"Wine Lovers" musical opens

It is a natural pairing. Put six glasses of fine wine together with a musical "class" about the joys of tasting wine and you've got some idea of what "Wine Lovers" is all about. Attendees sit at tables of four seeing, swirling, smelling, sipping, swishing, swallowing or spitting the various varieties of wines covered in this course "taught" by the renowned Charles Thompson (Jamie Wax). Think of it as a unique offering. Both wine connossieurs and neophytes of wine tastings can glean a lot about wine in a relatively short period (approximately 70 minutes) through the very fast patter songs and humorous ditties that make up the first few songs.

Somewhere around the third glass of wine, the two class attendees on stage Brian (P. J. McKinnie) and Katherine (Jennifer Schemke) are falling in love with wine and each other. It's a very cute study in contrasts: Brian is the plain, rugged guy who is lonely and looking for companionship, while Katherine is the self-assured career woman, who is looking to make more closings by ordering the right kind of wines. Slowly, they begin to realize that there is more to sample on their tongues than the bouquet or body in the wine. 

Wax's portrayal of Charles Thompson is spot on. He is delightfully playful with both the actors and the audience and hams it up as often as he plays it straight on stage. While McKinnie and Schemke are on stage alone, the audience naturally becomes interested in their budding relationship. Yet, when Wax is onstage, he sets the tempo for what action will occur and makes the most of the comedic elements contained within.

The clever scenic design by Joshua Palmer and lighting by Matthew Foucheaux is worthy of mention. Especially compelling are the video bits on the large screen that seconds as a virtual wine rack. Producers Gary Solomon, Jr. , Jonathan Foucheaux and Michael Green are holding this presentation at the Muriel's Cabaret Stage at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré. The Solomon Group and Holly-Anne Ruggiero are providing major backing for the show and may be presenting it at other venues over the course of the next year. 

For performance times, check out the Le Petit website or call 504-522-2081. Tickets are $59 each, and the first five performances (after previews are over on May 26) will be considered part of the New Orleans Food and Wine Experience, the annual festival that showcases food and spirits. Another great pairing.