This Week in Theatre

I'm having trouble getting Blogger to accept some changes, so until it starts working again, here is the week of theatre for July 25th through the 31st:

Week of July 25-31

Monday, July 25:

Tuesday, July 26:

Wednesday, July 27:

Schoolhouse Rock Live!

(opening--Eunice Players Theatre)

Thursday, July 28:

A Midsummer Night's Dream

(continuing--AUI/AURA at Cite Des Arts)

Friday, July 29:

Gypsy

(opening--Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts)

Schoolhouse Rock Live!

(continuing--Eunice Players' Theatre)

A Midsummer Night's Dream

(continuing--AUI/AURA at Cite Des Arts)

Cinderella 

(continuing--Opelousas Little Theatre)

Saturday, July 30:

Gypsy

(continuing--Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts)

A Midsummer Night's Dream

(opening--AUI/AURA at Cite)

Cinderella

(continuing--OLT)

Sunday, July 31:

Gypsy

(continuing--Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts)

Schoolhouse Rock Live!

(continuing--Eunice Players' Theatre)

A Midsummer Night's Dream

(continuing--AUI/AURA at Cite)

Cinderella

(continuing--OLT)

Theatre--Performance

The AUI/AURA production of A Midsummer Night's Dream was the focus of an article in the online editions of The Independent.

Theatre--Article (AUI/AURA)

The AUI/AURA production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is featured in an article and an online gallery at The Daily Advertiser's website.

Theatre--Article (Acting Up)

Acting Up (in Acadiana)'s Summer Shakespeare Youth Ensemble is featured in an online article of the Independent.

Theatre--Performance

Due to the overwhelming response to IPAL’s presentation of Beauty and the Beast, Jr. an extra performance has been added. The added performance will be Saturday, July 23, at the special time of 2:00.  Tickets will be available at the IPAL Ticket Outlets beginning Wednesday, July 20, on a first come, first served basis.  Outlets are Dalaune’s Pharmacy, Paul’s Flowers, and Accentrics on Main Street.

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

The Opelousas Little Theatre is holding auditions for Clue: The Musical.


The internationally popular game is now a fun filled musical which brings the world's best know suspects to life and invites the audience to help solve the mystery: who killed Mr. Boddy, in what room and with what weapon. The audience receives forms to help them deduce the solution from clues given throughout the fun filled evening. Three audience members choose from cards representing the potential murderers, weapons and rooms; there are 216 possible solutions! Only one hard nosed female detective is qualified to unravel the merry mayhem. Comic antics, witty lyrics and a beguiling score carry the investigation from room to room.

Directed by Walter Duncan McBride, this show calls for 4 female and 4 male singers. Additional cast is needed backstage to operate a living, moving set. Seven or more stage cast is needed, so please attend auditions if you wish to help.

Auditions will be held at Opelousas Little Theatre on July 20,21 @ 6 to 8 pm and July 23 @ 4 to 6 pm. Interested parties should be prepared with a 3 to 5 minute monolouge and song with music (karaoke).

The actual show will be held at the Delta Grand Theatre in downtown Opelousas on September 22, 23, 24, 29, and 30 October 1 - 7pm to 9pm with Sunday matenees on Sempter 25 October 2 - 2pm to 4pm.

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

 The Abbey Players are holding an additional night of auditions for their production of the 2005 Tony award winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Wednesday, July 20th at 6 pm.  The show will run for 14 performances from September 30th to November 12th (with the exception of the weekend of October 14th due to the Cattle Festival in Abbeville).  The show will be directed by Scott Meddows with musical direction by Jason Pennington.

The audience participation show is most simply a spelling be.  The show is very comedic and improvisation is a necessity for some of the cast members.  The music has pop influences and the female characters should have strong belt/mix voices.  There is minimal dance.

Please come to the audition with 16 bars from a Broadway musical number prepared to sing the entire number.  Cold readings will be done from the script.  

For more information, go to the Abbey Players website.

Theatre--Article

The Daily Iberian has an article about IPAL's summer production of Beauty and the Beast Jr. in the July 14th edition of the newspaper.

Theatre--Workshop

In conjunction with the preparations for Schoolhouse Rock Live!, the 3rd Annual Eunice Players’ Theatre Children’s Theatre Workshop will be held on Saturday, July 23rd  from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Kids ages 7-13 will enjoy a fun-filled morning of singing, acting and games while learning the basics in the performing arts. The fee is $10.00 and space is limited so register early! For information, please call 337-546-0163 or 337-457-2156. Also, checkout the theatre website at euniceplayers.blogspot.com and the theatre's Facebook page. The workshop will be held at the theatre at 121 S. Second St. in historic downtown Eunice.

