Photo by Bevil Knapp/courtesy New Orleans Opera Association The New Orleans Opera Association (NOOA) continues its 2004-2005 season with a presentation of Jacques Offenbach's THE TALES OF HOFFMAN with performances on Thursday and Saturday at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts (Armstrong Park, 529-3000/(800) 881-4459; www.neworleansopera.org). Hoffman's history is indeed rich. Offenbach began work on the piece after having scored several successful operettas, but the composer wanted this one to be his major contribution. By the time he died in 1880, Offenbach had finished the piano score, the orchestration for the prologue and the first act. It took a New Orleanian, composer Ernest Guiraud, to finish the work; Guiraud worked from Offenbach's notes and presented his own version for the opera's Paris premiere in 1881. (It wasn't the only time Guiraud saved a work for posterity; he also tweaked Carmen after Georges Bizet's death in 1875.) New Orleanians got their first viewing of Hoffman in 1887 at the French Opera House. Both NOOA and local universities have presented Hoffman over the years, most recently David Morelock and Loyola University. There have been many revisions to the work over the years, but this performance will include still more revisions that previously have not been heard. The Hoffman in question, by the way, is a poet -- and every bar patron's worst nightmare, bending the ear of anyone who will listen to tales of his three great past loves: Olympia, Antonia and Giulietta. He regales a tavern crowd with his stories as all await the arrival of Milanese opera singer (and Hoffman's current love interest) Stella. LSU graduate Paul Groves (pictured) stars as Hoffman, with Joyce Guyer as Olympia, Antonia and Giulietta as well as the primadonna Stella. Morelock directs, with NOOA's Robert Lyall conducting the orchestra. Tickets range from $30-$100. Showtimes 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Saturday. -- David Lee Simmons

Richard Rhodes reads and signs John James Audubon: The Making of an American 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16 Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-7323; www.octaviabooks.com Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Rhodes (The Making of the Atomic Bomb) brings his latest work, a biography of naturalist and artist John James Audubon, to New Orleans this week. In John James Audubon: The Making of an American, Rhodes, the acclaimed author of 20 books, provides the first in-depth look at Audubon in decades and captures the story of not only the painter, but also the man. The portrait he paints -- with prodigious use of Audubon's own letters and journals -- is one of a handsome and devoted (if often absent) husband, who also happens to be a talented, ambitious careerist. 'In health and in sickness,' Audubon wrote, 'in adversity and prosperity, in summer and winter, amidst the cheers of friends and the scowls of foes, I have depicted the Birds of America.' In 'this splendid biography,' writes The New York Times' Jonathan Rosen, 'Rhodes has managed to do for Audubon what Audubon did for birds.' Free admission. -- Shala Carlson

Cymbeline 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Nov. 16-20; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 20-21 Tulane University, Lupin Theater, 865-5106 One of William Shakespeare's infrequently performed works -- and his third to last -- Cymbeline feels like one part greatest-hits collection, one part reunion, as some of the darker archetypes from his previous works show themselves. They are a lion-in-winter king, a cunning queen, a conniving villain, and the usual assortment of friends, lovers and faithful servants. Many of the Bard's themes reappear, as well: money, war, parental approval, revenge, you name it. Paul Schierhorn directs Charles Bosworth III, Amy Sherman, Michael Santora and others, with a set designed by Anndi Daleske, and costumes by Anita Algiene; lighting by Martin Sachs and sound by Ann Shapiro. Tickets $12 general admission, $9 faculty/staff, $7.50 students/seniors, $5 student/senior groups of 10-plus. -- Simmons

