2theadvocate.com | The Arts | Theaters unveil new seasons

By NEWS FEATURES STAFF
Published: Aug 3, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Arlo Guthrie, High School Musical and a tribute to The Beatles are just the beginning of what’s in store this season at the Manship Theatre, the Reilly Theatre and the LSU Union Theater.

All three recently announced their 2008-2008 lineups.

Manship Theatre
Manship Theatre’s season, sponsored by Cox Communications, will be headlined by Richie Havens, Irma Thomas, Chanticleer and Guthrie. Other presentations include Marc Cohn, Tango Fire and Seussical, the Dr. Seuss inspired Broadway musical.

The theater continues its “Choose Three or More” package offering again this season. The Choose Three or More package allows patrons the opportunity for the best seats, 10 percent savings and free ticket exchanges. The build-your-own series is available only until Aug. 31. Patrons may select any three events to individually customize their series and will have advance opportunity to secure seats for additional presentations announced during the season.

The legendary Havens, whose recordings remain an anthem for an age, will take the stage at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, as a part of the Living Legends offerings. His appearance is co-sponsored by Business First Bank. New Orleans soul queen Thomas performs her stirring gospel show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20. The event is produced in association with Pal Productions and is supported by AT&T. On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the world-renowned a cappella male chorus, Chanticleer, will inspire audiences with an orchestra of voices. Folk icon Guthrie brings his “Lost World Tour” to the Manship Theatre stage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, March 11 and 12, 2009.

Additionally, the season features music, comedy, family and international events. The complete schedule is as follows:

America’s most popular piano artist, Jim Brickman, weaves moments from Hollywood’s most romantic films into an unforgettable experience, with performances at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. Sunny 103.3 provides media support for this appearance.

Catapulting onto the music scene in 1991 with “Walking in Memphis,” Marc Cohn now brings his short story songwriting style to Manship Theatre with one performance sponsored by Jones Walker, Lamar Advertising and Jim & Laura Bailey at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23.

An Evening with Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile, offers bluegrass, folk and traditional music. Thile, formerly of Nickel Creek, brings his new ensemble to Baton Rouge at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 2 and 3, 2009.

Ides of March featuring Jim Peterik boast a career spanning three decades, including Peterik’s hits “L.A. Goodbye,” “Vehicle” and “Eye of the Tiger.” The performance is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13.

BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet returns this season with special guest Don Vappie at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30. Dow Chemical co-sponsors the fun.

The Parsons Dance Company, a world-class company that creates and performs contemporary American works performs at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, March 9 and 10, 2009.

Major sponsor of music events is Mapp Construction LLC. Events include:

Ann Savoy & Her Sleepless Knights at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, featuring jazz songs, sensual love songs, and local color. This season kick-off event is produced in association with Pal Productions.

Cherryholmes Christmas at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, ushers in the season bluegrass style. The virtuosic family returns for an encore appearance after a popular groundswell following last season’s performances.

Relive the heyday of the Rat Pack with Simply Sinatra at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. The performance features vocalist Steve Lippia. Simply Sinatra is supported by co-sponsors Louisiana Lottery and Beau Box Realtors.

20 years of Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys at 8 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2009, is an anniversary extravaganza presented in association with Louisiana Crossroads and co-sponsored by Dow.

Comedy events include:

Rejoice Dear Hearts: An Evening with Brother Dave Gardner at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2009. He’s back; Brother Dave Gardner is reincarnated by David Wright, and is as funny as ever in a scripted show that recounts his life and most loved routines.

Sometimes controversial, Paula Poundstone always keeps her audiences in stitches with her witty, intelligent humor. Two performances at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2009, are supported by McGlinchey Stafford PLLC with media support from WRKF Public Radio.

A return engagement of Jamie Wax’s magical holiday offering A Gift for Lyman Bourke opens Dec. 19 and runs through Dec. 28.

Three Redneck Tenors will sing at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2009.

Celebrating its 20th year, Jamie Wax’s Goin’ to Jackson lightens up summer with performances July 17-26, 2009.

Family events include:

Kids for President where student authors nationwide are showcased in a high energy musical performance highlighting values from social responsibility and civic issues to environmental awareness at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10. Coca-Cola supports this literary and civic offering.

A reprise of the highly recommended and beloved holiday classic A Christmas Carol, produced in association with Playmakers of Baton Rouge runs Dec. 5-14.

Seussical at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, features all of the beloved Dr. Seuss characters, The Cat in the Hat, The Whos and more who stir up immense trouble in this adaptation of the Broadway original. Kleinpeter Farms Dairy co-sponsors the merriment.

Soul Street Dance Company, an inspirational group, formerly considered youth-at-risk, now finds redemption and acceptance through hip hop and street dance. The company brings its beat at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2009.

International offerings sponsored by Dow travel the globe with:

International Guitar Night featuring Pierre Bensusan, master of the French Finger style; classical guitarist Benjamin Verdery; Argentinean folk guitarist/singer Cecilia Zabala and American guitar poet Brian Gore performs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Tango Fire, Buenos Aires hottest group, will send sparks into the air and devour you with a passion that will break your heart at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 26 and 27, 2009.

San Jose Taiko thrills with empowering (and overpowering) sounds that weave traditional Japanese drumming with the beat of world rhythms. Thefamily event is at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29.

For tickets or a Manship Theatre 2008-2009 Cox Communications Season Brochure, call the Manship Theatre Ticket Desk at (225) 344-0334, (866) 451-ARTS or visit the Manship Theatre Web site at http://www.manshiptheatre.org.

Manship Theatre is located at the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St.

Reilly Theatre
Swine Palace Productions, whose home is the Reilly Theatre at LSU, is bringing three shows to the stage this season.

Disney’s High School Musical, based on the hit 2006 Disney Channel movie, opens the season Sept. 17-Oct. 5. The production, by David Simpatico, will be directed and choreographed by Paula Sloan, with music direction by Camille Villalpando Rolla.

Satellites, a show from New York’s Public Theater, is a new comedy by popular American playwright Diana Son. The play will be directed by Michael Tick and runs Feb. 4-22, 2009.

Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost is the world premiere adaptation, by George Judy, of the classic comic-romance. The play will also be directed by Judy. The original score is by John Franceschina. Run dates will be April 15-May 3, 2009.

Season tickets are available now by calling (225) 578-3527. Order forms can now be downloaded at http://www.swinepalace.org.

LSU Union Theater
LSU’s Great Performances Series brings five shows to the Union Theater stage this season.


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