Monthly Archives: September 2019

Even MORE Shakin’ going on as Arkansas Rep extends MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET!

Posted on by

Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s production of Million Dollar Quartet will extend its run now through Oct. 13. Tickets are available online at TheRep.org or by calling the Box Office at (501) 378-0405.

Million Dollar Quartet, a Tony Award-winning smash hit Broadway musical, is the current production in The Rep’s 2019 Season.

Based on the book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, Million Dollar Quartet chronicles the epic 1956 recording session of young rock ‘n roll stars Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

“It’s more than just a jukebox musical,” said Director Hunter Foster. “It’s a dramatic play. But, the music is still the star and by the end people are usually dancing in the aisles.”

Showcased hit songs include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more.

“All the music that audiences will hear is actually being played by the actors,” Foster said. “Most audiences can’t believe they are playing because they are so good! We’re bringing some of the best actor/musicians in the country to Arkansas.”

The Arkansas Rep cast includes Trent Rowland (Elvis Presley), Bill Scott Sheets (Johnny Cash), Skye Scott (Carl Perkins), Brandyn Day (Jerry Lee Lewis), Karack Osborn (Sam Phillips), Alyssa Gardner (Dyanne), Brian Wolverton (Jay Perkins) and David W. Lincoln (W.S. “Fluke” Holland).

The design and creative team includes Lauren T. Roark, costume designer; Erin Reed, associate costume designer; Adam Koch, set designer; Steven Royal, associate set designer; James Barry, music supervisor; Kirk Bookman, original lighting designer; Steve O’Shea, lighting designer; and Luke Mitchell, sound designer. The stage manager is Colin JB and Merit Glover is the assistant stage manager.

Tickets start at $20. Discounts are available for full-time students, season subscribers, seniors and military personnel. For complete information, visit TheRep.org.

Tickets
May be purchased online at TheRep.org, by phone at (501) 378-0405 or by visiting the Box Office at 601 Main Street in Little Rock. Performances run now through Oct. 13.

Performance Dates, Times for Million Dollar Quartet

Regular Performances

  • Wednesdays-Thursdays at 7 p.m., Sept. 18-19, 25-26, Oct. 2-3, and Oct. 10
  • Fridays at 8 p.m., Sept. 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4, and 11
  • Saturdays at 2 p.m., Sept. 28, Oct. 5, and 12
  • Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, and 12
  • Sundays at 2 p.m., Sept. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, and 13

Special Performances
Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m., is an American Sign Language-interpreted performance.

Tonight on CALS Ron Robinson Theater stage: Hot Club of Cowtown

Posted on by

CALS Arkansas Sounds presents Hot Club of Cowtown

Since 1998, the Western swing-gypsy-jazz trio Hot Club of Cowtown has traveled the world bringing their magical musical chemistry to audiences. Violinist Elana James, guitarist Whit Smith, and bassist Jake Erwin are equal partners in this original marriage of gypsy and jazz inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt—which accounts for the “Hot Club” portion of their name—with the hoedowns, traditional tunes, and Western swing–inspired music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, represented in the “Cowtown” part of their name. This performance features a special musical tribute celebrating 50 years since the release of The Band‘s self-titled album, featuring Arkansas music legend Levon Helm!

Tickets are $25 for general admission seating. The doors open at 7:00 pm and the concert starts at 8:00 pm.

Presented by CALS Arkansas Sounds and the Acansa Arts Festival.

Sponsored by Friends of the Central Arkansas Library System (FOCAL), Acansa Arts Festival, FM 89.1 KUAR, Dr. Elizabeth Fletcher Dishongh Charitable Trust and David Austin at The Charlotte John Company.

September 2FAN at Old State House Museum – Runaway Planet

Posted on by

Image may contain: one or more people, tree, sky and outdoor

This month’s musical guest for 2nd Friday Art Night at the Old State House Museum will be Runaway Planet, the 2019 Bluegrass Artist of the Year winner at the Arkansas Country Music Awards! You’ll love the sound of the band’s unique “mix of hard-driving bluegrass, three-part harmonies, complex arrangements and original songs.”

 

September 2FAN at CALS Library Square tonight

Posted on by

Image may contain: indoorIn addition to the ACANSA opening events, CALS Library Square will be hosting its own 2nd Friday Art Night events.

Opening in the Underground Gallery – Carol Corning: Reflections
Artist Carol Corning’s works seek to recreate shared memories of a simpler time when everything important seemed to happen around the kitchen table. The fused glass and textile artworks in this exhibition are reminiscent of the quilts Corning’s mother made for her family and friends, evoking the lives of the women she grew up with in the country.

AND

Opening in Concordia Hall – “Pass the Biscuits!”: The King Biscuit Blues Festival and Arkansas Blues
Since 1986, the annual King Biscuit Blues Festival has assembled the world’s best blues artists to perform in historic downtown Helena-West Helena, Arkansas. For this exhibition, King Biscuit Blues Festival posters and other musical artifacts provide a visual timeline to tell the festival’s story and to celebrate the past, present, and future of the blues in Arkansas.

Musical Guest: Fonky Donkey Duo (slide blues guitar & percussion vocal duo)

West Gallery: Arkansas Society of Printmakers: Big Impression Prints

Loft Gallery: Melissa Cowper-Smith – Natural Treatment, 2018–2019

The Bookstore at Library Square is proud to present new works from Arkansas Artist Carly Dahl in her show “Making Appearances” for sale at the monthly event, 2nd Friday Art Night.

Join us on the second Friday of every month for #2FAN, a free downtown art gallery walkabout from 5pm-8pm with light refreshments, art show, and late bookstore shopping.

Visit The Bookstore six days a week. Three floors of books, gifts, locally made art & jewelry, plus an art gallery. By far the best place to buy used books in central Arkansas. Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm. Gallery open during regular bookstore hours.

ACANSA 2019 Opening Reception features Ballet Arkansas and Open Studios preview

Posted on by

#ACANSA2019 Opening Reception

Featuring: Ballet Arkansas/Art with a Twist

Open Studios Artist Preview Exhibition as well as to more exhibits: Reflections (Carol Corning) and “Pass the Biscuits!”: The King Biscuit Blues Festival and Arkansas Blues 

Friday, September 13 – 5:00pm
Admission:  Free
CALS’ Roberts Library (formerly the Arkansas Studies Institute building)

The ACANSA Arts Festival of the South kicks off three weeks of performing arts, visual arts exhibitions and presentations during a free Opening Reception. Inside CALS’ Roberts Library in downtown Little Rock’s River Market, the ACANSA Festival Opening Reception includes an exhibit featuring artists participating in the Little Rock Arts + Culture Commission’s Open Studios.

Just outdoors, Ballet Arkansas brings even more levity to the Festival’s launch with an innovative cross-pollination between visual and performance art. Art with a Twist explores the motion behind the creation of modern art when Ballet Arkansas dancers use their bodies to create four unique outdoor pieces of visual art.Image may contain: 1 person, dancing

September 2FAN at HAM – soothSAY

Posted on by

Join HIstoric Arkansas Museum for the opening reception of “soothSAY” an exhibit by Culture Shock Arkansas. Shannon Boshears Band will provide the live entertainment. Kat Robinson, renowned author and food blogger, will be signing copies of her new book, “101 Things to Eat in Arkansas Before You Die,” in the Museum Store.

The reception is sponsored by the Historic Arkansas Museum Foundation, with special thanks to 107 Liquor. Beverages and appetizers will be served in the Stella Boyle Smith Atrium. The exhibits and reception are free and open to the public.