Jefferson Performing Arts Society Announces its 33rd Season for 2010-2011

The Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS) is excited to announce its 33rd Season of performances for 2010-2011! Be on the look out for new works, favorites and family-friendly fare that is sure to please audiences of all ages in the 33rd Season.

JPAS is delighted to introduce JPAS Theatre for Young Audiences. This new offering from JPAS brings top-quality, professional theatre productions especially suited for young audiences to the stage. The selections are both entertaining and educational with top-theatre talent from across the nation bringing these elaborate productions to life! JPAS is proud to present the Louisiana Premiere of the new musical PETITE ROUGE: A CAJUN RED RIDING HOOD based on the popular children's book to the stage as the first production under JPAS Theatre For Young Audiences banner in the fall. In the Spring, JPAS Theatre for Young Audiences presents a colorful and musical version of the award winning book GOODNIGHT MOON. All the whimsy and the fun of these great family-friendly tales will be brought vividly to life with JPAS Theatre for Young Audiences!

JPAS is proud to collaborate and partner with several producers and organizations this season and kicks off the 33rd Season with a collaborative production of THE FANTASTICKS, the world's longest running musical, with Ensemble Arts. This fall, be sure to catch CHRIS OWENS' CABARET, a special one weekend only engagement at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre with the one and only, New Orleans legend Chris Owens! Also, JPAS is proud to once again collaborate with the Ashe Cultural Arts Center to bring THE ORIGINS OF LIFE: AN AFRICAN CREATION MYTH to the stage after its premiere production with JPAS in 2007. This multi-disciplinary arts experience will be one of the most unique and education theatre experiences in the cultural season! As always, the 15th Annual Pasta and Puccini Fund-Raising Gala presented by InterContinental New Orleans and Sammy L. Steele and The Donald & JJ Dooley Foundation in October promises to be a grand night with all proceeds benefiting JPAS' artistic endeavors for the season.

JPAS Theatre Kids! are back again by popular demand in the fall and the spring with more great theatre for kids by kids! This season, Theatre Kids! will perform musical version of the popular book HOW TO EAT LIKE A CHILD and DISNEY'S ARISTOCATS, Kids. Once again, kids are invited to learn about the process of "putting on a show" while having fun with theatre! JPAS brings top local theatre professionals to direct these productions that are fun for both young actors and young audiences - a great way to introduce kids to the arts!

As always, JPAS brings you a season of the highest variety! JPAS is most pleased to bring grand opera back into its season line-up with Puccini's LA BOHEME, the first JPAS Opera to be performed at Tulane's Dixon Hall. The 33rd Season also includes a selection of new works including SCREAM QUEENS! THE MUSICAL, a naughty, bawdy night with six of the sassiest B--Movie stars recounting their hilarious experiences in horror-movie show biz and TWO x TWO ("Two Times Two'), a laugh-out-loud comedy from T. J. Castronovo, the director who brought you VIAGARA FALLS!

Also in 2010-2011, JPAS brings the hit off-Broadway relationship musical I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE to the stage, as well as a lavish production of the favorite Rogers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Comedy reigns supreme as JPAS presents a return of our favorite nuns in another reincarnation - MESHHUGAH-NUNS!, and this holiday season, be sure to not "shoot your eye out" as JPAS presents a holiday favorite and cult classic A CHRISTMAS STORY! Read on for details and performance dates! Plans are in the works to tour several productions to the Northshore and possibly Mississippi! Season subscriptions and individual tickets for all performances go on sale to the public July 5! Meanwhile, Season Subscribers and Seat Adopters from the 32nd 2009-2010 Season can reserve their subscriptions today!

**SEASON IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE**

SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS AND INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE for General Public July 5!. TICKET PRICES VARY DEPENDING ON PRODUCTION AND LOCATION
For Season Tickets, Special Discount Packages and more, visit www.jpas.org or call 504-885-2000!

JPAS Box Office is located at 1118 Clearview Parkway in Metairie. Box Office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9am-5pm and Saturday, 10am-3pm. The Jefferson Performing Arts Center is located at 400 Phlox Street in Metairie. The Westwego Performing Arts Theatre and Teatro Wego! Dinner Theatre are located at 177 Sala Avenue in Westwego, approximately two miles from the foot of the Huey P. Long Bridge.

