste can perform his favorite piece of music, Modeste Moussorgski's PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION on the piano as originally intended.  Modest Modeste is played by Ilan Ben-Yehuda who is both a trained pianist AND a trained clown which probably makes him unique.  It's like combining Bill Irwin with Victor Borge.  There is real art in this performance.

Each skit is built around one of the musical scenes in PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION which is a musical tribute to an artist friend of the composer who died suddenly.  Each musical piece is an evocation of a particular painting with subjects ranging from chickens (a very Monty Pythonesque chicken) to cannibalistic witches to national landmarks.  Actually, an awful lot of this music will be familiar from being used in films and commercials. Audience members are asked to participate in the music making by singing and playing instruments.  How often does anyone in the audience get to play the cymbals?

The show is not random--it has a plot and a theme and development of character.  It also has slapstick and great music.  But this is a show which needs a big, enthusiastic audience since audience participation is really the point.  See it if you can and bring plenty of friends.  The show works best with a lot of people in the audience who aren't too inhibited to have a good time.  There is no fourth wall in this production. 

This show is genuinely different--if you miss it, there won't be anything like it until Ilan comes back to town.  If you like well-crafted but adventurous theatre, don't miss MODEST MODESTE.

MODEST MODESTE plays through the weekend at Cite Des Arts.  Call 291-1122 or buy a ticket at the box office.  Tickets are a bargain at $8.00.
---Walter Brown

Theatre--Auditions

Abbey Players is please to announce auditions for 12 Angry Jurors, directed by Gloria Breaux and assisted by Mary Broussard. Auditions will be held April 2nd and 3rd from 1PM to 4PM at the Abbey Players' theatre on 200 South State Stree in Abbeville, LA. The cast of 15 is open to everyone who wishes to participate; men and women, young and old alike! those desiring to work in any capacity on the production crew should attend this audition.

Theatre--Performance

V-Day Lafayette 2011 presents The Vagina Monologues on April 1st (at 7 pm) and 2nd (at 2 pm and 7 pm) at Hamilton Hall on the UL-Lafayette campus.  Tickets available at door or at http://vdaylafayette.eventbrite.com/.

Playwright/Founder Eve Ensler’s award winning play The Vagina Monologues is a celebration of female sexuality in all its complexity and mystery. In this stunning phenomenon that has swept the nation, Eve Ensler gives us real women's stories of intimacy, vulnerability, and sexual self-discovery.

Based on interviews with over 200 women about their memories and experiences of sexuality, The Vagina Monologues gives voice to women's deepest fantasies and fears.

All proceeds benefit the V-Day local and global activist movement.

Opera--Performance

The UL Lafayette Opera Theater in collaboration with the UL Lafayette Wind Ensemble will present the operetta,  The Mikado, by Gilbert and Sullivan.

The performances will take place on Thursday, April 14 at 7:30PM, Friday, April 15 at 7:30PM and Saturday, April 16 at 2:00PM.  There will also be an educational performance on Friday morning, April 15 for school children.  The performances will take place in Ducrest-Gilfry Auditorium in Angelle Hall on the UL Lafayette campus.

Tickets are available at the door only and are $10 for the general public and free for UL Lafayette students, faculty, staff and members of the UL Lafayette Opera Guild.  For more information about the performances, call the School of Music and Performing Arts at 337-482-6012.

The operetta is considered to be Gilbert and Sullivan’s finest work and revolves around a small town in Japan called Titipu.  As is all of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas, the situation is comic and many plot twists and turns occur during the evening.  The show is suitable for all ages.  The show is being directed by Shawn Roy and conducted by Dr. William Hochkeppel with 24 members of the Wind Ensemble.  Sets are by Duncan Thistlethwaite, Lighting Design by Ken Harrelson, Choregraphy is by Kenneth Jenkins and Costumes are being provided by Malabar Costume Rental in Canada.  

Jennifer Andrews, Meghin Taylor and Alex Hollerman 

(Photo by Josh Coen)

Jennifer Andrews, Meghin Taylor and Alex Hollerman

(Photo by Josh Coen)

Dance--Performance

All children, except one, grow up … but there’s a bit of him in everyone. Perhaps that’s why his story is held so dear. Lafayette Ballet Theatre is delighted to announce its next spring production, Peter Pan, as never before experienced in Louisiana. This full-length ballet in two acts promises to please grown ups and children of every age — complete with humor, suspense and adventure, along with all the romance of classical dance. Tickets on sale now!

