Another Fall, Another Cultural Season
It seems like we say this every year, but it's true and traditional. September is as much the kickoff month for the performing arts as it is for the New Orleans Saints and LSU football seasons. As this new cultural season opens, aficionados of opera, classical music, dance, and live theater will once again have a multitude of performances to choose from between September 2024 and July 2025.
Following is a listing, by category, of some of New Orleans' premier presenting organizations offering two or more separate events for the season in "America's First City of Culture." Read on, plan your schedules accordingly, and enjoy.
NOTE: All venues listed are in New Orleans unless otherwise noted.
OPERA
New Orleans Opera Association
Mahalia Jackson Theater, 1419 Basin St.
(504) 529-3000, neworleansopera.org
Tosca
Composer - Giacomo Puccini
September 27, 7:30 p.m. and September 29, 2:30 p.m.
Samson and Delilah in Concert
Composer - Camille St. Saens
November 8, 7:30 p.m. and November 10,
2:30 p.m.
Opera on the Bayou: Voices of New Orleans, in partnership with the Electric Yat Quartet
February 5, 7:30 p.m.
Roussel Performance Hall, Loyola University
6363 St. Charles Ave.
The Elixir of Love
Composer - Gaetano Donizetti
April 4, 7:30 p.m. and April 6, 2:30 p.m.
*All mainstage operas are performed at the Mahalia Jackson Theater in Louis Armstrong Park, accompanied by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra except where otherwise noted. English translations are projected above the stage.
OperaCréole
(504) 356-3078, operacreole.com
A nonprofit, award-winning company, founded in 2011 by mother and daughter Givonna Joseph and Aria Mason, OperaCréole is dedicated to researching and performing lost or rarely performed works by composers of African descent, especially those from the 19th century.
*OperaCréole's 2024-25 schedule has not been confirmed as of printing. For more information, consult the phone number or website.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way
(504) 523-6350, lpomusic.com
Selected highlights of the upcoming season at the Orpheum:
Season Opener: Symphonie Fantastique/The Sorcerer's Apprentice
September 12
Mozart, Haydn, & Strauss
October 4
Pines of Rome Featuring Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Martinez
October 23
Gustav Holst's The Planets
November 15
An Evening with Kristin Chenoweth
November 20
Holiday Spectacular
December 5
Classical Christmas: Handel's Messiah Excerpts
December 19
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
January 16
Terence Blanchard's A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina)
January 18
Beethoven & Strauss
February 14
Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5
March 27
Mahler's The Song of the Earth
April 17
Brahms' Symphony No. 3
May 8
*All Orpheum concerts are at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
**Several "Family Concerts" are held at Loyola University's Roussel Hall, and other LPO concerts are performed in St. Tammany Parish. For more information on the full slate of LPO offerings, visit the website.
New Orleans Friends of Music
Dixon Hall, Tulane University
(504) 895-0690, friendsofmusic.org
Le Consort
October 16
David Greilsammer, Piano
November 11
Dover Quartet
December 3
Isidore Quartet
February 10
Trio Virado
March 24
Escher Quartet with Terrence Wilson, Piano
April 22
*Concerts are at 7:30 p.m.
Symphony Chorus of New Orleans
(504) 525-2111, symphonychorus.org
The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins
October 27
Handel's Messiah
December 13 and 15
Dan Forrest's New Creation Oratorio
Spring 2025, date TBA
(Untitled program of classical music with strings)
Spring 2025, date TBA
*For more detailed information, visit Symphony Chorus' website.
Crescent City Chamber Music Festival
(646) 241-0303, crescentcitychambermusicfestival.com
Bach's complete Brandenburg Concertos, featuring the Manhattan Chamber Players and the Gryphon Trio, from October 10-20, 2024.
Free Public Concert No. 1
Thursday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave.
Free Public Concert No. 2
Friday, October 11, 7:30 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave.
Free Public Concert No. 3
Sunday, October 13, 5:30 p.m.
