Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses is to host the upcoming presentation of 'Two Elizas' by Jenny Mercein, running from May 16th through May 19th. Hailed by critics as a "one-woman tour-de-force", this acclaimed solo show delves into the true story of Jenny's ancestor, Eliza Mercein Barry, and her groundbreaking 1847 U.S. Supreme Court case, Barry v. Mercein, which secured a woman's right to retain custody of her child. This 80-minute production, co-directed by Lori Elizabeth Parquet and Ryder Thornton, candidly addresses themes of mental illness and miscarriage, adding depth and emotional resonance to the performance. Click here for more information and tickets
With only 19 seats available, the intimate and exclusive dinner, crafted by Chef de Cuisine Kathryn Searcy, will feature perfectly prepared dishes paired with vintage wines from Do Ferreiro. The family-style tasting will feature an array of specialty plates not found on the Costera menu, as well as some signature classics. Priced at $95 per person (excluding tax and gratuity).
First Course Vermouth marinated olives Boquerones on sourdough with olive tapenade Crispy sweetbreads with lemon caper relish Jamon Iberico Second Course Seafood Paella Gulf fish with charred scallion aioli, roasted cauliflower & pepitas Papas bravas Escalivada with roasted summer vegetables Third Course Chef's choice of desserts *Wine pairings forthcoming The Costera wine dinner will occur on Wednesday, May 22nd, at 6:30 PM. For reservations, please call 504-302-2332. Costera is located at 4938 Prytania Street. The Virgin Hotels New Orleans is celebrating Memorial Day weekend with a variety of special programming, certain to entertain. The weekend kicks off with a celebratory Brunch at Commons Club, where guests can enjoy live entertainment and tantalizing new menu items from Executive Chef Chris Borges. Continue the fun all weekend long upstairs at The Pool Club, where live music, cocktail specials, and light bites await. Non-hotel guests can also choose to spend the entire day lounging by the pool with a specialty Day Pass at The Pool Club available for $50 per person.
Saturday, May 25th
We Didn't Doubt The Fire: Mrs Doubtfire @ The Saenger Theatre
Review by Dorian Hatchett Rob McClure and I were both born in 1982. That leads me to believe with some certainty that I can understand how absolutely enchanting the work of Robin Williams was to him as a child. I still carry a DVD of Dead Poets Society with me when I move (despite not having a DVD player for years) because there is something essential, even formative, about the way his acting style shaped my sense of what makes something funny. This also allows me to understand why Rob and would throw himself into a passion project like Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical, and when its Broadway run was truncated by industry complications brought on by Covid 19, would follow it by joining the North American tour. He plays the titular character, Mrs. Doubtfire, a clever ruse made up by jilted husband and father Daniel Hillard. Joining him on stage for the touring production is his real-life Spouse Maggie Lakis as Miranda Hillard. They have worked together before, having met on set in a production of Grease, and later working as puppeteers in Avenue Q. Their stage chemistry is undeniable, even playing divorced co-parents. Everything about this production is eye candy. It’s sweet and bright and not too complex. Following the story line of the movie pretty much exactly, the musical numbers are easy replacements for cinematography in a feel-good stage production full of easy laughs and physical comedy. McClure is a genius with impressions, and pulls out all the stops for comedic affect. Mixed into the dialogue are a smattering of current pop culture references that did not fail to bring laughter from the audience (there’s a special, delighted sound that rang ‘round the theatre when the caricature of Paula Deen suggests that 8 sticks of butter would be perfect for an easy-peasy recipe). Dance numbers are well choreographed, with the polish and flair befitting a true Broadway-level spectacle. There are laughs designed to register separately with both children and adults in the audience as double entendre, in the way that the best family comedies often do. It’s rare that I see a traveling production with a set design that rivals the shows I’ve seen on Broadway, but I feel a special mention needs to be made of the set design for this show. There are a host of different sets, including two different houses, a restaurant, the streets of San Francisco, a tv sound stage, and a wardrobe department, and each of them is as detailed and seamless as the last. The stage crew was flawless in their execution, and the lighting design kept the audience engaged in a way that was surprising in such a fast-paced show. The Saenger Theatre is a true gem for sound, and this show is no exception. Mrs. Doubtfire runs at the Saenger Theatre through May 19 Bat-tement Tendu: Dracula @ The Orpheum Theatre
