A specter, a grandma and a chocolatier walked onto a stage …
No, it’s not a bad joke. Spring shows both new and tried-and-true are set for theaters across the metro area.
‘Opera Ghost’
From the lavish halls of the “Opera Populaire” in Paris to the fittingly elaborate halls of the Saenger Theatre comes a ghoulish love story that ends with chandeliers in pieces and a lonely little monkey clanging his cymbals.
“Phantom of the Opera,” the longest-running Broadway show in history and the masterpiece that coalesced Andrew Lloyd Webber’s star in the theatrical firmament, returns Wednesday for an extended run on Canal Street for 16 performances.
The almost three-hour musical focuses on an elusive denizen of the French opera house with a fixation on a young singer. What at first seems a kindly hand to teach her to excel soon turns to an obsession that not only threatens Christine but the entire opera.
“The Music of the Night,” “All I ask of You” and “Masquerade” are some of the notable musical numbers that blend soaring operatic lines with rock-style drive and movement.
The touring production features the revitalized production that opened in London in 2021 by the original producer Cameron Mackintosh.
Running through March 15, the show is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays plus March 10, 1 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Saturdays, and 6:30 p.m. March 8.
Tickets start at $52. Visit saengernola.com.
Who Dat whodunnit?
“Murder Most Meemaw” has a certain local accent, and that’s exactly what it is. The brainchild of Ricky Graham and Gary Rucker, the show is a classic bit of New Orleans humor that mines the rich lode of local “isms” and ideas.
Ricky Graham as ‘Meemaw’
The premise centers on Mari Macalusa, aka Meemaw “The Agatha Christie of Barataria Boulevard.” Of course.
Meemaw is an amateur sleuth and writer who has penned New Orleans-set versions of “classic British murder mystery, except in good ol’ Yat talk that people can understand,” said Graham.
An old-time radio show is the format as Meemaw tells the stories of “Hercules Pirogue And The Jambalaya Liar” and “Miss Maple and The Case of The Killer King Cake” with her friends and neighbors in starring roles.
Graham and Rucker appear and are joined by the talents of Vatican Lokey, Lisa Picone-Love, Jessie Terrebonne Thompson, Ryan Nocito and Emily Bagwill.
Catch “Murder Most Meemaw” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, through Saturday, Feb. 28, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave., in Westwego. Visit jpas.org.
Sweet times
The story of a young boy on a magical trip through a fantastic candy factory comes to life at Cutting Edge Theater, 767 Robert Blvd., in Slidell.
Based on Roald Dahl’s story, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the New Musical” follows young Charlie Bucket as he gets one of the magical golden tickets that offer a tour of the mysterious Willy Wonka factory. The cast of characters, from Wonka to the other kids on the tour, are as full of flavor as the chocolatier’s handiwork. And what happens to them is just as interesting.
Directed by Joey Pruitt, with musical direction by Abbie Pruitt and choreography by Laurin Wilkerson, the show features a large cast ranging in age from grandparents to kids. Jason Wright is Wonka.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through March 15. Tickets start at $35. Visit cuttingedgetheater.com.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
