theater
... AND THE BALL AND ALL. True Brew Cafe Theatre, 200 Julia St., 524-8440. Ricky Graham's original comedy -- about the bickering ladies of the Mystic Krewe of Terpsichore -- returns to herald the Carnival season. Graham directs Becky Allen, Tracey Collins and others. Tickets $24. Performances 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, through March 25.
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS. Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 801 N. Rampart, 529-3000. Strauss' opera takes place at the home of a very wealthy gentleman who has brought two entertainments for his guests -- one a comedy and one a tragic opera. When pressed for time, he decides to have them both perform together. The New Orleans Opera Association brings this operatic delight to life with Jeanne-Michele Charbonnet in the title role. Tickets range $30 to $100. Performances 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday.
BLOOD BROTHERS. Carlone's Dinner Theater, 100 N. Labarre Road, 838-9906 -- Willy Russell's tale of fraternal twin brothers, parted at birth only to be reunited by Fate. Starring Ann Casey, Leslie Giglio, Jonathan Frick and Nic Young. Lunch and dinner included in ticket prices. Tickets $39.50. Curtain times 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, through April 8.
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Thibodaux Playhouse Inc., 314 St. Mary St., Thibodaux, 504/446-1896. Tennessee Williams classic about Big Daddy's family gathering to celebrate his 65th birthday. Tickets $8 adults, $6 students and children. Reservations recommended. Performances 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
COLD READ. le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. Readings of original works. Free admission. Performance 6 p.m. Wednesday.
DEGAS. Southern Repertory Theatre, Shops at Canal Place, 3rd Level, 861-8163. A fictional romance of Edgar Degas' visit to his New Orleans family in 1872. Directed by Erika Szanto. Tickets $20 general, $10 seniors, $8 students and teachers. Performances 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, through April 8.
THE GLASS MENAGERIE. Bank One Theatre, Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3800. The Dog & Pony Theatre Company presents this Tennessee Williams classic. Starring Amanda Wingfield, Heather Hollingsworth and David Reichard. Tickets $12 advance, $16 at the door. Performances 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
GREATER TUNA. True Brew Cafe Theatre, 200 Julia St., 524-8440. This comedy about the third-smallest town in Texas comes alive with Ricky Graham and Michael Bennett starring. Tickets $22. Performances 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 p.m. Sunday, through March 25.
I HATE HAMLET. Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner's Rivertown District, 468-7221. Story by Paul Rudnick about a young, successful television actor who relocates to New York, is offered the part of Hamlet and must deal with John Barrymore's ghost who has appeared in his apartment. Starring George J. Sanchez as John Barrymore. Tickets $18 adults, $16 seniors and $8 children (6-12). Performances 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, through March 25.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. New Orleans Center for Creative Arts/Riverfront, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2787 -- NOCCA's Department of Theatre presents this Oscar Wilde play about two young men who bend the truth to add excitement to their lives. Reservations required. $5 donation suggested. Performances 7:30 p.m Friday- Saturday.
LATE NITE CATECHISM. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, Directors Studio, 616 St. Peter St., 522-2081 -- The "Sister" teaches an adult catechism class and alternately rewards and chastises her students. Amanda Hebert stars. Tickets $20 (Thursday and Sunday) and $25 (Friday and Saturday). Performances 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. Open run.
LOVE LETTERS. North Star Theatre, 347 Gerard St., Mandeville, 800-924-5538. A.R. Gurney's moving and frequently funny two-character play about letters exchanged over a lifetime by two individuals born into wealth and position who grew up together, went their separate ways but continue to share confidences. Starring Linda DiLeo and Rex Badeaux. Tickets $20 adults, $18 seniors and students. Performances 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, through March 31. (There will also be a performance 2 p.m. Sunday.)
MIKKO PRESENTS ... TIME. le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. New series created and directed by Nicole I. Bernstein to show off new and emerging talent. Tickets $10. Performance every Friday 11 p.m. through March.
THE MOVING OF LILLA BARTON. Anthony Bean Community Theatre, 1333 South Carrollton Ave., 504-456-6874. Drama of a newly widowed minister's wife who refuses to move out of the church-owned house to make way for the new minister. Starring Nancy Hammons, Gwendolyn Foxworth, Charles Bosworth, and directed by Anthony Bean. Tickets $20 adults, $15 students and seniors. Performances 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, through April 8.
