Stages across the metro area boast a broad spectrum of talent and entertainment styles this week, with a duet of ballet performances taking bows, as well as a look at the dysfunctional relationship of two brothers, with love on the horizon.
Latin rhythms
Ballet Hispánico mounts a production of “CARMEN.maquia” at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts Saturday, bringing a reimagination of the iconic opera to local audiences through the New Orleans Ballet Association.
Known for its blend of classic, contemporary and Latin dance maneuvers, Ballet Hispánico has captivated audiences in the Crescent City and worldwide with its expertise and enthusiasm.
The production, based on the Frenchman Bizet’s opera of the Spanish soldier and the gypsy temptress, is marking its 150th anniversary of production. The current iteration has choreographer Gustavo Ramirez Sansano drawing on the painter Picasso’s use of bold images and style to recraft the tale.
The ballet features an original score with Bizet’s melodies and offers new views of the opera’s themes of love and tragedy, jealousy and passion.
Tickets start at $29 at the theater at 1419 Basin St. in Louis Armstrong Park. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. For more information visit nobadance.com.
Take three
Three ballets — one a premiere by resident choreographer Oliver Halkowich — will be the program when the New Orleans Ballet Theatre takes to the stage at the Civic Theater downtown Saturday for two performances.
“Babel,” Halkowich’s new work, focuses on jazz and tap rhythms “with the classical ballet language and line,” notes the production materials. The piece celebrates individuality and also looks at feeling out of sync with others.
Joining the new work on the program will be “Concerto Barocco” by George Balanchine, a work set to Bach’s “‘Double’ Concerto for Two Violins.” Also performed will be Gregory Schramel’s “Patriotism,” based on a short story by Yukio Mishima.
Performances at the 510 O’Keefe Ave. theater will be at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $40. Visit neworleansballettheatre.com.
‘West’-ward ho!
Jefferson Performing Arts heads west to Westwego Performing Arts Theatre at 177 Sala Ave. for a bit of sibling rivalry brought to life by Sam Shepard in his “True West” play opening Feb. 6.
Set in California, the show’s two estranged brothers couldn’t be more different. One is a screenwriter who’s pretty uptight. The other steals televisions.
The two, seeing each other for the first time in years, are at their mother’s home where tensions rise and fall with alarming rapidity. Throw into the mix a film producer, some stolen toasters, a mom who is waiting for Picasso and attempted murder.
Directing the dark-humored play is Bennett Kirschner, with Topher Johnson as the screenwriter and Philip Yiannopoulos as the larcenous older brother. Joshua Tierney is the producer, and Deb Margolin is the mother.
Tickets start at $15. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 16. Visit jpas.org.
Cupid’s curtain call
Valentine’s Day seems the perfect time for a bit of romance on stage, and Loyola University’s Lower Depth Theater will be the spot to catch “Love Letters,” the venerable show about a couple’s lifelong relationship as told through their correspondence.
This newspaper’s social scribe, Nell Nolan, is joined onstage by Michael Newcomer, co-founder and executive director of Crescent City Stage for A.R. Gurney’s duet.
Tickets for the 6 p.m. show at 6363 St. Charles Ave. in the Communications/Music Complex of the school are $25, with proceeds benefiting the theater department. Visit cmm.loyno.edu/loyola-presents/buy-tickets
On stage this week Jan. 30-Feb. 5
Shakespeare’s comic folly ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ will open at 30 by Ninety Theatre with, from left, Lexie Martin, Quinton Williams, Danielle Morvant, Andrew Talamo and Gracyn Dunavant.
“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM”: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday; 30 by Ninety Theatre, 880 Lafayette St., Mandeville. Shakespeare’s tale of misdirected love, transformation, a mischief maker named Puck and a forest full of fairies crafts love and romance from chaos and confusion. Tickets start at $17. 30byninety.com.
Lauren Wells, left, and Mary Langley will appear in the Intramural Theater production of ‘Timbuktu, USA’ opening Friday.
“TIMBUKTU, USA”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sunday and Monday; New Marigny Theatre, 2301 Marais St. Intramural Theater’s regional premiere of a portrait of politics, with a focus on the occupant of the Oval Office by Ken Prestininzi that offers a politico who devises a plan to become the first female president. The show looks at whether the plan will succeed. Tickets start at $25. intramuraltheater.org.
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