In true South Louisiana spirit, the Jefferson Performing Arts (JPA) stands as a beacon of resilience—one that has been bringing professional quality musical and theatrical performances to New Orleans-area stages ever since the curtain first went up forty-seven years ago. As the trailblazing performing arts institution serving Jefferson parish since 1978, through natural disasters including the destruction of its newly built Westwego Performing Arts Theatre during Hurricane Katrina, the organization has continued to grow in ambition and impact. "People should get involved in JPA," urges local actor/director Janet Shea, who has been appearing in JPA productions for more than twenty years, "because it serves the community in a large way."
Today, JPA's professional-grade theatrical and musical productions light up its two permanent performing arts venues in Jefferson parish. In addition, the company brings touring acts featuring nationally-acclaimed performers to Crescent City-area stages. Season '47 brings four home-grown productions to the Jefferson Performing Arts Center (JPAC), six to the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, and another five touring productions to JPAC. Here's what regional audiences have to look forward to during the weeks and months to come:
Coming Soon to JPA Stages
Jefferson Performing Arts Center (JPAC), 6400 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA
October 25—November 3: Jekyll & Hyde. Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic thriller, Jekyll & Hyde is the gripping tale of a brilliant mind gone horribly awry, set to a powerful pop-rock score by Frank Wildhorn with book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. Directed by Ken Goode
December 21—22: The Nutcracker. Presented in partnership with Jefferson Ballet Theatre, JPA's production of Tchaikovsky's perennial Christmas classic is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
February 14—23, 2025: Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Nile. Adapted from Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile, this three-act murder mystery is directed by Kris Shaw.
March 28—April 6: Billy Elliot the Musical. With music by Elton John and lyrics & book by Lee Hall, this is the story of a young boy from a coal mining village in northeast England who transcends class and circumstance to become a ballet star.
Westwego Performing Arts Theatre (WPAT), 177 Sala Ave, Westwego, LA
October 20: Irish Quartet Concert: Danny O’Flaherty + Mulvihill, Carberry & Brouder. Irish balladeer and storyteller Danny O'Flaherty joins Brendan Mulvihill, Angelina Carberry and Dan Brouder - three masters of Irish traditional music.
November 14—24: The Leopard. Written by Yabo Yablonsky and performed by John F. Goff, The Leopard is a one-man show about the last days of author Ernest Hemingway.
December 3—13: ELF Jr. the Musical. Based on the cherished movie hit, Elf JR. this JPA Theatre Kids presentation features songs by Tony Award-nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin. Kristi Jacobs-Stanley directs.
February 6—16: True West. American playwright Sam Shepard's True West follows the sibling rivalry between estranged brothers Austin and Lee, who have reconnected. It is set in California, 20 miles outside of Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, at their mother's home.
March 13—23: Joe and Marilyn, A Love Story. A quiet, intimate look into Marilyn Monroe’s relationship with baseball star Joe DiMaggio. Willard Manus's two-person play presents a series of vignettes spanning the couple's tragic relationship, from their first meeting to their brief marriage. Directed by Janet Shea.
Touring Productions
November 9: Brad Williams. Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt! Williams’ show offers fresh perspective on life's quirks, navigating his experiences as a little person, relationships, and everyday situations. His observations on disability, relationships, sex, and race consistently earn standing ovations from audience members, and prompted the late Robin Williams to call him “Prozac with a head.”
November 14: Amy Grant. Known as "The Queen of Christian Pop," Amy Grant is widely considered to have put Contemporary Christian Music on the map, having become the first CCM artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No.1 on the pop charts, and the first to perform at the Grammy Awards.
November 21: Lorrie Morgan Ruby Anniversary Tour 2024. Undeniably one of the most eloquently emotive vocalists of modern times, this Nashville native and daughter of Country Music Hall of Famer George Morgan is the first woman in her genre to begin her career with three consecutive Platinum albums. Learn more about Lorrie Morgan's career and achievements HERE.
December 26—28: Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience. Seen by over a million muggles, Potted Potter stuffs all seven Harry Potter books into seventy hilarious minutes. London’s West End hit Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff comes to the New Orleans area for the first time.
Beyond the Stage
Thanks to a robust community of sponsors and volunteers, the non-profit Jefferson Performing Arts also brings the performing arts to local community members beyond the stage, offering a broad range of outreach programs, youth summer camps, and by offering local performers opportunities to flourish on stage. From attending productions or purchasing season tickets; to volunteering, becoming a sponsor, or donating directly, getting to know JPA is a great way to support high-quality performing arts in South Louisiana. For show details, tickets and more information, visit jpas.org.
