Dance--Performance

Everyone knows the story of Cinderella as portrayed in books and movies, but no medium quite captures the magic of this inspiring rags-to-riches tale as classical ballet. Experience the enchantment of Lafayette Ballet Theatre’s Cinderella at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 31, 2012, in the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

LBT promises an awe-inspiring evening appropriate for all ages. Principal guest artists from the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Cincinnati Ballet will join the local cast in presenting the three-act, full-length classical production, set to Sergei Prokofiev’s celebrated score. Tickets – great for Valentine’s Day gifts – are available now through the Heymann Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets.

Tickets are priced as follows: front orchestra, $40; back orchestra, $35; first balcony, $30; back orchestra, $20. Additional Ticketmaster fees may apply. Special group rates are available. Students are eligible for a 50-percent discount on balcony level tickets anytime, or they may opt 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.) Tickets are available at the Heymann Center Box Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; via phone, 337-291-5555; and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Lafayette Ballet Theatre is a nonprofit organization offering classical ballet instruction, dance study scholarships, educational programs and quality stage performances to the Acadiana community. LBT’s production of Cinderella is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

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

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.

Dance--Performance

 The stage will sizzle when the national tour of Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca—a passionate combination of flamenco dance, music and beautiful costumes--hits the stage as part of the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) season at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 26 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette.

Hailed by critics everywhere for its exciting and transcendent performances, Noche Flamenca is recognized as the most authentic flamenco touring company in world. Under the direction of Martin Santangelo, the award-winning Noche Flamenca has become Spain’s most successful touring company. Formed in 1993 by Santangelo and his award-winning wife, Soledad Barrio, they have successfully brought to the stage the essence, purity, and integrity of one of the world’s most complex and mysterious art forms. Noche Flamenca highlights include regular seasons in New York City and Buenos Aires, performances in Greece and Egypt and annual tours to North America.

 "Flamenco dance can be considered a cousin to tap dance," says Jacqueline Lyle, PASA's executive director. "Unlike tap shoes, which have taps on the soles of the shoes, flamenco shoes have nail heads. Tap dancers tend to bounce up, while flamenco dancers work hard down into the floor. When flamenco dance combines its fiery character with the incredible work of this company's flamenco guitarists and singers, the entire show becomes spell-binding."

Tickets for the evening performance are available by calling TicketMaster at 1(800) 745-3000, by visiting any TicketMaster outlet or online at www.pasaonline.org.

Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca are supported by presenting sponsors Chevron and Preis and Roy. Additional support for this performance includes grants from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Center for the Arts; and the National Dance Project of the New England Foundation for the Arts, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and additional funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Community Connections Fund of the MetLife Foundation.

For more information about all upcoming Performing Arts Society of Acadiana presentations, visit www.pasaonline.org or call (337) 237-2787.

Dance--Performance

Mythical creatures gallop across the stage, larger-than-life roses bloom to music, and the birds of summer come out to play when dancers with Momix, the acclaimed company of dancer-illusionists led by famed choreographer Moses Pendleton, bring their newest work “Botanica” to the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana’s (PASA) mainstage series at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

For more than 25 years, Momix has been celebrated for presenting work of exceptional inventiveness and physical beauty. Known internationally for its ability to conjure a world of surrealistic images using props, light, shadow, humor and the human body, Momix, is a Connecticut-based company of dancer-illusionists under the direction of Moses Pendleton. In addition to stage performances world-wide, Momix has worked on special projects in film and in television, including perfor mances on Antenne II in France and five Italian RAI television features broadcast to 55 coun tries.

Tickets for Momix are available through TicketMaster outlets by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or online at www.pasa-online.org. Student and group discounts are available.

This performance and all activities in association with Momix are sponsored by Cox Communications, Moss Motors and Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry. Additionally supported is provided by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

Momix “Botanica” is an exploration of the delicate world of nature through a spectacular blend of theatre, athleticism and movement bringing show goers along on a fantastic visual journey.  The Times Union says, “Earthly and otherworldly at once— (Botanica) it is a magnificent vision of the everyday miracles around us.”

“Momix Botanica is inspired by everyday things found in the natural world,” says, Jackie Lyle, PASA Creative Director. “From plants, to animals, to the change of seasons, the beauty of nature is celebrated through this performance.” Lyle continues, “This show is great for all ages and is a great opportunity for parents and children to experience dance at its best.”

