What to Look Forward to in 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. The first to visit the Mahalia for the 2012-2013 season was STOMP: an exhilarating musical event featuring actors, dancers, and musicians who use common such as brooms and buckets to create a percussion symphony of sorts. Next, was the always-stunning LES MISERABLES: a story of redemption and the power of love set to a gorgeous operatic musical score. Finally, Disney's MARY POPPINS graced the stage of the Mahalia with its magic, attracting audiences of all ages. You were good to us, 2012.

Up next in 2013, the Mahalia Jackson Theater will be host to four more national tours starting with JERSEY BOYS, which opens on January 8. JERSEY BOYS tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, four boys from New Jersey and their rise to stardom. FLASHDANCE will have a six night run at the Mahalia starting February 26, and features popular songs from the movie of the same title such as "Flashdance - What a Feeling" and "I Love Rock & Roll." MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET rolls into the Mahalia Jackson Theater on April 16, telling the story of the one and only night that Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins came together in the studio as a band. And once again, WICKED, the story of the two witches of OZ, will open at the Mahalia on May 8.

Also to look forward to in 2013 is the Broadway in New Orleans series that producer Mark Cortale will bring to the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA). SiriusXM radio star Seth Rudetsky will act as both host and pianist for the concerts. The concert series will feature Broadway talents Patti LuPone (January 7), Sutton Foster (March 2), Megan Mullally (April 6), Audra McDonald (May 18), and Betty Buckley (June 1).

For more information and tickets for these events, visit the Mahalia Jackson Theater and Broadway at NOCCA. You won't want to miss these!