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THIS MONTH
08.30.01 - 09.26.01
Comedy Queen
Margaret Cho has dealt with her share of success and failure. She began on a comedy fast-track opening for Jerry Seinfeld, playing college campuses everywhere, and winning the American Comedy Award for Female Comedian in 1994. Her ABC sitcom, All-American Girl, was short-lived, but helped provide the fuel for her one-woman show, I’m the One That I Want. Cho has appeared on Politically Incorrect, NPR’s Fresh Air and the season opener for Sex and the City on HBO. Her autobiographical book, I’m the One That I Want, debuted at No. 4 on The Los Angeles Times’ bestseller list. It’s success prompted her to finance the filming of her concert tour by the same name, winning rave reviews and an upcoming premiere on the Sundance Channel in October. Cho’s latest show, "The Notorious C.H.O.," is part of a 35-city North American tour that passes through the Big Easy on Saturday, Sept. 1 at the Saenger Theatre (143 Rampart St., 524-2490) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25-$35 and can be purchased through the Saenger Theatre or the House of Blues box office at 529-BLUE. (R-3)
Maestro, please!
In 1991, 60 musicians from the recently disbanded New Orleans Symphony formed the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to continue their musical pursuits. With economic problems and mismanagement issues still fresh in their minds, the members of the LPO took it upon themselves to manage and own this new adventure. Musicians became bookkeepers, publicists, and booking agents. Each person became responsible for the direction and success of the LPO. Since then, the LPO has become the only full-time, player-managed symphony in the United States. This year marks the beginning of season 11 with a classical concert for opening night. The LPO will mark the beginning of a new season Sept. 13 and 15 with a program that includes "Don Juan" by Strauss, "Concierto andaluz" by Rodrigo and "Symphony No. 4" by Tchaikovsky at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts (1201 St. Peters St.). The evening also includes The Romeros guitar quartet. Conducting duties will be held by Klauspeter Seibel, who joined the LPO in 1995. Performance times: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for opening night can be purchased by contacting the LPO at 523-6530. (T-2)
Opera Master
In the 1700s, "castrati" were used to perform works that required soprano or contralto vocal ranges. These male singers were castrated in childhood to preserve their ability to hit those high notes. While the practice was discontinued in the early 1800s, the countertenor voice suffered a silence throughout most of the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, one man is leading the charge in bringing back an art form that is as singular in style as the men who are able to perform it. David Daniels, one of the world’s premiere countertenors, will perform for one night with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts (801 N. Rampart St.) at 8 p.m. Daniels’ voice has been praised by New York Magazine, The New York Times and Opera News. He received a Grammy nomination in 1999 for his recording, "Serenade," a Musical America’s Vocalist of the Year award in 1999 and the Richard Tucker Award in 1997. Daniels, who found his musical direction in 1992 during a meeting with his teacher, will perform arias from Handel’s "Partenope," "Giulio Cesare" and "Rodelinda." Tickets for this special performance are $30-$60 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 522-5555 or the LPO box office at 305 Baronne St., Suite 600. (T-3)
Good Ole’ George!
The 2001-2002 season at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre (616 Rue Saint Peter, 522-2081) opens with a production that celebrates the talents of George M. Cohan, the towering giant of the American musical stage. Born into a vaudeville lifestyle, Cohan began writing songs and lyrics for the stage at age 13. During his lifetime, Cohan wrote 40 plays, collaborated with others on 40 plays and shared production duties on another 150 plays. He also appeared in numerous productions as an actor, including the 1932 film The Phantom President with Claudette Colbert. Some of his most famous songs include "Give My Regards to Broadway," "The Yankee Doodle Boy," "Over There," and "You’re a Grand Old Flag." Le Petit’s production of George M! runs Sept. 7-30 and stars Patrick Mendelson as the musical man. The production is directed by Sonny Borey and Derek Franklin. Tickets $26. (R-4)
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