THE PRODUCERS. le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. A reading of the original movie script. Part of the mikko presents productions. Tickets $10. Performances 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
RAGE WITHIN/WITHOUT. The Pickery, 433 Orange St., 280-7285. Performance artist Kathy Randels celebrates the 10-year anniversary of her one-woman show that takes a frank look at anger, aggression and violence in women, yet sometimes delivered with a surprising dose of humor. $5 donations accepted, as well as book donations to benefit the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women at San Gabriel. Performances 8 p.m. Friday- Saturday, with post-performance discussion Friday.
ROACH OPERA. le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. Humorous original monologues and sketches focused on the political landscape of New Orleans, Louisiana and the nation performed by a talented ensemble. Tickets $15. Performance 11 p.m. Saturday.
TARTUFFE. Marquette Theater, Loyola University, 6363 St. Charles Ave., 865-3824. Considered Moliere's most revealing satire, the play unmasks the true motives of those religious impostors who have manipulated others throughout history. Tickets $10 general, $7 students and seniors. Performances 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday
THIS IS OUR YOUTH. A.R.K., 511 Marigny, 836-7166. Act, Inc. presents this look at the lives of affluent young Manhattanites of the 1980s. The critically acclaimed play depicts two days in the lives of three college-age Upper West Siders who are from wealthy families but are living in doped-up squalor. Starring Christopher Lee, Christian Middleton and Amelia Stocker. Directed by Jeff Clement. Tickets $12 adults, $8 students. Performances 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
TIGER TAIL. Le Petit Theatre, 616 St. Peter St., 522-2081. This rarely produced comedy is part of the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival. Williams called this work a look through "wanton hilarity" at lust, love, family and frankness. Directed by Perry Martin. Performances 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and Sunday 2 p.m., through April 9. Call for tickets.
art
Venues preceded by an asterisk are celebrating opening receptions this week. Call each space for information.
A Gallery For Fine Photography 322 Royal St., 568-1313 -- Vintage photogravures by Karl Blossfeldt, through May 1.
ABITA ART GALLERY 72078 Maple St., Abita Springs, (504) 867-3323 -- Works by Phillip Sage, John Akers, Roma Quartana, and Harriet Blum through March.
Academy Gallery New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, 5256 Magazine St., 899-8111 -- Drawing invitational show, through April 3.
Ariodante 535 Julia St., 524-3233 -- Glass work by Stephen Gartner and Danielle Blade, through March.
Arthur Roger Gallery 432 Julia St., 522-1999 -- Paintings by Jim Richard, through March.
ARTIFACTS 2881 Highway 190, Mandeville, 626-1227 -- New works by folk artist Willie/Willie, functional lighting by Janna Ugone, through March.
ARTRESSA GALLERY 1528 Jackson Ave., 524-0100 -- Lamps by William Evans, collage by Denise Bain, mixed-media by Gigi Robert, photographs by Meg Reilly, through April.
Barrister's Gallery 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767 -- The Spirit of Haiti, group show, through March.
brunner Gallery 522 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 893-0444 -- Ponds, Creeks and the Light Upon Them, paintings by Jerry Greenberg; Clayometry, clay and canvas works by Lucille Hunter, through April 7.
CARABAUX GALLERIES 3646 Magazine St., 894-1588 -- Featuring works from the Gallerie Royale collection, including sculpture by William Tolliver, paintings by Dennis Perrin and etchings by Israeli artist Bracha Guy, through March.
Carmen Llewellyn Gallery 240 Chartres St., 558-9859 -- Group show by gallery artists, through March.
Carol Robinson Gallery 840 Napoleon Ave., 895-6130 -- The Mississippi Landscape, featuring works by Jack Bartlett, Robert Malone and Sharon Richardson, through March.
cole pratt gallery 3800 Magazine St., 891-6789 -- New paintings by Evert Witte and Ed Dyer, through March 30.
Contemporary Arts Center 900 Camp St., 523-1216 -- Chelsea Rising, exhibit spotlighting new works from New York's Chelsea district, through June 9.
*CRESCENT GALLERY 531 Wilkinson Row, 525-5255 -- Paintings by Ann Wilmot Gauthier and Roy Pfister, sculpture by William Ludwig, through April 12.
dIllard University Art Gallery Cook Fine Arts and Communication Center, Collier Conference Center, 816-4711 -- Digital Diaspora, digital art show, through March.
d.o.c.s. 709 Camp St., 524-3936 -- Sculpture by Tim Poe, paintings by Cheryl Fell, through April 5.
fort isabel gallery 401 N. Columbia St., Covington, 892-1841 -- March into Spring, group show by gallery artists, through April 7.
GALERIE AVANCE 4202 Magazine St., 899-3995 -- Natural History, works by Donna Dufresne, through March.