Review by Dorian Hatchett Shirtless vampire air guitar is a scene in this New Orleans Ballet Theatre production of Dracula, and it's an entire vibe. I knew I was in for an interesting evening just looking at the audience. The juxtaposition of typical ballet patrons to every high glam goth in New Orleans entertained the wait for curtain. The show - choreographed by Oliver Halkowich - is a masterclass in mashing up classical themes and modern cultural tropes. I have never laughed out loud at the ballet before tonight. The dancers were exemplary story tellers. Aaron Wiggins as Renfield is mania personified. I could write an entire review about his frantic, often heartbreaking, rendition of a servant locked into madness and desperation. Josh Reynolds' Dracula is a cavalier rock star, backed by his casket girl company of writhing succubi. Jonathan Harker (Tristan Hanson) is clearly dealing not only with Mina's attraction to the count, but his own conflicted interests in the villainous Lothario. The set is austere. Costumes and movements were so on the nose that to tell the tale of decadence and oblivion needed no further elaboration. A casket for Mina, a window frame for insight into Johnathon's mind, and backdrops of castle walls were everything we required. The music is chosen for its specificity, not for its time period. (How did I not notice before that Day-O is the quintessential song for supernatural misadventure hangover?) While the majority of scenes are intimate, there are scenes throughout where the principal characters find themselves among the townspeople, and the skill of the choreographer really shines here. The dancers utilize the entire stage, whether there is one focal point or a dozen. Crowd scenes are beautifully proportioned to contain a collection of conversations between characters, without feeling overwhelming. Click here for more information about New Orleans Ballet Theatre About to Snap: Civil War
There have been some negative reactions to director Alex Garland’s (28 Days Later, Ex Machina) provocative-titled thriller, Civil War. The backdrop is enticingly dramatic: in an unspecified near future, The United States of America is divided into warring regional factions. It’s full-out war, with violent guerilla units in the streets and heavy artillery blasting neon jets across the night skies. And yet, this film is not really about that, and I think that’s where the disappointment might lie. Yes, the civil war exists, but Garland doesn’t really dissect it. We have no idea who anybody is politically, and with developments such as Texas and California aligning, we can safely say we’re in fantasy territory. If you’re hoping for a bloodthirsty onslaught, where your side sticks it to the other, then this is not the film for you. Nothing is defined on a macro level (an intelligent choice, I think) - this is all about the personal. It’s a road trip, a buddy movie, a dissection of journalism and a tribute to the war correspondents that Garland grew up around as the son of a political cartoonist. Kirsten Dunst plays conflict-hardened war photographer Lee Smith (a nominative genuflection to real-life WWII photographer Lee Miller), and the movie tracks her odyssey from New York to Washington D.C. to track down the President (Nick Offerman). Manhattan feels like 1973 Phnom Penh at the end of the Cambodian War, with the press holed up in a hotel, drinking through the power cuts. Here we meet Smith’s colleague Joel (Wagner Moura), a charismatic, gung-ho thrill seeker, as well as veteran correspondent Sammy (Stephen McKinley-Henderson) and young upstart Jessie (Cailee Spainey). There seems to be a real trend in modern media to have a battle-scarred elder transport a vulnerable innocent along a treacherous journey (cf. The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, etc), and this movie broadly falls into that category. In their trusty press truck, the gang set out across a lawless country. We encounter local militia, rogue army units, refugee camps, death squads and isolated men fighting personal battles. There’s even a bucolic small town where it’s business as usual, the clothing boutiques open and quotidian life continuing despite the snipers on the roofs. There’s brutality (especially the jarring cameo by Jessie Plemmons), danger and a sense of chaos. It’s a very analogue war, with automatic weapons and film cameras rather than drones and digital media. Smith is Jessie’s hero, and there’s a sharp learning curve as the experienced, decorated war photographer (“You took that legendary picture of the Antifa Massacre,” Jessie gushes) educates the inexperienced snapper in the most grueling on-the-job training imaginable. It’s a visceral experience, with gorily bleeding casualties, mass graves and gunpoint negotiations all a part of everyday life. Garland has taken pains to make this a very personal film. Civil War is less about politics and is more concerned with the documentation of atrocity and how it shapes its witnesses. It values poetic truths and intimacy, and I’d argue it’s a better film for it. (PO) The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane has announced its highly-anticipated 2024 season, featuring a captivating array of Shakespearean classics and innovative performances.
