A trio of shows take a look at love, loss and the occasional disaster as local New Orleans theatrical companies keep the spirit of the season in high gear.
Off-Broadway on the West Bank
Jefferson Performing Arts mounts one of the most successful off-Broadway shows for an interesting look at love, relationships and all that goes with it in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”
With just four actors, the show is a series of vignettes that look at relationships.
“The stories in this show mirror such universal situations; the audience gets to see our most awkward first dates, our long-term relationships, our breakups, our marriages, and everything in between and somehow manages to make us laugh at moments we once swore were mortifying or heartbreaking,” director Michelle Haas noted. “There’s something deeply comforting about realizing that no matter who you are or where you are in life, you’ve probably been through at least one of these moments.”
The four actors, John Michael Haas, Rachel Looney, Nathan Parrish and Katie Kitchen, have the arduous task of playing all the roles in the show.
“One of the most ridiculous — and impressive — parts of this show is that only four actors play at least seven roles each,” the director said. “That means blink and you’ll miss someone turning from a nervous first-date disaster into a stressed-out parent or a longtime spouse who just wants five minutes of peace. “
Besides the theatrical calisthenics, the story and characters are easily relatable.
“Everyone in the audience will recognize themselves at some point, whether you’re laughing at the dating horror stories, nodding along to “Always a bridesmaid,” or realizing that love is less about perfection and more about showing up,” Michelle Haas explained. “This show reminds us that relationships can be weird, love is complicated, and somehow we’re all figuring it out together… even when we’re trying to ‘change’ each other just a little bit.”
The show will open at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 18 at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave., Westwego. Then, the show heads out to the Lafon Arts Center for performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 24 and 2 p.m. Jan. 25. The center is at 275 Judge E. Dufresne Parkway, Luling. Tickets start at $39. Visit jpas.org.
A time warp of sorts
The 1970s were filled (or so it seemed) with movies and television shows about any number of cataclysmic catastrophes, usually involving fabulously dressed stars of another day paired with hopefuls on the rise.
Skyscraper fires, earthquakes, tidal waves and more were the fodder for a gaggle of high-grossing shows that made audiences think twice about leaving the confines of the local movie house.
And, of course, the soundtrack to all this was a disco-fueled furnace of funk.
Now, put it all on stage and it could well be a “Disaster,” the next music show at Kenner’s Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts, opening Friday. The show comes with its own “disaster” tale attached, as it was originally to be produced by the theater company in 2021 but was doomed by COVID-19.
Following the standard fiasco playbook, the show gathers a group of unusual characters and puts them in impossible situations: This time, it’s the opening of New York’s first floating casino. Throw in some man-eating piranhas and a few earthquakes and its time to burn, baby, burn.
With a live band providing the toe-tapping tunes, anyone of any age will enjoy the mirth-filled mishaps crammed into the physical comedy that keeps everyone singing and dancing through “Disaster.”
Veteran director Gary Ruck takes the helm, with Jennifer Eastland as the musical director. Taking roles in the show are Maria Hefte, Jennifer Bullock, Kirkland Green, Luke Boucvalt, Ryan Nocito, Christopher Wecklein, Candice Moses, Kelli Hebert, James Peuler, Joel Rainey, Andrew Eastland, Amber Rayne Lemelle, Savannah Chiasson, David Browning, Carrie Daigle Back, Andrew Michael Antoine, Cayden Pecararo, Rachel Gagnard, Jordan Davis, Rebecca C. Browning, Tessa Michelle deMers and Mary Clare Eastland.
The show runs at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 25, plus a 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 performance. Tickets for the show at 325 Minor St. start at $53. Visit rivertowntheaters.com.
‘Ham’ it up
The Pulitzer Prize-winning story about a young gay Black man confronted by his father’s ghost many not seem like fodder for a comedy, but playwright James Ijames has done that and the NOLA Project will present “Fat Ham.”
A takeoff on Shakespeare’s class “Hamlet,” the story revolves around Juicy, who sees the paternal specter at a barbecue, who demands his son avenge his murder. But Juicy knows the story and hopes to make a few changes.
Rayshaughn Armant is Juicy, alternately performed by Colby Muse on select days. Also in the cast are Delphine Joseph, Justin Davis, Condoleezza Semien, Wayland Cooper, Riga Ruby and Jodan Melanco. Tenaj Wallace, the project’s artistic director, is also director for this show.
The show will be staged at the Cook Theater at Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Blvd. The show opens Jan. 15 and runs at 7:30 p.m. selected days through Feb. 6. Tickets start at $25. Visit nolaproject.com.
The NOLA Project will also sponsor a “Burns Night” event at 6 p.m. Saturday at Jacob Schoen & Son, 3827 Canal St. to salute the Scottish poet and writer.
Generally observed on or around his birthday, with a ceilidh or social gathering, the project promises a “bold twist” with singalongs, snacks and some of the city’s artist.
Reservations are requested for the free event. A $22 donation is suggested. nolaproject.com.
Onstage this week, Jan. 8-14
When the ghost of a writer’s first wife gets conjured in a séance, there’s mayhem and mirth on the loose at Le Petit Theatre for ‘Blithe Spirit.’ Characters on stage are, from left, Jessie Terrebonne as the first wife, Ashley Santos as the second wife and Vatican Lokey as the writer. In the audience is Ricky Graham, director and playing Madame Arcati, the medium.
“BLITHE SPIRIT”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 25, plus 2 p.m. Jan. 24; Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St. Ricky Graham directs and appears in the comedy about a writer who invites a slightly off-kilter medium to dinner for a séance to gather information for a planned book. However, the writer’s first wife (dead for seven years and not a really great person) is brought forth, and only he can see her. Havoc reigns as she tries to make his life miserable, the second wife is pestered and surprises and mayhem ensue. Tickets start at $22. lepetittheatre.com.
“STANLEY AND HIS DEMONS”: 8 p.m. Friday through Monday; New Marigny Theatre, 2301 Marais St. Poppet Theater debuts Mariana Santiago’s two-act comedy about Stanley, who masquerades as a church leader to prey on hapless victims. He and his wife, Esme, accidentally perform a true exorcism but are stuck with the demon. Tickets are $30. poppettheater.com.
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