theater
AMAZING PLACE, THIS NEW ORLEANS. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 945-6789 --Roberts Batson's solo performance that brings to life the history and characters that helped shape the story of New Orleans. Based on his Scandal Tours. Tickets $20. Performances 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Open run.
AN INFINITE ACHE. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., (866) 468-7630 --Rene' Piazza directs Edward Simon and Kathryn DiStefano in David Schulner's two-character play about the major events of a relationship and how they all can happen within the blink of an eye. Tickets $15 adults. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday, through Aug. 8.
THE BEST OF BROADWAY II. Tulane University, Dixon Annex Recital Hall, 862-3214 --Cassie Worley directs 60 children from the New Orleans area in scenes and songs from popular Broadway shows. Presented by Tulane Little Lyric Theatre. Tickets $8 adults, $6 children. 2 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.
EATING RAOUL, THE MUSICAL. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 524-8440 --Roland 'Butch' Caire Jr. directs Paul Bartel's dark, dominatrix-like comedy about a chaste, married couple who end up killing people who suggest promiscuity. Starring Michael Sullivan, Stacy Taliancich, Nathan Homb and others. Parental discretion advised. Tickets $23.50 adults, $21.50 students. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
EUBIE! A MUSICAL REVUE. Skyfire Theatre, 332 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 875-7577, ext. 3 --Leo Jones choreographs and arranges vocals in addition to directing Idella Johnson, Tory Andrus, Mia McClain and others. Tickets $20 adults, $15 students and seniors. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY. Playmaker's Theater, 19106 Playmakers Road, Covington, (985) 893-1671 --Judy Krogsgard directs Shubert Fendrich's toe-tapping musical about a man trying desperately to put on a Broadway show. Starring Teddy Boone, Roy Harrison, Lacy Chavers and others. Music by George M. Cohan, with choreography by Jennifer Harageones Patterson. Tickets $15 adults, $10 students, free for military personnel in uniform. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through July 31.
LEND ME A TENOR. Times Square Center, 1320 N. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, (985) 542-8048 --Command Performers presents Ken Ludwig's comedy about a tenor traveling to Ohio to perform in Othello who suddenly takes ill and everyone thinks is dead. Kay Butler directs Tiffany Giardelli, Jeff Lucas and others. Tickets $10 adults, $8 seniors 65-over and children ages 12-under, $5 SLU students with ID. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Final weekend.
THE LITTLE PRINCE, THE MUSICAL. UNO Downtown Theatre, 621 Carondelet St., 598-3800 --Summer Stages Children's Theater presents Rick Cummins' and John Scoullar's production based on Antoine de St. Exup&233;ry's classic about an aviator whose plane crashes in the Sahara Desert and the life-changing conversation he has with a young, mysterious boy. Kevin Charpentier directs Randy Maggiore (as the aviator) with Garrison Linn and Alex Watters alternating as the Little Prince. Tickets $12 adults, $8 children ages 12-under. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through Aug. 8.
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD --THE WHOLE STORY. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., (866) 468-7630 --Ren&233; J.F. Piazza directs Sarah Fontenelle (as Little Red Riding Hood), Chris Latzke, Kevin Songy and others in this designed-for-adults parody of the fairy tale. Presented by Piazza Productions. Tickets $10 adults, $8 children and students. 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Monday, through Aug. 2.
MACBETH. Tulane University, Lupin Theatre, 865-5105 --Aim&233;e K. Michel directs Danny Bowen, Clare Moncrief, Gary Rucker and others in The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane's presentation of the Bard's tragedy. Costume design by Joan Long and music by Stephen Thomas. Tickets $25 adults; $22 students, teachers and seniors; $12.50 children 12-under. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Final weekend. (Reviewed in this issue.)
THE MATCHMAKER. North Star Theatre, 347 Gerard St. Mandeville, (800) 924-5538 --Lori Bennett directs Thornton Wilder's comedy set in the 1890s about a rich widower who employs a matchmaker to find him a suitable wife. Starring Sandy Landry, Craig Paretti and others. Tickets $22 adults, $18 seniors, $10 students. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through July 31; 2 p.m. Aug. 1.
