Angelle Albright

When Lin-Manuel Miranda set out to tell the story of how one person turned the world upside down and changed it forever, did he consider that he, himself was about to accomplish the very same thing-that is-change the world by changing the way we think about education itself? If we could actually 'rewind' time, some in academia might have chuckled at the very core of the EduHam program, an education program that presupposes that American History students can comprehend and retain complex materials through rap music. Sounds a little insane doesn't it?

Director, Justin Lapeyrouse made it his personal mission to make sure of that! This unique musical tackles the difficult subject of a family coping with mental illness, and Lapeyrouse, pulling from his own life experiences, felt a responsibility to take the powerful message even further by striving to make a difference in the community. He teamed up with NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, to give back, but most importantly, after each performance, the entire cast, along with local professionals hold a powerful panel discussion with willing audience members. The goal to raise awareness, open dialogue, and offer a path to help seemed like a logical way to make this important show even more impactful.

If you're a fan of watching uber-talented people NAIL a Broadway show that rivals professional productions anywhere, than you may TOTALLY be missing out if you don't already have a seat to a nearly SOLD OUT run of Cutting Edge Theatre's production of The Color Purple. The capacity crowd sat with anticipation among the authentic rustic, earthy timber slats, transporting us back in time to travel on an emotional and spiritual journey with these classic, beloved characters. Adapted from Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller and Steven Spielberg's Oscar-nominated film, this readapted stage musical has a fresh, joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues. This stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie, Brittney James-Crayton an African-American woman in the American South from the early to mid-20th century.

Satchmo comes to life on stage as he is portrayed by another famous New Orleanian, Barry Shabaka Henley, a veteran actor with 25 years of stage, screen, and film credits that only define the career of a man who is capable of successfully pulling off such a complex roll. (Henley's Acting Bio) Drama Desk, Obie, and Olivier Award winner, Henley, will wow you as he radiantly delves into the heart and mind of the jazz legend, as well as portraying the other two men who both shaped and shook the man, Joe Glaser and Miles Davis.  Henley effortlessly glides between the three characters, and the seamless staging transports your mind to another time and place making each moment hypnotically authentic.   

Marius (Justin Mouledous) begs Eponine (Emma Pollet) for help finding Cosette 'Life-changing,' 'Engaging,' 'Rewarding,' 'Surreal,' 'Exciting,' 'Humbling,' 'Wonderful,' 'Extraordinary,' and 'A Blast and a Half' are just a few of the ways this extraordinary, young cast is encapsulating what it is like to be a part of The New Octavians production of the epic, grand, and uplifting, Les Miserables School Edition-The show that packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled over 65 million people worldwide.  Winner of over 100 international awards, Les Miserables is an epic and inspiring story about the survival of the human spirit. The musical, based on Victor Hugo's novel, adapted for high school performers, features one of the most memorable scores of all time and some of the most memorable characters to ever grace the stage.  This cast of nearly fifty students, hailing from twelve different schools from the Northshore area of the New Orleans Metropolitan area, is certainly fulfilling expectations.  It is always a challenge to produce a show of this magnitude, but for Director, Brent Goodrich, being able to recruit talent from all over our community has made this production not only possible, but even more sensational.

There's nothing more endearing than a little girl and her dog, especially when it comes to a red-headed orphan who reminds kids of all ages that positivity is the only road to resilience!  Slidell Little Theatre is opening its' 55th season with the timeless classic, Annie, based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray. Adapted for the Broadway stage in 1977, Annie was the winner of seven Tony Awards, and continues to be a worldwide phenomenon today. The sun has definitely come out on this entire cast, especially two remarkable actresses, Elizabeth Burris and Piper Hall, who share the title role of Broadway's favorite belting ragamuffin.  Despite their marked star quality, there is another salient stray who is commanding equal respect-Annie's beloved dog Sandy!  The four legged character, portrayed by rescued K-9 Jen-Ai, once declared unredeemable, is stealing hearts on and off the stage. The golden's trainer, Margaret Cromwell say the script is not much different than their own life story, and is excited about the affect her beloved may have on audiences.  Regardless of number of legs the actors have, the talent in this production is awe inspiring, and the relationship between the two may require a few tissues. Their genuine affection definitely pulls you into the theme of what it means to value someone or something, all the while highlighting the meaning of family love, however that is defined for each of us.

'Hey Nonny Nonny!' 'Sigh No More!' Shakespeare's classic, playful comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, is this year's rip-roaring Season 5 opener for the vibrant, 30 by Ninety Theatre in Mandeville, Louisiana. This suburban playhouse, positioned just across the lake from New Orleans, is named for its' common latitude and longitude, but doesn't hold back on big city ambitions to invigorate, entertain, and challenge local audiences to grow from shared experiences through the stage. It is an idea not lost on Shakespeare himself nearly five millennials ago.

There's something truly cutting edge happening at a community theater just east of New Orleans in Slidell Louisiana, and it might just include a highly acclaimed haircut you can have there by day at Attractions Salon, but it is mostly what is happening in the back of the building at Cutting Edge Theater that really has folks buzzing - it is their latest production of…Hair: the American, tribal love, rock musical with book and lyrics by Gerome RagniJames Rado, and music by Galt MacDermot.  The show, with epic, recognizable hits like Age of Aquarius, Good Morning Starshine, and Let the Sun Shine In, evolved out of the hippie counterculture, anti-Vietnam protests, and sexual revolution of the late 1960's.  T