AND THE BALL AND ALL Returns to Rivertown Theaters Tonight

Back by popular demand and Carnival spirit inspiration, Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts will bring back the popular, locally written AND THE BALL AND ALL for one weekend in January on the Main Stage.

Among the rites of Carnival is the annual run of ... AND THE BALL AND ALL, the Ricky Graham-penned comedy about the Mystic Krewe of Terpsichore. Becky Allen and Amanda Hebert star as yatty krewe organizers planning their truck float and getting ready for the ball. Also included in the cast is Go Go Borgerding, Rebecca Taliancich, Mandy Zirkenbach, and Patrick Mendelson.

"Girl, you got to get out of this neighborhood," Frances exclaims when she learns someone has broken a window at her friend Aggie's Mid-City lounge. Crime and other obstacles to peaceful existence in the Big Easy get the audience rolling with laughter through much of Ricky Graham's perennial favorite, ...And the Ball and All.

The play follows the Krewe of Terpsichore, a women's Carnival organization brought to life by Becky Allen, Rebecca Taliancich, Mandy Zirkenbach, Gogo Borgerding and Amanda Hebert. The Ball debuted in 1995 (the year in which it's set) and had a long initial run. The outrageous, affectionate chronicle of y'at social custom must be imbued with immortal energies, because it keeps coming back and audiences still love it.

Much of the humor grows out of local references. The krewe members gossip, especially when one of them leaves the room, and they don't merely say the absent friend has gained weight, but "She's got more rolls than McKenzie's."

Humor drives the play more than plot, but at its core, The Ball is a y'at comedy of manners, or a comedy of ill-manners. It's a remarkable and enduring achievement for writer/director Graham and the krewe.

The schedule of performances is as follows: Tonight January 7 at 8:00 pm; Friday January 8 at 8:00 pm; and Sunday January 10 at 2:00 pm & 6:00 pm. The Ball & All ticket prices are $26.00 per person. Corporate and individual sponsorships, season tickets, group and military discounts are available as well. To purchase, call the Box Office: (504) 461-9475 or (504) 468-7221 or visit www.RivertownTheaters.com.

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts kicked off its inaugural "BROADWAY SERIES AT RIVERTOWN" SCHEDULE FOR THE 2012-2013 SEASON with a new name, a new management company, Theatre 13, and new artistic directors, Gary Rucker and Kelly Fouchi. The mission of Theatre 13 is to bring new and exciting productions to the New Orleans area while providing local theatre artists an opportunity to perform and create. Now in its second successful season, Theatre 13 is producing a wide range of professional theatrical performances, from musicals to children's theatre to more controversial and thought-provoking works for Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts.

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts is located at 325 Minor St. in the heart of Rivertown, Kenner LA. Plenty of free parking is available on the streets around the theater.

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