This year's season opens with an uproarious production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield. Directed by Graham Burk, this comedic whirlwind will take audiences on a roller coaster ride through all of Shakespeare's plays in just 90 minutes. Featuring the dynamic talents of Keith Claverie, Ian Hoch, and Lauren Malara, this fast-paced romp is set to delight both devoted Shakespeare aficionados and newcomers alike. Preview performances begin on June 6, with the official opening night celebration on June 7. Performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday matinee, Saturday evening, and Sunday matinee from June 7 – June 16. Following this comedic tour de force, the Festival presents Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, Julius Caesar, directed by Salvatore Mannino. From July 12 to July 21, audiences will witness this gripping saga of ambition, honor, and betrayal unfold on stage. Julius Caesar stars Silas Cooper in the title role and New Orleans’ favorites James Bartelle, Wendy Miklovic, and Erin Cessna. Preview performances commence on July 11, with the opening night celebration on July 12. Performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday matinee, Saturday evening, and Sunday matinee from July 12 – July 21. In addition to the main stage productions, the Festival is proud to present two new lagniappe events that promise to push the boundaries of traditional theater. On June 22, for one night only, audiences will experience (un)prompted Shakespeare. This daring experiment features actors rehearsing and performing Shakespeare's classic tragedy Macbeth in a single day, without the aid of scripts, but with the lines projected as supertitles. Additionally, on July 17, another new show will debut, The Fools Ensemble presents A Very Important Play. In this hilarious fusion of improv and Shakespeare, audiences will witness the birth of a brand-new 'Shakespearean' play, crafted in real- time by the talented improvisers of The Fools Ensemble. After its July premiere, Julius Caesar (directed by Salvatore Mannino) will return in January 2025 for the Performance for the Schools series, where over 5,000 students across the Gulf South will get to experience the brilliance of Shakespeare. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, by phone, or online via the website at: www.neworleansshakespeare.org New balls, please: Challengers
As if being one of the tennis balls so thoroughly thwacked in this tennis-themed love triangle, I was back and forth on this movie. There was a lot to enjoy, as well as some less engaging aspects that left me firmly on the fence, or in this case, the net. The plot is fairly straightforward: two very close young friends fall in love with the same woman, a fellow tennis phenomenon, who courts (pun very much intended) both of their affections. The dynamics of this lusty triangle are tested as their careers lurch in very different directions. Starting with the positives, the three leads combine with infectious chemistry, especially when the two tennis players (Mike Faist as Art Donaldson and Josh O’Connor as Patrick Zweig) trade loving quips or, eventually, pointed barbs. Their love interest, Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) motivates much of their bonding and conflicts, and Zendaya pulls off a confident, mature performance. There’s some dazzlingly innovative cinematography as we inhabit the point of view of the dueling players on court and even the tennis ball. Shots hurtle violently down the camera lens, almost threatening to burst out of the screen (and this without the need for 3D glasses). For me, though, some artistic choices landed out of bounds. Some of the more emotional scenes are hijacked by a jarring, intrusive synth soundtrack that feels out of place. I’m generally a fan of composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross moody electronica, but here it seems ill-employed. I also felt that some of the non-game edits are unnecessarily busy, and there’s a pacing issue that could have been avoided with a heavier hand on the cut. This movie does not need to be over two hours long. That said, the nonlinear structure works well as a gradual reveal of a couple of twists, and though some other reviews seem to suggest it’s confusing, the time periods are all very obviously titled. The story naturally culminates in a tense face off, and though the ending might be divisive, I think director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, Suspiria) made the right call here. In turns ebullient, sexy and dramatic, Challengers is an engaging match up, thriving more on court than off. (PO) Costera
