NEW ORLEANS   Steve&Lucille Esquerre

FILM
Everything's coming up “mano” this summer: X MEN, HOLLOW MAN, POKEMON, SPACE COWBOYS, THE THOMAS & THE MAGIC RAILROAD,) THE GLADIATOR, ME MYSELF AND IRENE, and (a most definite innuendo) GONE IN 60 SECONDS!!! Let's face it, no OSCARS need to be cast for any flicks this summer. Maybe for Special Effects, as usual. There's always a gem or two, which slip in and out of town unnoticed. The Grey brothers, Joel and Ethan, have done the three R's to their 1984 film noir: BLOOD SIMPLE. The re -edited, restored, and re-released 'Director's cut of their film. It's been given 4 ****s. With 16 years to work on it, ya'd figure 5 *****s minimum! Wonder if their descendants are going to dust it off, and re-re-release it in the 22nd century.

THEATRE
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLENNIUM at True Brew Cafe Theatre In the Warehouse District on the Uptown side of Canal St. (the widest street in America). Presented by Producers Circle, this musical revue takes a satirical look both backward and forward at the institutions, icons, and, idiosyncracies of New Orleans. A lively company of four romp through the face-paced revue with evident delight. Cast includes Becky Allen, a perennial performer since the 70s of the ”last century”. In addition: A special performance on August 31st at 8 p.m. will benefit the NO/AIDS Task Force's "Food for Friends" program.
LATE NITE CATECHISM at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre. In the French Quarter. An off-Broadway hit comedy about a nun leading an adult catechism class, in which the audience becomes her students.  It's ecumenical humor that bears a humanity and humor that speaks to any audience of any faith.  Amanda Hebert stars as Sister.  This play was scheduled for a limited run; however, it is into its Second Smash Year! 
NATIVE TONGUES 3 at Le Chat Noir On St. Charles Avenue (one of the five top Avenues of the U.S.A. The other four don't have people living on it as our St. Charles does) In monologue, setting. New Orleans themed.  Energetic performances are insightful, and highly entertaining. By, About, and starring US. The Talk of New Orleans. Seven Readers. 
BABES at New Orleans Recreation Department Theater at Gallier Hall on St. Charles Ave. A “kid-friendly” show played by kids. They were taken to a local swing place, Mid City Lanes Rock 'n Bowl Lanes in Mid City New Orleans, to practice their swing dance routines. Affectionate satire of the Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland '40s movie musicals that were about putting on a Show.
WHALE OF A TALE at Freeport-McMoRan Theater at the Contemporary Arts Center off Canal St. Also a kid-friendly show. Local production of a British musical comedy.  Students stage their own version of the Melville classic.
LOST HIGHWAY - THE MUSIC AND LEGEND OF HANK WILLIAMS at North Star Theatre in Mandeville, Louisiana. (You take the U.S.A.'s longest bridge -24 miles - across Lake Pontchartain. In the fastest growing area in our State. Spacious, breath-of-fresh-air living. And, it has Several Theaters. Ya got to have theatre; no matter where you are living; or you are not living.) The lives, loves, and songs of the great country music star. Lively, good music in a Stage Play setting. 
THE DESPERATE HOURS at The New Orleans Municipal auditorium. The return of the Ethiopian Theatre's production of Joseph Hayes' melodrama. A family is held captive by three escaped convicts.  Multi-racial casting and some good performances.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre on campus of Tulane University. The Jerry Bock-Sheldon Harrick-Joseph Stein musical, based on Sholom Aleichem's story of Tevye, the milkman and his family in the 1905 Russian village of Anatevka. Starring New Orleans-born Metropolitan Opera star Anthony Laciura as Tevya.
STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Carlone's Dinner Theatre  in Metairie, Louisiana.   Robert Harling's comedy-drama.  Set in a small-town Louisiana beauty parlor.  You know what else is great about this Dinner Theatre? You don't have to ante up for a $13.00 extra Buffet! Why would you want to eat at the same place you'll see the play?! 
COTTON PATCH GOSPEL at St. Augustine Episcopal Church Metairie, Louisiana. We call some sections of Metairie, New Orleans.  They bump up against one another. Cannot be indigenous to New Orleans; however,  very prevelant during the theatre season; and just a plano great idea.  I'm speaking about performing stage plays in Churches. Several Methodist Churches do it.  We saw a wonderful Jesus Christ Superstar at a church on Canal St.  There's one only two blocks from our house. The put on a charming play geared toward children; but done in a fine professional manner.  Cotton Patch Gospel is a musicalization of the Gospels according to Mathew and John. It's reset in Georgia and has a country flavor. The best six bucks you'll ever spend. 
COMING SOON
THE SUNSHINE BOYS at Carlone's Dinner Theatre, BEEHIVE at Southern Rep -- big hair and big songs of the '60s: a 40 song musical! BARNUM at Le Petit Theatre THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER at The Saenger Theatre, Canal Street --  28 piece on-stage orchestra and a superb cast of singers and dancers. Extensive excerpts from: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - CATS - EVITA - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - SUNSET BOULEVARD - AND MORE September 16-17
AUDITIONS
Delgado Community College Theater Department
A musical, "CHESS'. 
Needed are: actors, singers, and dancers.
Prepare a rock song.
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Telephone: 1-504-483-4546

