THE CEMETERY CLUB. Minacapelli's Dinner Playhouse, 1540 Lindberg Drive, Slidell, (985) 781-6565; http://minacapellis.com ' Minacapelli's Dinner Playhouse presents a play by Ivan Menchell about the relationship among widows. Rickie Luke directs Irene Gosey, Paula Thompson and others. Tickets $35 (includes dinner and show). 6:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through June 26.

FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS. Harborview Hall, 265 Marina Road, Chalmette, 277-7469; www.shinepresents.com ' Shine Productions presents a play by Alan Ball about friendship among women. Rose Sand directs Tara Sandifer, Jessie Tyson and others. Mature audiences only. Advance tickets $18, $20 at door. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. Tulane University, Lupin Theatre, 865-5105 ext. 2; www.neworleansshakespeare.com ' Tulane University presents the first production in its 2005 Shakespeare Festival of plays. Aimée K. Michel directs Gavin Mahlie, Lara Grice and others. Regular run tickets $25 general admission, $22 students/teachers/seniors, $12 kids ages 12-under. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday (half-price tickets), 7:30 p.m. Saturday (full price), 1:30 p.m. Sunday (pay-what-you-will), through July 2.

NEW ORLEANS SUITE. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3805; www.cacno.org ' A world-premiere performance of dance, theater and music explores the dichotomy of decadence on Saturday nights and the purging of sins on Sunday mornings in New Orleans. Kathy Randels collaborates with J Hammons, Maritza Mercado-Narcisse and others. Tickets $15 general admission, $12 CAC members/students/seniors. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. (Reviewed in this issue.)

NOH & KYOGEN PERFORMANCES. JPAS/Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 117-A Sala Ave., Westwego, 371-3330 or 885-2000; www.jpas.org ' Japan Expo Foundation presents two different Noh productions by Komparu-Enmaiza theater company of Toyko. Tickets $25 general admission, $15 students 18-under. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday.

PAGEANT. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-2081; www.lepetittheatre.com ' Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré presents a musical-comedy beauty contest written by Bill Russell and Frank Kelly, with music by Albert Evans. Derek Franklin and Sonny Borey direct Bob Edes Jr., Roy Haylock, Patrick Mendelson and others. Tickets $26 general admission, $21 students. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through July 10.

ROCK 'N' SOUL REVUE: A MUSICAL RETROSPECTIVE. The Ramada Inn, 1400 W. Tunnel Blvd., Houma, (985) 637-1823 ' Lorna Farrar and Bernadette Dugas, with Lionel Ruffin as musical director, present their dinner-theater musical revue of hits from the 1950s and 1960s. Dinner will be provided by Spahr's Seafood Restaurant. Partial proceeds benefit South Louisiana Center for the Arts. 7 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. show Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. show Sunday, through June 26.

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKIE. Martine's Lounge, 2347 Metairie Road, Metairie, 301-6288; www.martinesonline.com ' A comedy written and performed by Christy McBrayer with music by Tom Maron, Gina Forsyth and Seth Morrison. Rita Sheffield directs. Tickets $20 (includes free fried chicken). 8 p.m. Friday.

THE STORY. Anthony Bean Community Theater, 1333 S. Carrollton Ave., 862-7529; www.anthonybeantheater.com ' Anthony Bean Community Theater presents a play by Tracey Scott Wilson about race relations and journalistic integrity. Anthony Bean directs Joyce Deal, Gwendolyne Foxworth, Nick Thompson and others. Tickets $16 general admission, $14 students/seniors. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through June 26.

TALKING HEADS. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 524-8440 or 525-4498 ' True Brew Theatre, Mickey Gil and George Patterson present two monologues by Alan Bennett from his collection. George Patterson directs Ann Casey in The Hand of God and Janet Shea in Bed Among the Lentils . Tickets $25. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through June 26.

THREE DAYS OF RAIN. Marigny Theater, 1030 Marigny St., 616-6066; threedaysrain@hotmail.com ' InSideOut Productions presents the New Orleans premiere of a play by Richard Greenberg about the legacy of a father. Jim Winter directs Ashley Ricord, Mike Harkins and Michael Santos. Tickets $12 general admission, $10 students. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, through June 18.

cabaret

JUNE WITH JUDY. True Brew Cafe, 200 Julia St., 524-8440 ' A musical cabaret saluting Judy Garland featuring Stacy Taliancich, Vatican Lokey and 'Uncle' Wayne Daigrepont. Open mic to follow. All ages. Tickets $12. 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

WHEN A LADY LOVES. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812; www.cabaretlechatnoir.com ' International cabaret star Karen Akers presents her new show featuring 16 classic love songs directed by Richard Niles and Don Rebic. Opening night show (Thursday) benefits Mystic Krewe of Satyricon (Tickets $30, call 525-4498). Regular run tickets $45. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, through June 18.

comedy

HARRAH'S NEW ORLEANS CASINO. The Earl Turner Theatre, 533-6600; www.harrahs.com ' Wednesday-Sunday: James Stephens III, 8 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday, 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.

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: short-form improv with National Comedy Company, 10:30 p.m.; Saturday: Comedy Invasion presents Stand-up Comedy with Sean Patton, Seth Cockfield, Chris Fontana and Neal Stastny, 10 p.m.