theater
A LESSON BEFORE DYING. Southern Repertory Theatre, Third level, The Shops at Canal Place, 861-8163. Tommye Myrick directs this story of a young black man wrongly convicted of murdering a white liquor store owner and sentenced to the electric chair. Based on the book by Ernest J. Gaines. Tickets $20 adults, $15 seniors, $8 students. Performances 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 7.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Popp Fountain, Marconi Drive above I-610, City Park, 595-8899. Dog & Pony Theatre Company presents its 13th season with this production of William Shakespeare's comedy. Stars Michael Arata, Luis Q. Barroso, Martin Covert and Lara Grice. Tickets $10 (cash only). Performances 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
BELLS ARE RINGING. Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner, 468-7221. Kick off the season with this musical comedy about an answering service girl of a thousand characters, specifically altered for each client. Gloria Fallo directs Cynthia Owen, Greg Di Leo and others. Tickets $22 adults, $20 students/seniors, $12 children. Performances 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. (Reviewed in this issue.)
COLD READ. Le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. Theater for writers featuring Barbara Motley reading comments from New York Times art critic Robert Hughes. Free admission, one drink minimum. 6 p.m. Wednesday.
GEORGE M! Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-2081. The life of George M. Cohan comes to life in this production of the towering giant of the American musical stage. Performances of Cohan's memorable songs include Over There, You're a Grand Old Flag and Give My Regards To Broadway. Tickets $26. Performances 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. Shim Sham Club, 615 Toulouse St., 299-8932. All Kinds of Theatre and Running With Scissors present the final local performance of the off-Broadway collaboration by actor/singer John Cameron Mitchell and musician Stephen Trask. Richard Read and Carl Walker direct Flynn De Marco as Hedwig, the "internationally ignored song stylist." Tickets $20 adults, $15 students. Performance 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
LATE NIGHT 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 $21 Thursday and Sunday; $26 Friday and Saturday. Performances 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. Open run.
LOVE, SEX, AND THE IRS. Carlone's Dinner Theatre, 100 North Labarre Road, Metairie, 838-9906. Two guys pass themselves off on paper as married and enjoy the tax benefits for years. Suddenly, the IRS sends an investigator to determine the sex of "Leslie." Deception, cross-dressing, panic and hysteria combine for great laughs. John Brooks directs Kris Shaw, Jim Chimento and Stocker Fontelieu. Tickets $42.22, includes buffet and show. Performances 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
MR. RICKEY CALLS A MEETING. Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School, 1333 S. Carrollton Ave., 862-7529. Play by Ed Schmidt features five historical figures (Joe Louis, Paul Robeson, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey) who meet in 1947 to discuss the strategy for promoting a black man to the Major Leagues. Stars New Orleans City Councilman Oliver Thomas, Anthony Bean and Charles Bosworth. Tickets $15 general, $12 students and seniors. Performances 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.
NUNSENSE. Napoleon Avenue United Methodist Church, 2524 Napoleon Ave., 913-8878. New York singer/actress Francine Finley joins a local cast in this production of the off-Broadway musical comedy. Tickets $5. Performances 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
PARTY. The Barn at Cowpokes, 2240 St. Claude Ave., 947-0505. This offbeat look at gay life takes place at a gathering of friends who work their way into a game similar to "Truth or Dare" called "Facts and Fantasies." Call for ticket info. Performances 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday, through Oct. 21.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS. Le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. Gambit Weekly theater critic Dalt Wonk's original play takes a look at the self-described regal characters on Bourbon Street. Stars Charlotte Schully, Randy Cheramie, Kara Hadigan and Michael Hill. Tickets $20 plus tax Thursday and Sunday, $22.50 plus tax Friday-Saturday. Performances 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 7.
WHEN YA SMILIN'. True Brew Theater, 200 Julia St., 524-8440. Award-winning playwright Ricky Graham brings to the stage this new comedy about growing up in New Orleans. Stars Sean Patterson, Gavin Mahlie and Becky Allen. Tickets $23. Performances 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 28.
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 -- Orotones by Edward S. Curtis, Norman Edson and James Barton; photos from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, through September.