The wildly popular coastal Spanish restaurant & bar, and sister location to Northern Italian restaurant Osteria Lupo, Costera offers an enticing Happy Hour Wednesday-Sunday from 4PM-6PM. Visitors can enjoy select cocktails ranging from $5-$6, including Basque Terrace with Atxa Rojo, Blanco, or Quilles Rojo Vermouth, tonic, and citrus; Going Back to Kaliwith Fernet Branca, Tempranillo, citrus, and Coca-Cola; Rebujito with La Guita Manzanilla, grapefruit, lime, and soda; The Innocent with Valdespino Fino, lime, and mint; On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink with watermelon, basil, citrus, and cava; and the Costera Dirty Martini with Luksusowa, and house brine blend. Tapas include citrus and vermouth Marinated Olives; Beet Salad with spiced walnuts and Spanish blue cheese; Papas Bravas with aioli and piquillo pepper puree; and beef shank and potato Bombas with aioli and piquillo pepper. All beer and glasses of wine are also half-priced. Costera is located at 4938 Prytania Street. costerarestaurant.com Commons Club Executive Chef Chris Borges highlights a brunch menu of seasonally-inspired dishes rich with influences from the West Coast and the Mediterranean, all with a delightful New Orleans touch at Commons Club. Every Wednesday - Sunday from 9AM-2PM, take part in the bottomless bubbles brunch and relish in the Sweet Potato Buttermilk 9 Drop Doughnut with marshmallow fluff brulee, and toasted pecans maple glaze; Gulf Shrimp & 24 Bayou Cora Grits with New Orleans-style BBQ gulf shrimp, andouille Bayou Cora heirloom grits, corn, and worcestershire sauce; Blueberry and Lemon Waffle - vanilla waffle, blueberry compote sweet lemon ricotta, and powdered sugar; Commons Club Breakfast - bacon or turkey sausage, grits, toast, and two eggs to order; and Mushroom Frittata - roasted assorted mushrooms, tomato truffle essence, farmer’s cheese, and herbs (add smoked salmon for an additional charge). Bottomless bubbles options include mimosas or Veuve Clicquot. The restaurant also offers a variety of specialty cocktails from Lead Bartender Heather Blanchard. Commons Club is located at 550 Baronne Street. virginhotels.com/new-orleans/eat-drink/commons-club Beggars Banquet Named after the famous Rolling Stones album, Beggars Banquet is the Lower Garden District’s new American bar and bistro under the direction of the Dilonno family. Chef Michael Dilonno invites guests to savor Pear Toast with sweet ricotta, roasted pears, hot honey and pecans; Steak and Eggs with two eggs, grilled hanger steak, hash browns, hollandaise, and buttermilk biscuits; Get Shorty with boneless short ribs, poached eggs, English muffin, hollandaise sauce, and potato hash; Stuffed French Toast with cream cheese and fresh strawberries; Crabby Benny with poached eggs, fresh gulf crab meat, remoulade, English muffin, hollandaise, and potato hash; Banquet Breakfast - two eggs any style, bacon, house sausage, hash browns, and buttermilk biscuit; and Mascarpone Grits. Brunch takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30AM - 3PM. The restaurant also offers a variety of specialty cocktails and non-alcoholic options. Happy hour is a good time at Beggars Banquet every Wednesday - Sunday from 4PM-6PM at the bar. Delight in $9 cocktails, including Fish House Punch with rum, cognac, peach, lemon, and tea; Lavender Collins with Fords Gin, lavender, lemon, and bubbles; Paloma with tequila, lime, grapefruit, simple syrup, and soda; Negroni with Ford’s Gin, Cocchi Vermouth, and Campari; Parlor Old Fashioned with Old Forester Bourbon, sarsaparilla, and vanilla; and a Cosmo with Lairds Vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and lime. $9 bites include Sriracha Cauliflower - lightly battered, tajin, cucumber chips, and greens; Ahi Tuna - 10 spice tuna seared rare, seaweed salad, and wasabi aioli; Fried Green Tomatoeswith burrata, balsamic reduction, baby arugula, extra virgin olive oil, lemon, and sea salt; and $12 sandwiches including Crispy Chicken with key lime aioli, hot honey, and Boston lettuce; and Beggars Bahn Mi - char siu pork belly or charred broccolini, house pickles, cucumber, jalapeno, spicy kewpie mayo and cilantro. $7 house wines and $5 beer are also available. Beggars Banquet is located at 1330 Prytania Street. www.beggarsbanquetneworleans.com Alma Cafe Helmed by Executive Chef/Owner Melissa Araujo, who was recently named semifinalist for James Beard: Best Chef South 2024, Alma Cafe pays tribute to Chef Melissa’s Honduran heritage and celebrates the Central American culture, food, and music Araujo grew up with. Served daily, Monday - Sunday from 8AM - 3PM, diners can enjoy signature Honduran and modern dishes such as Fritas Hondureñas — fried homemade flour tortillas, refried beans, homemade cream, and queso fresco; Baleada Sencilla with two eggs, refried beans, homemade cream, queso fresco, and avocado served on a homemade flour tortilla. Add