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

Tickets are currently on sale at The Fad of Franklin, La. for the Teche Theatre's Summer Production of Gypsy. Show dates include July 29th, dinner theatre 6:00PMshow, July 30th, Wine and Cheese 6:30PM, July 31st. Dessert Matinee 2:00PM. Other show dates are General Admission shows August 3rd,4th,and 5th at 7:30PM.

July 29,and 30 include general admission starting at 7:00PM and 31st at 2:45.  For More Info and Prices call The Fad at (337)828-2486.

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

Remember "Conjunction Junction" or "The Preamble" or perhaps "Do The Circulation"?  This is just a taste of some of the groovin' fun songs from the 1970's pop culture phenomenon that taught history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever, tuneful songs that Eunice Players' Theatre is bringing to the musical stage in their production of Schoolhouse Rock Live!

Director Angie B. McBride is very proud to have an extremely talented cast, who are working very hard to provide a top notch show. Cast members are Deborah D. Ardoin, John Christian Lyons, Gabe Ortego and Jeanne Sonnier of Eunice, Kristi and John Burleigh of Ville Platte, Duncan and Angie McBride and Taylor LaCalle of Lawtell and Andy Doucet, Jersten Seraile and pianist, Debbie Bertinot from Opelousas.

Dates for evening performances (7:00 p.m.) are:
Wednesday, July 27th
Friday, July 29th
Tuesday, August 2nd (Dinner theatre)
Thursday, August 4th
Saturday, August 6th

Dates for matinee performances (2:00 p.m.) are:
Sunday, July 31st
Sunday, August 7th

The ticket price for this family-friendly show is $10.00 per seat, and for children 5 and under, $5.00 per seat.  Tickets may be purchased by calling David’s Hair Salon at 337-546-0163 or Turning Point at 337-457-2156. Mastercard and Visa are accepted.  Dinner theatre will be on Tuesday, August 2nd at 6:00 pm. The kid-friendly meal is catered by Nick’s on Second St. for an additional $10.

Also again this year, Mrs. McBride will hold the theatre's annual Children's Workshop, scheduled for Saturday, July 23rd. Please watch for future articles for more details and for ticket purchasing information. You can also check out our Facebook page and our blog at www.euniceplayers.blogspot ​.com for the latest information and pictures.

For more information, call Debi at 337-457-2156.

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

Auditions for the upcoming Abbey Players’ production of the 2005 Tony Award winning The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will happen Saturday, July 16^th at 2PM and again on Monday, July 18^th at 6PM at the Abbey Players’ Theatre located at 200 South State Street in Abbeville.  This audience-participation show is most simply, a spelling bee. All the "kids" are played by adults. This show is very comedic, and with audience members onstage, improvisation is a necessary task for Panch and Peretti, but useful to all cast members.  The music has pop influences, and the female characters should have a strong belt/mix voice. Minimal dance.  Please come to the audition with 16 bars from a Broadway musical number, but be prepared to sing the entire number. Cold readings will be done from the script of The Bee.  Check out the website, http://www.abbeyplayers.com or the Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Abbey-Players/213459352012740, for more information.

Theatre--Columnist

Daily Advertiser theatre critic Ray Blum has written his final column for the paper.  Ray has been a tireless supporter and friend of local theatre, and he will be missed by all.

Theatre--Performance

AUI/AURA presents 

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE's

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Opening Night: July 23 at 7:30 p.m.

July 27-29; Aug. 4-6 at 7:30 p.m.

July 24 and 31 at 3 p.m.

Shakespeare's immortal tale of love among both mortals and fairies comes to the Lafayette stage in a bright, romantic staging by AUI/AURA.

Two pairs of star-crossed lovers find themselves in the woods outside of Athens on a midsummer night. There, the brawling fairy King and Queen wage a passionate war that turns the woods into a magical playground of mismatched love and romantic chaos. A crew of hardy workers rehearsing a play are mixed up in this fairy mischief, and by evening's end, mortals and fairies alike are wandering through a topsy-turvy world. Wrong loves are righted, couples are wed, and order is restored by play's end, but only after the raucous ride of Shakespeare's epic romantic comedy.

The show features a cast of 30 local actors, including young actors new to the stage and well-known theatre veterans of local productions. The core company consists of cast members in their teens and early 20s, who've been working together since the summer of 2010.

The production is directed by Cara Hayden and Cody Daigle, both local theatre veterans. The set is designed by Duncan Thistlethwaite. Costumes are designed by Gina Baronne. Original tunes are composed by Mychael Zulauf and Kelly Griffin. The production is produced by Walter Brown and Marie Diaz.

