by Jeanni Ritchie
I joke that if I stood on a street corner with a sign it would read “Will Work for Theatre Tickets!” I love stage plays, especially musicals. From the overture to the curtain call, I’m enthralled and emotional. I relate to the characters, I empathize with their struggles. I sing and dance along in my seat!
I saw five great shows in October.
Now. Here. This. was a coming-of-age tale presented by NSU’s Dept. of Theatre and Dance. The musical production taught the lesson that we should all appreciate the here and now.
I returned to NSU the following month for their Dancescapes 2024 performance. A wide variety of dance styles were performed within the showcase by incredibly talented dancers. I was tickled pink by the tap number Ladies Who Lunch and the reason Miss Otis sent her regrets for the day’s outing. (Hint: it involved a revolver hidden in a garter belt and a wayward lover!)
Pineville High School Theatre presented Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical. This was another show I’d never seen and it was fantastic. Chloe Burlew as Lucy was one of my favorite actresses of the entire year. PHS once again put on a dynamic performance.
One of my all-time favorite musicals, Footloose, was presented by the newly formed Bolton Academy. It reminded me of my early days of Children’s Theatre, the lively middle schoolers taking their places onstage with the more experienced high schoolers. Enthusiasm is infectious and these students will continue to grow as performers. I look forward to this spring’s High School Musical.
Over at LCU, tlc (Theatre Louisiana Christian) presented the popular 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It was my first time to see the show and it did not disappoint. Funny, engaging, and heartwarming, it was a great show!
I have four shows on my radar for November.
Lagniappe Theatre presents The Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever Nov. 1-3 at the Lagniappe Theatre Event Center, 7521 Coliseum Blvd. Alexandria. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.
the-best-christmas-pageant-
Also on November 1-3, ASH Theatre presents Peter and the Starcatcher in the newly renovated ASH auditorium, 800 Ola Street, Alexandria. Tickets can be purchased at https://ashtheatre.ludus.
It Happened on Route 66 is the comedy play the junior class at St. Mary’s Catholic School will put on November 12-14 in Natchitoches. for tickets or more information, call 318-352-8394.
On November 15, Pineville High School Theatre will present a holiday edition of their Rebel Reveal performance. The Rebel Reveal usually features previews from the upcoming season, small play performances, and songs from upcoming shows. I’m not sure if the holiday edition will differ but I’ll be front and center nonetheless! Follow https://www.facebook.
If I’m not in a THEATRE, I’m in a THEATER.
October brought us Average Joe at the movies, the incredible true story of football coach Joe Kennedy who went all the way to the Supreme Court with his right to pray. It didn’t stay in theaters long so watch for it to arrive on streaming channels soon.
There are five movies I plan to see in November.
The first is Here, a moving tale that spans decades reuniting Forrest Gump’s Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump) and Robin Wright (Jenny). It arrives in theaters on November 1.
The other four are family-friendly flicks for the whole family to enjoy: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Nov. 8), Red One(Nov. 15), Wicked (Nov. 22), and Moana 2(Nov. 27).
A little holiday escapism is good for the soul.
“You know what your problem is, it’s that you haven’t seen enough movies – all of life’s riddles are answered in the movies.”
Steve Martin
Jeanni Ritchie is a stage-loving, film fanatic from Central Louisiana. If you have a production coming up in November not listed here, she wants to know about it! She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