Academy Gallery New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, 5256 Magazine St., 899-8111 -- Memorial show for Bettina Steinke and Don Blair, through Oct. 2.
Ariodante 535 Julia St., 524-3233 -- Wooden objects by Jim Charbonnet, Joey Hitchcock, Thomas Irven and Peter Ward, through September.
ART HOUSE 129 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 892-8650 -- Juried group show, through October.
Arthur Roger Gallery 432 Julia St., 522-1999 -- Portraits: Black Male, paintings by Willie Birch; paintings by James Barsness; sculpture by Neil Harshfield; through September.
Barrister's Gallery 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767 -- Women Without Walls, group show of work by five female artists, through September.
Bassetti Fine Art Photographs 233 Chartres St., 529-9811 -- Large photographs by Dan Ragland and Dornith Doherty, through October.
brunner Gallery 522 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 893-0444 -- Cybernaut Series, paintings by Charles Blank; wood sculptures by Marlowe McGraw, through Oct. 6.
Bryant Galleries 316 Royal St., 525-5584 -- Paintings by Dean Mitchell, through September.
CAMERON JONES 2127 Magazine St., 524-3119 -- Group show featuring 12 local artists, through September.
Carol Robinson Gallery 840 Napoleon Ave., 895-6130 -- Connections, steel works by Eric Sarbach, through September.
cole pratt gallery 3800 Magazine St., 891-6789 -- Contemporary Realism, paintings by Charles Carraway, Christine Cozie, Ed Dyer and Glennray Tutor, through Sept. 29.
DELGADO FINE ARTS GALLERY 615 City Park Ave., 483-4512 -- The Anatomy Lesson: Flesh and Blood, Body and World, paintings by Judith Burks, through Sept. 27. (Reviewed in this issue.)
dIllard University Art Gallery Cook Fine Arts and Communication Center, Collier Conference Center, 816-4711 -- Female Evolution, prints by Addie Dawson-Euba, through September.
d.o.c.s. 709 Camp St., 524-3936 -- Glass and metal sculpture by Andrew Katz, paintings by Isabella Natale, through Oct. 4.
EVANS GALLERY 3815 Magazine St., 897-2688 -- Paintings by Kelly Jones, line drawings by Mark Willems, through September.
fort isabel gallery 401 N. Columbia St., Covington, 892-1841 -- Watercolors by Phil Hubbell, through Oct. 13.
GALLERY GORGON 2042 Magazine St., Second floor, 529-5350 -- Works by Maggie McEleny and Terrence Osborne, through September.
GALERIE LAFItTE 533 St. Louis St., 524-0105 -- New paintings by Christina Juran, through October.
Galerie Simonne Stern 518 Julia St., 529-1118 -- Paintings by Chris Guarisco, Ron Bechet, and Monica Zeringue (reviewed in this issue), through September.
Hanson Gallery 229 Royal St., 524-8211 -- Preview of new paintings by Charles Thysell, through October.
Heriard-Cimino Gallery 440 Julia St., 525-7300 -- Mixed media on canvas works by Maureen Dougherty, through September.
hickory street gallery 71561 Hickory St., Abita Springs, 892-8618 -- Group show featuring works from the Contemporary Fiber Artists of Louisiana, through September.
HUBER HOUSE GALLERY 1522 St. Charles Ave., 561-0628 -- New paintings by Marie-Noel Ghesquiere and Sun Sun Yip, through September.
IBERMUNDO ART GALLERY 604 Julia St., 588-9797 -- Paintings by Colombian artist Jesus Calle, through September.
INDUSTRIAL ELEMENTS 517 Rue St. Louis, 581-1155 -- Mardi Gras bead exhibit by Emen Levy, through October.
jim blanchard STUDIO & DESIGN 608 Julia St., 522-4815 -- Where Is Sainte Marie?, watercolors by Jim Blanchard, through September.
JOHN PRODUCT GALLERY 2027 Magazine St., 581-5280 -- Illusionary Space: Faces in the City, paintings by Lisa C. Soto, through September.
Jonathan Ferrara Gallery 841 Carondelet St., 522-5471 -- The Black and White show, group exhibit featuring works in black and white, through September.