AUI/AURA presents  A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM after two highly praised 2010 productions – DR. HORRIBLE'S SINGALONG BLOG and BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL. This production marks the third collaboration for many in the company, and should prove to be one of the summer's brightest entertainments.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM will be presented at Cite des Arts. For tickets and reservations, call (337) 291-1122 or visit Cite Des Arts online.

Theatre--Website

There is a new theatre website in Louisiana called, appropriately enough, Theatres of Louisiana.  It has information about most of the theatre goings on throughout Louisiana.  It's a wonderful source for information about productions all over the state.

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

Open auditions will be held for an original two act musical at Cite Des Arts.


WHEN:   Audition Dates are Thursday, July 14th from 6:30 - 8:30  PM and Saturday, July 16th from 1:00-­4:00 PM 
WHERE:  Auditions will be held at Cité Des Arts, 109 Vine St. (off of Jefferson, Downtown Lafayette)    
WHAT:  An original 2-Act Musical Comedy based on a wayward Preacher and his 2 crazy cousins.   
 NEEDED:  5 male Actor/Singers. 8 female Actor/Singers.  Ages 18-­ 40 (flexible)  Choir members.   
REQUIRED:  Please be prepared to give a cold reading of a short dialogue from the play and sing a short simple song.  You are  welcome to bring a short (1-minute) monologue and a song of your choice.
 
EXTRA:  You are also welcome to bring a resume and head shot if you have them,  but it is not required.   We are also seeking volunteers for backstage -­ crew, costumes, makeup, set construction, etc.  You may email John at  tsejohn@msn.com or Jane at janebilleaudeaux@gmail.com.  Come and try out for an entertaining and original musical!

Performance dates are:  Sept. 29, 30, Oct. 1, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, & 15.

Theatre--Auditions

Eavesdrop Theatre will hold auditions for Snuff Flick, Pawn's Gambit and Getting Rid of Horace, three hysterical one-act comedies by local playwright and retired UL English professor John W. Fiero. 

Auditions are Saturday, July 9th and Sunday, July 10th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Cite des Arts, 109 Vine Street, Lafayette, Louisiana.  Roles to be cast include seven males, ages 18 - 80 and three females ages 18 - 60.  Auditions are open and all interested  are encouraged to attend.  Auditioners will be asked to perform a cold reading from the script.  Please bring a headshot and resume if available. 

The production will be directed by Daniel Ladmirault.  Performances are August 12-14 and 19-21 at Cite des Arts.  For audition-related questions, email danny@danielladmirault.com.

Theatre--Master Class/Workshop

Cite des Arts will sponsor another session of Caroline McGee’s Master Acting Workshop for actors of all ages and experience.


Ms. McGee recently mentored a number of local students for successful acceptance to top-flight institutions including NYU Tisch Drama, California Institute of the Arts, Columbia and Brown universities, Second City/Chicago, and more.   This session will focus on legendary master acting techniques developed by Lee Strasberg and Michael Chekhov.  Improvisation/exercises will be based on Anton Chekhov, Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, and Sam Shepard.  For an application and more information: mcgeec50@yahoo.com

Ms. McGee served as Director at The Lee Strasberg Institute/NYU Tisch Drama Studio, The Catholic University MFA Acting, and currently teaches at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Art Film & TV.

Theatre--Performance

Cite des Arts will present a staged reading of Revolting Women/WOMANBOMB at 6 pm on Friday July 15.  Tickets for the performance are free and can be reserved by calling 337-291-1122

Awarded “Best Acting” in The 2010 International United Solo Festival held at New York City’s Theatre Row, 42 Street, Revolting Women/WOMANBOMB explores the world of a 17-year old female suicide bomber and those of us left behind to pick up the pieces.

Local actors Martha Diaz and Christy Leichty will join playwrights Allan Graubard and Caroline McGee to portray the roles of the suicide bomber, a BBC journalist, and two mothers mourning their daughters.

A woman walks into a public place and explodes. Do we know her? Do we want to? Do we care?  Revolting Women/WOMANBOMB tracks an encounter with a tragic event and how media influences our perceptions of it – when suicide becomes a political weapon.

Ms. McGee served as Director at The Lee Strasberg Institute/NYU Tisch Drama Studio, The Catholic University MFA Acting, and currently teaches at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Art Film & TV.

Allan Graubard’s recent works include Roma Amor, Invisible Heads/Surrealists in North America, and For Alejandra Pizarnik; the plays One in the Other, Gordogan; and reviews in Leonardo (MIT Press), Pacific Rim Review (Exstasis Editions) & PEN Center/NY.