The company was featured in PBS’s Dance in America series and selected to represent the United States at the European Cultural Center at Delphi. Momix dancers Cynthia Quinn and Karl Baumann played the role of “Bluey” in the film FX II, under the direction of Moses Pendleton. The company is featured on a Decca Records laser disc, appearing with Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony in the Rhombus Media film of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, winner of an International Emmy for Best Performing Arts Special. Momix was also featured in one of the first IMAX films in 3-D, IMAGINE, which premiered at the Taejon Expo 93 and was subsequently released at IMAX theaters world-wide. In 2004, “White Widow”, co-choreographed by Moses Pendleton and Cynthia Quinn, was featured in Robert Altman’s movie, The Company.

 “Momix is well-known for creating beautiful, thought-provoking, choreography that challenge audiences to open their minds and let their imaginations take over. This performance will take our audience on a journey into a magical world through dance,” says Lyle.

 In addition to the evening performance, Momix will perform in a daytime performance for middle and high school students at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 20 at the Heymann Center. Interested teachers and principals can register their students through the PASA office at (337) 237-2787. PASA will also host several free Momix inspired outreach activities including a native and edible plant lecture at the Iberia Parish Library Main Branch, a floral display by the Lafayette Garden Club at the Heymann Center, and a celebration of Pi Keohavong, a New Iberia native and former principal dancer with Momix. The complete schedule of activities is available at www.pasaonline.org or by calling 337-237-2787.

For more information about the 2010-2011 PASA series, visit www.pasaonline.org or call 337- 237-2787.

Opera--Performance

The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) will present the international tour of George and Ira Gershwin's quintessential American opera, Porgy and Bess, at the Heymann Center for the Performing Arts.  Jazz phrasings find a home in opera in this breath-taking masterpiece that entwines pride, prejudice, pathos and passion, with a memorable score that includes "Summertime", "I Got Plenty o' Nuttin’" and "It Ain't Necessarily So".

PASA is also sponsoring outreach activities before the performances. An exciting lineup of lectures and art demonstrations are planned as PASA prepares for their presentation of Porgy and Bess at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 7 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.  There will be a special student production on Monday, March 8th.


The activity schedule leading up to the Porgy and Bess performance is designed for opera fans, music and theater lovers and anyone interested in culture and stimulated by new ideas.

           Wednesday, March 3
Porgy and Bess: A love story against all odds
Lafayette Parish Library-south regional branch
6101 Johnston Street
Lafayette, La 70503
Time: 6:30 p.m.

George Gershwin’s great American opera Porgy and Bess was controversial from the start (in 1958 the movie set was destroyed by arson), but songs like “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So” ensure its immortality. Join U.L.’s Dr Susan Nicassio as she explores the classic tale of love, crime, loss, and ultimately redemption, set in the Charleston tenement of Catfish Row.

           Saturday, March 6
PASA presents: "Porgy and Bess; from drama to destiny"
Teen Discussion
Progressive Baptist Church Community Center
125 Gallian Street
Lafayette,La 70501
Time: 1-3 pm
PASA will host a teen summit at Progressive Baptist Church Community Center. Area high school students are invited to participate as panelists in the teen discussion. The summit will focus on similar social challenges faced by the characters from Porgy and Bess and how it relates to teens today.This event will be moderated by local poet and actress Katrina Auzenne, and co-moderated by Lafayette City-Parish Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux. The event is free but space is limited. Interested participants can register by calling (337) 237-2787 ext. 206.

Tickets for Porgy and Bess range from $12-$60 with discounts available for groups of 10 or more and students with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased through all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 1(800)745-3000, or online at the PASA website.

Opera--Performance

The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) concludes its daytime performances for students with the Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 8 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

Porgy and Bess, the distinctively American opera, closes out the daytime student series with a sweeping tale of love, loss and triumph over despair. This opera features the music of great American composers George and Ira Gershwin with a cast of 30 performers and a live orchestra. Performed in English with projected supertitles, Porgy and Bess features a memorable score that includes the well-known songs “Summertime”,” I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So”. 

This daytime performance for students is presented by PASA with the sponsorship support of Capital One, the Wilkinson Family Foundation and additional grant support from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Arts Council.

