There will be plenty of theater downtown this weekend and we're not talking about what goes on after 10 p.m. when Jefferson Street becomes a one-way roadway, either, because what's on tap include an audition, a play and a play festival.
There will be plenty of theater downtown this weekend and we're not talking about what goes on after 10 p.m. when Jefferson Street becomes a one-way roadway, either.
On tap are an audition, a play and a play festival. And that's just this weekend, there's more info on what's coming, too. Read on.
Auditions for Buried Child by Sam Shepard is today, 5-7 p.m., at Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette.
Directed by Cooper Helm, the performances are Aug. 24-26 and Aug. 31-Sept. 2.
Roles needed for the play are a man and wife, ages 60-75; three men, two 40 years old; one 20; a 20 year old girl; and a minister, not age specific.
Call 291-1122 for more information.
'Glass' final weekend
Speaking of Cité, Glass Mendacity has it's final run this weekend. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Directed by Jody L. Powell, Mendacity is a parody of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
The cast includes Michael Cato as Mitch O'Connor, Katryn Schmidt as Maggie the Cat, Mary Gail Lamonte DeVillier as Amanda Dubois, Brick Dubois as himself, Deborah D. Ardoin as Blanche Dubois, John Snyder as Stanley Kowalski, Billy Walker as Big Daddy Dubois and Erin Segura as Laura Dubois
ART for festival's sake
The Acadiana Repertory Theatre's New Works Festival begins this evening at Theatre 810, also in downtown Lafayette. The idea behind the fest is that the audience rates the plays based on readings and the winner will become a full-scale production in the 2013 season and beyond.
The chosen work will become a full-scale production during the ART's 2013 season and future seasons. A single reading is $5, or purchase a pass to see as many shows as you like. Tickets may be purchased here or call 484-0172.
The New Works Festival contains some plays with adult content and language and is not recommended for viewing by children less than 16 years of age. There are two readings scheduled per evening.
Herewith the schedule and a synopsis for this weekend's fare:
The Divine Visitor by David L. Williams, today, 6:30 p.m.
After faking his own demise to escape his debts, the rake Whitestone plans to leave his home of Langfoss-on-the-Stow forever. When he finds out that every beautiful woman in town was weeping at his funeral, though, he chooses to stay and makes a bet with his friend Wren to bed all of these ladies by appearing as his own ghost. But the townsfolk believe him to be not a ghost but an angel, and soon all of the women are hoping to be divinely inspired by this messenger of God. When a visitor who is truly from beyond comes to town, however, Whitestone and Langfoss-on-the-Stow will never be the same again. Full of laughs and a few lessons along the way.
The cast includes Duncan Thistlethwaite, Steven R. Landry, Gabe Ortego, Kevin Miller, Jody Powell, Alexis Carroll, Kate Schneider, and Stace Broussard.
Sweet Sweet Spirit by Carol Carpenter, today, 8:30 p.m.
When a father's temper lands his gay teenage son in the emergency room of a small Texas town, the conservative family members square-o? in a battle for custody, prompting deep introspection: Who among them is best to care for this child, and what place can they find for him in their world?
The cast includes Shana Ledet Qualls, Casey Harmon, Nicole Begue Hackman, Gabe Ortego, and Tami Castille.
In The Open by Matthew Ivan Bennett, Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
A bad boy and his good-hearted girl; a religious loner; a widowed father; a single mother looking for meaning; the closeted best friend. 'Open' is a classic American drama about being on the social fringe. After he's abused by a teacher, Dustin wants blood. He meets Jordan, a smart Christian kid who's been bullied by the teacher's son. They join forces and reason is soon lost in the smoke of anger. 'Open' peers unapologetically at the logic and emptiness that leads to community violence.
The cast includes Sarah Brown, Jody Powell, Andrew Vincent, Brandi Champagne, Kevin Miller, and Clyde Reed.
The Terrible Girls by Jacqueline Goldfinger, Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
A wicked dark comedy of friendship, obsession, and Southern sensibilities. Two women battle for the love of one man, while the third guards a terrible secret. It's a wild mix of fearless comedy and Southern Gothic horror.
Cast members are Alexis Carol, Etienna Wright, Tami Castille, and Casey Harmon
Barrier Island by David Stallings, Sunday, 3 p.m.
The play tackles a fearless community that rests their lives against the historic wall that protects the Island from natural disasters, and the young generation that challenges the emotional disasters no wall can protect, before the arrival of Hurricane Ike. Barrier Island is the first play in the trilogy The Galveston Cycle.
The cast includes Lindsay Finley, Duncan Thistlethwaite, Shana Ledet Qualls, Nicole Begue Hackmann, Steven R. Landry, Kaitlin Romero, Bobby Bender, Bruce Coen, and Jackson Schneider.
Next weekend's schedule:
100 Planes by Lila Rose Kaplan, Friday, June 29, 6:30 p.m.; Human Capacity by Jennifer Barclay, Friday, June 29, 8:30 p.m.; Principal Principle by Joe Zarrow, Saturday, June 30, 6:30 p.m.; A Place to Land by Chelsea Marcantel, Saturday, June 30. 8:30 p.m.; A Home Across the Ocean by Cody Daigle, Sunday, July 1, 3 p.m.
Go here for more information or call 484-0172.
Sinbad sailing to town
Stand-up comedian, movie, and TV star Sinbad makes his debut in Lafayette, Wednesday, June 27, 7 p.m., at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.
Ranked by Comedy Central as one of the "Top 100 standup comedians of all time," Sinbad masterfully finds laughter in the trials and tribulations of every day. Sinbad is known for comedy that is profound without being profane. The son of a preacher, Sinbad decided to keep his comedy clean after his father attended one of his early performances. Sinbad says he learned that night that "funny is funny."
For tickets and more information, contact PASA here or call 337-237-2787.
July Fourth
Red, White & BOOM! a celebration of America's birthday, is set for Wednesday, July 4, and features Marcia Ball at Parc International performing with the Acadiana Symphony Orcehstra. Numerous contests will be held including ASO's 2nd Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Festivities continue in Parc Sans Souci where the ASO hosts the Conservatory KidZone and has expanded to Parc Putnam (near the Federal Courthouse) where local bands will be celebrating the Fourth of July at Freedom Fest with the Rockin' Rotarians, Lafayette's Bayou Boys, Nik L Beer and Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band.
Gates open and festivities begin at 5 p.m. The spectacular Grand Finale Fireworks show should go up around 9:30 p.m.
A $5 admission fee to Red, White and BOOM! gives patrons access to all three parks.
In collaboration with Food Net of Lafayette, ASO is offering free concession tickets for canned food donations brought to the celebration. All proceeds from Red, White and Boom! benefit ASO's children's education programs.
Parc Passes will be available at the gate or may be purchased in advance at the ASO Box Office, 412 Travis Street in the Oil Center. Go here for more information.
The event is presented by the ASO along with Lafayette Convention Visitors Commission, Townsquare Media, Party Central and Moss Motors.