By LEONARD GRAY

Tonight, I return to the stage after an absence of 27 years, which may indicate that Hollywood or Broadway hasn’t exactly beaten down my door, in need of my thespian talents.

However, it’s for a good cause, and it is part of the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial observances.

The St. Charles Historical Foundation, in cooperation with the River Road Historical Society, presents “An Evening with the Notables” tonight at Destrehan Plantation’s Mule Barn. With a cast including Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee, former Congresswoman and Ambassador Lindy Boggs, U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Lemmon, retired La. Supreme Court Justice Harry Lemmon, Rep. Gary Smith, Sen. Joel Chaisson, Parish President Albert Laque and Clerk of Court Charles Oubre Jr., few of whom have any acting ability whatsoever (if Tuesday’s rehearsal was any indication), the good-natured effort will nevertheless raise smiles while raising money toward a parish museum.

There may be a few last minute tickets still available at the plantation.

One highlight I can promise for the performance will be the witty interplay between Lloyd Sensat (as Bernard deMarigny) and L.J. Frickey (as Jean Lafitte) as they discuss who is the most colorful.

Guaranteed. You’ll roll in the aisle.

Certainly different, it is part of the bicentennial of one of the biggest land deals in history, as the United States doubled its territory in one swoop, kept Napoleon from ever considering an expansion of his empire on the North American continent, opened up the Mississippi River for the expansion of the Midwest and West and moved the nation into the front ranks of the world community.

There will be solemn observances, re-enactments, official visits by foreign dignitaries, art, music and verse created and a sense of Louisiana’s history brought to the forefront of American thought.

Few, though, will imagine what will hit the Mule Barn tonight.

2003 marks as well the centennial of the founding of Garyville, and a host of activities is being planned, from a photo fair to a beauty pageant, and from a festival to a riverboat ride.

Louisiana has given so much to America and to the world. This year, through tourism dollars, Louisiana will get something back.

Therefore, get involved in these activities, educate your children about them, and pass a good time!

LEONARD GRAY is assistant managing editor of L’Observateur. He may be reached at (985) 652-9545.