ON THE BOARDS
by GEORGE PATTERSON, New Orleans

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 stars Mari (Serpas) Vigueira with her band, The Instigators. The production also features Michael Bennett playing a number of roles ala Greater Tuna with Ms. Vigueira's husband, Ed, serving as musical director. Thurs. - Sat., 8 pm, thru Aug. 30.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Southern Repertory Theatre, 3rd Level, One Canal Place, 504.861.8163.
Southern Repertory Theatre, begins is four-play season with a fiftieth anniversary production of Tennessee Williams' most produced play, in collaboration with the Dog & Pony Theatre & Michael Arata Productions. John Grimsley designs and directs; Shelley Poncy is Blanche, Michael Arata is Stanley, Eva Earls is Stella & Danny Bowen is Mitch. Sept. 12 - Oct. 5; Thurs. - Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm. Special Prime Time for Seniors Matinees Wed., Sept. 17 & 24, 1:30pm, $5.

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 dark comedy about life among New York gays, circa 1968. George Patterson directs Brett Boyle, Ted Butler, Ken Capone, Harold Evans, Curtis Hunt, Richard Klaus, Johnny Lopez, Robin Malta & Gordon Randolph. Sun., Aug. 24, 2 pm; & Fri., Sat., Sun, Aug. 29, 30 & 31, 8 pm.

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, directed by Mr. Graham, with music by Harry Mayronne, Jr. & choreography by Karen Hebert, scenery by Ron Williams, costumes by Debbie Simeon & Roy Haylock & starring Becky Allen (as the Demon Dominatrix & the Amazon Queen), Ron Williams (as Dash Daryl) & Jorinda Junius, this is an outrageous new musical comedy homage to Hollywood cliff-hangar serials. Others in the cast are: Kerry Mendelson, Sean Michael Patterson, Stephen Rizzo, Billy Slaughter & Mandy Zirkenbach. Fri., 8pm; Sat., 6 & 9pm; Sun., 3 pm.

DRAMARAMA IV

CAC, throughout the building, 900 Camp St., 504.522.1314; 504.528.3800.
Theatre and performing artists from throughout the city combine their talents in this fourth annual showcase of New Orleans' theatrical riches. The evening features excerpts from comedies, dramas, musicals, children's theatre & performance arts pieces. Sept. 6, 7 pm.

LUTHER

First Unitarian Universalist Church, 2903 Jefferson Ave., 504.833.8748.
Julie Condy's Summer Stages, the musical theatre program by young people for everyone, presents a new jazz musical by Delfeayo Marsalis, with book by Phyllis Clemons and additional text and lyrics by Ramsey McLean. Luther is a cool hip teen who tries to avoid responsibility at all costs. Jonathan Alexis & Jonathan Harris are double-cast in the leading role, with Cali Pomes, Katie Francioni, Ruffin Mitchell III, Frank Beloney, Ana Alicia Carter, Katleen Huybrechts, Shantell LeBlanc, Rhea Macchione, Elly Carroll, Alexis Dunn, Christopher Latzke, Veronica Martin, Lindsey Price, De'antra Roberts, Sarah Stickney & Amber Williams. Thurs. - Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 3pm, thru Aug. 31.

MY FAIR LADY

Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner, 504.468.7221.
Rivertown opens its 10th season with the Lerner & Loewe classic musical based on Shaw's Pygmalion. Directed and choreographed by Alton Geno, it features Ken Risch as Higgins, Ashley Smetherman as Eliza, Fermin Ramos as Col. Pickering, Russell Hodgkinson as Alfred Doolittle, with Andee Reed as Mrs. Pearce and Linda Hubchen as Mrs. Higgins. Charles Ward produces, Brandt Blocker is music director with Robert Self doing the elaborate sets andTrish McClain, the more elaborate costumes, all lit by Daniel Zimmer. Thurs. - Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm; Sept. 11 - Oct. 5. Optional buffet available from 6pm; 12pm Sun.

PRETTY BABY

Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, 615 St. Peter St., 504.522.2081.
Le Petit begins its season in high, non-amateur style, by showcasing a brand new musical based on the popular 1978 Paramount Pictures film of the same name which starred Susan Sarandon and Brooke Shields. With book by Anne Rose and songs by composer/lyricist Hugh McElyea, Pretty Baby will be directed and designed by John Pascoe (who boasts international and New York credits)-with choreography by New Orleans' own Ben Bagby-and will star Equity actors Alissa Dean as Violet (the "pretty baby"), Rachelle Fleming as Hattie and David Engel as Bellocq, the photographer. Wed.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm; Sept. 13 - Oct. 4;

IN THE WINGS

CIRCUS VON AMBERG

CAC, 900 Camp St., 504.523.1216.
The Contemporary Arts Center and Circus von Amberg present a one-ring European-style show featuring a mix of circus, dance & cabaret from the oldest "alternative circus" in North America. Fri. & Sat., 7:30pm, Sun., 3pm, Sept. 19-30.

SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE - THE SONGS OF LEIBER AND STOLLER

Saenger Theatre, 143 N. Rampart St., 504.522.5555; (Baton Rouge) 504.488.5252; or (outside NO & BR) 800.488.5252.
This exuberant, colorful, 39 song Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical revue is a tribute to songwriters Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller and includes such favorites as "Hound Dog," "Love Potion #9," "Stand By Me," "Yakety Yak," "There Goes My Baby," "On Broadway," and "Jailhouse Rock." Directed by Jerry Zaks, with musical staging by Joey McKneely, it's designed by Heidi Landesman and William Ivey Long. Sept. 30 - Oct. 5.