WHAT'S ON STAGE IN NEW ORLEANS, MAY 2026
King Lear storms into the Lupin Theatre this month
New orleans on stage: SELECTED THEATER AND SHOWS, MAY 2026
1st
Re|Rite - NOCCA Spring Dance Concert
6.30pm @ Freda Lupin Memorial Hall, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
An evening of dance inspired by seven powerful elements of spring: rebirth and renewal, growth and development, hope and optimism, balance and harmony, transition and change, joy and celebration, and a deep connection with nature.
1st-2nd
The Oldest Profession – A solo show by Kaytlin Bailey
7pm @ The Actor's Apothecary
Kaytlin Bailey offers a new angle on the world’s oldest profession, reframing the story of western civilization. Weaving history, stand-up comedy, and lived experience in a fast-paced show. More info
1st-May 17th
God of Carnage
Le Petite Theatre
What happens when two sets of parents meet up to deal with a playground altercation between their eleven-year-old boys? A calm and rational debate between grown-ups about the need to teach kids how to behave properly? Or a hysterical night of name-calling, tantrums, and tears before bedtime? Kids will be kids, but the adults are worse. More info
7th
LPO: Firebird
Orpheum Theatre
Embark on an electrifying journey from the vibrant plains of Argentina to the heart of Eastern Europe and beyond with the energetic Four Dances from Estancia by Alberto Ginastera, Bela Bartók’s brilliantly folk-infused Dance Suite, and Stravinsky’s fiery favorite, Firebird Suite. More info
7th-24th
Primary Trust
Contemporary Arts Center
Every night after work, Kenneth meets his best friend Bert for mai tais at Wally's, his favorite tiki bar. It's a simple life — but it's his. Then, without warning, Kenneth loses the only job he's ever known and is forced out into a world he's spent his whole life quietly avoiding. What happens next is funny, heartbreaking, and completely unexpected. More info
8th-17th
Cherries Jubilee
Westwego Performing Arts Center
Set in the Garden District of New Orleans, this award winning show, written for women by women, tells the story of 5 friends as they navigate life over the course of four decades. More info
9th-10th
NOBT Presents: Cinderella
Orpheum Theatre
A new version of the classic ballet.
12th-17th
Book of Mormom
Saenger Theatre
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, working alongside Robert Lopez, have constructed a musical that's deeply irreverent on the surface, yet underpinned by a genuine warmth. Beneath all the gleeful provocation there is something almost tender about two mismatched missionaries fumbling their way through Uganda. It is, in the end, a musical about the stories we tell ourselves to get through the darkness — served with raucous, and technically dazzling showmanship. More info
14th-17th
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Azienda Theatre
When Randle P. McMurphy storms into Nurse Ratched’s ward, the battle lines are drawn, and the human spirit hangs in the balance. This play is both darkly funny and deeply heartbreaking, revealing the courage it takes to defy oppression and hold onto hope. More info
15th-30th
Medea
Lafitte Greenway
The Ancient Greeks invented theatre, and The NOLA Project is paying tribute by going classical to close out Season 21. Audiences have been captivated by one woman’s quest for vengeance as far back as 431 BC. In this modern translation, Euripides’ themes continue to ring true – maybe now more than ever. More info
15th-31st
Cinderella
Stunning visuals, a lush score, and a heroine who takes charge of her own destiny, this Cinderella dazzles from curtain up to happily ever after. More info
17th
Neal Todten – Six Sketches for Two Dancers and Ensemble
Marigny Opera House
Neal Todten presents his multidisciplinary work including electric organ, saxophone, mallet percussion, & dance. More info
Louisiana Baroque Chamber Orchestra : Baroque Spring Concert – THE FOUR SEASONS
New Marigny Theatre
The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi. LABCO seeks to revive and celebrate Baroque music through authentic, historically-informed performances. The project aims to develop a vibrant Baroque chamber orchestra engaging diverse musicians of various ages and backgrounds. More info
18th
New Orleans Civic Symphony
New Marigny Theatre
A free concert including works by Mendelssohn and Beethoven.
22nd - June7th
King Lear
Lupin Theatre
A father divides his kingdom and fractures the world. King Lear is a devastating exploration of power, family, and survival, as a ruler’s fatal misjudgment unleashes betrayal, madness, and loss. As reason slips and compassion struggles to survive, the play asks what endures when everything else is lost. More info
24th
Nahum Thelonius Zdybel Plays The Music Of Thelonious Sphere Monk
New Marigny Theatre
29th
Nola Winds Quintet
Marigny Opera House
An ever-evolving ensemble of musicians, dedicated to sharing the excitement and challenge of chamber music. More info
29th - June 8th
Hurricane Diane
Big Couch
In this Obie-winning comedy with a twist, Pulitzer Prize finalist Madeleine George pens a hilarious evisceration of the blind eye we all turn to climate change and the bacchanalian catharsis that awaits us, even in our own backyards. Through June 8th. More info
Re|Rite - NOCCA Spring Dance Concert
6.30pm @ Freda Lupin Memorial Hall, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
An evening of dance inspired by seven powerful elements of spring: rebirth and renewal, growth and development, hope and optimism, balance and harmony, transition and change, joy and celebration, and a deep connection with nature.
