Yearly Archives: 2014

Fun and Games – HUNGER GAMES at Movies in the Park tonight

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MitP10 HungerGamesThe 2012 movie The Hunger Games is next up at Movies in the Park.

Oscar winner (though not for this role) Jennifer Lawrence leads the cast.  Other major roles are played by Stanley Tucci, Willow Shields, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Josh Hutcherson, Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Toby Jones and Lenny Kravitz.  Central Arkansas native Wes Bentley also stars in the movie.

The film is directed by Gary Ross, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Suzanne Collins and Billy Ray. It is based on the novel by Ms. Collins.

Now in its 10th season, Movies in the Park is a free outdoor film series at the First Security Amphitheater in Riverfront Park.  The move starts at dark (around 8:30).

Movies in the Park has grown to a season of eight films per year, on average, reaching audiences of up to 4,000 people. It’s a staple event in Central Arkansas. Communities from across the state, and the country, have reached out for guidance as they have tried to implement similar programs in the own communities.

Since 2008, the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau has been managing Movies in the Park.

Tales from the South makes “A Lasting Impression” at Arkansas Arts Center tonight

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talesfromsouthEach Tuesday, Tales from the South features stories about life in the South told by the people who experienced them.  Tonight’s theme is “A Lasting Impression.”  It is an apt theme since the location will be the Arkansas Arts Center’s Best Impressions restaurant.

Tonight’s featured guests are Rich Shumate, Alice Vantrease, and Mickey Jordan.

Music is by Brad Williams and blues guitarist Mark Simpson.

“Tales From the South” is a radio show created and produced by Paula Martin Morell, who is also the show’s host. The show is taped live on Tuesday. The night is a cross between a house concert and a reading/show, with incredible food and great company. Tickets must be purchased before the show, as shows are usually standing-room only.

“Tales from the South” is a showcase of writers reading their own true stories. While the show itself is unrehearsed, the literary memoirs have been worked on for weeks leading up to the readings. Stories range from funny to touching, from everyday occurrences to life-altering tragedies.

Dinner is served from 5pm to 6:30pm, the show starts at 7pm.  Admission is $10.

You MUST purchase your ticket before the show.

Previous episodes of “Tales from the South” air on KUAR Public Radio on Thursdays at 7pm.  This program will air on July 31.

Little Rock Look Back: James A. Woodson, LR’s 37th Mayor

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IMG_0298On July 14, 1848, future Little Rock Mayor James Alexander Woodson was born in North Carolina.  The son of two prominent eastern families, he and his parents moved to Pine Bluff in 1849.  His father died within two weeks of the family’s arrival in Arkansas.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted as a drummer boy in the Ninth Arkansas infantry but was discharged because of his youth. He worked as a clerk at a general store in Pine Bluff. After the Civil War ended, he attended school in Virginia and Maryland before returning Pine Bluff. Upon his return he worked in the steamboat business and eventually started working in railroads. He was instrumental in putting together one of the forerunners of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and worked for them for 18 years.

Woodson moved to Little Rock in March 1881 and continued working for the railroad until 1891.  Working in the mercantile business allowed him more time to be engaged in civic affairs.  In 1895 he was elected mayor.   He handily defeated former mayor W. G. Whipple who was seeking to return to office.

During Mayor Woodson’s tenure, he oversaw renovations of the 1867 Little Rock City Hall (which was located at the time on the north side of Markham between Main Street and Louisiana Street).  He also championed the construction of a city hospital and the first free bridge across the Arkansas River.  Mayor Woodson was reelected in April 1897 and April 1899.

In April 1890, he resigned to take over the Arkansas and Southwestern Railway.  After restoring it to sound financial footing, he later led the Arkansas Asphalt Company.  That company provided the first asphalt for paving Little Rock city streets.

Woodson served as a director of the Little Rock board of trade (forerunner to the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce), director of the Mercantile Trust Company and president of the state board of trade (forerunner of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce).