Theatre--Performance

Coming to Cite des Arts this July are two shows directed, designed, and written by a local Lafayette theatre groupcomposed of high school students. The Tea Sippers' Theatre Group (Plus One Coffee Drinker) will be presenting Bang Bang You're Dead by William Mastrosimone and an original play by Andrew Lee Vincent, The Outside.

Both performances are rated PG-13 and will run as a double feature on the nights of July 8th, 9th, 15th, & 16th at 7:30 PM.

Bang Bang You're Dead follows the life of a young teenager after multiple acts of murder. The play opens the door to another world, letting us meet her victims and the sorrow they all face. Learning that she will have to live with the pain forever, Jade must swallow the consequences of her actions.

The Outside is a play written by Andrew Lee Vincent. It follows the lives of multiple everyday people and strings their lives together. Set in a local park, these strangers will meet, love, hate, kill, cheat, steal, and ask for comfort. Noticing that what's on the outside isn't always what's most important.

The Tea Sippers' Theatre Group (Plus One Coffee Drinker) is a local theatre group that formed last October, beginning with the play, 70 Scenes of Halloween written by Jeffery Jones. The group has since grown and continues to bring theater to Lafayette. The group consists mainly of teens from Lafayette High School and its Performing Arts Academy. 

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

Dennis Ward is extremely happy to announce the cast of his new musical comedy, The Roadkill
Diner:
Cast of Characters
1. Annie Lu Nutt- A knocked up, back woods beauty who sings like a sparrow.
Jessica Jouclard
2. Connie Coffee- The feisty Roadkill Diner waitress whose tongue is an AK47.
Rose Cormier
3. Ima Nutt- Pretentious, power hungry, a grand dame only in her own mind
Stephanie Broussard
4. Aunt Ophelia Nutt-The heart of gold owner of the Roadkill Diner.
Kathy Martin
5. Teena Nutt - A lascivious criminal sister(possibly a drag role)
Mario Contreras
6. Teeta Nutt- A lascivious criminal sister (possibly a drag role)
Ryan Rogers
7. Dubbly Nutt- A heterosexual, drag queen husband of Annie Lu Nutt
Rick Rowan
8. Sam Goodman- A kind lawyer who helps the defenseless.
Joey Collins
9. Preacher Tubbs-A country preacher
Rudy Eisenzopf
10. Sheriff Jones- A country sheriff
John Bess
11. Encyclopedia salesman-A innocent teenager
Andrew Vincent
12. Wendell Sockett-He has a collection of shrapnel in his brain.
Bisquita Stevens

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

A pop culture phenomenon comes to the musical stage! The Emmy Award-winning 1970's Saturday morning cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever, tuneful songs is lighting up the stage at the Eunice Player's Theatre. Schoolhouse Rock Live! is now in rehearsals. Performance dates are scheduled for Wednesday, July 27th, Friday, July 29th, Tuesday, August 2nd, Thursday, August 4th and Saturday, August 6th at 7:00pm. There will also be two matinees on Sunday, July 31st and Sunday, August 7th at 2:00pm.   Make sure to mark your calendars and save the dates.

Director Angie B. McBride is very proud to have an extremely talented cast, who are working very hard to provide a top notch show! Cast members are Deborah D. Ardoin, John Christian Lyons, Gabe Ortego and Jeanne Sonnier of Eunice, Kristi and John Burleigh of Ville Platte, Duncan and Angie McBride and Taylor LaCalle of Lawtell and Andy Doucet, Jersten Seraile and pianist, Debbie Bertinot from Opelousas.

Also again this year, Mrs. McBride will hold the theatre's annual Children's Workshop, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 23rd.

Theatre--Auditions

Eavesdrop Theatre will hold auditions for Snuff Flick, Pawn's Gambit and Getting Rid of Horace, three hysterical one-act comedies by local playwright and retired UL English professor John W. Fiero.

Auditions are Saturday, July 9th and Sunday, July 10th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Cite des Arts, 109 Vine Street, Lafayette, Louisiana.  Roles to be cast include seven males, ages 18 - 80 and three females ages 18 - 60.  Auditions are open and all interested  are encouraged to attend.  Auditioners will be asked to perform a cold reading from the script.  Please bring a headshot and resume if available.

The production will be directed by Daniel Ladmirault.  Performances are August 12-14 and 19-21 at Cite des Arts.  For audition-related questions, email danny@danielladmirault.com.

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

AUDITIONS FOR:  IN HIS GRACE

an original musical comedy

by:  Jane Martin Billeaudeaux & John Verly Richard

based on a wayward Preacher and his 2 crazy cousins.

