STEEL MAGNOLIAS Opens At Le Petit Theatre

Le Petit Theatre's January lineup reads like a love letter to Louisiana's eclectic culture and personalities. An all-star main stage production of "Steel Magnolias," featuring Broadway veterans and local stalwarts acting out the story of six gorgeously complicated Louisiana women and the ties that bind them together, is the month's feature presentation. "Taste," the delectable hit comedy about a New Orleans dinner party, returns to the Muriel's Cabaret Stage. Local theatre maven and colorful personality Ricky Graham also takes the small stage with two performances of "Ricky Graham is Bringin' it Back Home!".

Written by Louisiana's own Robert Harling (First Wives Club, Laws of Attraction), Steel Magnolias features veteran Broadway performer Loni Ackerman (Evita; Cats; The Magic Show; No, No, Nanette; George M!), joined by New Orleans native and Broadway performer Leslie Castay (Threepenny Opera, Guys and Dolls, Beauty and the Beast). Janet Shea, Cathie Choppin, Ashley Ricord and Becca Chapman round out the cast. Set in a North Louisiana beauty shop in the fantastically colorful 1980s, Steel Magnolias touches on matters of love, apathy, pain, loss, secrecy and each woman's desperate attempt at living a life of happiness, no matter what the odds. Mr. Harling based the play on real life stories of his experiences growing up around strong, independent Southern women. Broadway regular Holly-Anne Ruggiero (White Noise; Jersey Boys; Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays; Dracula; Metamorphoses) directs the show.

"It's the perfect outing for women of all generations," said Ruggiero. "Steel Magnolias highlights the richness of the highly interwoven and interdependent lives of these fantastic Louisiana women, something any woman, of any age, could appreciate."

Set in Bywater on the eve of carnival, Taste, written by New Orleans playwright Gabrielle Reisman and produced by The NOLA Project, tells the story of six young New Orleanians - some locals, some transplants - cooking a meal together in a house about to be renovated or demolished (only time and money will tell). As relationships sizzle and flare, the dinner is ultimately served - to both cast and audience members.

Veteran local entertainer Ricky Graham returns to the theatre that launched his career for a very limited engagement. Two Sunday evening shows of Ricky Graham is Bringin' it Back Home! round out Le Petit's January calendar. Performing some of his favorite characters and songs, with old favorites like the Meter Maid, Mister Bingle, Father Bargain, and The Marie Antoinette School of Beauty, Ricky will also skewer Mardi Gras and the upcoming Mayor's race!

All three productions have been scheduled to accommodate New Orleanians' aspirations for the Saints, with matinees on Saturday only and Sunday performances beginning at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

January Schedule:
Performance
Dates
Time
Tickets
Steel Magnolias
(Main Stage)
Jan. 21 - Feb. 6
Thurs., Fri., Sat. 8:00 p.m./ Sat. 2:00 p.m.
$24 - 38
Taste (Muriel's Cabaret Stage)
January 14-24
Thurs., Friday, Sat., Sun. 8:30 p.m.
$20
Ricky Graham is Bringin' it Back Home (Muriel's Cabaret Stage)
January 10 and 31
Sun., 6:30 p.m.
$25

"Steel Magnolias" is a special presentation of Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré's 94th season, for which subscription numbers doubled the previous year's. The oldest continually operating community theater in the nation, Le Petit offers guaranteed reserved seating and flexible options for subscribers, as well as a wide range of ticket prices to suit every theater-goer's needs. The season's remaining productions include "13," "Grey Gardens," and "The Wedding Singer."

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