Woodson married Virginia Lanier in 1868.  They had six children, five of whom lived to adulthood.  Mayor Woodson died on October 19, 1908 and is buried in Mt. Holly Cemetery.  His wife lived until 1937 and is buried next to him.  Also buried in Mount Holly are their children James Alexander Woodson, Benjamin Morehead Woodson and Gertrude Woodson Hardeman; each of whom died before their mother.  Mrs. Hardeman’s husband and son are also buried in Mount Holly.

In 2013, Mayor Woodson was one of the characters portrayed at the annual Parkview High School “Tales from the Crypt” program at Mount Holly.

Little Rock Look Back: Oscar Hammerstein II

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OHIIOn July 12, 1895, Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein, better known as Oscar Hammerstein II was born. He spent his entire professional life working in the theatre.  One of the musicals he wrote was South Pacific, which featured a character from Little Rock.

In the source novel, Tales of the South Pacific, Forbush is from rural Arkansas.  When Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers and Joshua Logan were adapting it for the stage, they moved the character to Little Rock (or “Small Rock” as the French planter Emil De Becque mistakenly refers to it).

Little Rock is referred to throughout the show.  One song, “My Girl Back Home” contained musical references to Arkansas’ capitol city.  That song was cut before South Pacific opened on Broadway.  It was, however, included in the movie version.  It was also reinstated and included in the 2008 Broadway revival.

Mary Martin won a Tony for originating the role of Nellie Forbush on Broadway. One of the actors who succeeded her was Cloris Leachman. Kelli O’Hara received a Tony nomination in 2008 for the Broadway revival.

South Pacific became the second musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It also became the first winner of the Pulitzer for Drama to be based on another Pulitzer prize winner — James Michener won the Pulitzer for Tales of the South Pacific.

Hammerstein’s creation of a character from Little Rock caused problems when the show was being performed in late 1957 and for a few years after.  With the 1957 desegregation crisis still fresh in people’s memories, a show about a woman from Little Rock facing her own racial prejudices was sometimes a bit much for audiences. Apparently some audiences would boo when Little Rock was mentioned.  But Rodgers and Hammerstein did not change her hometown.

At the 1999 celebration marking the 50th anniversary of South Pacific opening on Broadway, a proclamation from then-Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey was read.  It paid tribute to Nellie Forbush as an ambassador (albeit fictional) for Little Rock. The proclamation noted that her optimism, forbearance and ability to change for the better were emblems of Little Rock.  Since these were attributes which Mr. Hammerstein himself exhibited, one suspects he would be pleased.

Hammerstein died in 1960 during the run of The Sound of Music (which like South Pacific starred Mary Martin).

For those wanting to see an Oscar Hammerstein II show on his birthday or during his birth month, South Pacific has just started a run in Benton at the Royal Players.

Hiland Dairy Dollar Day at the Little Rock Zoo today!

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Hiland TigerToday is the annual Hiland Dairy Dollar Day at the Little Rock Zoo. Admissions will be $1 all day long.

Guests can enjoy several special keeper chats and other activities that will go on throughout the day.  The Zoo’s Animal Ambassador Show at the Civitan Amphitheater will happen at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Zoo will also add additional food vendors, security officers, and emergency medical technicians to ensure everyone has a fun and safe day.

Hiland Dairy is an annual sponsor of the Zoo and over the last five years has committed more than $250,000 to the Zoo in the form of cash sponsorships and in-kind product donations.  Formerly Coleman Dairy, Hiland Dairy is proud to sponsor the annual Dollar Day at the Zoo to bring family fun to all Arkansas families.

The Last admission to the Zoo is 4:00 p.m. and the Zoo will close at 5:00 p.m.  The Zoo will also sell Hiland products for only $1 including cold tea and other beverages.

“Hiland Dairy is excited to support one of the state’s largest family attractions, the Little Rock Zoo, and provide a fun day for the families of Arkansas,” said Walt Coleman of Hiland Dairy.

Little Rock Zoo Director Mike Blakely added that the Zoo is excited to host another Hiland Dairy Dollar Day and is looking forward to offering this special discount.

