Heidi Scheuermann - Page 2

If someone told you they had the secret to eternal life and they wanted to share it with you, would you take them up on the offer? It sounds pretty good, right? Living forever. Getting to see the highs and lows of humanity, travel the world, experience different cultures, live through every period of time to ever exist, have the most diverse wardrobe imaginable (gotta keep up with the times, right?), maybe even solve some of the world's greatest mysteries or cure a disease, and all the while avoid what we fear the most... death. If you could, would you?

This year, New Orleans has had just about as white of a Christmas as we've seen in quite a while. With the excitement of last week's snowfall and Christmas coming up on Monday, the touring production of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS couldn't have come to the Saenger Theater at a more perfect time.

Ok, so here's the deal THE LAST FIVE YEARS is one of my favorite shows of all time, and I kid you not this production at Le Petit is way more than I ever expected it to be! Truly. It's very difficult to love an original cast recording with all your heart, and then to go see a regional production of that same show without being disappointed. However, under the brilliant direction of Michael E. McKelvey, Meredith Owens (Cathy) and Adair Watkins (Jamie) completely won me over!

Great title for a show, right? It definitely had me intrigued from the start. When I walked into the 30 x Ninety's intimate little theater (which, by the way, has been souped up since last time I was there raked seating and all) and saw the set, I had a feeling this wasn't going to be anything like what I was expecting. Honestly, I don't even know what I was expecting, but I could tell anything that I could've ever imagined to expect out of a play called THE BOY IN THE BATHROOM was the complete opposite of everything this show would be about. And, I was right.

Opening tonight at the Saenger Theatre is the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic THE KING AND I. It's the story of an English governess who is brought to the court of Siam to educate the king's children and wives at a time when Siam is in danger of Western colonialism and women are still used as a peace offering between nations. With familiar songs like Getting to Know You and Shall We Dance, this is a gorgeous show with an incredible message of compassion, compromise, and empowerment that audiences of all ages can learn from and enjoy.

Calling all Parrotheads! This week the musical starting the music of Jimmy Buffett, ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, opens at the Saenger Theatre! If you need to escape reality for a couple of hours, sink your toes in the sand, and breathe in that fresh island air, this is the show for you. As New Orleanians, we have sort of laid claim on Jimmy Buffett, although he is originally from Pascagoula, Mississippi, because over the course of his entire career he has brought his music and lifestyle straight to our hometown.

I love musicals. I love most all musicals. There's hardly ever a musical I come across that I don't like. For the most part, musicals are usually lively, fun, and lighthearted stories set to upbeat music with killer dance numbers. FUN HOME isn't really that type of musical, but it does happen to be among the musicals that I truly think are going to change the world.

Friday night marked opening night of The NOLA Project's first musical in years. What did they choose? URINETOWN, THE MUSICAL of course. What else would/could a cutting edge theatre company who is known for occasionally pushing the envelope invite its audience members to experience other than a perfectly dystopian and a hilariously dark musical about a town whose residents must pay to pee? Yes, you heard that right. Pay. To. Pee.

Alright y'all, here's the deal. Once in a while I have tickets to a show that I've only vaguely heard of before much less know what it's about. Sometimes I walk out of the theatre shaking my head, but then there's times I walk out of the theatre thinking, 'Ok, why have I never seen this before? Everyone needs to know about this!' ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at Le Petit Theatre prompted that second reaction out of me.

This past weekend, Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS) in partnership with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), created the most magical and beautiful synergy of cinema and music that I have ever experienced.  I'm not even exaggerating!  I think I can speak for the rest of the audience as well when I say this the very best way (not only way, because it doesn't happen often enough) to experience the world that author J.K. Rowling created.  While Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone played on the big screen, the LPO was dressed in black with their instruments held high as they played the ENTIRE score from the very first twinkle to the end credits.  

If you need a break from this summer's wet 'n wild weather, swim on over to Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts for some inside fun as you enjoy their last show of the 2016-2016 season: Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID.

Coming to the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans beginning tomorrow night is the show that brings us all of the music of ABBA, and all of the energy of a three month old puppy: MAMMA MIA! It tells the story of Sophie, a young woman who is the daughter of a single mother and taverna owner, who is about to get married to the love of her life and embark upon a new journey. She, like other brides, wants her father to walk her down the aisle and give her away, but there's just one problem… she doesn't know who her dad is!

This week, through May 14th, the good people of New Orleans have the opportunity to experience the story of Peter Pan like never before. FINDING NEVERLAND gives us an inside look at the life of the beloved story's author, J.M. Barrie, and teaches us not only how he was inspired to write about the boy who could fly, but to learn to fly ourselves!

If you loved the movie The Bodyguard, you're in luck because now there's a stage musical that originated in London that's on tour all across the United States right now, and they're paying New Orleans a visit this week. THE BODYGUARD is opening tonight at the Saenger Theatre, and if you're ready to hear R&B/pop recording artist and actress (Film: Akeelah and the Bee, Hotel Rwanda; Broadway: AIDA, JEKYLL & HYDE) Deborah Cox belt her face off then this is a show you're not going to want to miss out on.

Opening tonight for a 4 day only run in the Schulte Auditorium at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana is a new, original musical produced by Dumb Ox Ministries, and written by Joey Martineck with music by Greg&Lizzy. Joey Martineck is currently studying to be a Catholic priest at Notre Dame Seminary, and was inspired to write a musical modern re-telling of the Biblical story of Adam and Eve when he was listening to the album "To the Dust" that Greg&Lizzy had created about the wonders of human love. Greg&Lizzy are a husband and wife writing and recording artist duo who consider their music a ministry, and wish to share the human experience with others.

Tonight at the Saenger Theatre we will be treated to a week long stay of recent Broadway hit BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Lots of us know Carole King's music, but how many of us know how she became the musical legend that she is today? This show takes us through her young life as a budding artist, and all of the trials and tribulations she faces as she finds her way in the music world. This is not one to miss, folks!

This weekend marked the first weekend in a three-weekend run of BILLY ELLIOT at Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts. It's not very often that I walk into a theater to see a show that I know little to nothing about, and it's usually a nice surprise. This production was no exception. If you're like me and have no prior knowledge on what BILLY ELLIOT is about other than dancing, rest assured that along with wonderful dancing comes a very touching story about a boy who is trying to pursue his newfound dream while earning his father's affection during a very trying time in history. In other words, expect to be impressed.

This week one of the most beloved Disney stories of all time opens at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. THE LION KING tells the story of Simba, a little lion who returns to his home to take his rightful place as the king of Pride Rock. With colorful music written by Elton John and Tim Rice, choreography by Garth Fagan, and direction by Julie Taymor, the story comes to life on stage like nothing that's ever been seen before. Beautiful costumes, masks, and puppets that the actors use make for a gorgeous production and magical experience for the audience.

Returning to New Orleans this week is the musical that made the world fall in love with the Four Seasons all over again, JERSEY BOYS. First a superstar boy group from Jersey, then a hit musical, next a movie, and now we're getting to see the show once again on tour! Whether you realize it or not you know the music, so come see the story behind the music where all the "magic" happened.

The timing of Rivertown's production of 1776 couldn't have been more perfect. Just in time for the 2016 Presidential Election, audiences were reminded why despite all of the… let's call it shenanigans… surrounding this election, 240 years ago our founding fathers decided to write and sign a declaration that would free our country from being under Britain's rule.