Heidi is a graduate student from New Orleans, Louisiana studying organizational communication. She currently works as a research assistant and undergraduate academic advisor at Southeastern Louisiana University. From a very early age Heidi has loved the performing arts, especially ballet and musical theatre, and aspires to share this through her writing.
 Summer Stages: BWW's Top Summer Theatre Picks – New Orleans
June 14, 2013
Well folks, it's 80 degrees and the sun is shining while it's raining. It is officially summertime in southern Louisiana, and you know what that means! It's time to talk about the summer theatre! I'm excited to say the New Orleans area calendar is looking mighty fine.
 BWW Reviews: Southern Rep Presents NEXT TO NORMAL
June 13, 2013
This past weekend Southern Rep wrapped their run of NEXT TO NORMAL, a rock musical with music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. The production was directed by Blake Coheley and featured Leslie Castay as Diana Goodman.
 BWW Interviews: WICKED National Tour's Curt Hansen
May 6, 2013
Hang on to your broomsticks and sparkly shoes, folks. Something WICKED is coming to New Orleans this week! Glinda and Elphaba are gracing The Big Easy with their magical presence for one month beginning this Wednesday, and they're bringing along their favorite fellow Ozians too!
 BWW Interviews: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET'S Kelly Lamont
April 16, 2013
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET features the music of legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. The four came together for one night only at Sun Records in Memphis, TN on December 4, 1956, and the show gives audiences an inside look on what could be considered the greatest "jam session" of all time. Audiences can expect to hear popular hits such as 'Blue Suede Shoes,' 'Hound Dog,' and 'I Walk the Line' along with 'Great Balls of Fire,' 'Fever,' and 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.' Below, Kelly Lamont, who plays Elvis' girlfriend Dyanne, speaks in depth about the story, the characters, the music, and her experiences with MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET.
 BWW Reviews: Broadway at NOCCA Featuring Sutton Foster
March 5, 2013
This past Saturday, producer Mark Cortale brought to the Lupin Theater stage a concert featuring the Tony Award winning, triple threat, ABC Family Bunheads actress Sutton Foster with Broadway pianist and Sirius XM radio star Seth Rudetsky. The concert was the second in the Broadway series to be held at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts this Spring.
 BWW Interviews: Rachelle Rak of Broadway-Bound FLASHDANCE
February 23, 2013
You've probably seen the movie, but what does FLASHDANCE the Musical have that the movie doesn't? One word. Sas. That's right ladies and gents. Broadway veteran Rachelle Rak has taken on the role of Tess in this brand new musical that is currently sweeping across the US.
 BWW Reviews: Jefferson Performing Arts Society Presents AVENUE Q
January 29, 2013
On Sunday, January 27 the Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS) ended their run of AVENUE Q at the North Star Theater in Mandeville, LA. AVENUE Q was once described to me as "Sesame Street for big people," and I do not think I have heard a more accurate description. The cast is made up of people and puppets, and includes very adult content. While there are many good lessons to be learned from this show, it is not for the easily offended. It takes sensitive subjects such as racism and homosexuality, and makes light of them in a blunt and honest way.
 BWW Reviews: Broadway at NOCCA: An Evening with Seth Rudetsky and Patti LuPone
January 9, 2013
Last night was the first concert in a series that producer Mark Cortale, along with SiriusXM radio star Seth Rudetsky, is brining to the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA). The first guest of the series was Patti LuPone, known for her roles in EVITA, LES MISERABLES, ANYTHING GOES, SWEENY TODD, and GYPSY among others. The format for the performance was very laid back. Discussion between Rudetsky and LuPone was intermingled with singing some of their favorite show tunes.
 BWW Interviews: JERSEY BOYS' Jason Kappus
January 7, 2013
Coming to the Mahalia Jackson Theater on January 8 is the national tour of the hit show JERSEY BOYS, which allows audiences a close up look at Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons' rise to stardom. The show features hit songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Walk Like a Man." I recently spoke with Jason Kappus, who plays Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio, about the show, the music, and life on tour.
