Le Petit Theatre Reopens with LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE, 7/19

Le Petit Theatre is about to begin a new chapter in its storied history with completion of a magnificent renovation.

Le Petit Theatre has been a mainstay of the New Orleans performing arts community for close to 100 years, presenting dramas, musicals, and comedies. What began as a group of supporters of the arts producing plays in private drawing rooms in the French Quarter is today one of the nation's longest operating community theatres.

The theatre's renovations will debut on JULY 19th in true New Orleans fashion with a production of Nora and Delia Ephron's acclaimed hit Love, Loss and What I Wore as lagniappe to our regular season, which debuts in September.

It is common to associate the most poignant and meaningful events in our lives with what clothes we were wearing at the time--a dress that fit just right or a shirt that seemed to bring good luck. Theatre-goers will be reminded of and entertained by this fashion phenomenon when Le Petit Theatre presents Nora and Delia Ephron's Love, Loss, and What I Wore, opening Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m.

Love, Loss, and What I Woreis based on the 1995 best-seller by Ilene Beckerman, with recollections from the Ephrons' friends. The play consists of a series of monologues performed by a rotating cast of five principal women. The show uses clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny and often touching stories that everyone can relate to. The New Orleans cast, directed by Carl Walker,will feature such actresses as: Mary Louise Wilson, Leslie Castay, Tracey Collins, Lara Grice, Cecile Monteyne, Clare Moncrief, Nell Nolan, Janet Shea and Carol Sutton. The casts for the two-week run are as follows:

· July 19-21: Tracey Collins, Lara Grice, Claire Moncrief, Janet Shea, Mary Louise Wilson

· July 26-28: Leslie Castay, Cecile Montayne, Nell Nolan, Janet Shea, Carol Sutton

Throughout the run of its season opener, and to celebrate the grand opening of its newly renovated performance space, Le Petit Theatre is teaming up with the New Orleans chapter of Dress for Success to collect gently worn suits and women's professional attire (including shoes, purses and accessories) which will help women in the program as they enter or return to the working world.

The public is asked to drop off donations before each night's performance at Le Petit Theatre, 616 St. Peter Street in the French Quarter. Each person donating gently worn suits and women's attire or purchasing a raffle ticket before each performance ofLove, Loss, and What I Worewill be eligible to win prizes drawn each evening before the show's performance. A final grand prize drawing of a $1,000 gift certificate to Saks Fifth Avenue, a season subscription for the upcoming Le Petit season and a $100 gift certificate to Tableau will take place before the start of the final show on Sunday, July 28 at 3 p.m. One-hundred percent (100%) of the proceeds from the raffle will benefit Dress for Success New Orleans.

"We all outgrow our clothes. Rather than letting them sit in the closet, we encourage people to pass them on to others to help create new memories, careers and empowerment," said Juli Miller Hart, board chair of Dress for Success New Orleans. "We are grateful for Le Petit Theatre's generosity and know that the many women who benefit from our program will remember this act of kindness for years to come."

Dress for Success is a not-for-profit organization that helps promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Love, Loss, and What I Woreruns Fridays and Saturdays, July 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees on July 21 and 28 at 3 p.m. Ticket prices range from $30-$50 and may be purchased online at: www.lepetittheatre.com. For questions, call the box office at 504-522-2081 or email: boxoffice@lepetittheatre.com.

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