ON THE BOARDS
by GEORGE PATTERSON, New Orleans

...AND THE BALL AND ALL

True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 504.522.2907.

Now in its second year, and final weeks, this comic masterpiece, and Big Easy Award-winning hit, written and directed by Ricky Graham, concerns the problems of the members of the fictitious all-female Krewe of Terpsichore, when the treasurer absconds with the ball money. The final performances will feature Becky Allen in her original role of Frances Trepagnier, along with original cast members Yvette Hargis, Kiel Junius, Renee Maxwell. Traci Collins Butts, Amanda Hebert, and Shannon Mathas complete the cast. Fri., Sat., 8 pm; Sun., 3 pm, thru June 8.

ANGELS FALL

Lafayette Community Theatre, 529 Jefferson St., 318.235.1532.

Written by Lanford Wilson and directed by Cody Daigle, this drama takes place in a quiet little church in New Mexico where six people's lives are changed forever. Thurs., Fri. & Sat., 8 pm, thru June 28.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Le Petit Theatre Children's Corner, 616 St. Peter St., 504.522.2081

Edward R. Cox designs and directs this charming children's operetta, circa 1974, written by local entertainment legends Ricky Graham and Fred Palmisano, with musical direction and orchestrations by Ryan Thomas and choreography by Karen Hebert. The cast includes Sarah McMahon as Beauty, Vatican Lokey as Beast, with Bonnie Knowles, Amanda Berg, John Giraud, Richard Arnold, Scott Sauber, and dancers Jennifer Cameron and Richard LeBlanc. For audiences age 6 and over. Sat. & Sun., 1 & 3 pm, May 17-June 1st.

HOT STUFF -NEW ORLEANS STYLE

True Brew Cabaret, 200 Julia St., 504.522.2907.

The fast-paced, musical comedy revue that pokes maliciously delicious fun at-you name it. Written by, and starring Rickey Graham and Becky Allen, it lights up the Warehouse District every Fri. @10:30 pm.

MISS SAIGON

Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, Armstrong Park, 504.522.5555; 800.488.5252; for groups of 20 or more, 504.569.1520.

The Broadway Series at the Saenger Theatre presents the Louisiana Premiere of producer Cameron Mackintosh's London and New York blockbuster musical, with music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and lyrics and book by Alain Boublil (creators of Les Miserables and Martin Guerre) and Richard Maltby, Jr., directed by Nicholas Hynter and choreographed by Bob Avian. It stars Joseph Anthony Foronda as The Engineer, with Deedee Lynn Magno as Kim, the young Vietnamese girl who falls in love with Chris, the American Soldier, played by Will Chase (ala Madama Butterfly). Also featured are Raymond Patterson, Jacquelyn Piro and David Kater. At certain performances, Alex Lee Tano will play Kim. Tues.-Sat., 8 pm; Thurs., Sat. & Sun., 2 pm, thru May 31. Additional performances on Sun., May 11, 7:30 pm, and Mon., May 26, 8 pm.

PAGEANT

CAC's Freeport MacMaRon Theatre, 900 Camp Street, 504.523.1216 or 504.522.5252.

This was a rousing Off-Broadway musical comedy hit of several years ago, in which the audience gets to pick the winner of a nightly beauty pageant with men playing the beauty contestants. Written by Bill Russell, Frank Kelly & Robert Langbottom, with music by Albert Evans, Carl Walker will helm this local premiere edition with musical direction by Michael Howard, costumes by Roy Haylock, sets by Keith Christopher, lights by Martin Sachs and sound by Jeffery Talbolt, produced by All Kinds Of Theatre. Wess Hughes plays emcee Frankie Cavalier, presenting Brooks Braselman as Miss Deep South, Russell Hodgkinson as Miss Great Plains, Douglas Park as Miss Bible Belt, Steve Sherman as Miss Texas, Paul Soileau as Miss Industrial Northeast and Ken Weatherup as Miss West Coast. Thurs-Sat., 8 pm; Sun., 2 pm, through June 15. The Gay Men's Chorus sponsors the show Sat., May 24. Call 504.456.7018 for tix.

IN THE WINGS

A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE

North Star Theatre, 347 Gerard St., Mandeville, 504.626.1500; 1.800.924.5538.

Another musical look at the ill-fated country singer written by Dean Regan and directed by Lori Bennett. It will star Mari (Serpas) Vigueira with her band, The Instigators. The nepotistic production will also feature the director's husband, Michael Bennett, playing a number of roles ala Greater Tuna with Ms. Vigueira's husband, Ed, serving as musical director. Previews June 19; opens June 27.

THE BOYS IN THE BAND

Southern Repertory Theatre, 3rd Level, One Canal Place, 504.525.4498.

The Krewe of Petronius, in association with Southern Repertory Theatre, presents Mart Crowley's classic black comedy about life among New York gays, circa 1968. George Patterson directs. Fri. & Sat., 8 pm; Sun., 2 pm, Aug. 22-30.

DARYL'S PERILS:
DEMON DOMINATRIX OF THE MOON MEETS THE AMAZON QUEEN OF THE LOST LAGOON

TrueBrew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 504.522.2907.

Written by Ricky Graham & David Cuthbert, with music by Harry Mayronne, Jr. & choreography by Karen Hebert and starring Becky Allen, Yvette Hargis & Mr. Graham, this is a "slightly skewed tribute to the Saturday matinee serials in two episodes. Opens July 11.

PROMISES, PROMISES

Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner, 504.468.7221; 504.826.8000, ext. 1746.

Burt Bacharach and Hal David's single foray into the world of musical comedy, with book by sure shooter Neil Simon, based on the movie The Apartment. Ken Risch directs, with local musical comedy star Cynthia Owen returning from California to play the female lead. June 5-June 29.

RUMORS

Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, 616 St. Peter St., 504.522.2018.

Stocker Fontelieu directs Neil Simon's comedy about rumors and the havoc they can cause, with Leon Contavesprie, Walter Bost, Kathy Taaffe, Janet Shea, Pauline Prelutsky, Gemma Denmark, Marc Belloni and Adrian Benjamin.Thurs.-Sat., 8 pm; Sun., 2 pm, June 13-29.

SCREAMING DIVAS

CAC's Bank One Theatre, 900 Camp St., 504.522.1314, 504.528.3800.

One of San Francisco's most unique entertainment experiences, the Divas revive their 1996 hit, Aberrant Acappella! From Tchaikovsky to the Who, the Divas' skewed musical commentary breaks the fourth wall with an interactive show that lets the audience call the shots. It's not just virtual reality, it's real reality. The Screaming Divas are: Melissa Baer, Danielle Nice (from New Orleans), Pamela Nissley, Lilli Oldfield & Tina Osinski. Wed, Thurs., Sun., 7:30 pm; Fri. & Sat., 7:30 & 10 pm (no shows June 6; June 14, 10 pm only) June 4 - June 22.

SNOW WHITE

Rogers Chapel, Broadway and Newcomb Campus, 504.865.5105.

Tulane University Department of Theatre & Dance's Patchwork Players Improvisational children's theatre company conceived, written and directed by Buzz Podewell, presents its version of the children's classic fairy tale with a cast comprised of Podewell's daughter, Jessica, Tom Dugger, Greg Stratton, Kathryn Walton, Lance Spellerberg and Marc Anderson. June 1-29.