Local stages get in on the Carnival (and carnival) aspects of the season with a pair of shows opening that bring the circus to town and Mardi Gras to a momentous moment.
Having a ball
The ladies of the Krewe of Terpsichore are at it again. They have a ball and a parade to plan, and time is fleeting.
That’s the premise of “… And the Ball and All!” at Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts in Kenner. Ricky Graham’s stalwart show about Carnival in New Orleans is told through the perspective of the lovable Yats of the krewe of “Terp-suh-Kore.”
The show, which takes place in 1995, is “suspended in time” as the song from another muse musical says and Graham notes “all the jokes still land. Amazing.”
And while Terpsichore is the muse and goddess of music and dance, the ladies seem more at odds and ends when it comes to planning the celebration and picking float themes. But between the gossiping and give-and-take, everything works out in the end.
Familiar faces and Crescent City classic bring the characters to life, including Yvette Hargis, Mandy Zirkenbach, Renée Terrebone Thompson, Ashley Lemmler and Tracey Collins. And putting in a special appearance is Becky Allen, “Miss Muddy Graw Herself,” notes Graham.
The show is at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at 325 Minor St. Tickets start at $35. Visit rivertowntheaters.com.
The cast of ‘Water for Elephants’ bring the circus to town opening Tuesday at the Saenger Theatre, running through Feb. 8
‘I choose the circus’
Before the floats roll on Canal Street, the circus will indeed come to town at the Saenger Theatre when the national touring company of the Tony-nominated “Water for Elephants” opens Tuesday.
Based on Sara Gruen’s novel, the story is told by a man looking back on his adventure of working with a circus during the Depression. Desperate to leave his hometown after a devastating loss, his younger self jumps a train that ends up being a circus train.
The story has a carnival full of emotions, from tender romance to some harrowing adventures with the animals and life under the big top and on the rails.
The story comes full circle and drives home the point that life can begin whenever people decide.
The show is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Feb. 7, plus 2 p.m. Feb. 7, and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at 1111 Canal St. Tickets start at $39. Visit saengernola.com.
Onstage this week, Jan. 29-Feb. 4
Brooke Hagler-Duffaut is pie maker Mrs. Lovett and Brandon Bui is the title character in Slidell Little Theatre’s production of ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ opening Friday.
“SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET”: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6-7 and 2 p.m. Feb. 8; Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Drive, Slidell. One of Sondheim’s blockbusters, “Sweeney Todd” is the story of a 19th-century London barber who delves into a world of revenge against a crooked judge who destroyed his life and stole his family. Meanwhile, his landlord Mrs. Lovett owns a pie shop that needs customers — and meat. Tickets start at $35. slidelllittletheatre.org.
“FAT HAM”: 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 6; Dillard University’s Cook Theater, 2601 Gentilly Blvd. The NOLA Project’s presents a takeoff on Shakespeare’s class “Hamlet,” the story revolves around Juicy, whose paternal specter appears at a barbecue and demands his son avenge his murder. But Juicy knows the story and hopes to make a few changes. Tickets start at $25. nolaproject.com.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
