Inside The Arts

This week on Inside the Arts, the Tony nominated Broadway musical, Something Rotten, opens at Le Petit Theatre. This original musical comedy, with a tip of the hat to the Bard, stars Matthew Michael Janisse and Richard Spitaletta. They join us with director Michael McKelvey. Then, a creative re-imagining of abolitionist, Harriet Tubman, continues the NOLA Project's season with the regional premiere of Sigrid Gilmer's Harry and the Thief. It's part science fiction, historical drama and comedic

This week on Inside the Arts, Mark Cortale's Broadway at NOCCA series kicks off the New Year with Liz Callaway. The Broadway superstar and Tony nominee will perform with special guest Bryan Batt. Liz Callaway joins us by phone. And, the 6th Annual Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival swings into high gear next week in venues across the city. The 5 day celebration of the life and legacy of the NEA Jazz Master will feature performances by a star studded cast of New Orleans artists and

This week on Inside the Arts, as we say goodbye to 2019, in New Orleans krewes are gearing up for another season of revelry with an eye on 12th Night celebrations! The Phunny Phorty Phellows are preparing to usher in Carnival. Krewe captain Peggy Scott Laborde stops by for a chat about what this satirical group is planning for their 2020 St. Charles streetcar ride. And, the Krewe of Joan of Arc is preparing to walk the French Quarter with a medieval-themed parade celebrating the saint's 12th

This week on Inside the Arts, RAP Unzel, a children's play presented by the Radical Buffoons continues its run at Southern Rep. It's a feel good, empowering story of identity. This modern twist on an old fairy tale is set in New Orleans and features hip hop, music and dance. Artistic director Jon Greene and playwright Jeremy Rashad Brown will join us in our studio. And, Pulitzer prize winning playwright Annie Baker's JOHN makes its New Orleans premiere at the Beaubourg Theatre in the Arts

This week on Inside the Arts, A Christmas Story, The Musical opens! It is the first Hancock Whitney Broadway in New Orleans show to play the Saenger Theatre since its reopening. We talk with cast member Chris Swan, who plays The Old Man, in this holiday classic based on the 1983 film. Then, we travel to the Land of Sweets as The Nutcracker in New Orleans opens at the Contemporary Arts Center.This version presented by the New Orleans School of Ballet has a local twist. Director/choreographer

This week on Inside the Arts, ghosts return to a magical set this holiday season as Le Petit Theatre presents its production of Charles Dickens' Victorian classic, A Christmas Carol. Artistic Director Max Williams joins us with cast members Curtis Billings and Kate Kuen. Then, renowned fine art photographer Steven Forster looks back on his career with the opening of a new exhibit. Jazz legends, entertainment celebrities and more come into view as Steven Forster: Four Decades of New Orleans

This week on Inside the Arts, Christmas Dances ring in the Holiday season for the Marigny Opera Ballet. We travel to Brazil as the contemporary ballet company returns Diogo de Lima's, Aguas de Dezembro, to the stage. Plus, there's a dance exploration of the shape note in the premiere of Sacred Harp. Artistic director Dave Hurlbert joins us with award winning choreographer Kellis McSparrin Oldenberg. Then, Superdome: Blessed and Cursed, a new episode of ESPN's audio documentary podcast series, 30

This week on Inside the Arts, a heads up for opera lovers and history buffs. Panel discussions, presentations and a commemorative concert will mark next week's 100th Anniversary of the loss, by fire, of the city's iconic French Opera House. And, 2020 signals 50 years of OPERA America, the national service organization for opera. Robert Lyall, general and artistic director of the New Orleans Opera will join us in our studio. And, Tarell Alvin McCraney's play, In the Red and Brown Water, opens the

This week on Inside the Arts, physically daring, gravity defying dancers will stretch your imagination as the New Orleans Ballet Association presents Pilobolus in the Louisiana premiere of Shadowland: The New Adventure. Pilobolus co-artistic director Renée Jaworski joins us by phone. Then, conversation with jazz vocalist Karrin Allyson. WWNO's Fred Kasten catches up with the multi-Grammy nominee who is gearing up for concert performances this week in New Orleans. And, legendary jazz pianist

This week on Inside the Arts, Voices in the Dark Repertory Theatre Company presents Paul Lucas' award-winning play Trans Scripts, Part 1: The Women. Poignant stories gathered in interviews with members of LGBTQ communities from around the world shed light on the experience of transitioning gender. Director Tommye Myrick joins us with cast members Milan Sherry and Teryl Lynn Foxx. And, FORESTival, a celebration of art and nature gets underway on the Westbank at A Studio in the Woods. It's also