“It is only through the generous financial contribution of Hiland Dairy that the Little Rock Zoo is able to offer this special discount day to the public, and for that, we are very thankful. Hiland Dairy has a strong commitment to the Zoo and wants every Arkansan to experience this family attraction that provides engaging experiences to inspire people to value and conserve our natural world,” said Zoo Director Mike Blakely.

In addition to providing a sponsorship for the discount day, Hiland Dairy has also provide the Zoo with in-kind product donations for Café Africa and for special events at the Zoo, and has also provided free advertising opportunities for the Zoo on its milk cartons.  The annual sponsorship totals more than $50,000 and 2014 marks the fifth year in a row that Hiland Dairy has made this commitment.

Hiland Dairy Dollar Day will run all day on Saturday.  Gates will open at 9:00 a.m. and last admission will be at 4:00 p.m. with the Zoo closing to the public at 5:00 p.m.  The Animal Ambassador Stage will have two shows at 11:00 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. at the Civitan Amphitheater and other special programs are scheduled throughout the Zoo during the day.

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.

LR native and 3 time Tony winner Will Trice headed back to Broadway as a producer of revival of YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU.

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YCTIWY bwayThree time Tony winner (and Little Rock native) Will Trice is heading back to Broadway this fall as a producer of an all-star revival of the Pulitzer Prize winning comedy You Can’t Take It with You.

The cast will be led by two time Tony winner James Earl Jones.  Additional casting was announced yesterday.  The production will mark a reunion from the recent revival of The Best Man for Jones with actress Elizabeth Ashley and producers Jeffrey Richards and Trice.

The Little Rock Central alum has won a Tony for each of the past three seasons. This marks the first announced project for the Trice for the 2014-2015 season.

First performed on Broadway at the height of the Great Depression, it has not been revived on Broadway since 1983.  You Can’t Take It with You, by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, celebrates the American spirit as well as spirited family life.  Others in the cast, which is to be directed by multiple Tony nominee Scott Ellis, are Tony nominee Kristine Nielsen, Tony nominee Reg Rogers, Tony nominee Annaleigh Ashford, Theatre World winner Crystal A. Dickinson and stage veterans Byron Jennings and Julie Halston.

Trice at the 2014 Tony Awards

Trice at the 2014 Tony Awards

Mark Linn-Baker, who has cut his teeth on both stage and TV, is also in the cast. Others in the show include Marc Damon Johnson and Patrick Kerr. Three time Tony winner Jason Robert Brown is composing music for the play.

Performances will start at New York’s Longacre Theatre on August 26 with an official opening night of September 28.

Trice’s Tony Awards came for the 2014 Best Play All the Way, 2013 Best Play Revival Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and the 2012 Best Musical Revival Porgy and Bess.  He also received a nomination for 2012 Best Play Revival for The Best Man.  This past year, of the 26 Tony Awards presented, seven went to shows produced by Jeffrey Richards and Will Trice.

Glen Campbell documentary screening tonight

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G CampbellTonight at 7pm, the Arkansas Motion Picture Institute (AMPI) is hosting a special advance preview screening of the new feature documentary, Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me.

It will take place at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater located at 100 River Market Avenue in Little Rock. The event will feature an audience discussion with the filmmakers, Producer and Director James Keach and Producer Trevor Albert, and with members of the Campbell family.
Presented by AARP Arkansas, advance reservations for the event are $25 and available exclusively online at www.arkansasmpi.org. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. for the 7:00 p.m. screening, with seating first come, first served.
The event will be hosted by Brian & Brianne Bush, the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), with printing by TCPrint Solutions and production services provided by Southern Arkansas University Tech.
Director and Producer James Keach (Walk the Line) and Producer Trevor Albert (Because of Winn Dixie, Groundhog Day) will attend and participate in an audience dialogue immediately following the film. Members of the Campbell family will also be in attendance and will present a short, a cappella performance of their favorite Glen Campbell songs.