This spectacular show — slated for Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center — will feature the acclaimed choreography of the New Orleans-born Washington Ballet artistic director Septime Webre and guest artists from the Cincinnati Ballet. This is the first time a work of Webre, one of the nation’s most sought-after choreographers, will ever be presented in his home state. Setting the choreography on the local cast will be Cincinnati Ballet's ballet mistress, Johanna Wilt. Another plus: trust and a little pixie dust — with help from America’s best aerial effects company, Flying by Foy — will send the stars soaring beyond the crowd’s greatest expectations.

Tickets are available at the Heymann Center Box Office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (337-291-5555) and through all Ticket Master outlets including online at www.ticketmaster.com. Prices are as follows: front orchestra, $50; back orchestra, $42.50; first balcony, $37.50; back orchestra, $20. Additional Ticket Master fees may apply. Special group rates are available. College and high school students are eligible for the “student rush” special: half off on all seats still available 30 minutes prior to curtain. (Students must present a current school ID at the Heymann Center Box Office to receive the “student rush” discount.)

Lafayette Ballet Theatre is a nonprofit classical ballet company offering professional contracts to local artist, classical ballet instruction, dance study scholarships, educational programs and theatrical stage performances to the Acadiana community.

For more information on LBT and Peter Pan, call 337-262-0444 or visit www.LafayetteBalletTheatre.org.

Theatre--Performance

Eunice Players’ Theatre is preparing its season opener, Barefoot in the Park, a two-act comedy by Neil Simon. This production of the play marks a revival on the EPT stage following its first run in 1972. Director Suzanne LaHaye has put together a cast of stage veterans and audience favorites to bring to the stage the story of a newlywed couple who must contend with their own differences - she being free-spirited, he being a strait-laced lawyer - as well as a faulty postage-stamp sized New York apartment, a quirky neighbor and a nosy mother-in-law.

Bonnie Pitre and Charles Seale

Bonnie Pitre and Gabe Ortego 

Gabe Ortego, Bonnie Pitre and  Tucker Kelly

Gabe Ortego, Bonnie Pitre,  Ricci Arnaud and Charles Seale

Ricci Arnaud and Gabe Ortego

The show will begin its run Thursday, March 24 through Sunday, March 27. Dinner theatre is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St., with the performance immediately following. Other performances dates include Wednesday and Thursday, March 30 and 31. All evening performances are at 7:00 p.m.; the Sunday matinee is at 2:00 p.m. Individual tickets for the show are $10 and on sale at David Ltd. Salon on Second St. Season tickets may be purchased and more information can be obtained by calling 546-0163 or 457-2156. For $20 a season ticket includes 3 shows, reservation rights, voting privileges and an invitation to the 42th Annual Irving Awards. Angel and patron packages are also available for purchase.

More pictures and information about EPT can be found on their Facebook page or at euniceplayers.blogspot.com.

Theatre--Performance

Local playwright and actor Cody Daigle opened Wednesday night in Shining City, a production of Playhouse Tulsa and the first review, which is very good, is already out.  It can be found here.

Theatre--Performance

The UL-Department of Performing Arts is presenting Picnic by William Inges.  The show opens on Thursday, March 17th and will run every day through March 20th.  The Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30 pm and the Sunday performance will be a matinee with a 2 pm curtain.  There will also be an encore performance on March 22nd at 7:30 as part of the College of the Arts' annual Spark Festival of the Arts.


Tickets are available at the door.  Tickets are free to ULL students, faculty and staff with their UL ID card, $5.00 for students of other schools, alums and seniors, and $10.00 for general admission.

For more information, call the UL Department of Performing Arts at (337) 482-6357. 

Theatre--Performance

Eunice Players’ Theatre is preparing its season opener, Barefoot in the Park, a two-act comedy by Neil Simon.  This production of the play marks a revival on the EPT stage following its first run in 1972.  Director Suzanne LaHaye has put together a cast of stage veterans and audience favorites to bring to the stage the story of a newlywed couple who must contend with their own differences - she being free-spirited, he being a strait-laced lawyer - as well as a faulty postage-stamp sized New York apartment, a quirky neighbor and a nosy mother-in-law.