Oliver! 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Nov. 16-20; 2 p.m. Thursday, Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 18, 20-21 Saenger Theatre, 143 N. Rampart St., 522-555; www.saengertheatre.com Oliver! opens the Saenger's Broadway in New Orleans series this week, starting Tuesday. When Lionel Bart's, Oliver! -- the musical version of Charles Dickens' 1838 novel, Oliver Twist -- made its way to Broadway in 1963, it became the Great White Way's longest-running British musical and was nominated for 10 Tony Awards (winning three). The 1968 film version, directed by Carol Reed, earned 11 Oscar nominations and won five Academy Awards -- and for good reason. Despite its incredibly cornball interpretation of Dickens' gutter life of London, Oliver! features one of the most consistent musical scores in history, including 'Where is Love?,' 'You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,' 'Consider Yourself,' 'I'd Do Anything' and 'Food, Glorious Food.' The melodic power of these songs is undeniable, making this a sweet opener for the Saenger's Broadway in New Orleans series, which also sports Hairspray (Dec. 7-12), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jan. 11-16, 2005), The Graduate (March 8-13, 2005) Movin' Out (April 5-10, 2005) and Little Shop of Horrors (June 14-19). Tickets to this show range from $20-$60; groups of 20 or more call 569-1520. -- Simmons

Legendary Shack Shakers 10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16 One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St., 569-8361 These Nashville rockers' debut recording on Yep Roc Records, Believe, will make you do exactly that. Combining driving, mystery-train guitars and plaintive Appalachian folk sounds with raw, gutbucket blues, their hard-edged Americana sound is an amalgam of broken blues and nasty rockabilly that will make you feel dirty and redeemed at the same time. Front man J.D. Wilkes has received props from sources from Jello Biafra to Real Blues magazine for his demonically possessed onstage fury in one of the best collisions between Southern gothic roots and punk rock you're likely to witness. Believe hints at diverse influences from Louisiana swamp rock in the vein of C.C. Adcock to genre-buster Tom Waits, and is one of the freshest-sounding in a year that's been ripe with offerings from the neo-rockabilly folks. Show preceded by screening of Ed Wood's Necromania at 9 p.m. (See this week's A&E Feature.) Tickets $8. -- Alison Fensterstock

Intimate Apparel Wednesday, Nov. 17, through Dec. 12 Southern Rep, The Shops at Canal Place, third floor, 333 Canal St., 522-6545; www.southernrep.com One need look no further than Intimate Apparel for an example of why Southern Rep artistic director Ryan Rilette is being honored this week as one of Gambit Weekly's '40 Under 40™' recipients (see cover story). Written by Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel won this year's New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Play, the American Theatre Critics/Steinberg New Play Award, and the Francesca Primus Award. This underscores Southern Rep's commitment to presenting the best in contemporary theater. Apparel stars Karen-Kaia Livers as a turn-of-the-century tailor for socialites and prostitutes who thinks she's found love during a long-distance correspondence with a Caribbean stranger (Tony Molina) -- until he shows up. Hal Brooks, of Rilette's old Rude Mechanicals troupe in New York City, will direct; the supporting cast includes Troi Bechet, Lara Grice, Randy Maggiore and Carol Sutton. Wednesday preview 8 p.m.; press opening 8 p.m. Friday; opening-night gala will follow Saturday's 8 p.m. performance; 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $18 for previews, $30 opening-night gala, $23 all others (discounts available). -- Simmons

Beyond the Veil: New Perspectives From the Muslim World 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17; 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 18-21 Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767; www.zeitgeistinc.org When Zeitgeist's Rene Broussard gets a film-programming tiger by the tail, he never lets go until he's satisfied. Hence this compelling, touring program from Women Make Movies (and co-sponsored by the Newcomb College Center for Research on Women) including films from Palestine, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. You know; where all the fun is! Visit the Zeitgeist Web site for a complete description of the films involved, but we're particularly intrigued by the opening-night film: Iranian director Yassamin Maleknasr's Afghanistan: The Lost Truth. In her travels throughout the country, Maleknasr became the only woman (and filmmaker) to cover so much ground since the fall of the Taliban. Tickets $6 general admission, $5 students/seniors/unemployed, $4 Zeitgeist members/kids. -- Simmons

