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There may not be any snow flurries headed this way (yet … ), but holiday favorites and live entertainment packed with fun will be hitting the stages of the greater metropolitan area.<\/p>\n
From classic tales of yuletide magic to magical tales that include a cool yule, there’s much to be seen on the scene. The question is, which one to go to first?<\/p>\n
Burl Ives and company brought the story of a nasally enhanced reindeer to television life in 1964, but the story goes back to the 1930s and even included a song by “The Singing Cowboy” Gene Autry that made it to No. 1 on the Billboard charts.<\/p>\n
But Robert L. May’s timeless tale continues to delight and comes to life when “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” soars onto the stage at Jefferson Performing Arts Center opening Dec. 5.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The songs and characters from the Rankin\/Bass stop-motion TV show are all there, from Rudolph and Hermey (the elf who wants to be a dentist) to Santa, Yukon Cornelius, Clarice, Bumble (the abominable snowman) and all the elves and misfit toys.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Holly Jolly Christmas,” “There’s Always Tomorrow” and “Silver and Gold” are also there, plus more of the original tunes and a couple of new ones for the stage show.<\/p>\n
Ostracized and belittled, Rudolph overcomes adversity to save the day with his olfactory opulence and a keen sense of direction.<\/p>\n
With direction by Kris Shaw, Parker Portera-Dufrene takes the title role, with Jimmy Murphy as Sam the Snowman. Avery Gerose is Hermey, Alee Peck is Yukon and Gabe Bello is Bumble. Louis Dudoussat and Brittany Milligan are the Claus duo and Jane Albright is Clarice. Also appearing in the show are Jevi Joseph, Kendall Berry, Donnie Lawson, Paul Bello, Hayley Duhe, Benjamin Benigno, Rebecca Wren, Justice McKnight, Kelly Amstutz, Kristy Webb, Addy Bradford, Evie Bradshaw, Madison Kelly, Emma Gonzales, Jaycee Holmes, Kayln Hepting Stephens and Abbey Murrell.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The show is at 7:30 p.m. Fridays\u00a0and at 2 p.m.\u00a0Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 14 at 6400 Airline Drive in Metairie. Tickets start at $28.\u00a0<\/p>\n
New Orleans has its own way of doing things, and nothing highlights that local flavor like a Ricky Graham show, especially one for the holidays.<\/p>\n
The local entertainment icon has turned his focus to melding Crescent City character with a holiday hallmark in “It’s A Wonderful Life Y’all” opening Dec. 5 at Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts in Kenner.<\/p>\n
The 1946 Jimmy Stewart-starring film, about a man who gets to see what life in his hometown would be like without him, has become standard fare for holiday watching. In this version, the story gets “Rickyed” with New Orleans touches that will appeal to all ages.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n