Since 1996, Vatican Lokey has appeared annually during the Carnival season as the eponymous Mardi Gras expert Professor Carl Nivale on the WWL-TV 4 Morning Show hosted by creator and New Orleans broadcasting legend Eric Paulsen. The Professor was the invention of Mr. Lokey and former Morning Show producer Dionne Butler as a one-off character. The Professor was an instant hit, and he has continued to appear annually during the Carnival season. Soon, Edward R. Cox created Grand Marshal Marty Graw, and the Mardi Gras duo grew into something bigger. In Carnival 2019, the Professor and the Grand Marshal finally made their stage debuts at the historic Bayou Playhouse in Lockport, Louisiana to appreciative audiences. An entertaining and educational night of Mardi Gras facts and anecdotes that resonated surprisingly well with the audiences; due in no small part to the contributions of cast members Edward R. Cox (as his character Grand Marshal Marty Graw), "students" Camille Griffin and Seth Robichaux, and the invaluable input of Executive Director Cindy Griffin. The story is simple. Two students of King's College of Carnival Knowledge (Camille Griffin and Seth Robichaux) have been placed into special detention for cheating on their entrance exams. Because their chosen methods of cheating were irrevocably linked to the traditions of Carnival and Mardi Gras, Professor Carl Nivale and Grand Marshal Marty Graw have chosen to give them a crash course in lieu of expulsion. The audience (all members in good standing at King's College), have been asked to attend to get extra credit for sharing their own knowledge. The entire show is a fun-filled interactive exploration of the history and importance of Carnival and Mardi Gras in Louisiana! Since the show's debut, the Professor was named Mayor Latoya Cantrell's official parade narrator at historic Gallier Hall, alongside the Grand Marshal, as well as the City of New Orleans' on-site Carnival and Mardi Gras experts, imparting their wealth of knowledge for the attendees in the stands for every parade on the Orleans Parish docket. In 2019, the Professor called several of the largest and most popular parades, including the krewes of Hermes, Endymion, and the Rex Organization. Plans are being finalized for a 2020 run in the Ty Tracy Theatre inside Gallier Hall! Watch Part One of The Prof. Carl Nivale Show HERE Watch Part Two of The Prof. Carl Nivale Show HERE Watch Part Three of the Prof. Carl Nivale Show HERE |
Nights of Noel |
NOLA Voice Theatre was thrilled to be included in the 2018 season by the jewel box of a theatre in Lockport, LA, the Bayou Playhouse. Originally, the executive producer Cindy Griffin had planned an evening of Christmas concert music. NVT was proud to bring a new original concept to the evening, giving the artists in Lockport the opportunity to create original roles in an all-new production!
It's the night of the big show at WBPH, and everything is going wrong. An actor quits unexpectedly, and the show may be cancelled by the station's owners. It takes the staff of WBPH, and a load of fantastic vocalists to bring back the magic of the holiday season. Featuring a new voice theatre adaptation of the story commonly known as "Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa Claus" starring our young cast members! The show was an instant success, garnering a host of new patrons for the theatre and inspiring a new edition of "Nights of Noel" for the 2019 holiday season. Starring Edward R. Cox*, Vatican Lokey*, Jim Holmes, Beverly Brooks, and Camille Griffin. Musical guests Angela Jones, Hannah Arcenaux, Hailey Thibodaux, Lily Hodges, Emma Lodrigue, Brenna Landry, Brooklyn Savoie, and Ty Thibodaux. Written and directed by Vatican Lokey See the show HERE! |
What our audience is saying:"Creativity abounds in the New Orleans theatre scene. There are original works along with standards & revivals ... & then there is the NOLA Voice Theatre presenting The Little Shop Around the Corner as a reader's theatre/radio presentation, adapted to a New Orleans locale. Way to go!" |
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