Jefferson Performing Arts Society

Jefferson Performing Arts Society

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Cherries Jubilee

May 8-17, 2026

Westwego Performing Arts Theatre
177 Sala Avenue, Westwego, LA

  • Tickets
Cherries Jubilee is a heartwarming local comedy written by 4 local ladies: Joyce Pulitzer, Harriet Nelson, Lynne Goldman, and Marcy Nathan.
Originally presented at Southern Rep Theatre in 2001, the play was scheduled to run for two weekends, but due to overwhelming demand, ran for three months.  To quote Times-Picayune Theatre Critic David Cuthbert, "Set in the Garden District of New Orleans, this award winning show, written for women by women, tells the story of 5 friends as they navigate life over the course of four decades… from graduation to grandchildren… from cellulite to cellphones.   As their loves and losses accrue and banter gives way to bonding, they realize that the rules they've lived by have changed and so have they."
Fans of Steel Magnolias are sure to love Cherries Jubilee.

CAST

Click headshot for bio

Savannah Chiasson

Savannah is very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this production. Her recent credits include Disaster! The Musical (Sister Mary Downey), Xanadu (Calliope), Sister Act (Mary Theresa... the old nun), Spongebob the Musical (Spongebob), The Play That Goes Wrong (Annie), and Elf the Musical (Deb) at Rivertown Theaters. Other credits include Shrek (Pinocchio), Rocky Horror (Janet Weiss), and The Addams Family (Wednesday Addams). When she is not at the theater, she is teaching math to 8th-12th grade special education students. She would like to thank Gary and Michael for the opportunity, the playwrights for sharing their stories, and the cast/creative team for making this experience so smooth and enjoyable. Shoutout to her family and friends for their constant, overflowing love and support!

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Savannah Chiasson

Laura

Lorna Dopson

Lorna is an accomplished film and television actress who is overjoyed to be returning to the stage. She's had an incredible experience working with her castmates in bringing this show to life. She knows she is supposed to list her accomplishments, but that makes her feel weird, so you can just look her up on IMDb instead. She would like to thank her kids for tolerating the frequent babysitter visits during the rehearsal process. 

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Lorna Dopson

Ashley

Michaela Brown

Michaela is so excited to be making her JPA debut in Cherries Jubilee! Having graduated from Tulane with a Master’s in Anthropology, she spent the past few years working in the museum field. While her adventures brought her from an archaeological site in Maryland to the jungles of Costa Rica, she never lost her love of theater. Now a theater teacher for Jefferson Parish Schools, she is thrilled to be back home on the Westbank doing what she loves! Special thanks to Adam for encouraging her to follow her passions and to Gary and Michael for giving her the chance to return to the stage.

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Michaela Brown

Linda

Lauren Smith

Lauren Smith is an actress from Zachary, Louisiana and graduated from Oklahoma City University with a BFA in Acting. Her recent credits include Xanadu (Kira/Clio), Gypsy (Dainty June), Assassins (Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme), and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Angel) at Rivertown Theaters. She feels honored to be a small part of the Cherries Jubilee legacy and hopes to make the playwrights proud. She would like to thank Gary and Michael, her castmates, and the crew and creative team for making this process so sweet!

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Lauren Smith

Helen

Lauren Gauthier

Lauren A. Gauthier is honored to make her first appearance with Jefferson Performing Arts. She was last seen onstage with Fat Squirrel’s The Crucible. After a few film projects and voiceover work, she is glad to be back on stage doing live theater and has loved bringing Cherries Jubilee to life with her castmates. Special thanks to Gary and Michael for their support and positivity through this process. Additional thanks to Joyce Pulitzer for her time and for sharing her love of theater with us. Now, like with an actual Cherries Jubilee, we are ready to light this show up!

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Lauren Gauthier

Sarah

Dana Panepinto

Dana has returned back home to New Orleans after 23 years of working as a performer and arts instructor in New York City. She is thrilled to join the talented cast of Cherries Jubilee and begin her artistic life anew at the Jefferson Performing Arts Society. Some NYC credits include Lady Macbeth in Macbeth (Queens Theatre in the Park), Cassandra in Trojan Women (TADA Theatre), Barbara Dennin in Men in White (The Neighborhood Playhouse). Dana holds an MFA in Theatre Performance (The University of Florida) and a BFA in Theatre and Dance (The University of Southern Mississippi). Much thanks to Gary and Michael for bringing me in! So grateful for my family and Brentt, supporting me in this big transition.

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Dana Panepinto

Lois