“Porgy and Bess" is a great great production for students to attend," says Jacqueline Lyle, PASA's executive director.  "This is a great opportunity for teachers and principals to extend their students’ learning beyond the books in their classroom.”

Porgy and Bess is probably the most famous and most successful American opera and, at times, it has been the most controversial. Based on DuBose Heyward’s novel, Porgy (and the play that was adapted from the novel), it has long been considered the crowning achievement in the stellar careers of all of the authors. To this day, the story of the crippled beggar transformed by his unexpected and improbable love for Bess, is performed all over the world by theatre and opera companies. Porgy and Bess opened in New York at the Alvin Theatre on October 10, 1935. The landmark 1953 Broadway revival toured for years as a goodwill ambassador on behalf of the U.S. State Department and in 1959 the opera was finally filmed by Samuel Goldwyn. This operatic masterpiece has spawned a string of hit songs that have become international icons of the American tradition.

“A fully staged opera is so compelling and visually stunning," says Lyle.  It engages the audience from the moment the curtain opens to long after the performance ends. This opera is set in South Carolina and sung completely in English, which makes it easy for students to follow and understand.  The story of Porgy and Bess is a classic one sure to engage and entertain teachers and their students.”

In advance of the performance, PASA provides each attending student an informative study guidecalled BackStage Pass. This guide prepares students and teachers with information and activities that will enhance the value of attending the performance and underscores the educational fundamentals that are core to curricula.

Admission for each event is $5 per student or chaperone. Teachers and principals wishing to have their students attend, or seeking more information, should contact the PASA office at (337) 237-2787 or visit the PASA website.
 

Theatre--Performance

PASA is proud to sponsor the Montana Rep's return to the Heymann Center with its dramatic staging of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. This classic tale of honesty, integrity and courage is as timely today as it was when it emerged 50 years ago. Set in a fictional southern town, its colorful characters--including the widowed attorney Atticus Finch and the reclusive Boo Radley--are unforgettable.

The show is scheduled for Sunday, October 18th at 7:30 pm.  There is a school performance scheduled for the next day (Monday, October 19th) at  10:30 am.  For more information, or to find out how to reserve tickets, contact PASA at (337) 237-2787 or on the web here.


This presentation of To Kill A Mockingbird is funded in part, by a grant from the Southern Arts Federation in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Louisiana Division of the Arts.

Dance--Auditions

Lafayette Ballet Theatre invites area dancers to audition Sunday, September 13th, for two full-length ballet productions of The Nutcracker in December. Auditions will take place at Angelle Hall, located at the corner of St. Mary Blvd. and McKinley Street on the UL-Lafayette campus.

Roles for children and adults, male and female, are available. To qualify for audition, a dancer must be at least 8 years old; have completed at least one year of ballet study; and be studying ballet currently in an established dance program. Audition times vary according to the dancer’s age and skill level, as follows:
▪ Beginner/Intermediate Levels, ages 8-10: 1-3 p.m.
▪ Intermediate /Advanced Levels, ages 11-14: 3-5 p.m.
• Tumblers (New this year, for Act 1 soldier variation!): 5-5:30 p.m.
▪ Advanced (no pointe work), ages 15-adult: 5-5:30 p.m.
▪ Advanced Pointe (pre-professionals/professionals): 5:30-7 p.m.
Beginning/Intermediate level dancers should arrive one half hour prior to the start of the audition period listed. Advanced level dancers should arrive at least one hour in advance. All dancers should wear ballet attire and be prepared to stay for the duration of the audition period as listed on the schedule. A $20 registration fee is required of all dancers ages 8 to 17 at the time of audition. Please make checks payable to Lafayette Ballet Theatre (LBT) or bring exact change.

Lafayette Ballet Theatre, along with internationally acclaimed guest artists, will present performances of the holiday classic The Nutcracker Saturday, December 12th, and Sunday, December 13th, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

For more information, visit www.lafayetteballettheatre.org or call 337-262-0444.

Theatre/Dance/Opera--Performance

PASA is annoucing the upcoming 2009/2010 Daytime Performances for Students series. This series is geared towards area middle and high school students and teachers. In addition to seeing great live performances, teachers have access to educational tools created by PASA that directly connect the performances to the classroom curricula.

