Le Petit Theatre Announces 95th Season

The 95th season at Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré on Jackson Square in the French Quarter promises an exciting lineup of new and classic Broadway musicals and Tony Award-winning shows on the Main Stage, progressive Off-Broadway hits on the Muriel's Cabaret Stage, educational programming for young actors, new opportunities for young and emerging actors and playwrights, an innovative New Works Festival and the return of the much-loved Children's Corner series.
"The 95th season invigorates our long, proud history in the New Orleans theatre community and signals our excited march toward offering a century of activity in one of the most historic theater properties in the country," says Gary Solomon, Jr., Le Petit Theatre managing director. "We are fully committed to increasing our commitment to presenting quality theatre to our audiences and to helping the next generation of New Orleans performers achieve their goals. Between the incredible lineup of shows and the new educational programs, New Orleanians of every age and interest will find a reason to be excited about Le Petit Theatre."

2010 - 2011 PRODUCTIONS & EVENTS
The 95th Season kicks off on September 11 with Encore!, Le Petit Theatre's annual gala and largest fundraiser of the year. More than 300 patrons gather to enjoy a show-stopping evening of performance, food and spirits, and exciting silent and live auctions.

THE MAIN STAGE offers the best of Broadway, new and reprised. Each run includes one Broadway Bridge all-day workshop for young thespians (see details below).
Hairspray - the New Orleans premier of the Tony Award-winning hit! - Sept. 17 - Oct. 3, 2010
Soul Doctor - the brand new musical chronicling the journey of Shlomo Carlebach - Nov. 5 - 21, 2010
White Christmas* - the return of the Irving Berlin classic holiday musical - Dec. 10 - 26, 2010
Frost/Nixon - the retelling of the David Frost/Richard Nixon interviews - Jan. 28, 2010 - Feb. 13, 2011
The Drowsy Chaperone - the hilarious musical comedy - April 7 - 24, 2011
Evita - a stark interpretation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical masterpiece - June 10 - 26, 2011
Disney's High School Musical* - the stage version of the successful Disney movie - July 14 - 31, 2011
* indicates a special addition to standard 95th Season packages

MURIEL'S CABARET STAGE features an eclectic, adult-geared season of Off-Broadway hits in an intimate cabaret setting.

The New Century - the hilarious gay comedy by Paul Rudnick - Aug. 19 - Sept. 5, 2010
Bug - the dramatic Off-Broadway stage thriller and feature film by Tracy Letts - Jan. 6 - 23, 2011
Lobby Hero - an edgy dark comedy by playwright Kenneth Lonergan - May 12 - 29, 2011

LE PETIT THEATRE'S CHILDREN'S CORNER, back by popular demand and under the direction of Children's Corner veteran Heidi P. Junius, the much-beloved series returns with Saturday and Sunday afternoon productions to delight New Orleans' youngest theatre-goers and their families. Here is where many of New Orleans theater mainstays were first inspired to tread the boards. Many Children's Corner alumni are now involved in every aspect of professional theater throughout the country.

Chicken Little - Ricky Graham's side-splitting retelling of the classic story of the sky falling - Oct. 9 - 17, 2010
The Emperor's New Clothes - the hilarious story of an emperor in his boxer shorts - Nov. 20 - 28, 2010
The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf - the wolf faces a judge about havoc created in fairy-tale land - Feb. 21 - 20, 2011
The Frog Prince -the Brothers Grimm tale of a young prince turned into a frog by an evil witch - June 25 - July 3, 2011

EMERGING ARTISTS PROGRAMS

NEW WORKS MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL - co-sponsored by the Office of Entertainment Industry Development, a division of Louisiana Economic Development. This new arts initiative, designed to encourage up-and-coming musical theatre composers, writers and lyricists, will accept submitted works from around the globe. Three finalists' works will be presented in staged readings on the Muriel's Cabaret Stage. One winning presentation will be chosen from among these to produce a fully staged production on the Muriel's Cabaret Stage during the 2011/2012 season. The Festival will be held March 13 - 20, 2011. Deadline for submission is October 29, 2010. For more information, registration and submission requirements, visit www.lepetittheatre.com or www.LouisianaEntertainment.gov.

BROADWAY BRIDGE - Held in collaboration with NOCCA, and under the supervision of NOCCA's Chair of Musical Theatre and Dance, Blake Coheley, Le Petit Theatre's new all-day workshop series for young artists provides the perfect opportunity for young stars, grades 7 - 11. Wrapped around a single Sunday matinee of each Main Stage production, Broadway Bridge combines hands-on learning and entertainment through master-classes, social interaction and performance. Each participant gets a behind-the-scenes look at the process of putting together a professional production. Registration ($40 per production or $100 for a 3-workshop package) includes lunch and a matinee ticket.