Katie Ford reading 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18 NOCCA/Riverfront, Ellis Marsalis Jazz Studio, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2900; www.nocca.com The Christian right might not exactly get on board with the stirring confrontations with faith and spirituality that Katie Ford examines in her critically acclaimed 2002 collection, Deposition (Graywolf Press). The work is divided into three sections: 'The First Gospel,' 'The Stations of the Cross' and 'The Wake.' 'Here is a poetry of witnessing -- theological, emotional, intellectual -- a private end to a century's horrors,' wrote fellow poet Jorie Graham in her endorsement, 'a reminder that not all things begin again, and that from some reaches of experience instruction shines far less than the beauty of the survivor's report.' Ford, an assistant professor at Loyola, will read from her work and will be joined by Brooklyn's Ben Lerner, author of The Lichtenberg Figures. Free admission. -- Simmons

Tru 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 18-20; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 20-21 Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-2081; www. lepetitetheater.com Considering both Bob Edes' versatility (playing as many as three characters in one production) and fondness for broad comedy, watching him in R.J. Tsarov's bizarre dark-dark farce Tennessee Speaks in Tongues for You was a bit of an acquired taste. So much of the production rode on Edes' absurdist interpretation (not mimicking) of Williams' persona, but this and a later dramatic turn in Dirty Blonde have underscored Edes' range. That range will be put to the test as Edes takes on another gay literary icon, Truman Capote, in this one-man show written by Jay Presson Allen (screenwriter for Cabaret, Funny Lady and Marnie, among others) and first staged on Broadway in 1989, earning a Tony Award for Robert Morse. It's Christmas Eve 1975, and Capote is in his apartment dealing with fallout for writing about the secrets of his many well-to-do friends. Tickets $21 general admission, $16 students. -- Simmons

Tennis for Tots 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., 465-9985; www.pontchartraincenter.com Big Easy Tennis Association's Tennis for Tots features an all-too-rare opportunity for local fans to watch professional play -- and a not-to-be-missed opportunity to support a great cause. Saturday night's exhibition matches feature up-and-comer Mardy Fish (who won the 2004 Olympic men's singles silver medal after losing a memorable five-setter to Chilean ironman Nicolas Massu) and James Blake, a member of the United States' 2003 Davis Cup team and a player formerly ranked 16th in the world. The power play of Fish and Blake will be joined by the two-handed backhands of Vince Spadea (a Top-25 player at press time) and ATP Tour newcomer Brian Baker. The event benefits the Memphis-based St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, a world-renowned pediatric treatment and research facility. Tickets $35-$125. -- Carlson

"Once in a Blue Moon" 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS; www.tipitinas.com Hepatitis C awareness is a major issue for blues singer Timothea, who is the driving force behind this fifth annual event that has become as impressive as it is crucial. Timothea will be joined by a truly all-star New Orleans lineup: Allen Toussaint, Frankie Ford, the Dixie Cups, Walter 'Wolfman' Washington, the Iguanas, Bobby Rush, Sunpie Barnes, Big Sam's Funky Nation and Troy Andrews & Orleans Avenue to name just a few of those attached to the show. But it's not just a good time; Timothea wants to use the event to spread the word about the disease so that people can get more information. Tickets $25. -- Simmons

Center Stage, with VERB Ballets 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 NOCCA/Riverfront, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2900; www.nocca.com In 1987, Hernando Cortez (not to be confused with the Spanish conqueror of Mexico) joined the Paul Taylor Dance Company and performed in several lead roles in a tenure that lasted through 1996. He later became the artistic director for VERB Ballets, a modern dance company whose appearance Saturday continues NOCCA's Center Stage series. Blending a repertoire set to everything from classical to classic rock, VERB Ballets has been dubbed by Dance magazine as the dance community's version of 'shock and awe.' Cortez has been given tons of credit for revitalizing the Cleveland-based company, so here's our chance to see just how modern modern dance can be. VERB Ballets' performance caps off a weeklong residency in New Orleans. Tickets $20 general admission; student 'rush' tickets sold for $7 about 15 minutes before curtain. -- Simmons

Itanji 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3800; www.cacno.org Itanji has been hailed by one critic as 'the most remarkable group in the Japanese traditional music scene,' which is just one more reason why the CAC's Uptown/Downtown Series has become such a welcome breath of fresh air in the New Orleans music-programming scene this fall. This group features two performers: Ajo, who is the leader of the group Da. K.T., which is a 'taiko' (Japanese drum) group; and Hajime, one of the younger generation's foremost practitioners of the 'shamisen' (string instrument). Formed just a year ago, Itanji has bridged Japan's generational gap between modern and traditional, winning the grand prize in a 'Tokyo battle' shamisen contest. This performance is co-sponsored by the CAC and the Consulate General of Japan in New Orleans. Tickets $20 general admission, $15 students/CAC members. -- Simmons

