The sounds of New Orleans will fill the Cumming Playhouse through Jan. 27. “Masquerade: Mardi Gras 2013” began its six-show run Friday night. Show times are 3 p.m. today, and 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Jan. 27. Former longtime local educator and Forsyth County Commissioner Linda Ledbetter is the producer and director of the show, which benefits Age Well Forsyth. Ledbetter said about half of every $15 ticket cost will go the local nonprofit, which helps senior citizens stay active. Lisa Gardner, treasurer of the nonprofit, said Age Well Forsyth’s long-term goal is to be able to supplement county funding for a daycare-type program for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. “The respite program is really for the caregivers because there are so many people trying to work, trying to run a household and their parents or loved ones are in need of this type of service,” she said. “As a community, we feel it’s important to support the senior citizens and the active adults so they can live a better life in Forsyth County and not really burden everybody with the taxes, so that’s where our public-private partnership comes into play.” While the show supports a good cause, Ledbetter said that doesn’t mean it won’t be a lot of fun.The production includes performances from the Cumming Playhouse Singers, Showtime Singers of Atlanta and the Rhett Wallers Dixieland Band. “This year we’re starting off with Phantom of the Opera’s ‘Masquerade’ and then we go into New Orleans songs and jazz,” she said. “Then after intermission we have the band coming in from the back and we’ll have a salute to Dixie. “We’ve done about a minute-and-a-half songs about as many Southern states as I can cram in there.” Besides plenty of music, there are also numerous dancers and Ledbetter said audiences should expect to become part of the show, too.“Audiences can expect a fun time and they will be involved in the show,” she said. “We have several acts where the audience is going to be definitely involved in the show.” She’s hoping people come out to support the cause and have a good time. “This is just for fun and to try to raise awareness and some money since there’s definitely a need,” she said. “There’s just music and dancing and a lot of fun things.”