Felicity Church, 1220 Felicity St.
Free Public Concert No. 4
Monday, October 14, 7:30 p.m.
Dixon Concert Hall, Tulane University, Newcomb Circle
Free Public Concert No. 5
Wednesday, October 16, 7 p.m.
Urban South Brewery, 1645 Tchoupitoulas St.
Free Public Concert No. 6
Friday, October 18, 7:30 p.m.
Saint Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church
1545 State St. (at St. Charles Ave.)
Free Public Concert No. 7
Sunday, October 20, 4 p.m.
Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church
3900 St. Charles Ave.
*Most of the concerts are preceded by a 30-minute talk and Q&A session.
Musical Arts Society Of New Orleans
(504) 715-0818, masno.org
5th Annual Bachtoberfest featuring the Electric Yat Quartet and Pianist André Bohren
October 2, 6 p.m.
Margaret Place Hotel, 1133 Margaret Pl.
Nocturne XXI Gala featuring Pianist Olga Kern
October 6, 5 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton, 921 Canal St.
Featuring Bass-Baritone Ivan Griffin and Pianist Wilfred Delphin with Special Guest Michael Boucree
November 3, 3 p.m.
Le Petit Salon, 1113 Chartres St.
Featuring Benjamin Partier-Leitus, Piano and Voice
November 21, 6 p.m.
Le Petit Salon, 4311 Coliseum St.
Concerto Showcase XII featuring Three Medalists from the 2024 International Piano Competition with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
March 20, 7:30 p.m.
Roussel Performance Hall, Loyola University
6363 St. Charles Ave.
DANCE
New Orleans Ballet Association
935 Gravier St.
(504) 522-0996, nobadance.com
Houston Ballet
October 19, 7:30 p.m.
Giordano Dance Chicago
November 16, 7:30 p.m.
Ballet Hispanico's CARMEN.maquia
February 1, 7:30 p.m.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
March 21, 7:30 p.m. and March 22, 8 p.m.
*All performances are at the Mahalia Jackson Theater.
Marigny Opera Ballet
Marigny Opera House, 725 St. Ferdinand St.
(504) 948-9998, marignyoperahouse.org
Marigny Opera Ballet features nearly all local dancers, choreographers, and musicians and specializes in premiering or restaging original work. For information on the 2024-25 season, visit the website listed above.
Melange Dance Company
melangedanceofnola.com
Founded in 2014 by Founding Artistic Director Monica Ordonez and Executive Director Alexa Erck Lambert, Melange Dance Company "takes pride in presenting unique productions that are rich, diverse, and thought provoking." For more information on their 2024-2025 season, visit the website.
New Orleans Ballet Theatre
920 Terpsichore St.
(504) 826-0646, neworleansballettheatre.com
Dracula
October 27, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
October 30, 8 p.m.
The Nutcracker
December 13, 7 p.m.
December 14, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
December 15, 2 p.m.
December 20, 7 p.m.
December 21, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
December 22, 2 p.m.
December 23, 2 p.m.
Spring Mixed Repertoire
(TBA)
Giselle
May 10, 8 p.m.
May 11, 2 p.m.
*All NOBT performances are at the Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way.
LIVE THEATER
Saenger Theatre, Broadway in New Orleans
1111 Canal St.
1-800-218-7469, saengernola.com/shows
Girl from the North Country
October 15-20
Beetlejuice
November 12-17
Elf
December 3-8
The Cher Show
December 17-22
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
December 30
& Juliet
January 14-19
Mamma Mia!
February 11-16
Funny Girl
March 11-16
Hamilton
April 8-20
The Wiz
May 13-18
Chicago
June 10-15
*Show times vary.
Le Petit Theatre
616 St. Peter St.
(504) 522-2081, lepetittheatre.com
Murder for Two
October 3-20
Good Night, Oscar
January 9-26
Jersey Boys
March 13 to April 6
Doubt: A Parable
May 1-18
Ain't Misbehavin'
June 5-22
*Show times vary.
