Impresario's Choice, a non-profit arts
organization, presents The Broadway Series at the Monroe Civic Center. Its
mission is to bring high-quality Broadway musicals on national tour to
Northeast Louisiana and to expand the theatregoing audience, both in number
and diversity.
The group was organized in 1998 by Dr. Raymond
Poliquit, a pediatrician in Tallulah, LA, out of a need in Northeast
Louisiana for regular quality theatrical events with the same caliber of
professionalism and creativity as the Broadway stage. In 2004, he was
honored with the Louisiana Governor's Arts Award for Promotion of the Arts.
The organization has grown to include an active
Board of Directors and volunteers that meet every 2nd Friday of each month
at St. Francis Medical Center Old Board Room, Nazareth Hall, 309 Jackson
Street, Monroe, LA, from 5 P.M. to 6:30 P.M.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005,
Impresario's Choice has entered a new era this season with its partnership
with Jam Theatricals, Ltd., a large entertainment company in Chicago, IL,
that will allow the organization to continue bringing bigger and more
popular titles while keeping its financial viability.
Since 1998, the organization has brought the
following productions to Northeast Louisiana:
|
1998-1999
Cirque Ingenieux
Beehive
|
1999-2000
Victor/Victoria
Showboat
Mahalia, The Gospel Musical
Annie |
|
2001-2002
Footloose
Jekyll & Hyde
Unforgettable, The Nat King Cole Story
Chicago |
2001-2002
My Fair Lady
Our Sinatra
Titanic
Ragtime |
|
2002-2003
Cabaret
Cinderella
Ain't Misbehavin'
South Pacific |
2003-2004
The Sound of Music
Black to Broadway
Seussical, The Musical
Cats |
|
2004-2005
Fiddler on the Roof
Broadway, The Big Band Years
Grease
Miss Saigon
Blue's Clues LIVE! |
2005-2006
Oklahoma
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Sing! Sing! Sing!
42nd Street
Dora The Explorer LIVE! |
|
2006-2007
Joseph
& the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Jesus Christ Superstar
Torme sings Torme
I Can't Stop Loving You
Thomas and Friends LIVE!
|
2007-2008 10th Anniversary Season
Cats
Cirque Dreams - Jungle Fantasy
The Producers
Lord of the Dance
Forever Tango
Stomp
Go Diego Go LIVE! |
|
2008-2009
Go Diego Go
Chicago
Hairspray
|
|
The Silent Seats Program
In keeping with its commitment to expand the theatregoing audience, Impresario's Choice has developed the Silent Seats
Program that allows deserving students, seniors and people with disabilities
to enjoy an evening of high quality theatre at low subsidized ticket
prices. Since its inception in 1999, its has brought over 7,000 recipients
to the theatre. The participants also attend a Pre-performance Workshop and
a Post-performance Q& A with artists to enhance their theatrical experience.
Theatre for Younger Audiences
In response to the growing need for children's
entertainment, Impresario's Choice started the Theatre for Younger
Audiences program in 2004. It has brought "Blue's Clues LIVE!", "Dora
The Explorer LIVE!", "Scooby-Doo LIVE!", "Thomas and Friends
LIVE" snd Go Deigo Go. We will be bringing "The
Backyardigans" this season. This highly
successful program is developing new audiences for live musical theatre,
providing exciting opportunities for young children to experience live
theatre for the first time with their families.
Board Of Directors
Dr. Raymond Poliquit, Artistic Director
Douglas Leporati, President
Greg Speed, Vice-President
Betty Lemmer, Secretary
Mark Henderson, Treasurer
Mark Henderson, Education Outreach Director
Janet Simon, Summer Tennis Tournament Chairperson
Members: Helen Cook, Elaine Henderson,
Melissa Henderson, Agnes Hillman, Beverly Jay, Joe Jay, and Denise Rainey.
This website is maintained by the father and son
team of Douglas and Josh Leporati.
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