Bette Davis served the desserts. Marlene Dietrich and Lauren Bacall danced the night away. Red Skelton told the jokes and Bing Crosby crooned. The place was the Stage Door Canteen and the guests were the steady stream of GIs headed off to war. Many were leaving home for the first time and the Canteen offered a welcome opportunity to forget their anxieties—if only for a time—with entertainment, fellowship, and a little American spirit.
The National WWII Museum in New Orleans honors this memorable wartime tradition in our very own BB's Stage Door Canteen, an exciting entertainment destination.
BB's Stage Door Canteen presents a wonderful series of unique entertainment, showcasing the songs, style, stars, and spirit of this incomparable era. Enjoy evening and matinee performances by headliner acts, signature musical productions, big bands, dancing, the Victory Belles vocal trio, and more! It's all at BB's Stage Door Canteen!
Required for Entry per City of New Orleans Mandate
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before entry
- Face mask covering mouth and nose at all times except when actively eating or drinking
WARTIME PIANO HAPPY HOUR
After your Museum visit, join us in BB’s Stage Door Canteen for a casual performance of wartime piano music! Tap along to favorites like “Sentimental Journey” and “I’ll Be Seeing You” and learn how these tunes coincided with significant events of the war. Beverages can be purchased at the bar in the American Sector Restaurant.
The Victory Belles
The Victory Belles are a delightful vocal trio performing the music of the 1940s, serenading audiences at The National WWII Museum and across the globe.
Big Band Autumn Swing
The National WWII Museum's own Victory Swing Orchestra celebrates the greatest big bands of the WWII era. This amazing ensemble of talented New Orleans musicians will have you In the Mood to dance the night away! Join us for Big Band Autumn Swing at BB’s Stage Door Canteen! Beverages and charcuterie boards can be purchased at the bar in the American Sector Restaurant.
Whiskey—From the Still to the Battlefield
Join us at BB's Stage Door Canteen for a discussion on the history of whiskey—from the illicit stills during Prohibition to an era of refined tastes for American whiskeys after World War II (and the whiskey distilleries' pivot to support the wartime effort in the production of rubber and industrial alcohol).
Dinner with a Curator: "Kickoff: Football and World War II"
Join Senior Curator & Director of Curatorial Affairs Kimberly Guise as she tackles the subject of football during the war.
Swing That Music: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong
New Orleans jazz legend and former bandleader for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Wendell Brunious, pays tribute to the great Louis Armstrong. The Grammy award-winning trumpet artist will present an evening of fabulous jazz and riveting stories about the poor, African-American boy from New Orleans who pioneered an entire genre of American popular music and taught it to the rest of the world. Ably assisted by BB’s Stage Door Canteen favorite Tom Hook and a band of Crescent City superstars, this will be an unforgettable evening for jazz aficionados and lovers of American popular music alike.
A Swinging Christmas
Our wonderful Victory Belles celebrate the season with a sleigh full of swinging holiday hits. Their beautiful Belle harmony dazzles on Sleigh Ride, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, Let it Snow, and dozens more.
The Victory Belles are Going Virtual!
We are excited to announce that the Victory Belles are now available to serenade you to the sounds of the 1940s—virtually! It's a great way to brighten a loved one’s day with a special song or birthday wish; or, bring the harmony of wartime America to your next corporate or family call.
KNOW BEFORE THE SHOW:
SOME PERFORMANCES CARRY INCREASED RISK
Please note that singing and instrumental music produced by wind instruments are still thought to be higher risk activities for COVID-19 spread. Older adults and people with certain medical conditions are at increased risk to become severely ill from COVID-19, and it is especially important for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19—as well as those who live with them—to protect themselves from getting COVID-19.
Auditions & Employment Opportunities
Find out about audition information for future productions or learn more about employment opportunities at BB’s Stage Door Canteen.
The story of how Bob Hope gave levity and laughter to troops during one of the most brutal conflicts in human history is a crucial component of the history of the war—and a demonstration of how humanity can shine through in the darkest of times. The National WWII Museum is proud to have BB's Stage Door Canteen performances supported by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. If you are a veteran of any war, you may be eligible for free show only tickets to BB's Stage Door Canteen performances through our Tickets for Troops program. Please call our box office at 504-528-1943 for more information.
Now Playing: So Ready for Laughter
An 11-minute documentary, featured in the recent special exhibit dedicated to Bob Hope’s tireless efforts to entertain servicemembers during World War II, now plays continuously in BB’s Stage Door Canteen. Look for it on your next visit.
Supported by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation.
The Original Stage Door Canteen
Where could a GI enjoy the best big bands, dance with the ladies, and rub elbows with the likes of Marlene Dietrich? Only at the Stage Door Canteen.
Victory Belles Birthday Serenade
Do you know a WWII veteran or Home Front worker who’s about to celebrate a birthday? Invite The National WWII Museum’s 1940s songbirds to the party!
Museum Campus
Solomon Victory Theater
Explore The Campus
Museum Campus Guide-
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
The Louisiana Memorial Pavilion exhibits take visitors into the monumental efforts on the Home Front and to the beaches of Normandy—focusing on the thousands of men and women who made Allied victory in World War II possible.
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Campaigns of Courage
In a war where the terrain was as deadly as the enemy, this pavilion tells the story of American servicemembers abroad—and how they overcame unprecedented challenges on multiple fronts to win victory in World War II. In over 19,000 square feet of exhibit space, two extraordinary exhibitions bring visitors inside the epic story of the war in its most infamous settings, bringing to life jungles, beaches, mountains, and oceans in 19 immersive galleries.
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Solomon Victory Theater
The Solomon Victory Theater is home to Beyond All Boundaries, a 4D cinematic experience produced exclusively for The National WWII Museum by Tom Hanks—who narrates the film—and Phil Hettema.
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Hall of Democracy
The Hall of Democracy represents the center of the Museum’s expanding educational outreach initiatives—providing a space that will enable the institution to share its collections, oral histories, research, and expertise with audiences across the world.
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US Freedom Pavilion
In World War II—the war that changed the world—freedom hung in the balance. Americans answered the call to protect that freedom with 16 million men and women serving in uniform and an untold number of citizens of all ages doing their part on the Home Front. In US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, we honor their contributions.
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The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center
The official Hotel of The National WWII Museum, this stunning art-deco style property offers first-class accommodations, meeting spaces, and dining options providing a sophisticated lodging experience for guests.
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John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion
The John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion features glass exterior walls that allow the public a permanent, behind-the-scenes view of the restoration and preservation of priceless WWII artifacts. New to the pavilion is the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Innovation Gallery, which focuses on how problems were solved during World War II through ingenuity and innovation.
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Founders Plaza
Founders Plaza creates an impressive entryway to the Museum campus, safe passage for Museum guests, and a pleasant setting for rest and reflection as part of the visitor experience.
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Bollinger Canopy of Peace
The soaring Bollinger Canopy of Peace, set to stand 150 feet tall, will unify the Museum's diverse campus and establish the Museum as a fixture on the New Orleans skyline.
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Liberation Pavilion
Three building levels will explore the closing months of the war and immediate postwar years, concluding with an explanation of links to our lives today.