Rivertown Repertory Theatre
LEND ME A TENOR
They need four men, ages 20-60 and three women, 20-65.
Emphasis is on acting ability; however, for the roles of Tito (the famous Italian tenor) and his assistant, Max; if you can sing well; it will be to your advantage. Sunday/10th & Monday/11th @ 7 p.m. 325 Minor Street in Kenner. It opens Nov. 3 for a three week run Telephone: 1-504-468-7221

Thumbnail of Rivertown, LA.
We haven't mention this one to date; however, it's one of the grandest in our
area. Nobody does it better! It is located in Kenner, La.in its Rivertown area
(rennovated several years ago). Quaint, cozy cute; a mere 50 paces up the levee
and, "voila", the great Mississippi River. Something for children of all ages:
candy shop, planetarium, New Orleans Saints' Hall of Fame museum, a tea emporium (no Starbucks), a Railroad museum, children's fun places, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries museum.  Very eclectic. Great to just chill-out on the levee. 
Picturesque! The Kenner citizens (originally settled by hard-working Italian
families) pay hommage to St. Rosalie, their patron Saint.  The streets crammed
with festival goers; as wonderful musica Italiano resounds throughout the land.
We heard a magnificent "O Sole Mio" last year. I thought he would shatter the
glass windows. What a voice! Following that act was a band who devoted their
entire life to singing Louis Prima & Keely Smith songs.  On Steve's short-list
of favorite entertainers of yesterday and today. He's worn out Prima's Classics
on cassette in his van. He takes our three youngest grand children (2-3-4 yr.
olds) into the van. He lets them romp around in it, while Louis sings, "Jumpin'
and Jivvin'", "Sing, Sing, Sing, Sing", Basin Street Blues, "Just a Giggolo", on
and on, ad nauseum. I'll check the goings-on at the Rivertown Repertory this
year, O.K.? If you've flown into New Orleans, you landed in Kenner, LA. The New
Orleans International Airport is there. 
SPECIAL NOTE
"Catch Smokey Joe's Cafe this Sunday nightg/10th Sept. on the tube. It's on Pay-Per-View, so get everyone on your list to chip in, bring some chips 'n dip; and see a Live Show. $24.95

© 2000 Steve/Lucille Esquerre ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Don Bridges Australia
Claudine Jones San Francisco
Michael Bettencourt Boston
Jamie Zabairi London
Ren Powell Norway
Steve&Lucille Esquerre New Orleans
      

august 2000

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