Ricky Graham News

It wouldn't be Christmas without Diversionary Theatre's very own riotous seasonal ride: Scrooge in Rouge! And thanks to sold-out delighted audiences for 2 years, the British dance hall musical returns on Thursday, December 5th! Directed by and starring Tony Houck (Craig Noel Award-winner for outstanding featured performance in Diversionary's 2008 production), and featuring Samantha Ginn (2012 Critics Circle Award-Winner), Justin Warren Martin, and Rick Shaffer on the piano.

It wouldn't be Christmas without Diversionary Theatre's very own riotous seasonal ride: Scrooge in Rouge! And thanks to sold-out delighted audiences for 2 years, the British dance hall musical returns on Thursday, December 5th! Directed by and starring Tony Houck (Craig Noel Award-winner for outstanding featured performance in Diversionary's 2008 production), and featuring Samantha Ginn (2012 Critics Circle Award-Winner), Justin Warren Martin, and Rick Shaffer on the piano.

Elwood P. Dowd is an affable man who claims to have an unseen (and presumably imaginary) friend Harvey - whom Elwood describes as a six-foot, one-and-one-half-inch tall pooka resembling an anthropomorphic rabbit. Elwood introduces Harvey to everyone he meets. His social-climbing sister, Veta, increasingly finds his eccentric behavior embarrassing. She decides to have him committed to a sanitarium to spare her and her daughter Myrtle Mae from future embarrassment.

Elwood P. Dowd is an affable man who claims to have an unseen (and presumably imaginary) friend Harvey - whom Elwood describes as a six-foot, one-and-one-half-inch tall pooka resembling an anthropomorphic rabbit. Elwood introduces Harvey to everyone he meets. His social-climbing sister, Veta, increasingly finds his eccentric behavior embarrassing. She decides to have him committed to a sanitarium to spare her and her daughter Myrtle Mae from future embarrassment.

For 36 years, JPAS has continued to bring the best in the performing arts to venues from Jefferson Parish, the Metro Area, to the North Shore and beyond. Thanks to loyal patron support we have grown to become Louisiana's largest professional touring company. Our offerings are abundantly varied and our outreach is extensive. This season is no exception!

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts has announced another thrilling line-up of top-quality productions of Broadway shows for their 2013-2014 season in Kenner's Rivertown District. The Main Stage season and holiday add-on shows for 2013 - 2014 are as follows:

For 36 years, JPAS has continued to bring the best in the performing arts to venues from Jefferson Parish, the Metro Area, to the North Shore and beyond. Thanks to loyal patron support we have grown to become Louisiana's largest professional touring company. Our offerings are abundantly varied and our outreach is extensive. This season is no exception!

Varla Jean Merman (aka Jeffery Roberson) has been the acknowledged entertainment Queen of P-town for the past decade. Each summer brings the anticipated premiere of her latest, original and irreverent music-comedy show - a summer-long 'hot ticket' every year. After a typically busy year starring to critical acclaim as the title roles in the original musical comedy farces Mildred Fierce in Boston andScrooge in Rouge in New Orleans, as well as in Menotti's opera The Medium in New York, Varla returns to P-Town to premiere Twice Upon A Mattress...Will My Prince Every Come? at The Art House from today, July 1 - August 31, with MRF at the piano.

After a typically busy year starring to critical acclaim as the title roles in the original musical comedy farces Mildred Fierce in Boston andScrooge in Rouge in New Orleans, as well as in Menotti's opera The Medium in New York, Varla returns to P-Town to premiere Twice Upon A Mattress…Will My Prince Every Come? at The Art House from July 1 - August 31, with MRF at the piano. For tickets please visit www.ptownarthouse.com

Diversionary Theatre announces the addition of Justin Love, a new musical fantasy, to complete its 2013 roster of mainstage productions. Joining the currently running West Coast premiere of Birds of a Feather (through March 3, 2013) and the San Diego premiere of the literary romp, The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabbler (March 28 - April 28, 2013), will be the West Coast premiere of Charles Busch's hilarious spoof The Divine Sister (May 23 - June 30, 2013), directed by Glenn Paris, and the world premiere farce She-Rantulas From Outer Space (October 24 - November 17, 2013), by Phil Johnson and Ruff Yeager. By popular demand, Diversionary will also bring back its twisted take on holiday tradition Scrooge in Rouge (December 5 - 29, 2013).