 

AUDITION SCHEDULE:

Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., Lafayette, Louisiana
Thursday, July 14th - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

& Saturday  July 16th from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE:
Rehearsals begin the week of July 25th, 2011.

Performances are Sept 29 & 30, Oct 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 & 15.

 

NEEDED:  5 male Actor/Singers. 8 female Actor/Singers. ages 18-40 (flexible)

We also need a Narrator (strong southern accent)  and several Choir members.

(cast info below)

 

REQUIRED: Please be prepared to give a cold reading of a short dialogue from the play.

and sing a short simple song.  You are welcome to bring a short (one minute) monologue and a song of your choice.

 

EXTRA:  You are also welcome to bring a resume and head shot if you have them, but it is not required.  We are also

seeking volunteers for back stage - crew, costumes, makeup, set construction etc.

 

Please come and try out for this entertaining and amusing escapade.

For more information email..

tsejohn@msn.com or janebilleaudeaux@gmail.com

call Cite at (337) 291-1122.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAST INFO:

Narrator: Animated, smug showman, strong southern voice. (singing not required)

Young & Older Lester: Called to the Lord to preach but runs into temptation (the temptresses)  along the way.

The 3 Temptresses:  Power, Lust & Greed.  The audience sees them, the characters do not.  Power is the leader.  Lust & Greed have a bit of comical rivalry

                              between them.  They are sexy, lurking between stage & audience.

Young & Older Sonny:  Curly headed, wiry.  Instigator, lover, full of himself.

Young & older Buck:     Quiet, country boy.

Leona Sumrall:  Plain faced ghostly appearance - Audience sees her, characters don't.  (voice important)

Prostitutes 1 (Candy), 2 & 3:   very animated

Melvin - Well known Minister in New Orleans.  Older, gray hair, horn-rimmed glasses.  (singing not required)

Peewee - Black, bar room musician - music mentor to the 3 cousins. 

Ruth:  Lester's girlfriend, turned wife.  Shy and demure (at first) and then becomes Ruth-less

Choir/townspeople -

Sonny's Girlfriend - pigtails, lollipop (singing not required)

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

AUDITIONS FOR: THE ROADKILL DINER
a musical comedy
by Dennis Ward

AUDITION SCHEDULE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., Lafayette, Louisiana
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 6:30pm-8pm
Thursday, June 23, 2011, 6:30pm-8pm

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE:
Rehearsals begin the week of July 11, 2011, Performances begin September 16th, and run through the 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, and 25th

CAST BREAKDOWN:
1. Annie Lu Nutt- 20-35, a Southern waitress with a strong voice and southern accent
2. Connie Coffee, 30-50, a feisty Southern waitress, singing ability a plus
3. Ima Nutt, 30-50, pretentious, a grand dame only in her own mind, strong voice and so accent
4. Dub Nutt, 20-35, straight drag queen husband of Annie Lu, singing ability a plus
5. Aunt Ophelia Nutt, 50-70, heart of gold owner of the Roadkill Diner, singing ability a plus
6. Sam Goodman, 30-50, a kind lawyer who helps the defenseless
7. Teena Nutt, 20-35, lascivous criminal sister, part can be played by a man or woman
8. Teeta Nutt, 20-35, lascivious criminal sister, part can be played by a man or a woman
9. Preacher Tubbs, 30-60, a Southern country preacher
10. Sheriff Jones- 30-50, a country sheriff
11. Encyclopedia salesman- An innocent teenager

For more information, call Cite at (337) 291-1122.

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

Abbey Players is pleased to announce auditions for their fall production, The 2005 Tony Award winning The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  Auditions will take place July 16^th at 2PM and July 18^th at 6PM with possible call-backs that week.  All ages are welcome to audition.  Rehearsal will start promptly after the show is cast.

This audience-participation show is most simply, a spelling bee. All the "kids" are played by adults. This show is very comedic, and with audience members onstage, improvisation is a necessary task for Panch and Peretti, but useful to all cast members.

The music has pop influences and the female characters should have a strong belt/mix voice. Minimal dance.  Auditions at the Abbey Players Theatre, located at 200 South State Street, Abbeville, LA.  Show runs from September 23rd to November 5th (14 performances).  Flexible rehearsal schedule.  See http://www.abbeyplayers.comfor more details.

Please come to the audition with 16 bars from a Broadway musical number, but be prepared to sing the entire number. Cold readings will be done from the script of The Bee. 