GALLERY GORGON 2042 Magazine St., 2nd floor, 529-5350 -- Works by Terrance Osborne and Maggie McEleney, through March.
GALERIE LAFItTE 533 St. Louis St., 524-0105 -- Group show, through March.
Galerie Simonne Stern 518 Julia St., 529-1118 -- Silver and Gold, group sculpture show, through April 3.
*Hanson Gallery 229 Royal St., 524-8211 -- Sculpture by M.L. Snowden, through April 15.
Heriard-Cimino Gallery 440 Julia St., 525-7300 -- Conversion of Manners, photographs by Ernesto Pujol, through April 4.
HUBER HOUSE GALLERY 1522 St. Charles Ave., 561-0628 -- Sculpture by William Pochciol, through April.
IBERMUNDO ART GALLERY 604 Julia St., 588-9797 -- Works by Columbian artist Cecelia Vargas, through March.
Jonathan Ferrara Gallery 841 Carondelet St., 522-5471-- Nude versus Nude, group show by 18 artists, through March 28.
LEGATO GALLERY 424 N. Columbia St., Covington, 893-9115 -- Clay work by John Hodge, jewelry by Rene Chapotel, through March.
LeMieux Galleries 332 Julia St., 522-5988 -- Paintings and sculpture by Kurt Schlouge, through March.
Marguerite Oestreicher Fine Arts 720 Julia St., 581-9253 -- Prints and drawings by Nick Bubash, etchings by Tony Fitzpatrick, through March.
mario villa gallery 3908 Magazine St., 895-8731 -- Architectural Details, photographs by West Freeman, through March.
neighborhood gallery 1410 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 524-8800 -- Celebration of the Woman, group show by female artists, through March.
N.O. School of Glassworks & Printmaking Studio 727 Magazine St., 529-7277 -- The Ides of March, glass sculpture by Andrew Brott, gargoyles by Teri Walker, through March.
POET'S GALLERY 3113 Magazine St., 899-4100 -- They Who Cross the Night, black-and-white photography by Shannon Brinkman and Nick Vovers, Lorie Lake, through March 24.
RIVERBEND GALLERY 1000 S. Carrollton, 862-0111 -- Photographs by Penny Blake, paintings by Wendy King, through March.
RIVERTOWN FINE ARTS GALLERY 409 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231 -- Paintings by Wendy King, through March.
Stella jones gallery Bank One Center, 201 St. Charles Ave., 568-9050 -- Dream Variations, works by Louis Delsarte and John Riddle, through March.
STONE AND PAPER ART CENTER 2020 Woodrow St., Mandeville, 674-9232 -- Student photography exhibition, through March.
Sylvia Schmidt Gallery 400A Julia St., 522-2000 -- Sculpture by Madeleine Faust, paintings by Diane Meyer, through March.
THOMAS MANN GALLERY 104 Magazine St., 581-2113 -- Contemporary Spanish jewelry, group show by various artists, through March.
waiting room gallery 904 Pauline St., 949-1805 -- Paintings and assemblage by Richard Goulis, through April 7.
Wyndy Morehead FIne Arts 3926 Magazine St., 269-8333 -- Cuban landscapes by Sharon Frazier, through April 4.
museums
Historic New Orleans collection 533 Royal St., 523-4662; Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St., 598-7171 -- Marie Adrien Persac: Louisiana Artist, through April 13.
LATIN AMERICAN LIBRARY Tulane university, 7001 Freret St., 4th floor, 865-5681 -- Photographs of Antigua, Guatemala, by Sidney David Markman, through April 1.
OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART 603 Julia St., 539-9600 -- Poetic Vision: the Art of Will Henry Stevens, through April 13.
books
Thursday 22
READING GROUP. Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 455-5135. Mystery Reading Group discusses To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip Jose Farmer. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Friday 23
DAVID ALEXANDER. Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-7323. The author of The Authorized Biography of Gene Roddenberry: Star Trek Creator will give a talk and slide presentation on the writer, producer and humanist Gene Roddenberry. He will also sign first edition copies of his book. Free admission. 6 p.m.
DANA HOLYFIELD. Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 455-5135. Holyfield signs Cajun Sexy Cooking and offers samples to taste. Free admission.
Monday 26
ROSEMARY DANIELL. Bookstar, 414 N. Peters, 523-6411. Daniell signs Fatal Flowers: On Sin, Sex and Suicide in the Deep South and The Woman Who Spilled World All Over Herself: Writing and Living the Zona Rosa Way. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