 What to Look Forward to in 2013
January 5, 2013
This past year proved to be an exciting one for theatre in New Orleans, especially with the Broadway Across America tours that made their temporary homes in the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Up next in 2013, the Mahalia Jackson Theater will host Jersey Boys, Flashdance, Million Dollar Quartet, and Wicked. Also in 2013, Seth Rudetsky will host a concert series at NOCCA featuring Broadway Talents Patti LuPone, Sutton Foster, Megan Mullally, Audra McDonald, and Betty Buckley. You won't want to miss these events!
 BWW Interviews: MARY POPPINS' Karen Murphy
December 11, 2012
MARY POPPINS has been a Disney favorite for so many children, including myself, for quite some time. The story is one that most can relate to whether a child is learning about growing up and developing love and respect, or a parent is learning about nurturing their children and understanding that kids need time to just be kids. While the lessons of the story are important, it is the music, dance, and characters that truly make this story exciting and magical.
 BWW Interviews: LES MISERABLES' Jason Forbach
October 31, 2012
LES MISERABLES is one of the most beloved stories by theatre fans all around the globe. Based on the book by Victor Hugo, it tells the story of one man's fight for redemption and touches on the universal themes of forgiveness, love, and loyalty. Jason Forbach plays Enjolras in the current U.S. Tour cast. Originally from Kansas, Jason grew up playing music and later went on to earn a Master of Arts in vocal performance. He finally realized his passion for musical theatre and moved to New York to pursue the dream. Jason was kind enough to answer some questions about his experiences defending the barricades.
 BWW Interviews: STOMP's Andres Fernandez; Show Comes to New Orleans, 9/14
September 10, 2012
STOMP is a show unlike any other in the theatrical world. It features a cast of multi-talented performers from a variety of backgrounds, who use everyday objects such as brooms, paint cans, drumsticks, bins, and even tractor tire inner tubes to create music. I recently had the opportunity to speak with cast member Andres Fernandez. Mr. Fernandez, originally from Hawaii, has backgrounds in music and dance. In high school he played trombone, and later went on tour throughout Hawaii singing and dancing with his brother. He has now been a part of the STOMP cast for 15 years.
 BWW Reviews: Playmakers Bring Onstage Chemistry to LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
July 22, 2012
This 1960s inspired musical tells the tale of Seymour (Alexander Sibley), an assistant to Mr. Mushnik (Ed Morvant) at a skid row flower shop who discovers a new breed of plant that feeds on human flesh and blood. Seymour later finds love with Audrey (Charlotte Voelkel), rescues her from an abusive relationship with Dr. Scrivello (Cameron Welch) in a rather unconventional way, and they live happily ever after or do they?
 BWW Reviews: ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD - Perfect Comedy at New Orleans Shakespeare Fest.
July 2, 2012
The best way to describe ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD is to compare it to Disney's The Lion King 1 . The Lion King is loosely based on Shakespeare's HAMLET, and Simba's pals Timon and Pumba have often been associated with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. In The Lion King 1 , the audience watches the story unfold from the perspectives of Timon and Pumba. Similarly, in ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, the title characters enlighten their audience on their perspective of what was happening in Denmark. A prior knowledge of HAMLET makes this play much easier to understand.
 New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane Presents HAMLET, 6/17
June 19, 2012
Sunday, June 17 was The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival's first matinee performance of William Shakespeare's HAMLET, directed by Clare Moncrief. The show was held in Lupin Theater inside of Dixon Annex on Tulane University's campus.
 Summer Stages: BWW's Top Summer Theatre Picks - New Orleans!
June 7, 2012
Theatre in New Orleans this summer offers selections that cater to the Shakespeare lover as well as musicals that the whole family can enjoy. Here are the top 5 picks:
HAMLET will be playing at Dixon Performing Arts Center in June. This performance is part of the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival, which is hosted at Tulane University every summer (http://neworleansshakespeare.tulane.edu/blog/)
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