Cast Of Characters

The Kids:

Marcy Park (Mezzo) speaks 6 languages, good at everything. Acrobatic Dance in "I Speak Six Languages"  - playing the piano & doing “the splits” a plus! Leaf Coneybear (Tenor) 2nd runner up in the school bee, he shouldn't even be here. He thinks he's "not that smart."  Comedic Role. William Barfee (Baritone) spells with his foot, chronically congested. Olive Ostrovsky (Soprano) feels abandoned by her parents, her best friend is her dictionary. Chip Tolentino (Tenor) last year's champ. Arrogant until an unfortunate mishap results in his early elimination. Logainne Schwartzandgrubennierre (Mezzo) has a lisp. Youngest competitor, with 2 stage fathers who force  her to be a perfectionist.

The Adults:

Mitch Mahoney (Baritone-Tenor) ex-con serving community service hours as a "comfort counselor" for  the kids who are eliminated. Rona Lisa Peretti (Soprano) one time winner of the bee, now officiating it. Comedic improvisation. Douglas Panch (non-singing) Vice Principal. Infatuated with Rona. Comedic improvisation.

Theatre--Review (Cite Des Arts)

Exile

Music by Valerian Smith

Book by Maureen Brennan

What's more important to leave behind: accomplishment or love? That's the question that sits at the heart of the new musical Exile, now running at Cite des Arts.

On what will be the last day of his life, Napoleon sits in his quarters on the Isle of St. Helena, attempting to write his memoirs. He wants a record of his political legacy, and he furiously tries to write against the coming end. He's interrupted, however, by a mysterious figure called The Shade – part conscience, part grim reaper – and an insistent chorus of voices echoing his inner thoughts. The Shade pushes him to confront faces from the past, and Napoleon struggles to reconcile his political legacy with the emotional wreckage he's inflicted on the people he loved.

It's pretty juicy stuff. But Exile adds another intriguing layer – when this show sings, it sings in the voice of gospel, blues and R&B. Not only are we watching a man's emotional reckoning, but we're also watching an interesting clash of culture and history.

That Exile doesn't quite add up to a satisfying evening of theatre is, in no uncertain terms, a disappointment. There's a lot of interesting material at play here, and the show bristles with some really compelling ideas. At this stage, though, it hasn't quite found the way to harness them and shape them into an evening that packs a mighty punch.

On the performance end of things, a few cast members deliver memorable work. Erica Fox lands the evening's biggest vocal moment as Marie Louise – quite a voice on Ms. Fox – and I wished she'd have gotten more stage time. Ian Bonin has an affecting moment as Napoleon's son, and Stephanie Broussard has some fire and flash as Napoleon's mother (although I was disappointed that she didn't get a chance to sing). Most impressive is A.D Dugar as The Shade, finding some humor in the show's more serious scenes and offering some emotionally resonant vocal work as well.

But Exile falters in the storytelling. At the heart of the show seems to be an exploration of what an individual's legacy really is and how one holds oneself responsible for what we leave behind. Exile's Napoleon wants desperately to be remembered for his brilliant (if historically maligned) military and political career, but what haunts him are the emotional disappointments, the betrayals, the personal failures and, in the show's nicest musical moment, his absence as a father. The show hasn't quite located this as its heart yet, so scenes that should play as explosive emotional confrontations instead meander around philosophical, speculative talk. When the show does hit the heart of its intentions (as in the lovely duet between father and son and Ms. Fox's farewell vocal moment) the show works like gangbusters. But it doesn't yet do it consistently and it doesn't do it over the full arc of the evening.

I also came away from the show wishing for a more radical exploration of the show's intriguing culture clash. Valerian Smith's score contains some truly lovely things, and it was at it's most interesting when it played with gospel and the blues. I left wondering if there's a show here that explores the final days of Napoleon through the lens of the African-American experience, a show that makes this culture clash more text than subtext, a show that looks at questions of legacy, family, accountability and regret through the filter of the black experience in America. It seems that all the parts are there in Smith's score, and it was the quiet undercurrent that kept me thinking about the show on the way home from the theatre.

There's a powerful, challenging and exciting musical in Exile.  And if this production isn't quite the full expression of that musical now, there's still enough here that's worth experiencing. There are some committed and engaging performances, some thought-provoking ideas and a lovely score here. And it's the work of homegrown writers. Lafayette has slowly developed a thriving scene of new work, and Exile is the latest entrant in that world. Support it, so that other new theatre pieces will take root and bloom here.

--Cody Daigle

Theatre--Auditions

The Iberia Performing Arts League (IPAL) will be holding auditions for Arsenic and Old Lace at the old Essanee Theatre, located at 126 Iberia Street, on June 14 and June 15 at 6:00 pm. The show will be directed by David Arceneaux.  Performances open August 18th and run for 2 week-ends for a total of 8 performances. 