RICHARD III. Tulane University, Lupin Theatre, 865-5105 --Aim&233;e K. Michel directs Gavin Mahlie, Lara Grice, Ron Gural and others in The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane's presentation of the classical tragedy of a power-hungry king. Call for ticket info or visit www.neworleansshakespeare.com. 1:30 p.m. (family-friendly performance) and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Final weekend.
SHORTS. Tulane University, Rogers Memorial Chapel, 865-5106 --A production of international short stories, including 'The Tortoise and the Hare;' 'Hiroshima,' a Japanese classic about a fisherman; and a version of 'Little Red Riding Hood' written and performed by the children in the audience. Tickets $6. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday. Final weekend.
SORDID LIVES. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 --Running With Scissors presents Del Shores' 'black comedy about white trash' about a dysfunctional family's reaction to the death of its matriarch. Richard Read and Flynn De Marco direct Brian Peterson, Dorian Rush, Maureen Brennan and others. Tickets $17. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday, through Aug. 1. (Reviewed in this issue.)
workshops
SUMMER THEATER WORKSHOP. River Region Performing Arts and Cultural Center, 15146 River Road, Good Hope, 904-1129 --River Region Drama Guild holds annual workshop for experienced and beginning actors ages 11-18. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 26-29 and Aug. 2-5. $25 for members, $50 non-members.
comedy
LE CHAT NOIR. 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 --Monday: Chris Champagne presents his one-man show Radio Free Numa. Part of the Lundi Laughter series. Tickets $16 general admission (includes $5 bar credit). 8 p.m.
MARTINE'S. 2347 Metairie Road, Metairie, 289-6529 --Wednesday: comedy open mic night, 8 p.m.
TRUE BREW CAFE. 200 Julia St., 524-8441 --Tuesday: open mic comedy, 8 p.m.; Saturday: Brown!, improv comedy, 11 p.m. art galleries THE ACADEMY GALLERY. New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, 5256 Magazine St., 899-8111 --2004 Annual Student Exhibition, through Saturday.
ALEXANDER & VICTOR FINE ART. 312 Royal St., 586-7555 --Jamaal B. Sheats: The Art of Repousse, through July.
ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY. 432 Julia St., 522-1999 --Works by Richard Jolley, Mitchell Gaudet and Stephen Paul Day, through Saturday.
ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY PROJECT SPACE. 730 Tchoupitoulas St., 522-1999 --Works by Gene Koss, Dale Chihuly, Stephen Paul Day, Mitchell Gaudet, Paul Lucas and Mary Jane Parker, through Saturday.
ASHE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER. 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 569-9070 --What's Going On: Visual Artists Address Black on Black Violence, group show organized by Willie Birch, through August.
AXELLE FINE ARTS GALERIE ROYALE. 709 Royal St., 299-1666 --New paintings by Jean-Daniel Bouvard, through July.
BRUNNER GALLERY. 215 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 893-0444 --2004 Bustier Show, Divine Protectors of Endangered Pleasures, photography by Patrick Dennis, through Saturday.
city arts studios. 555 S. Galvez St., 821-5243 --Sculptures by Luis Colmenares, plus works in various media by Robin Durand, Chad Moore, Scot Evert and other artists.
CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER. 900 Camp St., 528-3805 --Technology-driven art exhibits Picturing Music: The Art of Jack Ox, and Nouveau Techno: New Media Installations by Sylvie Blocher, Claude Closkey & Matthew Laurette, through Sept. 19.
D.O.C.S. 709 Camp St., 524-3936 --Group show of new and previously exhibited works from artists shown in the last 10 months, through Aug. 5.
HANSON GALLERY. 229 Royal St., 524-8211 --New paintings by Christian Vey and works by gallery artists Adrian Deckbar, Steve Taylor, Peter Max and Frederick Hart, through July.
GALERIE SEVERN. 3501 Severn Ave., Metairie, 888-5361 --Original watercolors by Gerald Bienvenu, through Aug. 6.