THE THIRTY-THIRD SEASON of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society 2010-2011

SCREAM QUEENS! The Musical
Book, Music & Lyrics by Scott Martin
October 1-17, 2010 Teatro Wego! Theatre. 177 Sala Ave in Westwego - Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sunday Matinees at 2PM
Directed and Choreographed by J.J. Rodgers
REGIONAL PREMIERE! They sing! They dance! They DIE! Join six of the sexiest and most popular actresses in the Horror Movie biz -- collectively known as the SCREAM QUEENS as they take you on a hilarious journey through their careers as celebrity hopefuls and cult sex symbols in this interactive show! You'll also get a chance to see the Scream Queen's "demo reels," brief video highlights from their most popular horror films! (Contains mature humor and racy content! Not suitable for young audiences)

Entergy Presents LA BOHÈME
By Giacomo Puccini, Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
Wed, October 27, 2010 at 7:30PM Dixon Hall, Tulane University, 6823 Saint Charles Ave. Building Code 68, New Orleans, LA
JPAS Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Dennis G. Assaf
Maestro Dennis G. Assaf conducts Puccini's most beloved opera. This heartwarming story of starving artists falling in and out of love in 19th-century Paris is a seamless mix of romantic passion, poignant tragedy and high-spirited fun. Maestro Assaf and the JPAS Symphony Orchestra are joined by a cast of international operatic talent for this masterpiece of Grand Opera.

TWO X TWO ("TWO TIMES TWO")
A New Play By Samuel Warren Joseph
November 5-21, 2010 Teatro Wego! Theatre 177 Sala Ave in Westwego - Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sunday Matinees at 2PM
Directed by T. J. Castronovo
Twice the trouble... Four times the fun! Director T. J. Castronovo returns to JPAS once again for the WORLD PREMIERE production of TWO X TWO! Rick and Debbie, Paul and Linda - best friends and business partners for thirty years, meet for a celebration dinner where they learn that they have a LOT more in common than just business! (Contains mature humor and adult situations. Not suitable for young audiences)

A CHRISTMAS STORY
By Philip Grecian. Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story, © 1983 Turner Entertainment Co., distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark; and on the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd
December 3-19, 2010 Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave in Westwego - Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sunday Matinees at 2PM
Directed by Janet Shea
Based on the classic holiday movie of the same name, humorist Jean Shepherd's memoir of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself! The consistent response: "You'll shoot your eye out!" This stage adaptation has all the warmth and memorable scenes from the movie!

MESHUGGAH-NUNS!
By Dan Goggin
January 7- 23, 2011 Teatro Wego! Theatre, 177 Sala Ave in Westwego - Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sunday Matinees at 2PM
Directed by "Uncle" Wayne Daigrepont
Your favorite nuns are at it again in a brand new adventure on the high seas of comedy! Hilarity reigns supreme with songs like Say It In Yiddish, Contrition, In the Convent and If I Were a Catholic. From Sister Amnesia's attempt at magic to the sing-along Fiddlerspiel, you don't have to be Catholic! You don't have to be Jewish! This is a show for anyone who loves a good laugh!

I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE
Book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro . Music by Jimmy Roberts
February 4-20, 2011 Teatro Wego! Theatre, 177 Sala Ave in Westwego - Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sunday Matinees at 2PM
Directed by Andrew Crusse
Everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit! This off-Broadway musical hit takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum know as "the relationship." (Contains mature humor and adult situations. Not suitable for young audiences)

The Metairie Office of Raymond James Financial Services and JPAS Leading Ladies Guild Present THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Music by Richard Rodgers . Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II . Book by Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse Suggested by The Story of the Trapp Family Singers
Saturday, March 19 at 7:30PM & Sunday, March 20 at 2PM, 2011 Jefferson Performing Arts Center (EJHS Auditorium), 400 Phlox Ave in Metairie
The world's most beloved musical comes to the JPAS stage! When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters and her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain. Set on the eve of WWII, join them as they sing and dance into your hearts in this triumphant musical classic.

JPAS Theatre For Young Audiences**
Introducing the best-quality theatrical productions especially for family audiences! Not incl. in regular seasons subscriptions

Mike Artell's PETITE ROUGE: A CAJUN RED RIDING HOOD
Adapted for the stage with Book, Music & Lyrics by Joan Cushing
September 17-October 3, 2010 Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave in Westwego - Fridays at 7:30PM, Saturdays & Sundays at 2PM
Directed by Michael Bobbitt
A LOUISIANA PREMIERE! A Swamp Chorus sings backup to the Zydeco-driven score in this foot-stomping, family-friendly musical soaked in Cajun hot sauce! When the Big Bad Gator spies tasty duck Petite Rouge and her sidekick cat TeJean heading down the bayou, Petite leads him on a wild duck chase through the New Orleans Mardi Gras, all the way to a surprise ending.

GOODNIGHT MOON by Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Clement Hurd
Book, Music and Lyrics by Chad Henry
Adapted from GOODNIGHT MOON. (c) 1947 Harper & Row. Text (c) renewed 1975 by Roberta Brown Rauch. Illustrations (c) renewed 1975 by Edith Hurd, Clement Hurd, John Thacher and George Hellyer, as trustees of the Edith & Clement Hurd 1982 Trust. Used by permission of HarperCollins Publishers. Adaptation by Chad Henry (c) 2006.
January 14- 30, 2011Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave in Westwego - Fridays at 7:30PM, Saturdays & Sundays at 2PM
Directed by Andrew Crusse
The popular book, now 60 years old and still a favorite bedtime story, comes vibrantly alive on stage with music, dancing, and the humorous antics of the little bunny who just can't go to sleep!