choice of chorizo, bacon, mushrooms, pork, brisket (extra charge); Melissa's Pancakes with six small pancakes, homemade crema Fresca, strawberry jam, and powdered sugar; La Louisiane Omelet - choice of lump Louisiana blue crab or shrimp, spinach, mushrooms, and herbs goat cheese add or mix both Louisiana blue crab and gulf shrimp; Charlotte Bowl - homemade yogurt, granola, locally sourced berries, seasonal jams, lemon zest, and rose petals; and Celebration of Tomatoes. Alma Cafe also has a variety of killer cocktails by lead mixologist Mark Preston including Alma Cafe’s Chef’s Old Fashioned, Red Rum Paloma, and Smoke Rosemary Negroni Sour. Additionally, visitors can savor an assortment of Honduran coffee. Alma Café is located at 800 Louisa Street in the Bywater neighborhood. eatalmanola.com Birdy’s The charming Instagram-worthy spot serves brunch seven days a week from 8AM-2PM, Monday-Friday, and 8AM - 3PM on Saturday and Sunday. Savor in the Eggs in “Pigatory” with crispy pork belly, sweet peppers, onions, poached egg, and toast; Birdy’s Burger - two smashed patties, crispy onions, aged cheddar, bibb lettuce, tomato, creole aioli, pickles, brioche bun, served with a side salad; Mushroom and Sushi Rice Bowl with lemongrass, house-made kimchi, pickled peppers, carrot, green onion, soft boiled egg, and soy mushroom broth; Bruleed Bananas Foster Waffle with vanilla ice cream, and powdered sugar; and their Brunch Board offers everything you could ever dream of, including donuts, granola, slab bacon, hot coppa, bubble waffle, fruit, seasonal jam, mini cookies, mini pancakes, house syrup, triple crème brie, and soft-boiled eggs. A plethora of brunch cocktails are also on offer, including a rotating Brunch Punch. birdysnola.com The Bower Bar Under the direction of Beverage Director Mickey Mullins, the cocktail program at Bower Bar is one not-to-be-missed, as is the food from Executive Chef Marcus Woodham. Enjoy Happy Hour at the Bower Bar Monday-Friday from 4PM-6PM and sip on $6 house wine and signature cocktails ($5-$7), which include the Classic Martini, Old Fashioned, Paloma, and Frozen Half Pour. Food offerings ($7-$12) include discounted charcuterie plates, cheese plates, cacio e pepe, Bower potatoes, spicy scallop arancini, whipped feta, and truffle bread. The Bower Bar is located in the Framework Building at 1320 Magazine Street. www.thebowernola.com Tujague’s Serving authentic New Orleans cuisine, Tujague’s is the birthplace of the tradition we now know as brunch. Diners can indulge in brunch highlights from Executive Chef Gus Martin, which include Shrimp and Grits - pan seared gulf shrimp simmered in a New Orleans-style BBQ sauce, served over stone ground grits; Gulf Shrimp Remoulade with fried green tomato, pickled red onion, chopped boiled egg, and baby greens; Eggs Madison with chorizo sausage, onion, potatoes and cheddar cheese hash, topped with fried eggs and chimichurri; and Tujague's Chicken Biscuit - fried chicken thigh glazed with Crystal honey sauce, served on a buttermilk biscuit with country gravy. Tujague’s also offers an unbeatable $22 bottomless mimosa deal. Brunch is available Friday from 11AM - 2:30PM; Saturday and Sunday from 10AM-2:30 PM. Tujague’s is located at 429 Decatur Street. tujaguesrestaurant.com Compere Lapin Compere Lapin - the Caribbean-meets-Louisiana restaurant offers a delectable Sunday Brunch from 10:30AM - 2PM. Starters include Tater Tots with crème fraiche and caviar; the famed CL Buttermilk Biscuits with jam and whipped ricotta; a Bagel with tuna tartare, Calabrian cream cheese, and soft herbs; Deviled Egg Toast with bacon chili crunch and greens; and Vanilla Brulèed Grapefruit. Mains include Pork Belly Hash with roasted vegetables; Hot Fire Chicken with biscuits and pickles; French Toast with chantilly cream and rum caramel; Gulf Shrimp and Grits with sauce Creole; and Croque Madame with pimento cheese, hand, and eggs. Guests can end on a sweet note with Nina’s signature Bread Pudding with bananas foster, buttermilk ice cream; and Mango Crème Brûlée with coconut and berries. Enjoy boozy brunch offerings like Sur-prise Me and Flowers for Jackie. A Bottomless Brunch Punch is also on offer for $25 per person. Compere Lapin is located at 535 Tchoupitoulas Street. comperelapin.com Peacock Room at Kimpton Hotel Fontenot is hosting a special Mom's Night Out event on Saturday, May 11, 6-9 p.m.
The public is invited (and especially moms!) to treat themselves to cocktails, beats and a custom hat by Sorellas. Explore Farrah Lefort's curated hat bar and vintage clothing pop-up, along with beats from DJ Nice Rack. And of course, enjoy the drinks and bites from the Peacock Room menu. Reservations can be made online at peacockroomnola.com. |
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