by George Patterson, New Orleans
BROWN, True Brew Cafe, 200 Julia St., 504.524.8441. Experience the sell-out improvisational comedy show featuring the quick wits of Andy Hebert, Bill Berry, P. H. Fred, Ken LaFrance, and our favorite, Erika Hamburg. This quintet uses audience suggestions to create on-the-spot original sketches, songs and sight gags. You are encouraged to bring a prop to the show and you may even be invited to join the cast for a game of "Freeze Tag." Sat., 11pm.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE WHOLE STORY, True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 504.524.8440. Rene J. F. Piazza presents the 10th anniversary of his unique take on Dickens' classic holiday tale. Picture the three stooges meeting Dickens.... Written, directed by and starring Piazza, the show also features Daryl Cade, Mary Lee Gibbons, Stacy Taliancich, Gina Porretto, Shae Porche, Emily Harrison, Andy Hebert, Kathryn Distefano and Kevin Songy. Thurs.-Sat. & Mon., 7:30pm; Sun., 2pm, through Dec. 23.
CAPTAIN JOSE'S OMNIUM GATHERUM, Shim Sham Club, 615 Toulouse St., 504.299.0666. Described as a variety show created by Christian Middleton & Ryan Reinike, including Vaudeville, poetry readings, jazz, Gospel, martial arts demonstrations, street rap, fire eaters, strippers and clowning, the entertainment features Tony Smith, Chrissa Cozzalio, Amelia Stocker, Chris Lee, Micah Pounds, Jesse Meriwether, mikko, Steve Zissis, Sarah Stellato and several Shim Shamettes. Fri., 8pm; Sat., 9:30pm, Dec. 14-30.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Saenger Theatre, 143 N. Rampart St., 504.522.5555, broadwayacrossamerica.com; saengertheatre.com; and ticketmaster.com. The Broadway in New Orleans series presents 77 year old Theodore Bikel as Tevye, the milkman father of five daughters, in a new touring production of the classic 60's musical about the vicissitudes of tradition in a pre-revolutionary Russian shtetel called Anatevka. Based on stories by Sholem Aliechem, the book was written by Joseph Stein and songs ("Sunrise, Sunset," "Tradition," "If I Were A Rich Man," etc.) by Sheldon Harnick (lyrics), and Jerome Bock (music). Tues.-Sat., 8pm; Thurs., Sat. & Sun., 2pm. Dec. 11 - 16.
GRENADINE McGUNKLE'S DOUBLE-WIDE CHRISTMAS, Shim Sham Club, 615 Toulouse St., 504.606.9903; http://welcome.to/runningwithscissors. Running With Scissors presents a new original holiday comedy and musical extravaganza written by Richard Read, Flynn De Marco & Dorian Rush which tells the tale of eternally beleaguered housewife Grenadine McGunkle (Dorian Rush) and her extended trailer park "family," played by Flynn De Marco, Bianca Del Rio, Debbie Davis, Jason Toups, Brian Peterson, Laura Freeman and Bob Edes, Jr. Mr. Read and Mr. De Marco supply the direction; Jim Jeske and Ryan Hesseling, the set pieces; and Chris Davis, the lighting. Sat. & Sun., 8pm, Dec. 15-30.
HOLIDAY HAM, Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812, cabaretlechatnoir.com. Singer/Comedian/Drag Diva Varla Jean Merman returns for a two weekend run in her holiday cheer show, but she's not alone! She's bringing NY's hipster pianist, Ricky Ritzel, plus Kristtine Zbornik, the loudest belter this side of Prague! Thurs.-Sat., Dec. 6, 7 & 8 & 13, 14 & 15, 8:30. Note: Dec. 6 is a benefit for the Krewe of Petronius.
JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS, Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812, cabaretlechatnoir.com. Popular cabaret singer Diane Lala is joined by pianist Lantz Harvey for a holiday show including songs by David Friedman, Frank Loesser, Jason Robert Brown and more. Sun., Dec. 9 & 16, 8pm.
LATE NITE CATECHISM, Le Petit's Director's Studio, 616 St. Peter St., 504.522.2081; group sales, 504.822.7211. Theatricks, Inc. and The Directors Studio of Le Petit Theatre present the regional premiere of this off-Broadway comedy hit by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan. Local actress Amanda Hebert (or Adriana Bate) plays the Sister who teaches an adult catechism class to a roomful of "students" (the audience). Sister goes from benevolent instructor to authoritative drill sergeant. Thurs. - Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm & 6pm.
LICKING THE BOWL, Southern Repertory Theatre, 3rd Level, One Canal Place, 504.522.6545; southernrep.com. Written, directed and starring Barrett O'Brien, this "multidisciplinary comedy" is described as the story of six young street performers who, inspired by Charlie Parker, lock themselves in a downtown N.O. warehouse in search of clarity. The cast includes O'Brien, Steve Zissis & Ashley Nolan along with puppeteers Arthur Mintz, Bryan Spitzfaden and Jacques Duffourc, who also composed the original rock score. Thurs.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm, through Dec. 23.
a little of this, a little of that..., Cowpokes, 832 N. Rampart St., 504.671.8232. The Gay theatre group that calls itself Drama! presents new works from its members: Beneath the Sheets, by Marinda Woodruff; Passer-by Gods & Other Dieties, by Keith Istre; About the Dirty Old Man by Charles Kerbs; Teddy's Nightmare by Timm Holt and The Wicked Stage by Charles Kerbs who also directs (Keith Istre directs his own). The cast includes Blake D. Balu, Michael-Chase Creasy, Robb Conner, Timm Holt, Nicole Martinez and Marinda Woodruff. Fri. & Sat., 8pm, Sun., 3pm, through Dec. 9.
