Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 12:00 PM by Lauren Saizan
This fall, enjoy a variety of performances at theaters across New Orleans. From national tours of Broadway productions like WICKED to frequent performances from the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy. See below for the best in theater, dance, opera, and classical music this fall in New Orleans.
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: September 14
Tickets: $28+
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes new Music Director Matthew Kraemer with Beethoven's mighty 5th symphony.
Where: New Marigny Theatre
When: September 20
Tickets: $28+
The first show of LPO’s chamber orchestra series at the New Marigny Theatre featuring works by Respighi, Handel, Honegger, and Stravinsky.
Where: Mahalia Jackson Theater
When: September 29 & October 1
Tickets: $32+
Taking place over a single day in Count Almaviva’s estate outside of Seville, Spain, Susanna and Figaro, servants of the Count and Countess, plan their wedding. When Figaro learns that the Count has tried to seduce Susanna, he sets out for revenge.
Where: Saenger Theater
When: October 1-8
Tickets: $42+
A Broadway-bound new musical about jazz legend and singular American icon Louis Armstrong, “A Wonderful World” charts Armstrong's journey from the birth of jazz in his native New Orleans through his international stardom. Told from the perspective of the women in Armstrong's life, the show features many of Armstrong’s beloved songs in a musical masterpiece.
Where: Greenway Station
When: October 4-15
Tickets: $20+
Presented by The NOLA Project, DRACULA comes to life on the Lafitte Greenway in this world-premiere adaptation of Bram Stoker's gothic-horror story. Written by ensemble member Pete McElligott, this comedic take on the Count contains romance, silliness, and “frightening” fun for the whole family.
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: October 5
Tickets: $28+
Guest Conductor Jonathan Taylor Rush joins the LPO to conduct Price & Prokofiev.
Where: Le Petite Theatre
When: October 5-22
Tickets: $35+
Written by Jack Thorne and based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, “Let the Right One In” is an enchanting, brutal vampire myth and coming-of-age love story adapted from the best-selling novel and award-winning film.
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: October 12-13
Tickets: $28+
Experience Jordan Peele’s ingenious, ground-breaking social thriller and Michael Abel's award-winning score performed live by the LPO.
Where: Congo Square
When: October 13-15
Tickets: Free to attend
"Le Code Noir" is a historical outdoor drama, 27 years in the making, co-authored by Mark R. Sumner and Tommye Myrick. The drama narrates the 30-year journey of a 17-year-old enslaved African girl who arrived in New Orleans in 1794, tracing how Louisiana's historical events profoundly affected her life and America.
Where: Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
When: October 21
Tickets: $35+
New Orleans Ballet Association presents the first performance of the 2023/2024 season: Complexions Contemporary Ballet with Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott). Hailed as a “matchless American dance company” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, led by the legendary Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, has captivated audiences for nearly three decades with their singular approach of reinventing dance and contemporary ballet.
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: October 21
Tickets: $28+
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra dances through this Orpheum Session with unforgettable melodies and an LPO premiere. Prokofiev's suite of ballet music from “Romeo & Juliet” takes center stage before Rachmaninov’s gorgeous melodies leave us enraptured. Gabriella Ortiz in “Kauyumari” takes the orchestra on a trip to the spirit world in this piece composed in 2021.
Where: New Marigny Theatre
When: October 25
Tickets: $28+
LPO's chamber orchestra series continues with works by Gershwin, Ibert, Antheil, Weill, and Milhaud.
Where: Saenger Theater
When: November 1-12
Tickets: $39+
The unparalleled artistry of one of the greatest entertainers of all time comes to New Orleans as “MJ,” the multi-Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour.
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: November 2
Tickets: $28+
Principal oboe, Virginia McDowell, is featured on one of the most beautiful concerti in the instrument’s repertoire.
Where: Ty Tracy Theater at Gallier Hall
When: November 3-12
Tickets: $25
In Small Town, USA, a traveling water show arrives bringing with it a world famous Hollywood swimming star who will stop at nothing to protect her position and career. Catch this splashy musical this November in New Orleans.
Where: Mahalia Jackson Theater
When: November 10 & 12
Tickets: $32+
“Blue” tells the story of racial injustice in the U.S. today with a libretto by Tazewell Thompson and music by Jeanine Tesori.
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: November 16
Tickets: $28+
Tales of love, loss, and family ties are expressed from the African American perspective in this stirring program.
Where: Mahalia Jackson Theater
When: November 18-19
Tickets: $28+
Experience “Jurassic Park” as never before: projected in HD with a full symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture.
Where: Saenger Theater
When: November 29 – December 17
Tickets: $39+
“WICKED,” the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”
Where: Mahalia Jackson Theater
When: December 1
Tickets: $32+
Catch soprano Lisette Oropesa in concert with the next generation of opera stars this December in New Orleans.
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: December 2
Tickets: $28+
Enjoy a performance of holiday favorites with the LPO.
Where: Le Petit Theatre
When: December 8-10
Tickets: $25+
Ghost stories and legends of New Orleans come to life through contemporary dance in this production brought back by popular demand.
Where: Marigny Opera House
When: December 8-10 & 15-17
Tickets: $60
A holiday fantasy set in Jackson Square, the “New Orleans Jazz Nutcracker” features a fortune teller, tourists, a drag queen, and more, along with Clara - a young woman transported to the Land of Rain, and back again on Christmas day.
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: December 8
Tickets: $28+
Handel’s glorious “Messiah” closes out the holiday season at the Orpheum Theater featuring the LPO.
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: December 15-23
Tickets: $38.50+
Performed by the professional company and the charming addition of over 120 local children, NOBT will present eight performances at the Orpheum Theater for the upcoming holiday season.
Where: Saenger Theater
When: December 22
Tickets: $55+
Experience the beloved holiday classic live with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.
Lauren Saizan is a New Orleans native raised in the Gentilly neighborhood. In addition to being the editorial and online content manager for New Orleans & Company, she is also a member of Mélange Dance Company. Lauren has performed professionally in many venues across the city, including the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, the New Orleans Museum of Art, Longue Vue House & Gardens, and Marigny Opera House. When not writing or dancing, she can be spotted sipping the Blue Eyes tea at French Truck, attending a concert downtown, or visiting a local library.
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