AIN'T NOTHIN BUT THE BLUES. Sojourner Truth Community Center, 501 Galvez St., 891-6191 or 621-0673; ethiopiantheatre@aol.com -- The Ethiopian Theater presents a drama written by Jomo Kenyatta-Bean. Deborah Smith stars and directs Drena Clay, Edwin King and others. Tickets $10. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through May 22.

THE ASSHOLE MONOLOGUES. Monkey Hill Bar, 6100 Magazine St., 899-4800 -- Chris Rose and RedBean present their thoughtfully irreverent show about the most misunderstood part of the body. Tickets $5. 8 p.m. Thursday, through May 26.

BIG RIVER. Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner, 468-7221 -- The Rivertown Repertory Theatre presents a musical based on the work of Mark Twain, with book by William Hauptman and musical score by Roger Miller. Chad Talkington, Lori Dewitt and Kelly Fouchi direct Scott Sauber, Tony Molina Jr. and others. Tickets $25 general admission, $22 students/seniors, $12 kids 6-12. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, through May 29.

BUGSY MALONE JR. East Jefferson Auditorium, 400 Phlox Ave., Metairie, 837-8300 or 885-2113 -- Jefferson Parish Public Schools Talent Theatre Program presents a musical based on the movie Bugsy Malone . René J.F. Piazza directs Jefferson public school students. Tickets $6 general admission, $4 kids. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday.

BUSTOUT BURLESQUE. One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St., 569-9100 -- Dance troupe trained in burlesque tradition with house singer Marcy Hesseling, backed by house band Ronnie Magri & the Bourbon Shakers. Tickets $20 general, $25 table seating. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday, through May 29. (Reviewed in this issue.)

JOEY & MARY'S ITALIAN/IRISH COMEDY WEDDING. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 522-8440 -- Sandi Roads Productions presents its dinner-theater comedy. Sandy Bravender, Dane Rhodes, Michael Sullivan and others star. Tickets $39.95 ('wedding' buffet provided by True Brew Cafe included). 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; performances include wedding, buffet and reception.

LOVE LETTERS. Playmakers Theater, 19106 Playmakers Road, off Lee Road, Covington, (985) 893-1671 -- Playmakers Theater presents a play written by A.R. Gurney about a relationship that develops between a man and woman through letters. Kay M. Files directs. Tickets $10 general admission, $5 students. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through May 22.

MY O MY. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812; www.cabaretlechatnoir.com -- Le Chat Noir presents a musical conceived and directed by Carl Walker about the infamous female impersonation club in New Orleans. Shawn Ryan, Bob Edes and others star. Tickets $30 Thursday, $35 Friday-Sunday (includes $5 bar credit). 8 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday, through June 5.

NOCCA/RIVERFRONT THEATRE RECITALS. New Orleans Center for Creative Arts/Riverfront, Lupin Hall, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2787; www.nocca.com -- NOCCA/Riverfront Theatre Arts department presents senior recitals in drama and musical theatre. Free admission. Drama recital 7 p.m. Tuesday, musical theatre recital 7 p.m. Thursday.

OH, COWARD! Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St. 522-2081; www.lepetittheatre.com -- Le Petit presents a musical based on the life and songs of the English dramatist Noel Coward. Ricky Graham directs Lara Grice and Sean Patterson. Tickets $26 general admission, $21 students. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.

OKRA. Southern Rep Theatre, The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 522-6545; www.southernrep.com -- Southern Rep and Evangeline Oaks Entertainment present a dark comedy by Anne Galjour about Cajun and Creole culture and legend set in French-speaking Louisiana. Ryan Rilette directs Becky Allen, Randy Maggiore and others. Tickets $18 for preview night, $30 for opening-night gala and show, $23 regular run. 8 p.m. Wednesday (preview), 8 p.m. Saturday (show and gala), 3 p.m. Sunday, through June 5.

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Drive, Slidell, (985) 641-0324 or (985) 643-0556; www.slidell-slt.org -- Slidell Little Theatre presents a musical about a French peasant girl who nurses a young man back to health and falls in love with him. Written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Polly Hudgins and Brad Arsenaux direct Hannah Gillory, Casey Kelly, Fred Martinez and others. Tickets $17 general admission, $10 kids ages 18-under. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. (Reviewed in this issue.)

THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT. Minacapelli's Dinner Playhouse, 1540 Lindberg Drive, Slidell, (985) 781-6565; http://minacapellis.com -- Rickie Luke directs Rebecca Sutherland and Rich Lyon in a play by Bill Manhoff. Tickets $35 (includes dinner and show). 6:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through May 22.

comedy

HARRAH'S NEW ORLEANS CASINO. The Earl Turner Theatre, 533-6600; www.harrahs.com -- Wednesday: The Improv at Harrah's, 8 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday: The Improv at Harrah's, 10 p.m.; Sunday: The Improv at Harrah's, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

LE CHAT NOIR. 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812; www. cabaretlechatnoir.com -- Thursday: God's Been Drinking, 10:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: Comedy Sportz, 11 p.m.

MARTINE'S. 2347 Metairie Road, Metairie, 831-8637; www.martinesonline.com -- Friday: 'Fear & Loathing in Metairie,' a comedy production by Chris Champagne, 8 p.m.; Saturday: stand-up comedy with Comedy Invasion, 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.