Leslie Castay

The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival Will Host WE HAVE NOT LONG TO LOVE Celebration
by Stephi Wild - Mar 17, 2026

The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival will host We Have Not Long To Love: A Celebration Of Tennessee Williams on Friday, March 27. Learn more about the event here!

GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR Announced at Le Petit Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 23, 2024

Journey back in time with us to 1958 as we walk the line between the fantasy and reality of one infamous night of television in Good Night, Oscar at Le Petit Theatre.

Jefferson Performing Arts Will Present SCHOOL OF ROCK Next Month
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 17, 2024

Jefferson Performing Arts' upcoming production of School of Rock: The Musical will feature 36 local performers, half of whom are local middle and high schoolers. Several cast members will perform with real instruments live onstage at Jefferson Performing Arts Center September 13-22, 2024.

Jefferson Performing Arts Season Opens In September With SCHOOL OF ROCK: THE MUSICAL
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 22, 2024

The Jefferson Performing Arts Society opens its 47th season in September with SCHOOL OF ROCK: THE MUSICAL, featuring local talent in a high-energy production based on the hit film.

Previews: A BODY OF WATER at Le Petit Theatre
by Tara Bennett - Jul 15, 2024

On Thursday, July 18, at 7 p.m., Le Petit Theatre will host a public reading of Louisiana-native playwright and producer Kelley Nicole Girod’s play “A Body of Water.”

Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans to Host Free Reading of Kelley Nicole Girod's A BODY OF WATER
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 1, 2024

Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans will host a free reading of Kelley Nicole Girod's play A BODY OF WATER. The play, set during the 2016 Baton Rouge flood, explores themes of family, crisis, and resilience. Learn how to purchase tickets.

TWFest Opens With Stella Shouting Contest This Weekend
by Stephi Wild - Mar 11, 2024

On Sunday, March 17 at 2 pm, the beloved Stella Shouting Contest will take place in Jackson Square.

LOOPED is Now Playing at Westwego Cultural Center
by Stephi Wild - Nov 13, 2023

Looped, a three-person play about Hollywood’s original diva Tallulah Bankhead, is now playing at Westwego Cultural Center. Performances run from November 9th through November 19th, 2023.

Jefferson Performing Arts Society to Present YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN This Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 17, 2023

Get ready for a hilarious Halloween treat! Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein comes to Jefferson Performing Arts Center, directed by Leslie Castay. Don't miss this award-winning Broadway musical.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS Opens September 21 At Westwego Cultural Center
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 15, 2023

Jefferson Performing Arts Society kicks off its Westbank 46th season stage productions with Steel Magnolias this month at the Westwego Cultural Center on Sala Avenue in Westwego.

Jefferson Performing Arts Society Announces JPAST & PRESENT: A PARTY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Celebrating 45 Years Of JPAS Productions
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 14, 2022

Jefferson Performing Arts Society will host a “Party for the Performing Arts” featuring longtime JPAS performers and other special guests, at Jefferson Performing Arts Center on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Guests will dine onstage inside the JPAC theater; seating is limited to 250 people due to this unique and rare experience. 

IRVING BERLIN'S HOLIDAY INN Comes To Jefferson Performing Arts Center Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Nov 29, 2022

Jefferson Performing Arts Society presents the musical Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn for a two-week run. Performances run December 2-11.

IRVING BERLIN'S HOLIDAY INN Comes To Jefferson Performing Arts Center, December 2-11
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 9, 2022

Jefferson Performing Arts Society presents the musical Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn for a two-week run, from December 2 through December 11, 2022.

Jefferson Performing Arts Society Announces Directors for 45th Season
by Marissa Tomeo - May 29, 2022

Jefferson Performing Arts Society proudly announces its 45th season mainstage directors, featuring directors based in New Orleans, New York, and San Antonio. Several directors are returning to JPAS after directing or performing with JPAS in recent seasons; two make their JPAS directorial debut this season. The following overview includes shows that are part of JPAS mainstage season subscription packages, currently on sale. Single ticket sales open June 6th for all 45th season shows. For a full schedule of the entire 2022-2023 season which includes season specials such as ballets, concerts, and other special performances in addition to those listed below, please visit www.jpas.org.

Southern Rep Theatre Presents MANDATORY MERRIMENT:THIS TIME ITS VIRTUAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 27, 2020

Southern Rep Theatre will present MANDATORY MERRIMENT:THIS TIME ITS VIRTUAL, created by Leslie Castay and Ian Hoch. Directed by Leslie Castay, with book by Ian Hoch and Musical Direction by Ainsley Matich, the production begins performances Thursday, December 11, and runs through Sunday, December 26 in a special all new virtual reunion! 

Southern Rep Theatre Announces GoFundMe Campaign To Keep Its Doors Open
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2020

Nationally acclaimed new play development theatre, Southern Rep, finds itself in a heartbreaking situation. Ticket sales and mainstage subscriptions are at an all-time high. Arts education programming is thriving. Audiences are raving about the work and the company's new venue, the former St. Rose de Lima Church on Bayou Road. And still, Southern Rep finds itself in an urgent financial crisis as it navigates the expenses of moving into their new home.

New Orleans Shakespeare Festival At Tulane Returns Summer Season 2019
by A.A. Cristi - May 30, 2019

The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane is now preparing for its 26th summer season. The Festival continues to be one of the south's premier producers of Shakespeare's plays.

Southern Rep Theatre Announces Its 2019-2020 Mainstage Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 30, 2019

Southern Rep Theatre (Producing Artistic Director Aimee Hayes) has announced plans for the 2019-20 Mainstage Season and the future of Southern Rep, now located in its permanent home at 2541 Bayou Road, New Orleans. The 2019-20 Mainstage Season, its 33rd, will feature Regional Premieres of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY by Tracy Letts, NATIVE GARDENS by Karen Zacarias, and Bertolt Brecht's MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN, translated by Ntozake Shange. In addition, back by popular demand and updated for the holiday season will be MANDATORY MERRIMENT (PART DEUX): A NEW ORLEANS HOLIDAY MUSICAL created by Leslie Castay and Ian Hoch. The season will also feature the NNPN (National New Play Network) Rolling World Premiere of REYKJAVIKby Steve Yockey (in partnership with the Saints & Sinners Literary Festival), and the home-grown World Premiere of CHEMIN DU BAYOU by local New Orleans playwright Pamela Davis-Noland.

New Orleans Shakespeare Festival Announced At Tulane
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 21, 2019

Having just completed a production of Macbeth that reached over 5000 area middle and high school students in January, the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane is now preparing for its 26th summer season. The Festival continues to be one of the south's premier producers of Shakespeare's plays.

Southern Rep Theatre Announces Extends A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2
by Julie Musbach - Oct 12, 2018

Southern Rep Theatre has announced that its Regional Premiere production of A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2, by Lucas Hnath, will extend one additional week, running now through October 28. The production opened Monday, October 8 to rave reviews and is the first Mainstage production of Southern Rep's 2018-19 season in their new permanent home located at 2541 Bayou Road, New Orleans.