The NOLA Project to Present MARIE ANTOINETTE

Everyone loves a hot mess. Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Honey Boo Boo, Heidi and Spencer Pratt, The Real Housewives of [insert city here]. We watch them out of admiration, out of fascination and - let's be honest - out of a hidden desire to see them fall from grace. The eighteenth-century version of the reality star was Marie Antoinette. Adore her, admonish her, despise her or behead her, the one thing you couldn't do was ignore her. In David Adjmi's hot new play, the queen that everyone has an opinion of is finally given her own voice, and you might be surprised by what comes out. "Marie Antoinette" has played Yale Rep, SOHO Rep, A.R.T. and Steppenwolf Theatre, and The NOLA Project is thrilled to present this regional premiere to a city that knows a thing or two about French royalty. Three-time Big Easy Award-winning director Mark Routhier ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Balm in Gilead") will direct and Big Easy Entertainer of the Year Cecile Monteyne will star as the controversial queen.

NOLA Project Artistic Director A.J. Allegra says, "We love to tear down the ones we adore. David Adjmi understands this so well and, with 'Marie Antoinette', he has crafted such a thrilling play that takes a historical moment and presents it as completely fresh, relevant and, quite frankly, disturbing. I think this play is an exciting change of pace for our NOLA Project audiences, and I am so glad that we get to feature such a dynamic leading female character at the show's center. To have that role played by the incomparable Cecile Monteyne, and directed by Mark Routhier, is essentially a dream come true."

Also starring in the production are A.J. Allegra as Louis XVI, Wade Rogers as The Dauphin, James Yeargain as Axel Fersen, James Bartelle as A Sheep, Julie Dietz as Therese de Lamballe, Maggie McGurn as Yolande de Polignac, Will Bowling as Joseph of Austria, and Graham Burk, Khiry Armstead and Kyle Woods as Revolutionaries. David Adjmi, playwright, lives in Brooklyn Heights and is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. His plays include "Elective Affinities", "3C" and "Stunning".

WHAT: The NOLA Project presents "Marie Antoinette" by David Adjmi

WHO: Mark Routhier directs NOLA Project company members Cecile Monteyne, James Bartelle, AJ Allegra, and James Yeargain; they are joined by Maggie McGurn, Will Bowling, Julie Dietz, Khiry Armstead, Graham Burk, and Kyle Woods.

WHEN: September 3-20; Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8PM, and Sundays at 2PM

WHERE: The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

o 2800 Chartres St. New Orleans, LA 70117
• TICKETS: $30 General Admission, $20 Backstage Pas Members and Students

o Purchase online at www.nolaproject.com o Purchase by phone, 504-302-9117

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