Rivertown to open new production of ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ | Entertainment/Life

From the touching and sensitive to the madcap, audiences have a wide assortment of theatrical endeavors to enjoy. Musicals, mirth and social commentary fill the programs offered throughout the metropolitan area, some with a side of tasty food as well.

Putting it all together

When Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts stages “Dear Evan Hansen,” the local company will be in a unique situation, something director Kelly Fouchi takes seriously while enjoying the challenge.

“When the licensing company reached out and told us we’d been selected to present the first nonreplica production in the U.S., we jumped at the opportunity,” she said. The local production will keep the storyline, songs and message, but the costumes, choreography and other creative elements will be local.

“In many ways, we’re a test project,” said Fouchi, who is also the artistic and managing director for the Kenner theater company. “We’re working directly with the licensing company and orchestral coordinators to prepare the scripts and score for future productions.

“Some materials are still being finalized, so it’s taking extra attention and care to pull everything together. It is a challenge to mount a show that audiences already hold in such high regard, but we’re committed to honoring its reputation. Within our resources, we want to give our local audiences the same artistry and emotional punch.”

The story features an anxiety-ridden high schooler dealing with the aftermath of a classmate’s death and his mistaken role in the deceased’s life, with social media playing a critical role.

“The show’s design blends traditional staging with projections and a very modern sense of social media as part of the storytelling, so we’ve added a lot of new technical equipment to our stage,” said Fouchi. “Balancing the human emotion with the digital world is going to be both challenging and thrilling.

“I hope audiences can recognize the universal, deeply human struggles, whether for themselves or those of people they love, reflected on stage.”

Taking the role of Evan Hansen is Jacob Morris, joined by Ruby Levin, Ashley Lemmler, Allison Bulach, Ryan Reilly, Luke Boucvalt as Jared and Mia Lowy. Sharing co-directing responsibilities with Fouchi (who also choreographs) is Bryce Slocumb, with Elise Spurlock as musical director.

“‘Dear Evan Hansen’ has become a global cultural touchstone, but the themes of connection, loss, mental health and belonging are incredibly universal and thought provoking,” said Fouchi, who noted she was moved by the show when she saw it originally in its Broadway run and wanted to direct since that time almost a decade ago. “It asks hard, relatable questions, but it also evokes empathy.”

The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday. It will run at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sept. 25, plus at 2 p.m. Sundays, through Sept. 28 at 325 Minor St. Ticket start at $43. Visit rivertowntheaters.com.

Dark and caustic

Billed as “an absurd and darkly humorous explorations of humanity’s impulse toward criticism,” Intramural Theater stages “Critical Mass” on Sept. 19-29 at the Marigny Opera House.

The regional premiere of Deb Margolin’s show is directed by Tricia Anderson and features the talents of Pamela D. Roberts, Joshua Tierney, Brian Sands, Mary Davis, Roney Jones, Dontez Banks and Joe Signorelli.

The action is propelled by the narrator, described as “artist, mother, investigator of society’s foibles,” along with a troupe of actors striving to impress a critic. But the critic has issues as well.

With original music, a plethora of costume and set changes and more, the show promises to be a tasty theatrical morsel.

The show runs at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19-22 and Sept. 26-29 at 725 St. Ferdinand St. Tickets are $25. For information, visit intramuraltheater.org.

With a side of theater

Dinner and a live show are in store at the Terrytown Country Club when Sandy Bravender, Dane Rhodes, et al., stage “Whatever Lola Wants,” a comedy about an estranged daughter attending her father’s funeral and meeting three people who have been living with him.

Written and directed by Rhodes with Mikko, the show features Bravender, Rhodes, Tracy Elliot, Michael Sullivan, Robert Kohn and Margeaux Fanning.

The show, which will run Friday through Sept. 28, will be staged at 1785 Carol Sue Ave. in Terrytown. A buffet will be served at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with the show at 8:15 p.m. Sundays matinee buffets are at 11:30 a.m. followed by the show at 1 p.m. Tickets are $60. Call Bravender at (504) 442-5675.

On stage this week, Sept. 11-17

“DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 21; Playmakers Theater, 19106 Playmakers Road, Covington. Countryside romp of mistaken identities, mixed-up mistresses and a lot of fun as a planned rendezvous of a man and his mistress, complete with a Cordon Bleu chef, goes askew when his wife and his “alibi” descend as well. Tickets start at $15. bontempstix.com.

“MS. HOLMES & MS. WATSON — APT. 2B”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday; Marquette Theater, Loyola University, 6363 St. Charles Ave. Crescent City Stage performs playwright Kate Hamill’s take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s traditional characters and propels them into the present with a fresh take on Sherlock and Dr. Watson, both in terms of time and gender post-COVID and their efforts to solve a mystery, coexist and survive and thrive in a new world after the pandemic. Special nights, including cast talkbacks, ladies’ night and date night, are planned. Tickets start at $12. crescentcitystage.com.

“OUT CRY: THE TWO-CHARACTER PLAY”: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 21; Lower Depths Theatre, Loyola University’s Music and Communications building. The Tennessee Williams Theatre Co.’s season finale is a twisted take on life imitating art (as Williams does so well), about a brother and sister phasing in and out of character and reality as the lines between theater and reality blur and unravel. Tracey E. Collins and Kyle Daigrepont take the roles of Claire and Felice. Tickets start at $28. twtheatrenola.com.

“TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE”: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 21; 30 by Ninety Theatre, 880 Lafayette St. A sports journalist, see a TV program about his former professor, who is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, a terminal neurodegenerative disorder. A visit turns into a weekly reunion that morphs into a final lesson on the meaning of life. Lance Nelson takes the role of the journalist and Chris Aberle is Morrie. Tickets start at $20. 30byninety.com.

“WAITRESS”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 21, Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive, Metairie. Jefferson Performing Arts stages Sara Bareilles’ musical based on Jessie Nelson’s book about a pie baker and waitress who ends up being a survivor as well, despite abuse, unwanted maternity and more than a couple of marital indiscretions. Tickets start at $30. jpas.org.