The Daytime Performancs for Students series kicks off on Monday, September 19th, with a sizzling blend of African, modern ballet and hip-hop stylings by Evidence Dance Company. Next up will be Montana Rep's dramatic staging of To Kill A Mockingbird on Monday, October 19th. The series concludes with a special daytime performance of the opera Porgy and Bess on Wednesday, March 7th, 2010. All performances will be at 10:30 a.m at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette.

Admission for each event is $5 per student or chaperone. Teachers and principals wishing to have their students attend, or seeking more information, should contact the PASA office at (337) 237-2787 or visit the PASA website.

Dance--Performance

PASA presents the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble, which will bring its unique ballet style to Lafayette at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday February 15, 2009 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center. All seats are $5 and are only available through mail order or at the Heymann Box Office. This special appearance of the Dance Theater of Harlem Ensemble is sponsored by AT&T, Dr. Curtis H. Roy, D.D.S., the Daily Advertiser, Opelousas Daily World, Keller Williams Realty, the Louisiana Open and Ben and Dawn Adams.

An American classic, Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble brings its Dance for America tour to audiences in Lafayette. Note that 3:00 p.m. is a special performance so please plan accordingly for this show.

Dance Theatre of Harlem will not only perform, but also offer the audience a behind the scenes look at how a dancer is made. Known for innovative and history-making productions, the show will end with Mother Popcorn, an electrifying piece from choreographer Robert Garland's sizzling Return with music by James Brown. Audiences may recall this exceptional dance piece from the company's last visit to Lafayette in 2001. This performance showcases the blending of the contemporary style of Dance Theatre of Harlem with their deeply-embedded roots in the tradition of ballet master George Blanchine.

Dance Theatre of Harlem's performance on the PASA series is part of a national tour which includes stops in Shreveport and Baton Rouge. "Dance Theatre of Harlem is one of the most important cultural institutions in the world. As one of our country's first African-American classical ballet companies, they've been seen by millions of people around the world, including those of us who saw them in their last appearance in Lafayette several years ago," says Jacqueline Lyle, PASA Executive Director.

"All Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble tickets are priced at only $5 and we are relying on our community to support this project through sponsorship," says Lyle. "We have designed a range of sponsorships, including corporate, dance school and church sponsorships, as well as Adopt-A-Dancer sponsorships.

PASA is looking for 18 Adopt-A-Dancer sponsors. At $500, this sponsorship includes ten tickets to the performance, invitations to a party with the dancers after the show and the opportunity to appear on stage in the show. For more information about sponsorship, call Lyle at 337 237-2787, ext. 204.

To order tickets, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with payment by check or money order to PASA. Include a ticket request, indicating the number of tickets to be purchased, name, address, telephone number and email address, as well as payment for the total number of $5 tickets. Ticket requests should be mailed to PASA at P.O. Box 52979, Lafayette, LA, 70505. Order forms will be available in the Daily Advertiser, Daily World, at area churches and dance schools and online at http://www.pasa-online.org/.

Founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook, Dance Theatre of Harlem was dubbed "One of ballet's most exciting undertakings" by the New York Times. Inspired by the death of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mitchell, an accomplished artistic director, astute educator, talented choreographer and extraordinary dancer, was inspired to start a school that would offer children---especially those in Harlem, NY, where he was born--the chance to learn about dance and the allied arts. Now in its fourth decade, the Dance Theatre of Harlem has grown into a multi-cultural dance institution with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence.

Over the years, Dance Theatre of Harlem has achieved unprecedented success by bringing innovative and bold new forms of artistic expression to audiences in New York City, across the country, and around the world. Serving as cultural ambassadors and representatives of the people of the United States, they have participated in high profile tours abroad most notably to the former USSR in 1988, South Africa after the fall of Apartheid in 1992; and to China in 2000 following the signing of the 2000 US-China trade treaty. During their tour of China, they performed to sold-out houses, giving the country its first performances of Firebird,and conducted extensive outreach and educational activities in Mandarin Chinese. That same year, the company returned to the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, which marked their first performances on that stage in 25 years. Dance Theatre of Harlem is known worldwide for its eclectic repertoire; which includes their history making productions of Creole Giselle and Firebird. Their company studios have served as the incubator for artists of today like Robert Garland, Alonzo King, Donald Byrd and Vincent Mantsoe.

