Category Archives: Theatre

Neil Berg’s Broadway Holiday continues this weekend

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Celebrity Attractions continues the 2015-16 Broadway season in central Arkansas with Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center.  Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY is the number one touring Broadway concert in America – it brings Broadway’s greatest together for a cherished holiday event.  It opened last night and continues through Sunday.

This winter Neil Berg’s critically acclaimed musical revue Broadway Holiday will appear in cities all across the country. Direct from New York, five of Broadway’s brightest stars will warm the theatre with favorites from hit shows such as LES MISERABLES and DREAMGIRLS through groundbreakers like WEST SIDE STORY and Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, to current blockbusters like JERSEY BOYS and WICKED. The show will also feature much-loved holiday tunes.

Neil Berg pursues the best that Broadway has to offer and that also applies to bringing the best performers to you. This talented cast consists of David Jennings, Carter Calvert, Andrea Rivette, Chuck Wagner and Jason Wooten.  Presented by Celebrity Attractions, Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY will take the stage at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center December 18th-20th. Celebrity Attractions’ 2015-2016 Broadway Season is held at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Maumelle High School.

The remaining performances are Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $35, $53, and $60.  Tickets are available by phone at (501) 244-8800 or (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (501) 492-3312.

Get social with Celebrity Attractions by becoming a fan on Facebook.com/BWayLR.  Follow the Little Rock engagement of Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY on Twitter.com/BwayLittleRock or join the conversation using #BWayHolidayLR.

For more information, visit www.CelebrityAttractions.com.

Grants for Rep, ASO, Oxford American announced by National Endowment for the Arts

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nea-logo-960Three Little Rock based cultural institutions were among the eight Arkansas recipients of National Endowment for Arts grants recently announced.

These were Art Works and Challenge America grants. Art Works grants supports the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts and the strengthening of communities through the arts. Challenge America grants offer support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics or disability.

The Arkanas Repertory Theatre received $15,000 to support a production of An Iliad by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare.  The playwriting team has adapted Homer’s Trojan War epic into a compelling monologue that captures both the heroism and horror of warfare. A key theme is the personal cost of war. The theatre will continue and deepen its ongoing partnership with the Little Rock Air Force base and will engage with the service members and their families during the project. During the performance run, veterans returning from service overseas will share their personal stories as part of a post-performance community conversation. Activities will occur in the theater’s newly constructed second stage and center for community engagement on the Main Street Creative Corridor.

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra received $10,000 to support performances and educational workshops that will culminate in the world premiere performance of a composition by D.J. Sparr, featuring guitarist Ted Ludwig.  The composition is inspired by Ludwig’s flight from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. In addition to performances, electric guitarists Ludwig and Sparr will lead workshops for student musicians and community members from central and southeastern Arkansas, including a high percentage of low-income residents.

The Oxford American received $20,000 to support the publication and promotion of the magazine.  Exploring the complexity and vitality of the American South, the magazine publishes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and criticism by emerging and established authors. The magazine will be promoted through social media, the magazine’s website, a weekly e-newsletter, and events throughout the South.

In addition, TheatreSquared in Fayetteville received $25,000 for its Arkansas New Play Festival. This is presented in Fayetteville and Little Rock. The Little Rock performances are in conjunction with the Arkansas Rep.

Other Arkansas recipients were the Walton Arts Center, Sonny Boy Blues Society (for the King Biscuit Blues Festival), Ozarks Foothills Film Festival and John Brown University.

Pagans on Bobsleds XXIV: One More Splash! pays tribute to late, great Sandy Baskin

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ROT Pagans SandyPagans on Bobsleds XXIV: One More Splash! is newest installment in the long running holiday tradition for Red Octopus Theater. Pagans on Bobsleds XXIV: One More Splash! will run December 10-12, 2015 at The PUBLIC Theatre, located at 616 Center Street, in downtown Little Rock, AR.  Doors will open at 7:30PM and the show will start at 8:00PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens, military and students.  Tickets are general admission, no reservations and there will be refreshments available.  The show is recommended for mature audiences, child tickets are $490.

Pagans on Bobsleds XXIV: One More Splash! a memorial to Sandy Baskin, long time head writer and director of Red Octopus Theater, who passed away earlier this year.  There is no adequate way to measure the influence Sandy Baskin had on the central Arkansas performing arts community and countless actors in her 3 decades of performing, writing and directing.  Sandy Baskin performed with Red Octopus theater for over 20 years and for much of that time was the head writer and director of countless live sketch comedy shows, short films and other performances.  Ms. Baskin may have left this plane of existence, but she will always be the head redhead in Red Octopus.

This year, Pagans on Bobsleds, the long running Red Octopu holiday tradition, will be a greatest hits of Sandy’s  favorites including Fauzio’s, The Nutcracker Suite, Elves What Woo, The Old Lady, They’re Having Eggnog, Devil Hound, Santaman, Fruitcake and many more. Unfortunately, due to her passing, Sandy really left the other Octopi in a lurch for a funny lady with a red bouffant that can cuss like a sailor.  That role is in a lot of these sketches, but  Red Octopus thought, the only thing to do without Sandy Baskin, was to make everyone try to fill her comedy shoes.  It will take a cast of 12 including Frank Butler, Alli Clark, Brian Chambers, Sarah Cunningham, Lesley Dancer, Michael Goodbar, Jeremiah Herman, Nichole Henry, Anderson Penix, Luke Rowlan, Brittany Sparkles, Evan Tanner, Jason Thompson and Jason Willey

Current Executive Director of Red Octopus, Jason Willey said, “Sandy loved hanging out with her people and often she’d say she was just going to have “one more splash” before we called it a night. That usually turned into another hour and a lot of laughs. Everyone in Red Octopus will miss having one more splash with Baskin.  We thought, that’s what this show should be for Red Octopus and our fans, one last splash, for Baskin.”

