​Stanley and his Demon @ The New Marigny Theatre
Review by Todd Perley

Stanley, as the first-and-a-half-coming of Christ, is grifting his congregants, suggesting a tithing of
eighty per cent of their income, which they are more than happy to pay, such is the spiritual succor they receive from The Church of Stanley.

When a man brings his possessed wife into the church asking for an exorcism, Stanley and his wife Esme see the opportunity for diversification, and expand their outfit to demonic dispatching at five G’s a pop, a most lucrative side-hustle indeed.

The demon Tansanazel (“but call me Chad”) attaches itself to Stanley, promising to possess and
relinquish any number of people he desires ... for a price. As any self-respecting evangelical holy man would, he takes the deal with the devil, with dollar signs in his eyes. Business is booming, but what does the demon want in return? Reform of the Church of Stanley. Less 700 Club, more community outreach, feeding of the needy, and general altruism. Y’know, Christ-y stuff. Stanley and Esme begin to rue the day!

Mariana Santiago’s new play is a darkly comedic twist cut from Faustian cloth. Peat Wolf’s
Stanley is repulsively charismatic as the cult leader, and Mia Frost as Esme, the real brains of the
operation, is even more deliciously despicable. His followers are hilariously clueless sheeple who don’t think it’s strange at all that they’ve been possessed by a demon several times each in the last few months.

Liz Johnston-Dupre as the initial possessed woman, crawls around the floor like a writhing, twerking Linda Blair. A scene of exposition has never been so fun to watch. Thugsy DaClown, playing God most divinely, pays a visit to Stanley, offering him a get-out-of-hell-free card, and we have to wonder who’s the real demon in this play?

I’m always down for a good old-fashioned skewering of organized religion that illuminates the
inherent hypocrisies, and Santiago’s play effectively spins everything on its head with nihilistic
merriment. A most catty approach to dogma. Meow!

Stanley and His Demon plays at the new Marigny Theatre through January 12th. Click here for more information and ticketing

On New Year’s Eve, Mister Mao will transform into Brasserie Mao for a one-night prix-fixe dinner inspired by classic brasserie dining with Chef Sophina Uong’s signature global spin. The three-course experience is priced at $80 per person and includes a welcome champagne toast, with two seatings offered at 6pm and 8:15pm.

The menu highlights brasserie-style comfort dishes filtered through Mister Mao’s bold, Southeast Asian-influenced lens. Guests can expect selections such as black garlic masala escargot, gochujang moules frites, and entrées including wood-fired lamb and gulf fish with preserved lemon butter. Desserts will feature collaborations with local favorites including Lucy Boone, Butter Cakery, and Creole Creamery.

Chef Sophina Uong and her team are curating the evening as a celebratory, one-night-only dining experience to ring in the new year. Mister Mao was recently recognized with a Bib Gourmand distinction from the MICHELIN Guide, and this event offers guests the opportunity to experience a special menu created exclusively for New Year’s Eve. Seating is extremely limited and early reservations are strongly encouraged.
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Reservations: Book online via OpenTable

If you didn't catch the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival this summer, you have one more chance to see their amazing production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. For one night only, the cast and crew return to Dixon Hall to perform one of theater's most beloved plays. The production takes place at Dixon Hall on January 16th, and you can get more information and ticket links right here.

Read our review of August's production!

WHEN: Saturday, December 20 (11am – 3pm). 
WHERE: Saint John, 715 St Charles Ave​
DETAILS: Get your Christmas sweaters and Santa hats ready for SANTA’S BRUNCH on Saturday, December 20 (11 am - 3 pm). Join for a three-course meal ($60) hosted by Queens/Elves, Debbie with a D and Laveau Contraire. Saint John will have Christmas cocktails, music, and performances.
RESERVATIONS: Book via Resy or call the restaurant at (504) 381-0385

WHERE: The Chloe's Holiday Market
WHEN: Dec 14th from 12-6pm
Join The Chloe for a Holiday Market with live music by David Torkanowsky. The afternoon will feature a beautifully curated selection of local makers and artisans, including Iris 1956, Oxalis Apothecary, Moxlox Eyewear, Saint Michele Atelier, Hazeltine Scent Co., Dyers Dyed Goods, Emma Fick, Anthology Vintage, Tenant, Freda, Lush Hussy, Cubs the Poet, Mad Nails, and Tiny Nest Botanicals, along with ceramics by Ariel Claborne. 

The NOLA Project theatre company’s free play reading series returns to The Broadside on
Wednesday, December 3 at 7pm. The itinerant ensemble will read A RATED-R CHRISTMAS CAROL, an irreverent spin on the Charles Dickens classic, by former Artistic Director A.J. Allegra. In this comedic retelling, Ebenezer Scrooge learns the true meaning of charity.

The script has been read twice for past NOLA Project fundraisers, in 2016 and 2018, respectively and recorded for posterity in 2020 as part of the company’s PodPlays productions. The 2025 reading will feature NOLA Project ensemble members Khiry Armstead, Natalie Boyd, Keith Claverie, Leslie Claverie, Wayland Cooper, Torey Hayward, Alex Pomes, Matthew Thompson, Anna Toujas, Alex Martinez Wallace, Megan Whittle and Kristin Witt. For more information on Rough Draughts, visit NOLAProject.com.

This holiday season, Hotel Monteleone has Réveillon Dinners at signature Criollo Restaurant and a selection of elevated cocktails at Carousel Bar & Lounge. 
 
Feast of the Seven Fishes Dinner | Wednesday, December 24 at 5:00 p.m.
On Christmas Eve, Hotel Monteleone’s signature Criollo Restaurant will offer The Feast of the Seven Fishes – an exclusive menu available for Christmas Eve dinner – for $130 per person. Attendees can immerse themselves in this elegant and time-honored culinary journey to celebrate La Vigilia — the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Each course pays tribute to the rich traditions of Italian coastal cuisine, honoring the spirit of Christmas Eve with seafood at the heart of every dish. From light and delicate to bold and savory, this meal is crafted to awaken the senses and warm the soul. Seating is limited; book reservations via Resy
 
Réveillon Dinners |Monday, December 1 – Wednesday, December 31
For the month of December, Criollo Restaurant will offer patrons the opportunity to participate in the city’s tradition of Réveillon Dinners, featuring four courses for $95.. *Will not take place on December 24.

Festive Decor Suites: Families seeking a memorable Southern holiday can book the two-bedroom Penthouse Suite. The suite is decked out with festive seasonal décor, a private rooftop patio with unobstructed city views for watching Santa's sleigh, complimentary cocktails, milk and cookies and more. Book through the hotel's Papa Noel offer to save 15% off the best available rates for stays now – December 30, 2025.