"We want everyone in the community to have the chance to experience our performances." says Jacqueline Lyle, PASA Executive Director. "Parents have an incredible opportunity to share an entertaining cultural opportunity to their children at very little cost. Providing a foundation to enrich a child's mind and give them a greater appreciation of the arts is priceless and this performance is a great way to share that experience with them."

In addition to the professional company, the Dance Theatre of Harlem School is based in New York City, and is a leading arts education center which features a 14 member touring ensemble dedicated to continuing the legacy it started almost 40 years ago. The school houses dance studios used by the professional company dancers and the students at the school. Each year they offer training to more than 1,000 young people annually through professional and pre-professional dance programs. The school also offers a community program called Dancing Through Barriers, which is open to any child who wants to study dance.

For more information about the upcoming performance of the Dance Theatre of Harlem or the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana, visit us online or call our office at (337) 237-2787.

Dance--Performance

Pacific Northwest Ballet dancer Laura Gilbreath — a Louisiana native — will perform as a guest artist in Lafayette Ballet Theatre’s production of The Sleeping Beauty.

A hundred years is a long time to wait, but true love’s kiss makes it all worthwhile. Live the dream at Lafayette Ballet Theatre’s production of the timeless tale The Sleeping Beauty at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 28, in the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

Principal guest artists from Pacific Northwest Ballet will join LBT dancers in presenting this enchanting story ballet. Featuring the celebrated music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Sleeping Beauty is performed as a full-length classical ballet in three acts.

Tickets are available now at the Heymann Center Box Office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (337-262-8686) and through all Ticket Master outlets including online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/. Priced as follows: front orchestra, $32; back orchestra, $27; first balcony, $25; back orchestra, $20. Additional Ticketmaster fees may apply. Special group rates are available. Students are eligible for a 50-percent discount on balcony level tickets anytime, or they may opt 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. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Arts Council.

For more information on LBT and The Sleeping Beauty, call 337-262-0444 or visit http://www.lafayetteballettheatre.org/.

100 Years of Broadway

PASA presents 100 Years of Broadway on Thursday, November 13th at 7:30 pm at the Heymann Center. The winner of the Lafayette contest, 17 year old Courtney Svendson, will be featured in the show's finale.

Theatre--Contest/Performance

The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) and Cox Communications are thrilled to announce 17-year-old Lafayette native, Courtney Svendson, as the winner of the "Singing with the Broadway Stars" contest.

The contest is a companion to the upcoming performance of Neil Berg's widely acclaimed 100 Years of Broadway, a musical revue of Broadway's most celebrated shows, which features a dazzling cast of five Broadway stars accompanied by an all-star New York band.

A panel of judges made up of industry professionals selected Svendson to sing a solo onstage as part of the finale of the Lafayette show. The panel also chose Connie Ledet, Brittany Morvant , Kelly Rowland and Brooklyn Woods as runners-up, all of whom will perform with the entire 100 Years of Broadway cast.

According to San Francisco's KABC radio theater critic, Jerry Friedman, "This revue features some of the best songs from the best Broadway shows, all sung by some of the most talented performers working today, singing many of the hit songs that they have sung on Broadway."

100 Years of Broadway recreates the greatest moments from the finest shows of the century featuring the actual stars of shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, CATS, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Jekyll & Hyde. These amazing performers light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred. Neil Berg presents brilliantly revived arrangements of Broadway classics as well as thrilling numbers from Broadway's newest hit shows.

Past productions of this popular show have featured Betty Buckley, Liz Callaway, Ben Vereen, and Alex Santoriello among others. Along with musical director and pianist Neil Berg, the Heymann Center production will feature Rita Harvey (Christine Daee, Phantom of the Opera), Ray McLeod (Wreck, Wonderful Town), Carter Calvert (Grizabella,Cats), Danny Zolli (Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar), and Erick Buckley (Jean Valjean, Les Miserables).

100 Years of Broadway will be at the Heymann Center on Thursday November 13 at 7:30 p.m. for one night only. Tickets are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets, online at www.pasa-online.org or by calling the TicketMaster office at (337) 262-8686.

The auditions for the contest ended Friday October 31, at 5 p.m. and was open to anyone ages 15 years or older. Interested applicants submitted video through social networking sites Myspace, Facebook and Youtube or if they did not have access to a video camera, Acadiana Open Channel (AOC) filmed auditions at no charge and, assisted applicants with uploading their video to the competition website. All entrants received an automatic 15% discount on tickets to the show.

