Yearly Archives: 2014

ROCKing the TONY AWARDS – Larry Payton

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Rock the TonyspaytonLARRY PAYTON

Little Rock connection: Founder and longtime leader of Celebrity Attractions which has brought Broadway shows to Little Rock since 1998. Though he died in 2013, the firm continues to bring shows to Little Rock.

Tony Awards connection: Nominated for producing the revivals of Peter Pan and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

He was a partner in the Independent Presenters Network which won Tonys for producing Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002), Spamalot (2005), and La Cage aux Folles (2010). It also was nominated for producing The Color Purple and Leap of Faith as well as revivals of Guys and Dolls and Ragtime. Last season, it won Tonys for producing Kinky Boots and Pippin.

Larry was also served on the Board of Governors for The Broadway League, the presenter of the Tonys, and was a Tony voter.

COMPLEAT WRKS OF WLLM SHKSPR (ABRIDGED) by Ark Rep is focus at Clinton School today at noon

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WllmShksprThe Arkansas Repertory Theatre works in partnership with the Clinton School of Public Service to participate in the UACS’s Distinguished Speaker Series, hosting educational panel discussions on various Rep productions. The latest in these takes place today, Thursday, June 5 at 12 noon at Sturgis Hall in Clinton Presidential Park.

Join Rep Producing Artistic Director Bob Hupp as he hosts the cast from The Rep’s production of  The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr Abridged for a panel discussion on this hilarious roller-coaster spoof of a play!

The Compleat Wrks of Willm Shkspr Abridged opens officially on Friday evening and runs through Sunday, June 29.

ROCKing the TONY AWARDS – Cathy Rigby

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Rock the TonysCathy+Rigby+Arrivals+Tony+Awards+Viewing+Party+WRZOEScg6aplCATHY RIGBY

Little Rock connection: Has appeared in Little Rock at Robinson Center Music Hall as part of national tours of Peter Pan

Tony Awards connection: As a performer, was nominated for Actress in a Musical for Peter Pan in 1991.  As a producer, was nominated for Musical Revival for a production of Peter Pan in 1999.

Architects of Little Rock the focus of June’s Legacies & Lunch

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Architects of LR bookCharles Witsell and Gordon Wittenberg, retired principals of Little Rock architecture firms and co-authors of the newly released Architects of Little Rock: 1833-1950, will discuss Little Rock’s architectural history at Legacies & Lunch on Wednesday, June 4, noon-1 p.m. in the CALS Main Library’s Darragh Center, 100 Rock Street.

Witsell and Wittenberg are retired principals of WER Architects/Planners (Witsell, Evans and Rasco) and WD&D (Wittenberg, Delony and Davidson). Architects of Little Rock: 1833-1950 profiles thirty-five architects, including George R. Mann, Thomas Harding, Charles L. Thompson, and more. Famous buildings such as the Arkansas State Capitol, St. Andrews Cathedral, the Pulaski County Court House, Central High School, and Robinson Auditorium are showcased as well. Copies of the book will be available for purchase; Wittenberg and Witsell will sign copies after their talk.

Legacies & Lunch, the Butler Center’s monthly lecture series, is free, open to the public, and supported in part by the Arkansas Humanities Council. Programs are held from noon-1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. Attendees are invited to bring a sack lunch; drinks and dessert are provided. For more information, contact 918-3033.

ROCKing the TONY AWARDS – Klein, Arnaz & Luckinbill

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Klein, Luckinbill and Arnaz. Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Klein, Luckinbill and Arnaz. Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Robert Klein, Lucie Arnaz, Laurence Luckinbill

Little Rock connection: Klein and Arnaz appeared with the Arkansas Symphony in a semi-staged version of the Tony nominated musical They’re Playing Our Song at Robinson Center Music Hall. Arnaz and her husband Luckinbill (who hails from Fort Smith) have appeared in Little Rock for personal visits as well as in touring shows.

Tony Awards connection: Klein was nominated for his performance in They’re Playing Our Song and has appeared on numerous Tony programs. Arnaz has appeared on Tony ceremonies as well.  Luckinbill was nominated in 1977 for Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in The Shadow Box.

Seven sculptures to be added to Riverfront Park

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Sculpture at the River MarketAt the recent Sculpture at the River Market show, seven “2014 Show Purchases” were made.

Space Race – Merle Randolph

Vixen – Pati Stajcar

Retro Trees – Dale Rogers

Hula Hoop – Janie DeDecker

Liberation – Charles Strain

Old Ringneck – Valerie Schafer

Textured Torso – Timothy Roundy


Look for these pieces to be added to the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden soon.

2014 SaRM purchases 12014 SaRM purchases 22014 SaRM purchases 3

ROCKing the TONY AWARDS – Daniel Davis

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Rock the TonysDaniel-DavisDANIEL DAVIS

Little Rock connection: A Gurdon native, he appeared on Betty Fowler’s locally produced show which aired on KTHV.

Tony Awards connection:  Nominated for Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in 2000’s Wrong Mountain.