Murder and mystery are themes for shows hitting Crescent City-area stages over the next few days, ranging from killer musical duets to board games where bodies pile up.
That’s very clever.
Max Dower and Mark Schenfisch will perform 13 roles in Murder for Two at Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carrée. They will also play the piano.
Photo provided
Deadly Duet
Leave it to Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré to make murder entertaining through musical accompaniment.
Murder for Two, the comedy that marks the venerable French Quarter Theatre’s 108th season, showcases the talents of Max DeVere and Mark Schenfisch in what has been called a “witty homage to the old-fashioned murder mystery.” DeVere plays a country cop who wants to be a detective, and Schenfisch (who has appeared in more than 150 regional productions) plays all of the suspects, for a total of 13 roles between the pair. They also both play piano.
Musical Masquerade director Ricky Graham is no stranger to comedy, music and local theatre.
“I love directing and performing in shows where actors play multiple roles,” he says, “and the twist with this show is that the actors have to be accomplished musicians who accompany themselves and the other actors. That’s not an easy thing to do.”
Ricky Graham
A brilliant playwright himself, Graham adds his own element of quirkiness when explaining why he accepted the helm of the show.
“Before AJ (Allegra, artistic director) asked me to direct the show, I saw clips of other productions online and regretted not writing something like this,” Graham said. “It’s so clever and funny. It’s a show about theatricality and the love of acting, and it’s also a parody of the murder mystery musical genre. It’s a masterpiece with a fantastic score.”
Graham and company decided to keep “The Gems” a simple setting to keep the action moving.
“We decided to go with the simple method of changing the characters – glasses, pipes and cigarette holders – because the changes were lightning fast and at times it looked like the actors were literally talking to themselves. And again, this happened whilst playing the piano.”
Performances run from Oct. 3 to 20, with opening night on Oct. 4. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at 616 St. Peter St. Visit lepetittheatre.com.
JPAS, West Bank, laughing.
Any clues?
Yes, get your hands on one — in fact, get your hands on one of Jefferson Performing Arts Association’s productions of “Crew” at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre on Oct. 3rd.
Based on the 1985 film starring Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn and Eileen Brennan, which was itself based on the Parker Brothers board game of the same name, the show is a murder mystery farce about a group of strangers who congregate in a spooky mansion, complete with motives, weapons and a strange butler who keeps things moving, even down to their deaths.
All the original characters from the game are there: Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mr. Green and the butler Wadsworth. But someone is blackmailing them, and as their secret identities are revealed, so too will their wisdom.
Funny things happen in the stage show and the murders get interesting.
Directed by Jack Lampert, the extinction drama also stars Candace Moses, Joel Sansin, Reagan Lincoln, Earl Sioneau, Kendall Berry, Leland Ensminger, Louis Dudusa, Yvonne Erez Nass, David Hadel, Noah Smith and Brittany Milligan.
The show runs Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at 177 Sala Ave. in Westwego through Oct. 13. Tickets start at $20. Visit jpas.org.
Does UNO have marshes?
Love, despair and visibility with music?
That’s the gist of Theatre UNO’s first show of the fall semester, “The Moors,” a collaborative project between the University of New Orleans’ drama and music departments, opening Oct. 4 on the lakeside campus.
The cast of “The Moors” rehearses at Theatre UNO: (from left) Samantha Krieger, Hinshley Neupane and Elizabeth McCoy.
Photo provided
Jen Silverman’s show is billed as a dark comedy about sisters living in the British wilderness, where their lives are as bleak as the terrain around them. Then, when a governess and an “enchanted van” show up, things start to get strange.
Directed by Madison Smith, the show also features two songs plus an additional song by UNO alumnus Joshua Stevenson.
“We thought this would be a great opportunity to incorporate more music, which would give the whole production a more cinematic feel,” Smith said. “The show is both a dark comedy and a gothic mystery.”
“The play aims to make the audience laugh one moment and shock them the next.”
The cast includes Hinshley Neupane, Kaylee Sanders, Elizabeth McCoy, Samantha Krieger, Logan Tully and Aslihan Aslan Miller.
The show is free, but seat reservations are recommended. It opens Oct. 4, with previews Oct. 2 and 3. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Nims Theatre in the Performing Arts Center, 2000 Lakeshore Drive at St. Anthony Avenue, through Oct. 12. Visit uno.edu/sota-performances .
A dungeon in Slidell?
With the immense popularity of “Dungeons & Dragons,” it was only a matter of time before it was adapted for the stage, and the Slidell Ritter Theatre will be presenting the comedic yet bizarre tale “She Kills Monsters” from Oct. 4-13.
With details like “killer fairies, nasty ogres and ’90s pop culture,” how could this be anything but magical theater? Written by Qui Nguyen, the show follows a girl who runs away from home after the death of her teenage sister, who was obsessed with Dungeons & Dragons. When Agnes finds Tilly’s notebook, she goes on a journey to learn more about the game and her sister.
Directed by Gary Mendoza, the show stars Kylie Ritter, Elle George, Aidan Lemonnier, Elijah Krieger, Blake Nguyen, Baylee Whitley, Brandon Bui, Jacqueline Klottner, Reece Dickinson, Victoria Mathies, Kaya Welsh, Payton Colonna, Scott Lemonnier, Elise Davis, Ellie Joffrion and Kimberly Nichols.
Performances run through Oct. 13, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., 2024 Nellie Drive. Tickets start at $20. Visit slidelllittletheatre.org.
In production
Ella Hughes, Jacob Fishman, Noah Berger and Michael Stone star in Tulane University’s production of “Everything That Never Happened,” opening Sept. 25 at the Lupin Theatre.
Photo provided/Jerilee Doris
“All That Didn’t Happen”: Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m., Tulane University School of Theater and Dance, Lupin Theatre, Dixon Hall Annex, Newcomb Circle. This retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” follows lovers Lorenzo and Jessica as Jessica tries to escape her father’s home, “the Venetian ghetto and its entire culture,” and weaves together Shakespeare’s classic with Jewish history, touching on concepts of disguise, assimilation and more. Tickets start at $10. purplepass.com/tulantetd.
Ensemble in Hairspray at RiverTown Performing Arts Theatre.
Photo provided
“Hairspray”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Rivertown Theatres for the Performing Arts, 325 Miner St., Kenner. This Tony Award-winning musical follows a curvaceous teenage girl who just wants to dance on a TV show. Her dream comes true, but every change upsets someone. Set against the backdrop of social upheaval, the poignant message is set to a rock beat that touches on issues ranging from racism and integration to how high you should grow your hair, beauty pageants and body positivity. Tickets start at $41. rivertowntheaters.com.
Cody Keach as a young man in Penny Dreadfuls
Photo provided by James Kelly
“Madame Le Monde’s Mysterious Boarding House”: Thursday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m., Loyola University Lower Depth Theatre, 6363 St. Charles Ave. The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company’s main show of three comedic stories, “Penny Dreadfuls,” focuses on an abused, crippled man who lives in a London boarding house and wanders the rooms by hanging from a hook in the ceiling. An old friend comes for a visit, but is of little help. Other shows include “The Case of the Crushed Petunia” and “Lily, Why Do You Smoke So Much?” Tickets start at $35. twtheatrenola.com.