KURT E. SCHON. 510 St. Louis St., 524-5462; 523 Royal St., 523-5902 --European 18th and 19th century oil paintings by artists from the French Salon and The Royal Academy, and French Impressionists since 1978.
LEMIEUX GALLERIES. 332 Julia St., 522-5988 --New oil paintings by Billy Solitario, through July.
LIONEL MILTON GALLERY. 1818 Magazine St., 522-6966 --Paintings and other works by Lionel Milton.
MAGAZINE STREET GALLERY. 5207 Magazine St., 897-5330 --The Strength of Flowers, recent paintings by Phyllis Springen, through July.
MARGUERITE OESTREICHER FINE ARTS. 720 Julia St., 581-9253 --Christopher Saucedo, Selected Sculpture in 1/4 Scale Replica (Unassembled), through Saturday.
MARTIN LUKE GALLERY. 4535 Magazine St., 896-9198 --Oil paintings by Martin Luke and metal sculpture by Luis Colmenares and Scot Evert.
MYSTIC BLUE SIGN GALLERY. 2212 Magazine St., 525-4691 --Group show of paintings, prints and posters by gallery artists, through July.
New orleans GLASSWORKS and PRINTMAKING STUDIO. 727 Magazine St., 529-7277 --Tropical Heatwave, etchings by April Smart, fireworks block prints by Sean Star Wars, hand-bound books by Rachel Fontenot, through July.
RADICI GALLERY. 527 Julia St., 596-2144 --Selected works of photography and art graffiti pieces.
ST. TAMMANY ART ASSOCIATION. 320 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-8650 --The Robert Bruno Collection, restored photographs depicting scenes of New Orleans and the Northshore, through Aug. 8.
STEVE MARTIN STUDIO/GALLERY. 624 Julia St., 566-1390 --Expanding Boundaries, group exhibition of new conceptual art, through July. (Reviewed in this issue.)
VENUSIAN GARDENS. 2601 Chartres St., 943-7446 --Luminous art and neon sculpture by Eric Ehlenberger. spare spaces JEFFERSON PARISH EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY. 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100 --America's Best Buy: The Louisiana Purchase, traveling exhibit from the Louisiana State Museum, through Sunday. museums
AMERICAN-ITALIAN MUSEUM & RESEARCH LIBRARY. 537 S. Peters St., 522-7294 --Hand-painted and -lettered plaques by artist Franco Alessandri, photographs, and memorabilia.
GERMAINE CAZENAVE WELLS MARDI GRAS MUSEUM. Arnaud's Restaurant, 813 Bienville St., 523-5433 --Exhibit featuring costumes, Carnival memorabilia and vintage photos from 1937-1968, open during restaurant hours.
HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION. 533 Royal St., 523-4662 --Portraits After 1803, portraits and stories of people who lived in Louisiana in the 50 years following the Louisiana Purchase; Saving Wednesday's Child, items from the Children's Bureau Archives revealing how the organization dealt with child abuse, labor and neglect, at the Williams Research Center (410 Chartres St., 598-7171) through Oct. 1; From Louis XIV to Louis Armstrong: A Cultural Tapestry, more than 100 objects illustrating Louisiana's history and culture, on display in the HNOC's Williams Gallery and at the Williams Research Center through Oct. 9.
LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY. St. Augustine Church Hall, 1210 Gov. Nicholls St., 586-1919 --The Historic 1811 LA Slave Revolt; The Slave Castles of West Africa; Chapter Two/Conveying History: Following the Ancestors' Slave Trails, through Friday with special museum hours.
LOUISIANA STATE MUSEUM'S PRESBYTERE. 751 Chartres St., 568-6968 --Crown Jewels of Carnival, royal jewels from the 1870s to the 1930s, assembled by Mardi Gras designer Henri Schindler, through Dec. 5.
NEW ORLEANS HISTORIC TRAIN GARDEN AT CITY PARK. New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park, 482-4888 --Miniature replicas of New Orleans' architectural styles crafted from botanical bits, plus small-scale trains and streetcars, all in garden setting. Permanent exhibit is included with regular admission to New Orleans Botanical Garden.
NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART. 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631 --In Celebration of Light: Photographs From the Collection of Cherye R. and James F. Pierce, featuring works by Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Robert Mapplethorpe, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Minor White, through Aug. 15; The Collector's Eye: The Louis S. Harris Collection, glass exhibition including works by Tiffany and Gall&233;, through Sept. 12; From Another Dimension, works on paper by sculptors, through Sept. 19.
OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART. 925 Camp St., 539-9600 --The Story of the South: Art and Culture 1890-2003, Chapter One, museum collection of Roger Ogden, on permanent exhibit; Looking Back/Looking Forward: A 20th Anniversary Re-Evaluation of the Art and Culture of the 1984 Louisiana World's Exposition, series of art exhibitions and symposia focusing on the 'New Orleans World's Fair,' featuring photographs by Joshua Paillet in the Contemporary Photography Gallery, through December; Richard Jolley: Sculptor of Glass, works spanning two decades, shown in the Contemporary Southern Art Gallery through Sept. 24.
SYDNEY AND WALDA BESTHOFF SCULPTURE GARDEN. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631 --Five-acre outdoor collection of modern and contemporary sculpture, free and open to the public.
call for artists
3 RING CIRCUS. 1638 Clio St., 569-2700 --3 Ring Circus and The Big Top Gallery seek submissions from artists, writers and theater troupes for art show and events to be held in September. All entries should comment on the show's theme, 'money.' Each visual art submission should include up to three slides or digital images on CD; each musical submission should include up to three songs on a cassette tape or CD; poetry, prose, plays and puppet shows should be submitted by mail or email. Entry fee is $10 per three works. Call or visit www.3rcp.com for more information. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 2.
NO DEAD ARTISTS. Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, 841 Carondelet St., 522-5471 --Submissions are sought for the ninth annual open juried exhibition, scheduled for the month of September. All work must be mailed in 35-mm slide format and must be for sale, subject to standard gallery commission. Entrance fee is $25. Applications are available at the gallery or online at www.jonathanferraragallery.com. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 13.
OPEN STUDIO DRAWING SESSIONS. Fine Arts Building, Room 138, University of New Orleans, 280-6493 or 615-1228 --Artists can draw from a live model at these weekly drop-in sessions held Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., through this week. $5 per session.
A STUDIO IN THE WOODS. 13401 River Road, 392-5359 --Applications are being sought from visual artists, writers and composers seeking residencies at the only live-in artists' community in the Deep South. Call or visit www.astudiointhewoods.org for more information.
SUMMER ART CAMP. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3805 --Four one-week sessions now open to kids ages 6 through 13. For information, call Marie Lamb at the CAC or email mlamb@cacno.org.
special events
NOMA NIGHTS. New Orleans Museum of Art/ Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631 --Both venues remain open from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, with concerts, film screenings and other events offered periodically.
books
Wednesday 21
GERALD P. MALLON. Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947-6847 --Author will read and sign his book Gay Men Choosing Parenthood, a work drawing on personal interviews and extensive research. Free admission. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
GEORGE GURTNER. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100 --Author discusses and signs Historic Churches of New Orleans and Jefferson, a historical and photographic survey of 50 area churches. 7 p.m.
Thursday 22
BARNES & NOBLE. 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929 --Monthly science fiction discussion on Robert Rankin's The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse, a quirky tale of wind-up toys. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Saturday 24
BEN MCCLELLAND. The National D-Day Museum, Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012, ext. 225 --Author will discuss and sign A Soldier's Son, a story about his father who was killed in World War II, the appreciation of his sacrifice, and the meaning of his death for his family and country. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
JULIE SMITH. Garden District Book Shop, The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 --Edgar Award-winning author will sign Louisiana Lament, a detective's journey through a not-so-genteel New Orleans environment while investigating the murder of a once-renowned female socialite and patroness of the arts. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
NANNETTE SCHMITT. Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929 --Local author will sign Remember Last Island, a historical novel based on the devastating hurricane that wiped out the only resort on Last Island and most of its land, eroding it down to one mile from its original length of 26 miles. Free admission. 2 p.m.