Tickets for Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway performance are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets, online at www.pasa-online.org or by calling the TicketMaster office at (337) 262-8686.

For more information about the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana please visit us online at www.pasa-online.org or contact PASA at (337) 237-2787.

Theatre--Performance

The Theatre League of Louisiana presents The Pajama Game at the Heymann Center on Wednesday, October 15th at 7:30 pm.

From Music Theatre International:

The dangers of a workplace romance are explored to hysterical effect in this romantic comedy from the creators of Damn Yankees. Conditions at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory are anything but peaceful, as sparks fly between new superintendent Sid Sorokin and Babe Williams, leader of the union grievance committee. Their stormy relationship comes to a head when the workers strike for a 7½-cent pay increase, setting off not only a conflict between management and labor, but a battle of the sexes as well.

Bright and brassy, this unconventional, fast-paced Broadway favorite is every bit the embodiment of legendary director George Abbott at his very best. The energetic score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross is brimming with songs and dances, which have become popular and musical theatre standards (among them “Hey There,” “Steam Heat” and “Hernando’s Hideaway”) and features plenty of splashy, fun production numbers, including a comic “dream ballet.” For solid, classic musical comedy, it’s hard to beat The Pajama Game.

For more information, ccontact the Heymann Center.

Theatre--Peformance

Aquila Theatre will perform the classic drama The Iliad in a daytime performance for junior high and high school students at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday October 29 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center. Admission for the student performance is $5 per person through advance registration with PASA. Interested principals and teachers can call the PASA office at (337) 237-2787 for more information.

Theatre--Master Class

On Wednesday, October 29, PASA and Acting Up!, the professional theater company at the Acadiana Center for the Arts (ACA), will host a master class with members of Aquila Theatre. The class will be held at the ACA from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

" This master class is a theatrical training opportunity for actors in our community to connect professionally with and learn from Aquila Theatre Company, a highly respected acting troupe known for staging original and innovative performances," says PASA Executive Director Jacqueline Lyle.

Company members from Aquila Theatre will teach an advanced physical theater master class that gives participant a chance to experience the requirements and discipline of working and performing in a physical theatre company. It focuses on ensemble acting and participants will explore the imaginative and physical resources that the company uses in order to create its own unique theatrical style.

The master class fee is $10 and, due to space limitations, registration in advance is required by calling (337) 233-7060.

For more information about all upcoming performance of Performing Arts Society of Acadiana, visit www.pasaonline.org or call the PASA office at (337) 237-2787

Theatre--Contest

PASA is sponsoring a contest to choose a local performer in the 100 Years Of Broadway show. Winner will sing a solo part in the finale! Runners up will sing one chorus number with the stars of the 100 Years of Broadway Show at the Heymann Center on Thursday November 13,2008. All runners-up and winners will receive a pair of tickets, and a free show CD.

Audition Today!

To submit an audition: You must be 15 years of age or older. No purchase necessary. Winner must be available at the Heymann Performing Arts Center by 1 PM on the day of the performance for sound check and rehearsal. Entries recieve an automatic 15% discount on tickets to the show. You can upload your audition using MySpace, Facebook and YouTube.

MySpace: Submit a friend request to Singing With the Broadway Stars.
Facebook: Become a fan of Singing With the Broadway Stars.
YouTube: Add Singing With the Broadway Stars as a friend.

No video camera? No problem!

Acadiana Open Channel will video auditions and assist applicants with uploading the video to the contest website for free! Interested applicants should call AOC at (337) 232-4434 ext. 201 to schedule an appointment.

For more detailed information and how to submit your audition go to: www.singingwiththebroadwaystars.com.

Contest Ends: Friday, October 31 at 5 pm

Questions? Visit us online at www.pasaonline.org or call (337) 237-2787.

Tickets for the two performances of the Lafayette Ballet Theatre's upcoming production of The Nutcracker (7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center) are available now. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets may visit the Heymann Center box office Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4p.m. and on weekends during scheduled events, or they may call (337) 262-8686 to reserve tickets by phone. Tickets are also available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including online at www.ticketmaster.com. They are priced according to seat location, as follows: front orchestra, $37; back orchestra, $32; first balcony, $27, second balcony, $22. Prices listed do not include Ticketmaster fees. Reduced rates are available for large groups and students.

