SHREK, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS and More Set for Rivertown Theaters' 2014-15 Season

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts announced another thrilling line-up of productions for their 2014-2015 season at a Celebration Fundraiser tonight showcasing musical performances from next season's shows and a sneak peek number from the musical review "Under the Boardwalk" opening on Rivertown's Main Stage Jan 10, 2014. The Main Stage season and holiday add-on shows for 2014 - 2015 follows.

Artistic Directors, Gary Rucker and Kelly Fouchi, welcomed the crowd and announced each show introducing the creative team and a musical number from each of the shows. "The 2014- 2015 season offers a diverse line-up of entertainment," said Fouchi. "We continue to maintain our commitment to offering something for everyone as well as presenting a local original production... everything from blockbuster classics to the regional premieres of award-winning shows recently seen on Broadway."

During the evening Rucker and Fouchi also conducted a Question & Answer session with the audience about the shows and spoke about the need for financial support from the community, In taking over the management of Rivertown Theaters in 2012, the new management company has been faced with making major physical and cosmetic improvements to both the Main Stage, the Lagniappe Stage ( the venue for their Children's Theater and programs as well as local cabaret and independent productions) and the Courtyard.

Corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations are needed to help keep the Theaters able to provide the first-class productions they are known for. Rucker and Fouchi also presented "Person of the Year" awards to Costume Designer Linda Fried and staffer Clint Boneau for their exceptional and on-going contributions to Rivertown Theater for the Performing Arts.

Guests enjoyed a light buffet, an open bar and performances from upcoming shows. They also were able to bid on a meet and greet in-studio with NBC Today Show hosts Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb during their show, hotel stays at the Loew's New Orleans, a New Orleans Hotel Collection property, restaurant dining certificates among others. The silent auction also included unique theatrical opportunities including a walk-on role in this season's Young Frankenstein, a front row Reserved Parking Spot for the season, Backstage Seating to watch Ladies of the Camellias and Young Frankenstein and a Birthday party at the Children's Theater.

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts kicked off its inaugural "BROADWAY SERIES AT RIVERTOWN" SCHEDULE FOR THE 2012-2013 SEASON in September 2012 with a new name, a new management company, Theatre 13, and new artistic directors, Gary Rucker and Kelly Fouchi. The mission of Theatre 13 is to bring new and exciting productions to the New Orleans area while providing local theater artists an opportunity to perform and showcase original works.

With Rivertown Theaters as their venue, Theatre 13 is producing a wide range of professional theatrical performances, from musicals to children's theatre to more controversial and thought-provoking works for Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts.

For tickets, Patron, and Corporate Sponsorships and more information, call the Box Office: 504) 461-9475 or 468-7221 or visit www.RivertownTheaters.com.

2014 - 2015 Season:

Shrek the Musical

Directed by Gary Rucker
September 12-27, 2014

Based on the Oscar winning DreamWorks film that started it all, we bring the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre to dazzling life on the stage.

In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre - not a handsome prince - shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won't shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand...and his name is Shrek.

Full of all-new songs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, Shrek The Musical is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and irreverent fun for everyone! Like the movie, there's humor & entertainment for all ages!

One Man Two Guvnors

Directed by Ricky Graham

November 7-22, 2014

Brighton, England. 1963. Change is in the air, and Francis Henshall is looking to make his mark. Fired from a skiffle band and in search of work, he finds himself employed by small-time gangster Roscoe Crabbe, in town to collect a fee from his fiancée's gangster father. But Roscoe is really Rachel, posing as her own dead brother; herself in love with Stanley Stubbers (her brother's killer) who, in turn, becomes our hero's other 'guvnor'. Fighting a mounting sense of confusion, Francis goes out of his way to serve both bosses. But with the distractions of a pneumatic book keeper, a self-important actor and select members of the criminal fraternity (not to mention his own mammoth appetite) to contend with, how long can he keep them apart? Richard Bean's hilarious comedy received 5-star reviews from every London newspaper and was the hit of the 2012 Broadway season, including 7 Tony Award nominations.

A Christmas Carol, The Musical
December 5-21, 2014

Originally presented by Radio City Entertainment this spectacular musical extravaganza ran for ten years at Madison Square Garden. In 2004, this version became the basis for the NBC/Hallmark adaptation featuring Kelsey Grammar, Jason Alexander, Jane Krakowski and more. This musical show retains its emotional power and pure joy thanks to Dickens' marvelously told story and a beautiful score by Alan Menken. (Menken is best known for such Broadway hits as Beauty & the Beast, Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act and more). Last season's holiday hit, Annie, was a sell-out, and you won't want to be left out in the cold for this season's holiday offering. Add this show on to your season ticket package for a complete season of shows!

The Will Rogers Follies

Directed by Kelly Fouchi
January 16-31, 2015

The Winner of 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Will Rogers Follies focuses on the life and career of famed humorist and performer Will Rogers, using as a backdrop the Ziegfeld Follies, which he often headlined. This musical describes every episode in his life in the form of a big, splashy production number. Through rope tricks, showgirls and tap dancing cowboys, the revue contains snippets of Rogers' famous homespun style of wisdom and common sense, and tries to convey the personality of this quintessentially American figure whose most famous quote was "I never met a man I didn't like."

Anyone who has ever seen or performed in Will Rogers Follies will agree that there has never been a man-or woman-who did not like it. There's no doubt that audience members will be influenced by Will Rogers' infectious outlook of respect and confidence in the goodness of his fellowman. "It's Will-a-mania Time!"

When Ya Smilin'

Directed by Ricky Graham
March 13-28, 2015

When Ya Smilin' is Ricky Graham's heart-warming, comedic love letter about growing up in New Orleans in the 1950s. As seen through the eyes of precocious 10-year-old Paulie Dufour, When Ya Smilin' recounts a year in the life of a Ninth Ward family who has to deal with the everyday troubles of money and family. Anyone who grew up in New Orleans will grin a nostalgic smile from remembrances of Pontchartrain Beach, Mardi Gras with Mel Levitt, and picnics in City Park. When Ya Smilin' strikes that harmonious chord of common humanity that will not only make the locals laugh and cry, but those who now call New Orleans home as well. When Ya Smilin' won the 2001 Big Easy award as Best Original Play.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Directed by Gary Rucker
May 8-23, 2015

Based on the popular 1988 film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a Tony Award winning musical that centers around two con men living on the French Riviera. Lawrence Jameson makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money. Freddy Benson more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health. After meeting on a train, they attempt to work together only to find that this small French town isn't big enough for the two of them. They agree on a settlement: the first one to extract $50,000 from a young female target, heiress Christine Colgate, wins and the other must leave town. A hilarious battle of cons ensues that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the very end!