MACBETH, The Pickery, 433 Orange St. at Tchoupitoulas St., 504.588.1941; 504.566.5661.Mikko presents his particular take on Shakespeare's tragedy, by asking the questions, "what if Lady Macbeth were justified and what if Duncan were a backstabbing, paper-pushing usurper?" In this mikko designed, written, staged performance piece, Dane Rhodes is the "Big Mac," and Raphaelle Oneil is Lady M. Others in the cast are Michael Sullivan, Mage Maccione, Natasha Ramer, Dina Roudeze, Claudia Baumgarten, John Lehon, Billy Slaughter, Michael Miller, Ethan Oulton, Rob Fielding and Rusty Tennant. Also featured are mikko himself, Rachel Becker, Igor Kolesnichenko and a coven of twenty witches from age 7 to 60! Matthew Thomas Rosenbeck does the music and Veronica Russell does the costumes. Fri.-Sun., through Dec. 9 at 9pm.
A PARTICULAR CLASS OF CROSS-DRESSER, Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812. Canadian David Bateman does a "cold reading" of a new performance piece with music and costumes that is a series of serious and comic monologues based on the experiences of a variety of cross dressers. Wed., Dec. 19, 6pm.
RITES OF SWING, Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812. Traditional jazz and 40's swing are played by a six-piece band led by Ed Newman and featuring jazz vocalist Yvette Cuccia. Wed., Dec. 19, 8pm.
SALAD DAYS, Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812. Canadian David Bateman brings his unique performance piece about cooking for his "sugar daddy" back to New Orleans. While he chops the lettuce and the carrots, he recounts his affluent life in Toronto, ala Shirley Valentine. Unlike Shirley, he also sings Canadian country, Anne Murray ditties, and Elvis struts keeping his audience in stitches right up to the stomach-churning twist that ends the piece. Sun., Nov. 11, 8:30pm.
THE SNOW QUEEN, Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., 504.468.7221. Cynthia Owen both directs and stars in Lyla Hay Owen's musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen tale with Chip Stelz playing a Santa Claus narrator, giving the story a Christmas twist. Others in the cast are Gary Rucker, Patti Julius, Mia Bullard, Dalton Primeaux, Leslie Limberg, Jennifer Marks, Lauren Helling , Angie Joachim and Lauren Tenhundfeld. Gloria Fallo is musical/vocal director; Lance Spellerberg designs the storybook setting and David Guidry designs the lighting. Through Dec. 12, shows are 9:30am and 11am, weekdays; 2pm, Sun.
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, Orpheum Theatre, 129 University Place, 504.522.5555. Theatre League of Louisiana presents Eve Ensler's award-winning play inspired by the playwright's interviews with more than 200 women around the world who spoke candidly, enthusiastically and movingly about their vaginas. The monologues are delivered by Loretta Swit, with actresses Geneva Carr and Lisa Tharps. Joe Mantello directs. Tues. - Fri., 8pm, Sat., 5pm & 8pm; Sun., 3pm & 7pm, through Dec. 9.
WHEN YA SMILIN', North Star Theatre, 347 Gerard St., Mandeville, 1.800.924.5538; 985.626.1500. Ricky Graham unveils another of his delightful memory plays (And the Ball and All...) about growing up in New Orleans' Ninth Ward, circa 1958, which Roy Smith and The Producers Circle produces. Sean Patterson plays the central character, a 10 year old boy named Paulie Dufour who lives in a fantasy world. Others in the cast are Gavin Mahlie, Heidi Junius, Angela Mannino, Renee Maxwell, Becky Allen and Ricky Graham, who also directs. James Jennings designs the set; Dan Zimmer, the lights; and Roy Haylock coordinates the costumes. Fri. & Sat., Dec. 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 8pm.
IN THE WINGS
CHRISTMAS LAGNAIPPE, Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 504.581.5812, cabaretlechatnoir.com. Stage to Stage, Inc. presents a Nouveau Vaudeville - cabaret for children and families, written by Dean Fransen, that takes the audience through what happens at the North Pole after a corporate takeover and impending downsizing threatens to change Christmas and the way toys are made. Nightly, Dec. 20-30 (dark Dec. 24 & 25), 8pm.
SOUTH PACIFIC, Saenger Theatre, 143 N. Rampart St., 504.522.5555, broadwayacrossamerica.com; saengertheatre.com; and ticketmaster.com. The Broadway in New Orleans series presents Michael Nouri as Emile de Becque and Erin Dilly as Nellie Forbush in the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic based on James Michener's wartime novel, Tales of the South Pacific. Also featuring Armelia McQueen as Bloody Mary, David Warshofsky as Luther Billis, Lewis Cleale as Lt. Cable and Krish Howard as Liat, Scott Faris directs, Gary Chryst is choreographer, Ken Billington designs the lighting and Derek McLaine designs the sets. Tues.-Sat., 8pm, Thurs., Sat. & Sun., 2pm, Jan. 8-13, 2002.
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