Filling the roles of the newlywed couple, Corie and Paul Bratter are Bonnie Pitre and Gabe Ortego of Eunice.  Gabe was most recently seen in The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of A Christmas Carol as Gordon, for which he won the Best Supporting Actor Irving Award.  An accomplished actor in the Opelousas and Eunice theatres, with Providence, A Tuna Christmas, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to his credit, Gabe has also directed Steel Magnolias, Monky Business, and The Subject Was Roses.

Bonnie returns to the stage following her Irving Award-winning performance in Providence and a stellar turn in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.  Bonnie appeared in several plays at LSU while earning a minor degree in theatre; she has also been seen on the EPT stage in Woman and The Sound of Music, and she also ran the lighting for If the Shoe Fits.

Longtime EPT actor and frequent set designer Charles Seale returns to the stage in the role of the quirky but charming Victor Velasco after having recently taken part in Fiddler on the Roof and co-directed Deathtrap.  Interestingly, Charles assisted with painting the scenic backdrop for the EPT's earlier production of this show.

Joining the cast as Corie’s mother, Mrs. Banks is Ricci Arnaud from Crowley .  Ricci is past president of Acadia Players in Crowley , where she appeared in The Queen of Bingo, A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking, and Seven Nuns in Vegas.

Stepping in as the telephone repairman is Tucker Kelly of Crowley, most recently seen in last season’s What the Bellhop Saw at EPT.  He’s also had roles in Bridge to Terabithia and Seance in Acadiana at Acadia Players, as well as numerous high school and church productions.

Rusty Moody of Eunice has the cameo role of the delivery man.  Currently the mayor of Eunice, Rusty is returning to the stage after a 20 year absence, having last been seen in The Nerd for which he won an Irving Award.

The show will begin its run Thursday, March 24th through Sunday, March 27th. Dinner theatre is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St. , with the performance immediately following.  Other performances dates include Wednesday and Thursday, March 30 and 31.  All evening performances are at 7:00 p.m.; the Sunday matinee is at 2:00 p.m.  Individual tickets for the show are $10 and on sale at David Ltd. Salon on Second St .  Season tickets may be purchased and more information can be obtained by calling 546-0163 or 457-2156.  For $20 a season ticket includes 3 shows, reservation rights, voting privileges and an invitation to the 42^th Annual Irving Awards. Angel and patron packages are also available for purchase. 

More pictures and information about EPT can be found on Facebook and at www.euniceplayers.blogspot.com.

Theatre--Performance

Blaine Peltier and Dennis Ward

The Saturday, March 19th performance of Chez Gisèle will be “Retro Disco Night”. A costume contest for the best retro disco outfit will take place that night awarding $100 for the best disco outfit. So shine your platform shoes and press your bell bottom slacks. Come to the March 19th performance of Chez Gisèle, at Cité Des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette, and disco dance away with $100. Contest is open only to all ticket holders. To purchase a ticket to the play call 337-291-1122.  To purchase tickets online (using paypal), visit the Cite website.

Theatre--Performance

A Different Woman, tales from a true Texas Childhood, an original one woman play written and performed by Veronica Russell, will be playing at Cité des Arts this Friday, March 11 & Saturday, March 12th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $12.50 for general admission, and $10.00 for Students and Seniors. Please call 291-1122 for reservations In the freewheeling, liberated 1920's, women finally get the vote, but apparently publishing anecdotes about childhood abuse, your brothers' sexual exploits with the family livestock, and sincere wishes that death and destruction might be visited upon all the members of your backwater Texas family would still get a girl institutionalized and kicked out of Great Britain. Edna Gertrude Beasley is the most incendiary feminist author never heard of. Her autobiography, My First Thirty Years, was banned upon its publication in 1925 for "gross obscenity," and most copies were destroyed in U.S. and British customs offices. Some eventually made it into circulation, though the governor of Texas later sent the Texas Rangers to seek out and seize any copies that had managed to infiltrate his great state. Upon discovering this powerfully independent iconoclast and her amazing story, Veronica Russell set about adapting portions of her all-but-vanished book into a one-woman theatrical production which has been performed to great success in New York and New Orleans. There is now have the opportunity to help re- introduce Gertrude and her story to a larger audience.  Throughout the summer of 2011 this show will tour 6 Canadian Fringe theatre festivals, including a stop in Edmonton, the largest such festival in the Americas.

