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, and far superior, look at the ill-fated country singer written by Dean Regan and directed by Lori Bennett now in its fifth month. It stars Mari (Serpas) Vigueira with her band, The Instigators. This long-running musical tribute (now in its fifth month) also features Michael Bennett playing a number of roles ala Greater Tuna with Ms. Vigueira's husband, Ed, serving as musical director. Fri., 8:30pm, Sat. 5:30pm & 8:30pm.

A DELICATE BALANCE

Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner, 504.468.7221.
Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play about the meaning of friendship and responsibility is directed by Joe Warfield and stars Janet Shea, Elliott Keener, Pauline Prelutsky, Charles Bosworth, Abby Lake & Gina Paretto. Thurs.-Sat., 8pm, Sun., 2pm, optional dinner served from 6pm, 12noon Sun., thru Nov. 30.

...AND THE BALL AND ALL

Tony Mandina's Westbank Theatre Banquet Room, 1915 Pratt St., Gretna, 504.362.4451.
Ricky Graham's award-winning comedy about the members of an all-female krewe trying to put on a Mardi Gras ball returns to the boards in this special dinner theatre production. Mr. Graham directs Sandi Bravender, Amanda Hebert, Renee Maxwell, Jo Ann Testa, Jennifer Breedlove, Denise Ponce & Roy Haylock as Ernesto, the costume designer. Fri. & Sat., dinner at 7:15pm, curtain at 8:15pm thru Nov. 29.

ANNE & UNCLE WAYNE

True Brew Cabaret, 200 Julia St., 504.522.2907, 504.443.4276.
Uncle Wayne Daigrepont teams up with singer comedienne Anne Decareaux in a new cabaret act built around naughty material cushioned with the cachet of Gershwin and Broadway melodies. 7pm, every Sun. night in Oct.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Lupin Theatre, Tulane University, 504.865.5106.
Ken Risch directs yet another production of Williams' masterpiece, last seen only last month. Wed.-Sat., 8pm, Sun., 2pm, Nov. 12-23.

COMPOSING TCHAIKOVSKY

Tulane University's Lupin Theatre, 504.865.5106.
Tulane University Theatre begins the 97- 98 season with the world premiere of a new play by Laura Edmondson which gives Tchaikovksy's estranged and socially shunned wife back her voice-only to come face-to-face with her rich rival, Nadezdha von Meck, the reclusive widow whose wealth and letters fuel the famous Russian composer's creativity. Directed by new faculty member Lisa Jo Epstien, the cast includes Heather Hollingsworth, Alice Johnson, Brandon Voss, Leslie Gastineau, Scott Gastavson, Isaac Colunga and Ryan Flaherty. Wed. -Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm (no performance Thurs., Oct. 23), Sat., Oct. 18, 2pm., thru Oct. 26.

HAUNTING HARMONIES

Orpheum Theatre, 129 University Place, 504.523.6530 or 504.522.5555.
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Halloween costume concert featuring special video and lighting effects to music by Beethoven, Saint-Saens, Barber, Dukas & Berlioz. Wear Your Costume!! Thurs., Oct. 30, 7:30pm; Sat., Nov. 1, 8pm.

I'M SORRY, BUT I DON'T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE

Zeitgeist Theatre, 2010 Magazine St., 504.524.0064.
The Social Moves Conference at Tulane University and Zeitgeist Theatre Experiments present NYC-based performance artist Dan Bacalzo in this one-night-stand which uses autobiographical stories to confront issues like racism, AIDS, family relationships, pornography and desire, combining words and dance. Fri., Nov. 7, 9:30pm.