JPAS Theatre Kids!^
Fun theatre productions just for kids, performed by all-kid casts! Not incl. in regular season subscriptions

JPAS Theatre Kids! Present HOW TO EAT LIKE A CHILD^
By Delia Ephron, John Forster and Judith Kahan
November 12-21, 2010 Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave in Westwego - Fridays at 7:30PM, Saturdays at 2PM & 7:30PM, and Sunday Matinees at 2PM
Join the Theatre Kids! as they take the audience on a musical romp through the joys and sorrows of being a child. The JPAS Theatre Kids! instruct the audience on several important subjects of being a kid like how to beg for a dog, how to torture your sister, how to act after being sent to your room and how to laugh hysterically.

 

JPAS Theatre Kids! Production of Disney's ARISTOCATS, Kids^
Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and Al Rinker and Floyd Huddleston . Music Adapted and Arranged and Additional Music and Lyrics by Bryan Louiselle . Book Adapted and Additional Lyrics by Michael Bernard . Based on the 1970 Disney Film THE ARISTOCATS
April 1-10, 2011 Westwego Performing Arts Theatre , 177 Sala Ave in Westwego - Fridays at 7:30PM, Saturdays at 2PM & 7:30PM, and Sunday Matinees at 2PM
Everybody wants to be a cat! Madame's jealous butler Edgar cat-naps Duchess and her Aristokittens and abandons them in the Parisian countryside. What's a cat to do? Luckily, Thomas O'Malley and his rag-tag bunch of Alley Cats come to their rescue! This feline adventure starring an all-kid cast is sure to get you tapping your feet to its hep, jazzy beat!

SEASON SPECIALS*
Season Specials are stand-alone events and not included in a regular season subscription

JPAS Presents the Ensemble Arts Production of THE FANTASTICKS*
Book by Tom Jones . Music by Harvey Schmidt . Lyrics by Tom Jones . Based on Les Romanesques by Edmond Rostand
August 13-29, 2010 Teatro Wego! Theatre, 177 Sala Ave in Westwego - Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sunday Matinees at 2PM
Directed by AnDrew Elliott . Musically Directed by Natalie True
THE FANTASTICKS is the longest-running production of any kind in the world, and with good reason: at the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcends cultural barriers. THE FANTASTICKS tells the story of a young man and the girl next door whose parents have built a wall to keep them apart. The youngsters nevertheless contrive to meet and fall in love. They set out on a night of melodrama, romance and fantasy, led by the charming and mysterious vagabond, El Gallo. When the sun rises bringing an end to the dream, the lovers come to understand real love.

CHRIS OWENS' CABARET STARRING CHRIS OWENS!*
September 10 & 11 at 7:30PM, September 12 at 2PM** - Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave in Westwego
JPAS is excited to bring a New Orleans legend to its stage! CHRIS OWENS is a SINGING AND DANCING INTERNATIONAL SENSATION! Get ready for the MOST ELECTRIFYING, ONE-WOMAN SHOW ON THE ENTERTAINMENT SCENE today, set to such musical genres as jazz, blues, rock, country western and top 40 variety. Backed by The Chris Owens' Band, this is a one-of-a-kind night that is not to be missed! **VIP tickets for the Sunday Performance includes priority seating and a champagne meet and greet with Chris Owens herself after the show in Teatro Wego Theatre!

 

Jefferson Performing Arts Society's 15th Annual PASTA & PUCCINI GALA*
Presented by InterContinental New Orleans and Sammy L. Steele & Donald and J. J. Dooley Foundation
Friday, October, 29 - InterContinental New Orleans, 444 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. 6PM
Proceeds from this annual fund-raiser will benefit the Jefferson Performing Arts Society's annual theatrical productions and arts outreach. The evening includes an open bar, an array of delicacies provided by numerous local restaurants and caterers, live and silent auctions and live entertainment provided by international performers and the JPAS Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dennis G. Assaf. Single tickets start at $125 per patron. Tables of ten start at $1250. Call 504-885-2000 ext. 212 or visit www.jpas.org for more info or to reserve your table!

THE ORIGIN OF LIFE ON EARTH: An African Creation Myth*
Presented in Association with the Ashé Cultural Arts Center
Based on the book by David A. Anderson
Sunday, February 13 at 2PM - Jefferson Performing Arts Center (EJHS Auditorium), 400 Phlox Ave. in Metairie
Presented in association with the Ashé Cultural Arts Center, JPAS is proud to bring this multi-disciplinary performance experience back to the stage once again after the 2007 production. Based on the children's book, this Yeruba creation myth tells how Obtala, the Yeruba creator, forms human beings and sets the earth spinning in this noble, reverent, and positive tale.

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