Krewe of Orpheus Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Superstar and Pop Icon as Monarchs
NEW ORLEANS – The Krewe of Orpheus will celebrate its 30th anniversary Monday, Feb. 20, as they reign over the city of New Orleans, ending at the Ernst N. Morial Convention Center for the spectacular Orpheuscapade – the biggest dance party of Mardi Gras!
The 2023 parade theme, Dark Dictums of Childhood, will roll Uptown with a procession of 42 floats, 1,500 members and 30 marching units led by Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Darren Criss, and international pop idol Joey Fatone as monarchs, with Fatone headlining the post parade gala, Orpheuscapade, which is open to the public.
“The Krewe of Orpheus is well-known across the world for our celebrity monarchs and impressive Orpheuscapade entertainment lineup,” says captain Sonny Borey. “Our 2023 monarchs include legends of music, film and television that could only be brought together on Lundi Gras evening.”
Actor, singer and songwriter, Criss rose to fame starring on the television series “Glee” and received Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his leading role as spree killer Andrew Cunanan in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.” Triple threat Criss also appears on Broadway, in film, has released several albums and just completed a sold-out run at the legendary Café Carlyle.
A member of the record-shattering, multi-platinum boyband *NSYNC, Fatone’s status as a global pop icon is just the beginning. Over the past decade he has gone on to find success as an actor, host, Broadway star, voice-over artist, dancer and media personality with a number of successful television shows.
In honor of the parade’s milestone 30th anniversary, joining Fatone and Criss in the parade and at Orpheuscapade will be a tribute to the 90s – A Boy Band Mardi Gras. The impressive lineup includes favorite boy band members Jeff Timmons, Drew Lachey and Justin Jeffre of 98 Degrees, Erik-Michael Estrada of O-Town, Jamie Jones of All-4-One and Ryan Cabrera.
“We’re going back to our roots with this 90s tribute lineup,” says Borey. “With over 80 million albums sold, a billon online streams and countless awards, these music icons singing their mega hits is a can’t miss celebration.”
In addition to the celebrity monarchs and 90s tribute lineup, Orpheuscapade performers will also include Orpheus beloved Party Crashers, and local favorites The Mixed Nuts, Sugar Shaker, The Best: A Tribute to Tina Turner, along with homages to Britney Spears and Taylor Swift.
For more information about the Krewe of Orpheus or to purchase tickets to Orpheuscapade visit kreweoforpheus.com.
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Editor’s Note: High-resolution images of this year’s celebrity monarchs are available here.
The Krewe of Orpheus, co-founded in 1993 by Captain Sonny Borey and Harry Connick, Jr., derives its name from the mortal Orpheus, son of the god Apollo and the muse Calliope. One of the city’s “super krewes”, Orpheus is consciously nonexclusive and New Orleans most diverse krewe boasting 1,500 members from all walks of life. The parade rolls on Lundi Gras and culminates with the Orpheuscapade, a black-tie party that draws thousands of revelers to welcome the floats through the convention center as they are entertained by world-renowned musicians.