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

Playhouse Productions, currently in rehearsal for The Sound of Music to be presented at the Grand Opera House in Crowley, is looking for three actors.  The parts of Liesl, Captain Von Trapp and the Butler are all open.  For more information, please contact Colleen McMurray at mcmurray8625@att.net

Theatre--Performance

Cite des Arts will present a staged reading of Revolting Women/WOMANBOMB at 6 pm on Friday, July 15.  Tickets for the performance are free and can be reserved by emailing mcgeec50@yahoo.com.

 Awarded “Best Acting” in The 2010 International United Solo Festival held at New York City’s Theatre Row, 42 Street, Revolting Women/WOMANBOMB explores the world of a 17-year old female suicide bomber and those of us left behind to pick up the pieces.

 Local actors Martha Diaz and Christy Leichty will join playwrights Allan Graubard and Caroline McGee to portray the roles of the suicide bomber, a BBC journalist, and two mothers mourning their daughters.
 A woman walks into a public place and explodes. Do we know her? Do we want to? Do we care?  Revolting Women/WOMANBOMB tracks an encounter with a tragic event and how media influences our perceptions of it – when suicide becomes a political weapon….

Theatre--Workshop

During the week of July 11th through the 14th, Cite des Arts will sponsor another session of Caroline McGee’s Master Acting Workshop for actors of all ages and experience.

Ms. McGee recently mentored a number of local students for successful acceptance to top-flight institutions including NYU Tisch Drama, California Institute of the Arts, Columbia and Brown universities, Second City/Chicago, and more.   This session will focus on legendary master acting techniques developed by Lee Strasberg and Michael Chekhov.  Improvisation/exercises will be based on Anton Chekhov, Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, and Sam Shepard.  For an application and more information: mcgeec50@yahoo.com.

Theatre--Auditions

The Iberia Performing Arts League (IPAL) will be holding auditions for Arsenic and Old Lace at the old Essanee Theatre, located at 126 Iberia Street, on June 14 and June 15 at 6:00 pm. The show will be directed by David Arceneaux.  Performances open August 18th and run for 2 week-ends for a total of 8 performances. 
 
Arsenic and Old Lace is a popular classic which brings hilarity and fun to the stage for all to enjoy. Arsenic and Old Lace is a story of two loving and caring sisters who take in "lonely and orphaned" elderly gentlemen boarders and make them "permanent residents".  Nephew Teddy, who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt,  Mortimer the uptight theater critic, and Johnathon the creepy one, make up only a small part of a colorful cast of characters involved in a who did/who didn't comedic play. Set in the 50's, the play consists of :                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 2 men -age 20's - 30's- approximate 
 5 men -age 30's - 40's approximate 
 3 men-age 40's to 60's approximate 
 2 females -60's approximate                                                                                                                                                                                      
 1 female-age- 20's approximate 
 
Open auditions to all interested. For more information, please call 337-364-6114  and leave a message. Someone will get back to you. We look forward to seeing you there! 
  
  

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

The world premier of Exile, a gospel musical about Napoleon’s final exile at St. Helen’s in the Caribbean, will be on June 9^th at Cité des Arts in downtown Lafayette.  It will run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through June 25^th.   All performances are at 7:30 p.m.  This piece is suitable for the entire family.  Tickets are $15, or $10 for students and seniors.  Group discounts are also available.

The music for this piece was composed by Dr. Valerian Smith of Baton Rouge;  the play was written by Maureen Brennan.  Dr.  Smith’s music was produced initially in concert form for Festival International in 1992 , at which time it received rave reviews.   The inspiration was a visit to the tomb of Napoleon, the lyrics the words Napoleon might have uttered as he reached the end of his days. The story brings to life the central characters in Napoleon’s life as they comfort and challenge him.

For more information please contact Maureen Brennan at 337 234-4912 or Cité des Arts at 337 291-1122.  Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.citedesarts.org

Theatre--Review (Abbey Players)

A review of the Abbey Players' production of Rich Is Better appears in the Friday, June 3rd edition of the Daily Advertiser.

Theatre--Performance

Someone saw it. Someone didn't go. Someone sat in her car. And someone did the unexplainable. In interlocking monologues, four young people attempt to find sense in a senseless act of violence in Certain Unexplainable Events, a new one-act play by local playwright Cody Daigle.

AUI/AURA is proud to have the opportunity to present this new work at a June 11th ArtWalk event hosted by the Acadiana Center for the Arts. The show will be run twice with a different cast each time. Start times for the shows will be announced as soon as possible.

The casts are Kelly Griffin/Megan Conner as The One In Her Car, Martha Diaz/Morgan James as The One Who Saw It, Joseph Diaz/Michael Mouton as The One Who Didn't Go and Phillip Spear/Mychael Zulauf as Michael.