1st-2nd
The Oldest Profession – A solo show by Kaytlin Bailey
7pm @ The Actor's Apothecary
Kaytlin Bailey offers a new angle on the world’s oldest profession, reframing the story of western civilization. Weaving history, stand-up comedy, and lived experience in a fast-paced show. More info
1st-May 17th
God of Carnage
Le Petite Theatre
What happens when two sets of parents meet up to deal with a playground altercation between their eleven-year-old boys? A calm and rational debate between grown-ups about the need to teach kids how to behave properly? Or a hysterical night of name-calling, tantrums, and tears before bedtime? Kids will be kids, but the adults are worse. More info
7th
LPO: Firebird
Orpheum Theatre
Embark on an electrifying journey from the vibrant plains of Argentina to the heart of Eastern Europe and beyond with the energetic Four Dances from Estancia by Alberto Ginastera, Bela Bartók’s brilliantly folk-infused Dance Suite, and Stravinsky’s fiery favorite, Firebird Suite. More info
7th-24th
Primary Trust
Contemporary Arts Center
Every night after work, Kenneth meets his best friend Bert for mai tais at Wally's, his favorite tiki bar. It's a simple life — but it's his. Then, without warning, Kenneth loses the only job he's ever known and is forced out into a world he's spent his whole life quietly avoiding. What happens next is funny, heartbreaking, and completely unexpected. More info
8th-17th
Cherries Jubilee
Westwego Performing Arts Center
Set in the Garden District of New Orleans, this award winning show, written for women by women, tells the story of 5 friends as they navigate life over the course of four decades. More info
9th-10th
NOBT Presents: Cinderella
Orpheum Theatre
A new version of the classic ballet.
12th-17th
Book of Mormom
Saenger Theatre
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, working alongside Robert Lopez, have constructed a musical that's deeply irreverent on the surface, yet underpinned by a genuine warmth. Beneath all the gleeful provocation there is something almost tender about two mismatched missionaries fumbling their way through Uganda. It is, in the end, a musical about the stories we tell ourselves to get through the darkness — served with raucous, and technically dazzling showmanship. More info
14th-17th
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Azienda Theatre
When Randle P. McMurphy storms into Nurse Ratched’s ward, the battle lines are drawn, and the human spirit hangs in the balance. This play is both darkly funny and deeply heartbreaking, revealing the courage it takes to defy oppression and hold onto hope. More info
15th-30th
Medea
Lafitte Greenway
The Ancient Greeks invented theatre, and The NOLA Project is paying tribute by going classical to close out Season 21. Audiences have been captivated by one woman’s quest for vengeance as far back as 431 BC. In this modern translation, Euripides’ themes continue to ring true – maybe now more than ever. More info
15th-31st
Cinderella
Stunning visuals, a lush score, and a heroine who takes charge of her own destiny, this Cinderella dazzles from curtain up to happily ever after. More info
17th
Neal Todten – Six Sketches for Two Dancers and Ensemble
Marigny Opera House
Neal Todten presents his multidisciplinary work including electric organ, saxophone, mallet percussion, & dance. More info
Louisiana Baroque Chamber Orchestra : Baroque Spring Concert – THE FOUR SEASONS
New Marigny Theatre
The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi. LABCO seeks to revive and celebrate Baroque music through authentic, historically-informed performances. The project aims to develop a vibrant Baroque chamber orchestra engaging diverse musicians of various ages and backgrounds. More info
18th
New Orleans Civic Symphony
New Marigny Theatre
A free concert including works by Mendelssohn and Beethoven.
22nd - June7th
King Lear
Lupin Theatre
A father divides his kingdom and fractures the world. King Lear is a devastating exploration of power, family, and survival, as a ruler’s fatal misjudgment unleashes betrayal, madness, and loss. As reason slips and compassion struggles to survive, the play asks what endures when everything else is lost. More info
24th
Nahum Thelonius Zdybel Plays The Music Of Thelonious Sphere Monk
New Marigny Theatre
29th
Nola Winds Quintet
Marigny Opera House
An ever-evolving ensemble of musicians, dedicated to sharing the excitement and challenge of chamber music. More info
29th - June 8th
Hurricane Diane
Big Couch
In this Obie-winning comedy with a twist, Pulitzer Prize finalist Madeleine George pens a hilarious evisceration of the blind eye we all turn to climate change and the bacchanalian catharsis that awaits us, even in our own backyards. Through June 8th. More info