Blog
As part of its service to the community, IPAL has donated money towards the Newspaper in The Classroom program of the Daily Iberian. IPAL's sponsorship provides 85 newspapers each week throughout the school year to local students, as well as special lesson and idea plans for teachers. The Iberia community has been so generous to IPAL -- we thank them in this small way.
IPAL is creating a musical – using the actual songs of the fifties. It will be a fun show designed to be full of singing, dancing and laughing with a dash of nostalgia. Members of the community are invited to audition for this very special show regardless of their age or stage experience. Auditions for the show, titled Remember When will be held at the Essanee Theater in New Iberia on Sunday, March 28 from 2 to 5 and Monday, March 29 at from 6:30-8:00.
Set in a soda shop that has survived to modern times, the show has roles for men and women aged 14 and up. There are nine principal roles and a host of bit parts for customers in the shop. “Imitators” are needed including for 50’s crooners including Bobby Vinton, Doris Day, and of course Elvis Presley. According to director Don “Doc” Voorhies, “We need singers, dancers, actors, imitators– and any combination thereof.”
Those wishing to tryout may get audition material (music, brief plot summary) by e-mailing the production staff ipal@cox.net or by calling Don Voorhies (364-1975).
Iberia Performing Arts League Board of Directors met for a retreat on
Saturday, January 30. The retreat was presented by Mr. Keith Dixon who
is the current Theatres of Louisiana President, Executive Director of
the Baton Rouge Little Theater and the Louisiana contact person for
the American Association of Community Theatre.
Iberia Performing Arts League, better known as IPAL, is going
into its 12th year of bringing live theater entertainment to our
community and the surrounding areas. Mr. Dixon led the Board to a
discovery of strengths, weaknesses, and issues that will be developed
into a strategic plan for continual growth for the organization.
Those in attendance were Donna Berard (President), Robin Bull (Treasurer), Michael Weber (Secretary), Mike Boroto, MIchael Caffery, Lynn DeRouen, Carmen Nicholson, Donald "Doc" Voorhies
Hey Gang! IPAL will present the Broadway musical Guys and Dolls March 5-21, 2010 at the Essanee Theater in New Iberia. Thursday, Friday and Saturday Performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances at 3:00 p.m. Guys and Dolls was written in 1950 by Frank Loesser, ran 1200 performances, and is one of the great American Musicals. It was revived several times on Broadway including an all-black cast in 1976 featuring Robert Guillaume and Ernestine Jackson, a 1992 revival with Nathan Lane, and a 2009 production featuring Oliver Platt and Lauren Graham. IPAL’s Broadway-style production will feature a cast of over 50 performers, an orchestra of sixteen musicians, and the usual IPAL “Magic.” Guys and Dolls, set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, is an oddball romantic comedy that soars with spirit, song, and dance as it introduces a cast of vivid characters: Featured characters are Sarah Brown, the upright yet uptight "mission doll"; Sky Masterson, the slick, high rolling gambler who woos her to win a bet; Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer who is engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her down-and-out but devoted fiancee. Tickets will be available in early February – so be on the alert for the announcement!
IPAL will have auditions for The New Kid on the Block by Pat Cook and directed by Donna Berard on Monday and Tuesday, March 22 and 23 at 6:00 P.M. IPAL will have auditions for The New Kid on the Block by Pat Cook and directed by Donna Berard on Monday and Tuesday, March 22 and 23 at 6:00 P.M. Roles consist of: 3 males and 4 women : Carl - Rather bossy man in 70's; Lloyd- southern gentleman, retired from Army in 70's; Parker- Genial man in his 70's; Will Stewart- Cautious lady in her 60-70's with a secret; Morgana Bolton- Bombastic gossip around age 60 ; Jolene Balfoy- Will's sarcastic daughter and mother to Will's grown grandchildren; Eleanor Dumfries- Dramatic lady in her 60-70's For more information, please call 337-364-6114 or 337-229-6919 nd leave a message. The director will get back to you.
Synopsis: The New Kid on the Block
Carl, Lloyd and Parker, three older gentlemen who share a large home, need to rent out their fourth bedroom to help with the rent. Their problem seems answered when Will shows up except Will turns out to be a lady. While Lloyd and Parker like her and want to vote her in, Carl barks back, "We're not voting on prom queen!" Carl's reaction is all part of a plan with Will, his sister, to let her live with them for a while. Before the brother and sister can reveal their plotting, however, the "fun" begins. It's all over the area that Carl and Will are sweethearts; Lloyd has put on his army fatigues and is running night maneuvers; and Parker is sneaking around the neighborhood with his walkie-talkie. Then the woman in black enters, telling Will she better leave. On top of this, Will's daughter, Jolene, arrives having just left her husband. This comedy has more turns than your uncle's map to grandma's house. And you'll finally find out just who really is "The New Kid on the Block."
