As New Orleans welcomes spring, theater schedules are packed with music, dance, opera, and plays to delight any audience. From local productions to national tours, new and revitalized works, ballet and Broadway, there’s something for everyone to see in New Orleans this spring. Mark your calendars for the shows below and see them while you can.
March
“Funny Girl” – Broadway in New Orleans
Where: Saenger Theatre
When: March 11-16
Tickets: $30+
The sensational Broadway revival dazzles with one of the most celebrated musical scores of all time, including classic songs “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.” This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.
Dvořák Cello Concerto
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: March 13
Tickets: $40+
The show opens with a piece inspired by Peruvian folklore by Gabriela Lena Frank, followed by a work by Frederick Delius depicting the lush landscape of turn-of-the-century Florida. The night concludes with Dvořák’s stormy and thematic “Cello Concerto,” performed by extraordinarily gifted cellist Joshua Roman.
“Jersey Boys” – Le Petit Theatre
Where: Le Petit Theatre
When: March 14 – April 6
Tickets: $47+
With phenomenal music, memorable characters, and great storytelling, "Jersey Boys" follows the fascinating evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop music history.
Dusk – Marigny Opera Ballet
Where: Marigny Opera House
When: March 14-16, 20-22
Tickets: $60+
Enjoy a new work by choreographer Cassi Abranches with an original score from People Museum. The new work celebrates endings and the promise of new beginnings.
LPO Market Nights: Leyla McCalla – Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Where: New Orleans Jazz Market
When: March 15
Tickets: $40
The LPO joins forces with multi-instrumentalist Leyla McCalla for this special performance. Leyla is a Haitian American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for her innovative fusion of folk, blues, and Creole music. Often sung in English, French, and Haitian Creole, her music reflects her commitment to honoring her roots while pushing the boundaries of Americana and world music, making her a distinctive voice in contemporary folk.
Debussy & Ravel
Where: New Marigny Theatre
When: March 19
Tickets: $40+
This program highlighting French music is sure to enchant, beginning with Debussy’s poetic and dreamy “Petite Suite.”
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – New Orleans Ballet Association
Where: Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
When: March 21-22
Tickets: $45+
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrates 66 years as one of America’s most famous and beloved companies, bringing the African American experience and dance traditions to the world’s stages. “Nothing prepares you for the totality of Alvin Ailey: the aural, visual, physical, spiritual beauty…Heaven…Everywhere you looked: sensory pleasure…” (The New York Times) These powerhouse dancers will set the stage on fire with two different programs of new works and classics, including Ailey’s masterpiece, “Revelations,” performed on Program A.
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 – Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: March 27
Tickets: $40+
This program opens with Grammy Award-winning composer Jessie Montgomery’s work inspired by the multi-cultural sounds of New York City, followed by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s dramatic incidental music for the Shakespeare play Othello. The program closes with one of Tchaikovsky’s most powerful and emotive symphonies, the No. 5 in E minor.
Every Brilliant Thing – The NOLA Project
Where: Big Couch
When: March 27- April 6
Tickets: $38+
Told from the perspective of a six-year-old in the wake of a tragedy, “Every Brilliant Thing” explores beauty in the small things of life.
April
“Elixir of Love” – New Orleans Opera
Where: Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
When: April 4, 6
Tickets: $32+
Immerse yourself in a world of romance in a bustling Western town, as Nemorino, a hopelessly in love farmer, sets out to win the heart of the beautiful and wealthy Adina.
“Hamilton” – Broadway in New Orleans
Where: Saenger Theatre
When: April 8-20
Tickets: $69+
Returning to New Orleans is Alexander Hamilton, whose ambition drove him from the position of Caribbean outsider and bastard child to American war hero and George Washington's right-hand man. See Lin-Manuel Miranda’s masterpiece right here at the Saenger this April.
LPO Market Nights: Zack Feinberg – Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Where: New Orleans Jazz Market
When: April 9
Tickets: $40
The LPO Market Nights series continues with a concert from guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of The Revivalists Zack Feinberg, who will perform original songs.
Mahler “Song of the Earth” – Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: April 17
Tickets: $40+
Classical music lovers will delight in this performance featuring two of orchestral music’s most renowned composers.
May
Doubt, a parable – Le Petit Theatre
Where: Le Petit Theatre
When: May 1-18
Tickets: $37+
In this brilliant and powerful drama, Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the male students. “Doubt, A Parable” is the recipient of the 2005 Tony Award® for Best Play and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Brahms Symphony No. 3 – Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: May 8
Tickets: $40+
Catch this dazzling final Orpheum session of the season featuring Higdon’s “Cold Mountain Suite,” Liszt’s “Les Préludes,” and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 3.”
“The Wiz” – Broadway in New Orleans
Where: Saenger Theatre
When: May 13-18
Tickets: $36+
Ease on down the road with an all-new production of the groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical “The Wiz” presented by Broadway in New Orleans this May.
Music for Shakespeare – Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Where: New Marigny Theatre
When: May 14
Tickets: $40
The drama and romance of theater abound in this program featuring music from “Romeo and Juliet,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and more.
Giselle – New Orleans Ballet Theatre
Where: Orpheum Theater
When: May 10-11
Tickets: $38+
The classic ballet “Giselle” comes to life with the New Orleans Ballet Theatre this spring.
June
Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Le Petit Theatre
Where: Le Petit Theatre
When: June 5-22
Tickets: $42+
Winner of the 1978 Tony Award® for Best Musical, this musical revue is a sassy celebration of the music and spirit of legendary jazz great, Fats Waller.
“Chicago” – Broadway in New Orleans
Where: Saenger Theatre
When: June 10-15
Tickets: $36+
The musical, set in the 1920s, tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer, who murders her lover when he threatens to leave her. Desperate to avoid conviction, Roxie deceives the public, the media, and her cellmate and rival, Velma Kelly, and hires the town's most skilled lawyer, Billy Flynn. This lawyer will be able to turn the crime into a smokescreen of sensational headlines.
“The Imaginary Invalid” – Shakespeare Festival
Where: Lupin Theatre
When: June 6-22
Tickets: TBA
This farce written by Molière satirizes the medical quacks of 17th-century France.
Andrea Bocelli in Concert with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: June 10
Tickets: $80+
Celebrated Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli returns to New Orleans to perform with the Louisiana Philharmonic in a stunning season finale.