Editor's Note

Happy Mardi Gras!!

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

South Pacific, the legendary Broadway and movie hit, will be presented by the Iberia Performing Arts League opening Friday, March 25 and running Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday afternoons thru April 10.  Evening performances are at 7:30 and Sunday Matinees are at 3:00 at the Essanee Theater, IPAL’s Art Deco home.  

 Helen Allain Richthofen (Bloody Mary)

 Anne Catherine LeBlanc (Liat) and Phillip Smith (Lt. Joe Cable)

Thomas Owens (Luther Billis),  James Wyche (Stewpot) and Matthew Dugan (Professor)

Kim Monroe (Nellie Forbush) 

Kim Monroe (Nellie Forbush) and Michael Parich, Sr. (Emile de Becque)

Ticket or other information can be obtained by calling the theater at 364-6114, e-mailing ipal@cox.net, or by visiting the IPAL website. Tickets can also be obtained in New Iberia at Paul’s Flower Shop, Delaune’s Pharmacy, or Accentrics. All seats are reserved and are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Theatre--Auditions

Two roles remain to be cast in the Acadia Players' production of Noises Off (Garry and Selsdon).  If interested, contact the director (Russell Faulconer) at (337) 783-1512 or (337) 581-9876 or Jody Powell at (337) 580-1787.

Theatre--Performance

The Opelousas Little Theatre at The Delta Grand presents William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Two households, both alike in dignity,

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;

Whose misadventured piteous overthrows

Do with their death bury their parents' strife.

The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,

And the continuance of their parents' rage,

Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,

Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage...

Directors Travis Fontenot and Walter Duncan McBride bring to life this timeless comedy/tragedy.  That's right!  Everyone knows the story: Boy meets girl. Girl belongs to a rival family. Rival family hates boy. They get married anyway. Rival families fight. People die. She pretends to kill herself. Boy buys poison and kills himself while she wakes up from fake-killing herself. Kills herself... Got all that? Of course there's more than that, it is a two hour play filled with comedy, swordfights, and a world of intrigue. Join the fine actors of Opelousas Little Theatre as they retell this story of the people of Verona, Italy in one of The Bard's best told stories.

ROMEO- Andrew Markel
BENVOLIO- Cody Richard
BALTHASAR- Nick Blumrich
ABRAM- Nick Blumrich
LORD MONTAGUE- Travis Fontenot
LADY MONTAGUE - Tara Sibille
JULIET- Austin Guidroz
TYBALT- Jersten Seraile
SAMPSON- Cody Sibley
GREGORY- Dustin Clark
LORD CAPULET- Duncan McBride
LADY CAPULET- Cindy Pitre
NURSE- Sarah Bourgeoius
MERCUTIO- Andy Doucet
PARIS- Dalton Guiterriz
PRINCE- Eugene Dupre'
FRIAR LAWRENCE- Casey Harmon
JOHN- Cody Sibley
APOTHECARY- Jada Doucet
CITIZEN'S OF VERONA- Alix Trombley and  Hillary Ziegler.

STAGE MANAGER- Erica Stanford
BACKSTAGE- Chelsey LeBleau
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR- Nick Blumrich

 The cast of Romeo and Juliet will preform at the Delta Grand Theatre in downtown Opelousas from April 6th through the 9th and April 13th through the 16th at 7 pm. Matinee performances on April 10th and April 17th at 2 pm


Tickets are available over the phone at Sebastion-Dupre Fine Jewelery at 337-948-4367 or can be purchaed at the door on the day of show.

Look OLT up at www.opelousaslittletheatre.com or become a fan on Facebook.

Theatre--Auditions

The Evangeline Players have cancelled the Sunday, March 6th auditions for The Glass Menagerie.  The auditions will take place as scheduled on Saturday, March 5th.

Theatre--Company Website

The Evangeline Players have launched their new website.  Check it out.

Theatre--Company Website

Acting Unlimited, Inc and Acting Unlimited Repertory Academy are announcing their new website.  Take a look and leave comments for the companies.