THE MAGIC FLUTE

Theatre Of The Performing Arts, 801 N. Rampart, 504.529.2278.
Mozart's sublime family opera with captivating music and a production filled with wonder and enchantment featuring forest animals, a heroic prince, a fire breathing dragon and the triumph of true love, stars Stephen Smith, Jee Hyun Lim, David Malis, Erie Mills, Amy Burton & Jerome Hines. Arthur Fagen conducts the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Jay Lesenger directs. Wed., Nov. 12 & Sat., Nov. 15, 7:30pm.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Claude L. Shaver Theatre, Music & Dramatic Arts Bldg., LSU, Baton Rouge, 504.388.3527 or 504.388.3533.
Barry Kyle directs Shakespeare's comedy-part fable and part crusade-which presents two contrasting worlds, one idealized and the other more recognizably worldly in a fabulous concoction of merchant adventures, stylish fortune hunters, clowns, revellers, socialites and Puritans. Tues.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sat., 2pm, thru Nov. 23.

MY CHILDREN! MY AFRICA!

CAC's Bank One Theatre, 900 Camp St., 504.528.3800.
Matt Borel, The Friends of NOCCA and the Contemporary Arts Performance Support Program presents the New Orleans premiere of Athol Fugard's contemporary drama about a black South African teacher and how he deals with the violence and chaos of apartheid. Directed by Raymond Vrazel, Jr., the cast includes Chicago actor Ron Dortch, Laren Levy and Lloyd Joseph Martin. Thurs. - Sat., 8:30pm, Sun., 3pm, thru Nov. 2.

THE PASSION OF DRACULA

Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, 616 St. Peter St., 504.522.2081.
Not to be confused with the classic Hilton Dean/John Balderston adaptation of the 19th century Bram Stoker novel which made a star of Bela Lagosi, Stocker Fontelieu directs the local premiere of this version by Bob Hall & David Richpond, set in 1911, which will feature Butch Benit as the blood-thirsty vampire with Paul Arceneaux, Garth Currie, John Hammons, Kimberly Patterson, Kathy Taaffe, Peter Gabb, Jeffrey Mortorell and Lance Spellerberg. Bill Walker does sets; Julie Winn, costumes; and, Dan Zimmer, lights. Opens Oct. 31.

ROMANTIC PIANO MUSIC

Lawless Memorial Chapel, Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., 504.286.4689.
Assistant Professor of Music, Lucius R. Weathersby, performs a piano recital featuring works by Chopin, Debussy, Liszt, a premier of a work by Dennis Barthory-Kitsz and selections from Mr. Weathersby's Suite for Piano and ocean waves entitled "Tranquility." Nov. 2, 6pm.

IN THE WINGS

CINDERELLA BATTISTELLA

NORD Theatre, Gallier Hall, 705 Lafayette St., 504.565.7860.
Director Ty Tracy presents another staging of this original localized treatment of the classic fairy tale written by Bob Bruce and David Cuthbert with music by the late great Fred Palmisano. This edition stars Brennan Manale as Cinderella, with Givonna Joseph, Helen Blanke, Lawana Menendez, Ellen Flohberger and David Tringali. Nov. 14-Dec. 14; Fri. & Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm. (No shows Thanksgiving weekend.)

MARIA BENITEZ TEATRO FLAMENCO

Theatre Of The Performing Arts, 801 N. Rampart, 504.522.0996.
A theatrical experience of passion, power and excitement, The House Of Bernarda Alba is a contemporary dance drama based on the Lorca classic, followed by Estampa Flamenca!, a series of solos, trios, and duets of classical flamenco performed by this 8 member troupe of dancers and musicians and presented by the New Orleans Ballet Association. Sat., Nov. 22, 7:30pm.

STATE FAIR

Saenger Theatre, 143 N. Rampart St., 504.522.5555; (Baton Rouge) 504.488.5252; or (outside NO & BR), 800.488.5252.
A reworking of Rodgers and Hammerstein's hit 1945 movie based on an earlier (non-singing) film (1933), and again remade in 1962, stars John Davidson. It was nominated for a Tony award during its brief Broadway stint last year. With a new book by Tom Briggs & Louis Mattioli and more songs interpolated from other R & H scores, this production is directed by Richard Sabellico, choreographed by Michael Lichtefeld and features the Broadway scenery. Nov. 18-23, Tues.-Sat., 8pm; Thurs., Sat. & Sun., 2pm.