LeMieux Galleries 332 Julia St., 522-5988 -- Icons and ICONvicts, paintings and ceramics by Francie Rich and Simone Mollere, through Sept. 29.
Marguerite Oestreicher Fine Arts 720 Julia St., 581-9253 -- Sewn fabric works by Gina Philips, through September. Objects, Adriana Farmiga, through October.
mario villa gallery 3908 Magazine St., 895-8731 -- New talent exhibition featuring paintings by John Castillo, ceramics by Daniel Engle, photography by Kent Hardouin, and glass pieces by Fifi Laughlin, through September.
Morgan West studio/gallery 3326 Magazine St., 895-7976 -- New Orleans paintings by Dick Johnson, through September.
neighborhood gallery 1410 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 524-8800 -- Our Art Is Our Music, group show featuring Sheila Alson, Peggy Young, Ronald Jones, and Raymond Gaines, through Oct. 5.
Newcomb Art Gallery Tulane University, 865-5328 -- Los Perdidos, works on canvas and paper by Judith McCrea, through Oct. 5. (Reviewed in this issue.)
N.O. School of Glassworks & Printmaking Studio 727 Magazine St., 529-7277 -- Summer Gardens, exhibit featuring floral beads by Andrew Pollack, enameling by Cathy deYoung, and monoprints by Miriam Martin, through September.
RIVERBEND GALLERY 1000 S. Carrollton Ave., 862-0111 -- New Orleans jazz prints and poster tiles by Tommy Thompson, through September.
RIVERTOWN FINE ARTS GALLERY 409 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231 -- Works by Polly Johnson and Brenda Delle, through Nov. 7.
Stella jones gallery Bank One Center, 201 St. Charles Ave., 568-9050 -- Dream Variations, paintings and works on paper by Hughie Lee Smith, through September.
STEVE MARTIN STUDIO/GALLERY 624 Julia St., 566-1390 -- The Cock, the Pig and the Pussycat, paintings by Ashley Longshore; sculpture and paintings by Steve Martin.
Sylvia Schmidt Gallery 400A Julia St., 522-2000 -- The Spirit of Nature, paintngs by Bruno Andrade; small works by Slyvia Schmidt, through September.
waiting room gallery 904 Pauline St., 949-1805 -- Wire and Paint, wire sculpture by Elizabeth Keithline, abstract paintings by Ron D'Amico, through Oct. 20.
Wyndy Morehead FIne Arts 3926 Magazine St., 269-8333 -- Works on canvas and paper by Sandi Seltzer Bryant, through Oct. 2.
spare spaces
LOUISIANA PIZZA KITCHEN 95 French Market Place, 522-9500 -- Photographs by J. Georgie Friedman, through Oct. 15.
LOUISIANA PIZZA KITCHEN 615 S. Carrollton Ave., 866-5900 -- Pet portraits by Aidi Kansas, through September.
museums
New Orleans African-American Museum of Art, Culture and History 1418 Gov. Nicholls St., 527-0989 -- Percent for Art Program's Artwork Purchase 2001, featuring 28 diverse pieces by various artists, through September.
New Orleans Museum of Art 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631 -- Scottish Treasures: Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Scotland; From Myth and Reality: Animals in Japanese Edo-Period Painting, through Nov. 25; Sam Doyle: Heart and Soul, through September.
OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART 603 Julia St., 539-9600 -- Treasures From the Amistad Collection, group show of paintings, drawings and sculpture by African-American artists, through Sept. 29.
books
Wednesday 26
BOOK CLUB. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Readings from the Gilded Age club will discuss Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Thursday 27
BOOK CLUB. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Science fiction group will read Wicked by Gregory Maguire. Free admission. 7 p.m.
BOOK CLUB. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Mystery group will read A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Saturday 29
ROBERT W. KATZ. Gospel Book Store, 12 Westside Shopping Center, Gretna, 362-7770. New Orleans CPA will give financial planning seminar and sign copies of Money Came by the House the Other Day: A Guide to Christian Financial Planning and Stories of Stewardship. Free admission. 10 a.m. to noon.
Sunday 30
JILL MCCORKLE. Faulkner House, 624 Pirate's Alley, 524-2940. Author will read from her book, Creatures of Habit. Free admission. 2:30 p.m.
