Two musical productions get ready to bring new shows, a new concept rich with New Orleans connections and a thought-provoking bit of theater to the greater metropolitan area.
From Jefferson Performing Arts’ rock-driven “Jagged Little Pill” to the French Quarter’s “Last Night at the Rue Bayou” immersive musical experience, there are sights and sounds to savor, as well as maybe a bit gumbo and some mystique, too.
‘Last Night On Rue Bayou’
Blending some of the hallmarks of Crescent City culture like music, food and the struggle for justice, “Last Night on Rue Bayou,” running April 16 to May 3, will be a show that tells the story of a New Orleans woman fighting to save the club she built to honor her late husband.
Conceived by Michael Meth with an original score by Martee LeBow and directed by Tracey Conyer Lee, the show of local musicians and performers highlights a final evening at the club before a corrupt parish commissioner attempts to seize the legendary “juke joint at the crossroads between the living world and the spirits of the bayou.”
Working to save her club is Miss Ilean Durand, widow of King B., played by Kadejah One Higdon, a 9th Ward native with several national tours on her résumé, including “Dreamgirls” and “The Color Purple.” Higdon said she identifies with Durand on several levels.
“Miss Ilean began her journey as an R&B singer, but she stepped away from the industry to carry forward her husband’s dream — creating a place where people could gather in music, food and love,” said the Louisiana transplant who lived in Florida for high school. “Now she finds herself fighting to protect that legacy, standing up to large corporations to secure ownership of her own property. Her story reflects the very real challenges artists face today.”
Playing strong women is nothing new for Higdon. Having filled the shoes of powerhouse characters in her tour shows, she sees a connection with “Dreamgirls'” Effie and “Purple’s” Celie.
“Like Celie and Effie White, Miss Ilean is a powerful, resilient Black woman who refuses to be diminished by gender norms, stereotypes or patriarchy,” Higdon said. “She stands firm in her truth, pushes through adversity, and fights to reclaim what belongs to her.”
A graduate of Bowie State University in Maryland, Higdon plans to spend some time with family, enjoying Audubon Park and enjoy the upcoming festival season. And some crawfish.
The show is at a new venue called Storyville Music Hall (formerly B.B. King’s Blues Club in the French Market), 1104 Decatur St., owned by Oscar-winning actors Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford.
Doors open an hour before showtime, with food and beverages available, as well as seating options.
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Joining Higdon in the show will be Donald Jones Jr., a New Orleans native and Broadway veteran of “Frozen” and “Chicago”; Deri’Andra Y’vette Tucker, who pairs her New Orleans musical roots with international tours of “Rent” and “Ain’t Too Proud”; and Caldrick Williams, billed as “an authentic New Orleans presences as part of the homegrown ensemble.” Also in the show are Andrew Michael Antoine, Reggie McNeil, Keith Claverie, Tim Davis, Queen Shereen, Madison Margaret Clark, Rayshaughn Armant and Melana Lloyd.
The show is at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets start at $64 and include two drinks and a “locally sourced taste of New Orleans.” Visit ruebayoumusical.com.
‘Jagged Little Pill’
Katie Harrison
There’s a lot to swallow in this jukebox musical based on Alanis Morissette’s 1995 album “Jagged Little Pill.” The Tony-winning show combining the music of Morissette and Glen Ballard with a story by Diablo Cody is running April 17-26 at Jefferson Performing Arts.
The production, and the music, touches on some weighty subject matter that might seem pervasive in contemporary home life today — pain, recovery and empowerment.
Michael Smith
The show won two Tony Awards and a Grammy for the cast album, and it includes some of Morissette’s greatest hits like “You Oughta Know,” “Hand in My Pocket,” “You Learn” and “Ironic.”
The story, which centers on a White family in Connecticut with an adopted Black daughter and a lot of under-the-surface issues, paints the picture of suburban life using a palette of some harsh realities, including post-trauma addiction, sexuality, sexual violence and pressures from within and out.
Amber Lemelle
But the show also deals with the Healy family making progress in one’s life and relationships and how bad decisions can bring about growth. And paired with Morissette’s music, it makes for a unique stage experience.
Jack Lampert directs the production with Katie Harrison as Mary Jane Healy, Michael Smith is Steve Healy, Amber Lemelle as Frankie Healy, Colin Richard as Nick Healy, Adrienne Simmons as Jo Taylor, Ty Robbins as Phoenix, Cadence Hebert as Bella Fox, Nathan Parrish as Andrew. Other cast are Ariyana Reed, Cynthia Jickling, Alyssa Daigle, Noah Smith, Allee Peck, Christina Ingrassia, Jenevieve Fortes, Nathan Long, Rachel Gagnard, Donnie Lawson, Alyssa Bennefield and Ryan Kelly Moore. Music direction is by Brandon Banks, and Monica Ordonez choreographs the show.
Producers note the musical is recommended for mature audiences ages 16 and up.
The show is at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at 6400 Airline Drive in Metairie. Tickets start at $39. Visit jpas.org.
Cast for ‘The Irish Curse’ includes, from left, Martin Booda, Gary Gilmore, Michael Tanner, Rob Reidenaur and Ronald Brister.
‘Curse’ delayed
“The Irish Curse,” the next scheduled production for Cutting Edge Center of the Arts in Slidell, is expected to open next month after a delay from the original dates in April.
Organizers at the theater said the adult comedy about a support group of Irish-American men will be running Fridays and Saturdays, May 8-16.
For information, visit cuttingedgetheater.com.
Onstage this week, April 9-15
Laura Waringer is Beth in the 2010 United Kingdom premiere of ‘Little Women,’ shown at right in the photo.
“LITTLE WOMEN:” Opening 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, running through April 20, except April 18, with a 2 p.m. matinee April 20; Lupin Theatre, 69 Newcomb Circle, Tulane University. The March sisters of Concord, Massachusetts, have been celebrated in a variety of motion pictures and plays since Louisa May Alcott brought the Civil War-era family to life just after the war in novel form. Tickets start at $10. Visit purplepass.com/tulanetd.
Hailey Alexis Lewis is Anna of Cleves in tour of ‘Six’ coming to the Saenger Theatre.
“SIX:” Opening 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through April 18, 2 p.m. April 18, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. April 19; Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. The ex-wives of England’s King Henry VIII get a chance to tell their story, with some crazy beats and staging in a “history remix” that’s still running on Broadway. This marks the Tony-winning show’s second cruise to the Crescent City. Suitable for ages 10 and up. Tickets start at $39. saengernola.com.
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