By Jeanni Ritchie
Shakespeare’s famous line certainly proves to be true in Central Louisiana. I spent the entire afternoon putting over fifty upcoming productions in my iPhone’s calendar, some must-see shows by locals and touring performers alike.
September shows kick off the season for the school shows, while other organizations are starting to wrap up their year. Whether they go from Sept–May or Jan–Dec, we are here until the final curtain call.
Some exciting productions for September in Cenla and the surrounding areas:
Sept. 4: BritBeat, an immersive Beatles tribute show, sponsored by the Arts Council of Central Louisiana. Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 7:30 PM
Sept. 5: Craig Morgan performs live at the Paragon, 8 PM. Known for hits like “That’s What I Love About Sunday” and “The Father, My Son, and The Holy Ghost,” written after he lost his 19-year-old son in a tragic boating accident.
Sept. 14: NSU’s New Faces, Natchitoches, 6:30 PM. This free, annual event introduces the public to students just joining Northwestern’s Theatre and Dance Dept. Performing monologues, dance routines, solos, and more–once I even caught an incredible ventriloquism routine–it’s a first look at NSU’s future stars. I enjoy catching a glimpse of students from Alexandria-Pineville, but I really love pretending I’m a Star Search judge!
Sept. 17-19, 24-26: Theatre Louisiana Christian (tlc) presents Anastasia, the stage musical set in 1920s Russia.
Sept. 18: Empty Space Players presents Broadway Melodies 3 at LSUA’s Richard Gwartney Theatre. (Gotta be honest here—this is the reason I opted out of a trip for my birthday weekend. I HAVE to see this show. I will be the girl wearing the birthday tiara and singing along to every number. You have been warned.)
Sept. 24-27: Lagniappe Theatre’s Frozen, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center. School shows and public performances. I’m going to see this on stage FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER!
Beyond September…
Theatre productions
Bolton Academy Theatre brings us THREE shows this year: The Wizard of Oz October 23-25, Little Women January 29-31, and Into the Woods Jr. March 12-14.
ASH Theatre also brings us three shows, including one I had to google. Lightning Thief: the Percy Jackson Musical October 8-11, Chicago: The Teen Edition April 28-May 2, and in between the two is the one I researched: The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes January 21-24. The pilot edition of this high school premiere is a musical comedy about an ordinary man who wakes up to find that his life has turned into a musical. How cool would that be?!
Pineville High Theatre has an exciting lineup as well, including the season-ender, We Will Rock You, a Queen-inspired rock musical April 8-11 that I will NOT miss! Before that, they will have their annual Rebel Reveal this fall, The Addams Family October 22-25, The Crucible January 7-9, and Anastasia February 18-21.
RPSB’s Talented Theatre has quite an out-of-the-box season, thanks to Director Extraordinaire Talon Dearborne. First up is a Greek mythology-themed showcase November 19 & 20, followed by a performance at Disney Springs in February. Stay tuned for more info on that project! Then, in May, the high school students in the program will have a 24-hour workshop production. From the announcement of the show to its performance is a mere 24 hours. How exciting!
LSUA’s Empty Space Players presents Little Shop of Horrors October 30-November 1, Cenla Young Playwrights’ Festival in November 2026, Eurydice Spring 2027, and Much Ado About Nothing, their annual Shakespeare on the Green production in April 2027. Praying for sunny skies that day!
Theatre Louisiana Christian brings us A Midsummers Night’s Dream January 28-30 and February 4-6 and My Fair Lady in April. Just You Wait! (I hope we get more tlc showcases at Hemingway House this year!)
Lagniappe Theatre Company will present How the Grinch Stole Christmas in November to close out their season before revealing their 2027 productions. That unveiling always feels a little like unwrapping a Christmas present you know you’ll play with all year long!
City Park Players unveils their new season in October. With five shows to announce, our fingers are crossed that there’s a new Four Old Broads play in the mix!
Spectral Sisters has their annual 10-minute play festival, among other productions. Not only are most of their shows performed by local actors, they are also written by them. Follow them online at spectralsisters.com for deadlines and dates.
Holy Savior Menard Central High School will present their annual spring musical at Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center. Details coming soon!
Just up the road…
NSU Theatre and Dance has a stacked season: As You Like It October 1-4, A New Brain October 29-November 1, the annual and super-popular Christmas Gala December 2-4, Dancescapes February 18-20, Seussical March 18-21, and DNA April 22-25.
Arts Council of Central Louisiana presents…
My Eventbrite app has been pinging all week with notifications of shows the Arts Council is bringing to Coughlin-Saunders. After BritBeat in September, they will host Michael Jackson HIStory Show October 28, Lightwire Theatre’s A Very Electric Christmas December 3, and Celtic Angels Christmas December 13. Spring shows will be announced soon. Get your tickets today!
Dance Recitals and Productions
Red River Dance presents The Nutcracker November 28-29. Their annual production was the first time I’d seen such an inclusive performance, and I look forward to seeing this year’s show.
Get to the Pointe will present their Christmas production December 18.
The Paragon hosts Frost, A Holiday Extravaganza on December 5 in the Mari Showroom.
Performance dates for Just Dance, Steps by Stephanie, and Cindy Seaton Dance Academy will be announced soon.
Christian Concerts
Healing Hearts Through Hooves presents an Annual Night of Worship, Hope, and Healing Hearts Featuring Jordan St. Cyr with special guest Josh Blakesley on October 10 at Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center. The benefit concert supports Ol Mel’s Farm’s nonprofit dedicated to providing equine- and animal-assisted programs for veterans, first responders, grieving individuals, and more. Doors open at 5 PM; concert begins at 6 PM.
MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Tim Timmons, and Sam Wesley perform at Raising Canes River Center Arena in Baton Rouge on October 30 at 7 PM.
TobyMac, Jeremy Camp, Seph Schlueter, and Katy Nichole perform at the Cajundome in Lafayette on January 31 at 6:30 PM.
*All dates are subject to change. Please visit the organization’s website or social media pages to verify.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. Please send any additional performances and/or organizations to stories@jeanniritchie.com.
