Photos: Ready for her close-up

Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University kicks off its 45th season tonight (June 21) with Elizabeth Argus starring as fading Hollywood silent film star Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, Andrew Lloyd Webber's acclaimed musical adaptation of Billy Wilder's 1950 film.

Following later in the season are Anything Goes and Fiddler on the Roof.


A deranged Norma speaks the immortal phrase, “Now, Mr. DeMille, I am ready for my close-up.” Among other memorable lines, Norma declares, “I am big ... it's the pictures that got small!”


Down-and-out screenwriter Joe Gillis (Kasey Marino) romances Betty, played by Tulane alumna Katie Howe. After breaking into the New York scene with a role in the Manhattan Children's Theater production of Giggle, Giggle, Quack, Howe is now getting her feet wet working behind the camera for small films.

Performances of each production take place at the Brandt V. B. Dixon Performing Arts Center on the Tulane uptown campus. Each show takes the stage for four performances on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and one matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office or by phone at 504-865-5269.