Jefferson Performing Arts
Jefferson Performing Arts Center (JPAC)
6600 Airline Dr., Metairie
Westwego Performing Arts Theatre (WPAT)
177 Sala Ave., Westwego
(504) 885-2000, jpas.org
School of Rock: The Musical
September 13-22 (JPAC)
(Murder Mystery - to be announced)
October 3-13 (WPAT)
Jekyll & Hyde
October 25 to November 3 (JPAC)
The Leopard
November 14-24 (WPAT)
Elf, Jr.
December 13-15 (WPAT)
The Nutcracker
December 21 & 22 (JPAC)
True West
February 14-23 (WPAT)
Murder on the Nile
February 14-23 (JPAC)
Joe & Marilyn
March 13-23 (WPAT)
Billy Elliot: The Musical
March 28 to April 6 (JPAC)
*Show times vary.
Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts
325 Minor St., Kenner
(504) 461-9475, rivertowntheaters.com
Hairspray
September 13-29
The Toxic Avenger
October 25 to November 10
Ricky Graham's It's a Wonderful Life, Y'all
December 6-22
Xanadu
January 10-26
Once Upon a Mattress
March 14-30
Something Rotten!
May 9-25
Annie
July 10-20
Tennessee Williams Theatre Company
(504) 264-2580, twtheatrenola.com
Penny Dreadfuls: The Remarkable Rooming-House of Madame Le Monde
September 13-28, Loyola University
Orpheus Descending
Spring 2025, Loyola University
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Summer 2025 (venue TBA)
The Nola Project
(504) 302-9117, nolaproject.com
The NOLA Project is a theatrical ensemble company consisting of about two dozen local actors "that strives to challenge, entertain, and engage diverse audiences through high-quality and innovative performances of relevant great works and the development and production of new plays." For more specific dates and detailed show information, as well as ticket orders, go to the website.
30 by Ninety Theatre
880 Lafayette St., Mandeville
(844) 843-3090, 30byninety.com
Six: The Musical
September 13-22
Murder on the Orient Express
October 12-27
A Very Merry Christmas Spectacular
December 6-15
A Midsummer Night's Dream
January 18 to February 2
The Play That Goes Wrong
March 15-30
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
April 2-May 11
Lucky Stiff
June 14-29
*Show times vary. Call or check the website for information.
Cutting Edge Theater
757 Robert Blvd., Slidell
(985) 649-3727, cuttingedgetheater.com
Cutting Edge Theater is a professional, regional theater company serving Southeastern Louisiana. The company stages classic stage plays and musicals, as well as productions with a New Orleans angle. For more details about the 2024-25 season, call the number listed above or visit their website.
Other Performing Arts Organizations
There are other performing arts organizations in New Orleans (including those from the universities) whose full schedules were not finalized in time to be included in this listing. Here, listed alphabetically, is a handy list of some of those organizations, along with their websites, on which their schedules might now be posted.
Artivism Dance Theatre: artivismdancetheatre.com
Ashe Cultural Arts Center: ashecac.org
Contemporary Arts Center: cacno.org
Louis Moreau Institute: louismoreauinstitute.org
Loyola University Arts Series: cmm.loyno.edu or loyola-presents/all-list
Lyrica Baroque: lyricabaroque.com
Musaica Chamber Ensemble: musaica.org
New Orleans Chamber Orchestra: nolachamberorchestra.org
New Orleans Civic Symphony: neworleanscivicsymphony.org
Symphony Of New Orleans: symphonyofneworleans.com
University of New Orleans Musical Excursions: new.uno.edu/sota-performances/music
University of New Orleans Theatre: new.uno.edu/sota-performances/theater
Versipel New Music: versipel.org
NOTE: Most of these arts organizations also have a presence on Facebook and/or other social media, and information can be obtained from these sites as well.