United We Funk All-Stars: Bar-Kays, Dazz Band, Midnight Star, ConFunkShun 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 Municipal Auditorium, Armstrong Park, 522-5555 You could be forgiven for thinking someone had decided to toss off a nostalgic slice of the Essence Music Festival after a peek at the troika of acts booked to perform at the United We Funk All-Stars concert, which will turn the Municipal Auditorium into a huge dance floor on Friday. Midnight Star, the Dazz Band and the Bar-Kays -- each of whom enjoyed their measure of success during the heady funk days of the 1970s and early '80s -- will perform at this celebration, with a portion of the proceeds donated to hurricane disaster-relief organizations in Florida and Alabama. Midnight Star, with such hits as 'No Parking on the Dance Floor,' epitomized the electric-funk sounds of the 1980s, while the Dazz Band provided a bridge from the 1970s to the '80s, making 'danceable jazz' with hits like the Grammy winner 'Let it Whip.' The Bar-Kays set the tone, putting the funk in Stax Records with 'Soul Finger,' backing up Otis Redding, then making its mark with classics like the furious 'Holy Ghost.' ConFunkShun authored the funk tune of my youth, 'Ffun,' featuring a horn riff copied by every historically black college marching band known to humankind. Tickets $35-$40. -- Simmons

$1000 Car 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 Mermaid Lounge, 1100 Constance St., 524-4747; www.mermaidlounge.com The fabled adventures of the 1001 nights at the Mermaid continue to be relived, this time through the wondrous exploits of $1000 Car. Back when the 'stage' was against the opposite wall, lit by a single naked light bulb, this roots rock quartet that worships at the altar of NRBQ told tales of a changing world losing its K&Bs but not its po-boys as inner-city nymphs and dryads danced all night with lustful satyrs whose thirst for Schaefer could never be slaked. Even then, as he shouted out the triumphant anthem to the good life in New Orleans, 'What a Way to Live,' front man/guitarist Jake Flack added the warning refrain 'can't last forever.' It didn't, but that's no reason not to enjoy it all one more time. Call club for cover. -- John Swenson

TV on the Radio, Macrosick 10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22 TwiRoPa Mills, 1544 Tchoupitoulas St., 232-9503; www.twiropa.com Sometimes, people with similar ideas find each other, and through constant dialogue their ideas are articulated and a new movement forms. It happens musically in New Orleans with the jazz and funk musicians' band swapping, and it is happening now in New York City. Bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Liars and Interpol pioneered the new rock scene, and now TV on the Radio is poised to make its rise. Its album Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes (Touch and Go) gained notoriety with lead singer Tunde Adebimpe's heartfelt R&B stylings, pulsing, almost mechanical drum loops, saxophones, echoing ethereal guitars, and their organic-yet-soulless feel that placed the band authoritatively among the most cutting-edge postmodern rock performers. Guest appearances by members of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Liars didn't hurt. A lot of major labels are interested in opening act Macrosick's new wave charms. Records. Tickets $12. -- Rob Bryant

Tools of Her Ministry: The Art of Sister Gertrude Morgan Through December New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park, 488-2631 Aesop said "familiarity breeds contempt," but he wasn't from New Orleans. Here almost everyone is affably accepted as a local character, and Sister Gertrude Morgan sure fit the bill. A self-taught artist and evangelist, she arrived in 1939 on a mission from God to save New Orleans from Satan. She failed, but in the process produced some amazing paintings that few took seriously at the time. Her work was afforded more respect after her death in 1980, and Tools of Her Ministry, curated for the American Folk Art Museum by former NOMA curator William Fagaly, received rave reviews by most major publications when it opened in New York earlier this year. New Orleans may still be "sin city," but Sister Gertrude Morgan is now hailed far and wide as an art saint. -- D. Eric Bookhardt