Centerplate’s Tricentennial ‘Creole, Of Course’ Finds A Home At The Historic Carver Theater
NEW ORLEANS – Centerplate, one of the world’s leading caterers, and The Historic Carver Theater, one of New Orleans' premiere entertainment venues, are in final negotiations to collaborate on the multi-sensory historic jazz dinner show “Creole, of Course,” to celebrate New Orleans' Tricentennial.
The award-winning show takes visitors on a virtual journey through the history of the city, with a side trip to the swamps, and a Vodou (Voodoo) ceremony.
Jack Lyon, general manager of Centerplate, said this was part of an overall strategy by the company to enhance local offerings by providing authentic experiences in culturally-unique markets. “Our motto is ‘making it better to be there,’” Lyon said. “We serve millions of visitors every year. Our job is to ensure that guests experience the rich and exciting food traditions of the Big Easy.”
Centerplate tapped New Orleans author/entertainer Morgan Molthrop to mastermind and narrate a show centered around five courses prepared by award-winning chef Brandon Felder. Each dish describes an important historical epoch from city’s 300 year history. The show employs film, original art, live jazz, and performances by Mardi Gras Indian, Chief Honey and the Wild Bamboulas of Congo Square.
“We provide guests an answer to the question ‘What makes New Orleans so unique?’” Molthrop said.
The Historic Carver Theater, 2101 Orleans Ave., which has just undergone an $8 million renovation, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its location an half mile from the French Quarter in Treme, the birthplace of jazz, provides “the perfect fit” for a show that focuses on Creole New Orleans.
“We're thrilled to have ‘Creole, of Course’ join the Carver family,” said Chris Ritter, general manager of The Carver. “The Carver will continue to offer the best of New Orleans music as well as national artists before and after the show. We will be the only place in New Orleans where guests can enjoy historic dinner theater and the best music New Orleans has to offer.”
The show will run two nights a week — Wednesdays and Thursdays — starting Wednesday, May 10. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and shows start at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will cost $77.50 per person.
Specials offers and programs for Louisiana residents will be available throughout the Tricentennial. The Carver will also host groups at its state-of-the-art facility.
“The show makes you proud to be a New Orleanian,” said Molthrop. “We designed it as much for locals as we did for visitors. We are lucky to have a community intensely engaged in its own history and culture.”