The starting times are 6:15 pm and 7:15 pm at the James Moncus Theatre in the AcA.

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

AUDITIONS FOR: THE ROADKILL DINER
a musical comedy
by Dennis Ward
AUDITION SCHEDULE: Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., Lafayette, Louisiana
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 6:30pm-8pm
Thursday, June 23, 2011, 6:30pm-8pm
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE:
Rehearsals begin the week of July 11, 2011, Performances begin September 16,17,18 and
23,24,25th
CAST BREAKDOWN:
1. Annie Lu Nutt- 20-35, a Southern waitress with a strong voice and southern accent
2. Connie Coffee, 30-50, a feisty Southern waitress, singing ability a plus
3. Ima Nutt, 30-50, pretentious, a grand dame only in her own mind, strong voice and so accent
4. Dub Nutt, 20-35, straight drag queen husband of Annie Lu, singing ability a plus
5. Aunt Ophelia Nutt, 50-70, heart of gold owner of the Roadkill Diner, singing ability a plus
6. Sam Goodman, 30-50, a kind lawyer who helps the defenseless
7. Teena Nutt, 20-35, lascivous criminal sister, part can be played by a man or woman
8. Teeta Nutt, 20-35, lascivious criminal sister, part can be played by a man or a woman
9. Preacher Tubbs, 30-60, a Southern country preacher
10. Sheriff Jones- 30-50, a country sheriff
11. Encyclopedia salesman- An innocent teenager

Theatre--Performance

Someone saw it. Someone didn't go. Someone sat in her car. And someone did the unexplainable. In interlocking monologues, four young people attempt to find sense in a senseless act of violence in Certain Unexplainable Events, a new one-act play by local playwright Cody Daigle.

AUI/AURA is proud to have the opportunity to present this new work at a June 11th ArtWalk event hosted by the Acadiana Center for the Arts. The show will be run twice with a different cast each time. The first show will begin at 6:15 and the second will begin at 7:15.

The casts are Kelly Griffin/Megan Conner as The One In Her Car, Martha Diaz/Morgan James as The One Who Saw It, Joseph Diaz/Michael Mouton as The One Who Didn't Go and Phillip Spear/Mychael Zulauf as Michael.

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

Auditions for the Eunice Players’ Theatre Summer musical, Schoolhouse Rock Live, are as follows: Saturday, June 4th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday, June 6th and Tuesday, June 7th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We will be casting male and female roles from ages 15 years old and up in singing and dancing roles. Anyone interested in auditioning for the show or interested in helping, please come to the Eunice Players’ Theatre, located at 121 South 2nd Street, within those dates and times. If auditioning, please prepare a short monologue of your choosing and bring an accompaniment track to sing one solo song. No a cappella auditions will be allowed. The show is scheduled to open mid-July and it is family friendly. If you should have any questions, please call Debi at 337-457-2156. You can also check our Facebook page.

          Murder, revenge and suspense in the mists of Wales will keep theatergoers on the edge of their seats as the Iberia Performing Arts League (IPAL) presents Agatha Christie’s The Unexpected Guest. Performances will be Thursdays through Sundays June 2 through June 12, 2011, at the Essanee Theater in downtown New Iberia. Evening performances (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) begin at 7:30 with Sunday Matinees at 3:00. Advance tickets in New Iberia are available at Delaune’s Pharmacy, Paul’s Flower Shop, or Accentrics on Main Street. Information can be obtained by calling the theater at 364-6114, e-mailing ipal@cox.net, or by visiting the IPAL website www.iberiaperforms.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. All tickets are $10.00

            Dame Agatha Christie, the “Queen of Crime,” penned over sixty-five mystery novels and seventeen plays and remains one of the best-selling authors of all time outsold only by Shakespeare and the Bible. She has never failed to puzzle and dazzle audiences all over the world. The Unexpected Guest is nothing different. Just when it appears the mystery is solved, she pulls one of her famous twists leaving the audience on the edge of its seat and guessing until the end!

            The show is directed by Travis Guillory and features a talented cast featuring leads Rhonda LeBlanc as Laura Warwick and Billy Walker as Michael Starkwedder. Rounding out the cast are Vince Barras as Henry Angell, Cheryl Patin as Miss Bennett, Seth Derouen as Jan Warwick, Judi Gardiner as Mrs. Warwick,  Craig Duhon as Julian Farrar, Barney Fortier as Inspector Thomas, and Donald Voorhies as Sergeant Cadwallader. With Guillory's top-notch set and talented cast, IPAL is ready to provide a night of unforgettable entertainment!

            "The door opens and the unexpected guest come in." Will you be ready?