Hell in a Handbag Productions, now in its 11th year, has announced its 2013 season.

Celebrated playwright and New Orleans native Ricky Graham will present the world premiere of his musical, "The Money Box," at Loyola University New Orleans in March. The production features music by Loyola alumnus Jefferson Turner '99 and lyrics by Graham and Sean Patterson.

After recent star turns on Failed Intervention and Semi-Celebrity Rehab, Varla Jean Merman has bottomed out. With nowhere to go but up, everyone's favorite deluded diva sets her sights on the ultimate challenge: topping herself! Submitting to her star power, can Varla's legion of fans take bigger wigs, bottomless talent, throatier singing, and lower standards? Snatch up your tickets now to see if Varla can give as well as she takes. Varla Jean Merman in Topping Myself featuring Gerald Goode at the piano runs June 29th - Sept 1st at The Art House in Provincetown. For tickets, visit www.ptownarthouse.com.

After recent star turns on Failed Intervention and Semi-Celebrity Rehab, Varla Jean Merman has bottomed out. With nowhere to go but up, everyone's favorite deluded diva sets her sights on the ultimate challenge: topping herself! Submitting to her star power, can Varla's legion of fans take bigger wigs, bottomless talent, throatier singing, and lower standards? Snatch up your tickets now to see if Varla can give as well as she takes. Varla Jean Merman in Topping Myself featuring Gerald Goode at the piano runs June 29th - Sept 1st at The Art House in Provincetown. For tickets, visit www.ptownarthouse.com.

This May, Southern Rep presents two shows at the Contemporary Arts Center: the final production of their 2011-2012 25th Anniversary Season, SHIRLEY VALENTINE by Willy Russell, a one-woman play starring Ricky Graham; and ACADEMY SRT Children's Theatre Series THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, story by Margery Williams, play by Thomas W. Olsen, directed by Ann Mahoney Kadar. Recently displaced from their home of 20 years at Canal Place, they have received support from the Contemporary Arts Center's Performance Support Program.

Southern Rep Presents: SHIRLEY VALENTINE by Willy Russell, directed by Marieke Gaboury. A One-Woman show, starring Ricky Graham, runs May 9 - 27, Thurs-Sat 7:30pm and Sun 3pm, plus Sunday, May 27 at 7pm. (Note, there is no performance on Saturday, May 26.) See photos of Ricky Graham performing below!

This month, Southern Rep presents two shows at the Contemporary Arts Center: the final production of their 2011-2012 25th Anniversary Season, SHIRLEY VALENTINE by Willy Russell, a one-woman play starring Ricky Graham; and ACADEMY SRT Children's Theatre Series THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, story by Margery Williams, play by Thomas W. Olsen, directed by Ann Mahoney Kadar. Recently displaced from their home of 20 years at Canal Place, they have received support from the Contemporary Arts Center's Performance Support Program.

Southern Rep has added new dates to its 4- to 8-year-old campers in 101 Dalmations, Kids! Camp after the first round sold out. Spots are still left in its Oklahoma! and Avenue Q camps. See information below.

This May, Southern Rep will presents two shows at the Contemporary Arts Center: the final production of their 2011-2012 25th Anniversary Season, SHIRLEY VALENTINE by Willy Russell, a one-woman play starring Ricky Graham; and ACADEMY SRT Children's Theatre Series THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, story by Margery Williams, play by Thomas W. Olsen, directed by Ann Mahoney Kadar. Recently displaced from their home of 20 years at Canal Place, they have received support from the Contemporary Arts Center's Performance Support Program.

Due to the Saints playoff game Southern Rep has released a revised schedule for Bacchanal.