Patti LuPone Heads to Bayou Country, Priscilla Hits the Road & More Cross-Country Highlights

It's time to ring in the new year with an abundance of exciting productions from Minneapolis to New Orleans and beyond! This week's Countrywide Guide highlights a Broadway diva’s trip down south, a magical night directed by Neil Patrick Harris, a tribute to a legendary TV classic and more.


PHOENIX, AZ
Anneliese Van Der Pol Plays Cupid in Emma
Disney vet Anneliese Van Der Pol is stirring up trouble among her friends in the sparkling musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. Arizona Theatre Company's production stars the Beauty and the Beast and That’s So Raven alum as optimistic matchmaker Emma Woodhouse alongside Shannon Stoeke as Mr. Knightley and Colin Hanlon as Frank Churchill. Written and composed by Paul Gordon, Emma will run through January 20 at the Herberger Theater Center.


NEW ORLEANS, LA
Patti LuPone Takes On the Big Easy
Broadway legend Patti LuPone will join Seth Rudetsky at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts on January 7 for what is sure to be a dazzling evening of conversation, cocktails and, of course, plenty of showtunes. Fresh from her New Year's Eve appearance at 54 Below, LuPone kicks off the new Broadway Concert Series at NOCCA, which continues with appearances by Sutton Foster, Megan Mullally and Audra McDonald in 2013.


MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Priscilla Goes on a Road Trip
After a year-long run on Broadway, the splashy musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert is hitting the road on January 8, starring Wade McCollum, Bryan West and Scott Willis as a trio of fabulous friends who take a road trip across Australia to perform in a drag show. The national tour makes its first stop in Minneapolis, bringing glitzy costumes and a score of classic disco songs. Head to the Orpheum Theatre to shake your groove thing with Mitzi and the gang!


LOS ANGELES, CA
Neil Patrick Harris Makes Magic in Nothing to Hide
Screen star and Tony host extraordinaire Neil Patrick Harris has something up his sleeve—it’s the Geffen Playhouse production of Nothing to Hide. Harris directs sleight-of-hand artists Derek DelGaudio and Helder Guimaraes in an astounding evening of illusions at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, through January 20. Harris isn’t part of the act, but you just might spot him in the audience enjoying a magical evening that's earned critical kudos.


CHICAGO, IL
Lucy and Ricky Come Alive On Stage
A redheaded schemer has taken over the Broadway Playhouse, and she’s got some ‘splaining to do! Go behind the scenes at Desilu Productions to see a taping of the groundbreaking ‘50s sitcom live on stage through March 3. Starring Sirena Irwin, I Love Lucy Live On Stage features real scripts, songs and hijinks from the classic series. During commercial breaks, the Crystaltone Singers perform catchy jingles from the show’s sponsors. Head to Chicago to sing “Babalu” with Lucy, Ricky, Ethel and Fred.