Audiences will enjoy a magical experience as talented artists, dazzling stage sets, spectacular special effects and Peter Tchaikovsky’s delightful musical score bring this engaging E. T. A. Hoffmann tale to life before their eyes! An Acadiana tradition, this full-length classical ballet featuring local dancers and principal guest artists from the Pacific Northwest Ballet sold out in previous years, so organizers are advising patrons to purchase tickets early to ensure availability.

For more fun and to further support Lafayette Ballet Theatre--a nonprofit ballet company and arts education outreach organization--Nutcracker fans of all ages are encouraged to attend the annual fundraiser “Land of the Sweets.” This social event immediately follows the Sunday, Dec. 7 matinee Nutcracker performance (about 4 p.m.) at Iberiabank Tower (200 W. Congress St. in Downtown Lafayette). Attendees may enjoy coffee or soft drinks while sampling hors d’oeuvres and sweets from area restaurants. Stars of The Nutcracker will be on hand for autographs as well as photos, so don your dressy apparel!

Tickets for “Land of the Sweets” are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and are only sold by Lafayette Ballet Theatre. For more information or for tickets to “Land of the Sweets,” call (337) 262-0444 or visit our web site at www.LafayetteBalletTheatre.org.

Dance--Audition

Lafayette Ballet Theatre invites area dancers to audition Sunday, Sept. 7, for its December full-length ballet production of The Nutcracker. Auditions will take place at Angelle Hall, located at the corner of St. Mary Blvd. and McKinley Street on the UL Lafayette campus.
To qualify for audition, a dancer must be at least 8 years old; have completed at least one year of ballet study; and be studying ballet currently in an established dance program. Audition times vary according to the dancer’s age and skill level, as follows:
▪ Beginner and Intermediate Levels, ages 8-10: 1-3 p.m.
▪ Intermediate and Advanced Levels, ages 11-14: 3-5 p.m.
▪ Advanced (no pointe work), ages 15-adult: 5-5:30 p.m.
▪ Advanced Pointe (pre-professionals/professionals): 5:30-7 p.m.
Beginning/Intermediate level dancers should arrive one half hour prior to the start of the audition period listed. Advanced level dancers should arrive at least one hour in advance. All dancers should wear ballet attire and be prepared to stay for the duration of the audition period as listed on the schedule. A $20 registration fee is required of all dancers ages 8 to 17 at the time of audition. Please make checks payable to Lafayette Ballet Theatre or bring exact change.

Lafayette Ballet Theatre—-along with internationally acclaimed guest artists—-will present performances of the holiday classic The Nutcracker Saturday, December 6th, and Sunday, December 7th, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

For more information, visit www.lafayetteballettheatre.org or call 337-262-0444

Dance--Audition

Local “angels” share the stage with the Sugar Plum Fairy — portrayed by Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer Louise Nadeau — during a previous Lafayette Ballet Theatre performance of The Nutcracker.

Lafayette Ballet Theatre invites area dancers to audition Sunday, September 7th, for its December full-length ballet production of The Nutcracker. Auditions will take place at Angelle Hall, located at the corner of St. Mary Blvd. and McKinley Street on the UL Lafayette campus.

To qualify for audition, a dancer must be at least 8 years old; have completed at least one year of ballet study; and be studying ballet currently in an established dance program. Audition times vary according to the dancer’s age and skill level, as follows:
▪ Beginner and Intermediate Levels, ages 8-10: 1-3 p.m.
▪ Intermediate and Advanced Levels, ages 11-14: 3-5 p.m.
▪ Advanced (no pointe work), ages 15-adult: 5-5:30 p.m.
▪ Advanced Pointe (pre-professionals/professionals): 5:30-7 p.m.

Beginning/Intermediate level dancers should arrive one half hour prior to the start of the audition period listed. Advanced level dancers should arrive at least one hour in advance. All dancers should wear ballet attire and be prepared to stay for the duration of the audition period as listed on the schedule. A $20 registration fee is required of all dancers ages 8 to 17 at the time of audition. Please make checks payable to Lafayette Ballet Theatre or bring exact change.

The Lafayette Ballet Theatre — along with internationally acclaimed guest artists — will present performances of the holiday classic The Nutcracker Saturday, December 6th, and Sunday, December 7th, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

Want more information? Visit www.lafayetteballettheatre.org or call 337-262-0444