Local stages across New Orleans are putting the sizzle in the season as Tulane University’s Summer Lyric Theatre heads up to the Windy City, Fat Squirrel launches a “bold double feature,” and a British spin on importance comes from The Talkback Theatre.
Temperatures: they be a’rising.
‘Chicago’
The start of the trio of tantalizing theatricals takes off June 18 at Tulane with the merry murderesses of “Chicago.”
The 1975 Broadway hit by Kander and Ebb, with choreography and direction by the legendary Bob Fosse, looks at the jazz era and the lengths to which a pair of publicity-hungry women and a glitzy attorney will go to keep their names in the news.
Packed with punchy numbers like “All That Jazz,” “Razzle Dazzle” and “The Cellblock Tango,” there’s plenty of singing and dancing to go around.
And like the original production, Tulane’s version has the benefit of a talented director-choreographer to helm the production.
A veteran of Summer Lyric productions, Jauné Buisson is no stranger to wearing multiple hats at the Uptown campus.
“Honestly, last year I was directing, choreographing and performing in ‘A Chorus Line,’ so this feels a little bit like a walk in the park by comparison,” Buisson said. “For me, directing and choreographing are absolutely closely connected, and I don’t approach them differently in my process.
“And in a piece like ‘Chicago,’ the scene work and the dance are one.”
The original show featured stage giants Gwen Verdon (Mrs. Fosse), Chita Rivera and Jerry Orbach, with a revival in 1996. A 2002 Oscar-winning version had Catherine Zeta-Jones (best supporting actress), Renée Zellweger and Richard Gere.
Taking the three roles locally are Chase Kamata, Julie Tolivar and Chris Carey.
The show was part of the 2007 Summer Lyric season, but Buisson said audiences can expect a fresh take on the crime-comedy, especially echoing themes in the news today.
“We’re leaning into the idea of ‘Chicago’ as a media circus. At its heart, the show is about crime, celebrity, public opinion and spectacle. There’s arguably no place where the human drama is put more on display than a courtroom, and that became a major inspiration for our production,” the director said. “The themes feel just as relevant today as they did 51 years ago, which is one of the reasons the show continues to resonate with audiences.”
And of the two leading ladies — Roxie Hart (who murders her boyfriend) and Velma Kelly (who killed her husband and sister) — who does Buisson lean toward?
“I’m actually more drawn to Roxie: At her core, she’s someone who refuses to let circumstances define her and is determined to write her own story. Plus, to quote Roxie herself, ‘Who wouldn’t want their name in the papers?'”
The show is at 7:30 p.m. June 18-20 and 2 p.m. June 21 at Dixon Hall on Newcomb Circle on the Uptown campus. Tickets start at $32. Visit liberalarts.tulane.edu/summer-lyric-theatre.
‘Miss Julie’ and ‘Venus in Fur’
A double bill is the order of the day for Fat Squirrel’s season opener with two works that “create a conversation across centuries about gender, power, control and attraction,” according to information on the shows.
The pair, directed by Andrea Watson, executive artistic director of the local company, will run through June 20 at CANOA, 4109 St. Claude Ave.
Taking roles in the two shows are Elizabeth McCoy, Jonathan Mares and Mallory Osigian Favolora.
“Miss Julie,” by August Strindberg, looks at the daughter of a Swedish count who is set on leaving the estate with her father’s manservant. Issues of class, deception and power come into play.
“Venus in Fur,” by David Ives, is a contemporary show about a brash actress’s audition for an exasperated writer-director and shifts in the balance of power.
The pairing follows Fat Squirrel’s path of blending works for interesting and unique storytelling.
The shows run at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays to Saturdays. Tickets start at $25. Visit fatsquirrelnola.square.site.
‘The Importance of Being Ernest’
Billed by the author as “a trivial comedy for serious people,” Oscar Wilde’s comedy that satirizes Victorian manners is a theatrical staple filled with pithy dialogue, laughs and a rather satisfying ending.
The Talkback theater’s resident director Isabella Arnett takes on “The Importance of Being Ernest,” the classic about British upper class “gentlemen” and their pursuit of woman and the lengths to which they will go.
Taking roles in the show are David Sanchez, Elijah Siren, PJ Ruffins, Layah Chouest, Noah Smith, Claire Dulle, Emma Schillage and Brooklyn Loga.
The show is at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the New Marigny Theatre, 2301 Marais St. Tickets start at $5. Visit thetalkbacktheatre.com.
In production June 11-17
Emily Carmadelle, Nicole Hebert Barwick and Brandi Lopez take their work seriously in ‘9 to 5’ at Evangeline Theater Company in Mandeville opening Friday.
“9 TO 5:” 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays; Evangeline Theater Company, 2635 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville. Three employees of a faceless behemoth corporation put up with the chauvinistic, dictatorial boss (Franklin Hart) and his manipulative ways, but things get crazy when a daydream turns into reality, opening the door to a brighter future or a dead end. Which will it be? Tickets start at $32. evangelinetheater.com.
Josie Oliva
Patrick Cragin
“ONCE:” 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, plus 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday; Le Petit Théâre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St. Stage show based on the motion picture about an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant who orbit each other in this tale of melodies and heartbreak with the cast playing various instruments. Tickets start at $40. lepetittheatre.com.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
