by Jeanni Ritchie
I decided at the last minute to meet our editor Orkke at Artrageous last month. Even though it had been days since she’d purchased her assigned front-row seat, the spot right next to her was still available, a little cosmic kismet. The rest of the front row was filled; it was meant to be.
When we walked through the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center doors, cast members from Artrageous handed us little white boxes filled with our interactive props for the night: 3-D glasses, finger lights, stickers, crayons, and a box of candy Nerds. We weren’t just there for a show; we were there for an experience.
Presented by the Arts Council of Central Louisiana, we were greeted by Board President Amy Pillarisetti before an international cast of performing artists took the stage.
With live musical performances as painters created themed masterpieces, we were guessing what the finished product would be long before the reveal. The Statue of Liberty, John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe…it was a pop culture lollapalooza.
The interactive show saw many members coming up onstage for fun numbers. Plucked from the audience was the adorable Sunshine who showed off dance moves to the aptly titled Walking on Sunshine. Orkke got her groove on as well, as the audience roared with applause. After “individual auditions” by audience volunteers to songs like Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off and ABBA’s Dancing Queen, concertgoer Shane closed the show out with Reel 2 Real’s I Like to Move It complete with confetti streamer cannons.
The years melted away as the cast played Aerosmith’s Dream On. Oh to be a teenager again! I sang along with the wild abandon of a 16-year old.
Artrageous is a troupe of misfit artists, singers, and dancers who started as friends doing street theatre in Vancouver. Perhaps that’s why I fit in so well. I’m maybe more misfit than artist, but no matter. The show is nothing if not inclusive.
Since the late 80’s, Artrageous has built a legacy of teamwork, creativity, and passion on stage in every art form they have discovered throughout their years touring together across the world.
It’s a fun show and I’m so glad I got to experience it. Thanks to the Arts Council of Central Louisiana for bringing this to Cenla.
Want to become a full-fledged member of the Arts Council of Central Louisiana? Visit Louisiana-arts.org or call 318.484.4475. Be a part of ensuring longevity of the arts in the Cenla community.
Upcoming Arts Council offerings:
Oct. 4: Neil Diamond Tribute by Matt Vee and the Killer Vees, Coughlin-Saunders, 7:30 PM
Oct. 10: Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers presents Small Town Universe, Kress Theatre, 7 PM
Oct. 18: Fall Artwalk 2024, Downtown Alexandria, 5-8 PM
Dec. 5: Lightwire Theatre’s A Very Electric Christmas, Coughlin-Saunders, 7 PM (Don’t want to go alone? Join me and friends for an unofficial Cenla Women’s Connection outing! My email is below!)
Feb. 10: The Aluminum Show, stimulating and energetic dance show, Coughlin-Saunders, 7 PM
Feb. 14: Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers presents This World is Not My Own, Kress Theatre, 7 PM
March 5: Collage Dance Collective ballet company, Coughlin-Saunders, 7:30 PM
March 21: Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers presents Lift, Kress Theatre
Apr. 14: Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers presents Kim’s Video, Kress Theatre
Apr. 16: Pedal Punk, Cirque Mechanics’ steampunk acrobatic comedic performance, Coughlin-Saunders, 7 PM
May 13: Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers presents Where the Butterflies Go, Kent House
Jeanni Ritchie is always down for a good arts performance. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