Red Octopus Theater looks forward to seeing all our friends and fans for Pagans on Bobsleds XXIV: One More Splash, a tribute to the one and only Sandy Baskin.

For more information please contact Jason Willey, Executive Director, Red Octopus Theater at (501) 291-3896, or RedOctopusTheater@gmail.com. Red Octopus is also online atwww.redoctopustheater.com.

To contact The PUBLIC Theatre, call 374-PLAY.

 

Run as fast as you can to the THE GINGERBREAD MAN at the AAC Children’s Theatre

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AACCT GIngerThe Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre is excited to ring in the holiday season with The Gingerbread Man, through December 20.

Grandma Tic and Grandpa Toc couldn’t be more surprised (or pleased) when the Gingerbread Man springs to life and dances around their little clock shop. He’s a happy little cookie man made of ginger and molasses. But when the sly, hungry Fox comes along, playtime is over and the race is on!

You won’t want to miss this fun for the whole family, festive musical which will run Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through December 20. So strap on your sleigh-bell-Nikes and run, run as fast as you can. You can’t catch him! He’s the Gingerbread Man!

The cast includes:

  • Paige Carpenter as Sugarplum Fairy;
  • Aleigha Morton as Grandma Tic;
  • Jeremy Matthey as Grandpa Toc;
  • Madison Stolzer as Ginger;
  • Katie Campbell as Snow Fox;
  • Mark Hansen as Filbert;
  • John Isner as Adorable;
  • Max Green as Papa Penguin;
  • Amelia Bartholomew as Mama Penguin;
  • Morgan Stolzer as Junior the Penguin;
  • Matthew Thorne and Keith Smith as Mr. Nick;
  • Madison Fleck as Elf Clarissa;
  • John Michael Murphy as Elf Clyde.

Bradley D. Anderson is the artistic director for the production which was adapted for the stage and is directed by Keith Smith. Costumes are designed by Erin Larkin, technical direction by Drew Posey, lighting design by Mike Stacks, set design by Mary Alyce Hare, properties design by Miranda Young, choreographed by Erin Fowler, and Rivka Kupperman is the stage manager.

The Gingerbread Man is also sponsored by Target Corporation.

Show times: Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices: $12.50 General admission, $10 for Arkansas Arts Center members, $10 per person for groups of 10 or more

Best enjoyed by all ages.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ArkansasArtsCenter.org/theatre

THE LITTLE MERMAID swims into Ark Rep for holiday season

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LittleMermaidFrom the creators of Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Little Shop of Horrors, the Arkansas Rep presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid, an enchanting musical features an infectious score that includes the popular songs “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl.”

Adapted from the beloved fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen into one of Disney’s most popular animated films of all time, The Little Mermaid is now a lavish theatrical spectacle you won’t want to miss. Plunge into the colorful depths of an undersea wonderland as The Rep’s stage is transformed into an aquatic playground underscored by a funky Calypso beat. The musical features a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Douglas Wright and a score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater.

“A heart warming musical for the entire family,” said Bob Hupp. “From Hans Christian Anderson to Disney to The Rep, generations have fallen in love with the young mermaid who dreams of love and life on land. This musical has it all: a great story, lush designs and all the songs you sang with your kids. You’ll certainly want to make The Little Mermaid part of your world this holiday season.”

The show opens tonight and runs through Sunday, January 3.  Performances are at 7pm with Sunday matinees at 2pm.

The production is directed by Melissa Rain Anderson in her Arkansas Rep debut. Other members of the creative team are Adam Cates (choreography), Mark Binns (music director), Shoko Kambara (scenery), Rafael Colon Castanera (costumes), Robert Denton (lighting), Allan Branson (sound), Lynda J. Kwallek (properties), Robert Pickens (wigs) and 2 Ring Circus (aerial and circus direction).

Katie Emerson plays the title character and Shayne Kennon is her prince. Others in the cast include Cornelius Davis (Sebastian), Jack Doyle (Grimsby), Jared Green (Flotsam), Zach Green (Jetsam), Amy Jo Jackson (Ursula), Ben Liebert (Scuttle), Evan Tyrone Martin (King Triton) and DJ Plunkett (Flounder). Rounding out the cast are Anthony D. Bryant, Kacie Burns, Taylor Collins, Lani Corson, Audra Cramer, Joshua Dean, Ben Franklin, Luke Grooms, Samantha L. Harrington, Sydney Ippolito, Shaun Repetto and Molly Rosenthal.

Some of the performances are already sold out, so act quickly on buying tickets.

 

Ark Rep’s The Little Mermaid is focus of Clinton School lunchtime program today

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LittleMermaidThe 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, December 3 at 12 noon at Sturgis Hall in Clinton Presidential Park.  It focuses on the Rep’s upcoming production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

Adapted from the beloved fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen into one of Disney’s most popular animated films of all time, “The Little Mermaid” is now a lavish theatrical spectacle you won’t want to miss.

From Hans Christian Andersen to Disney to The Rep, generations have fallen in love with the young mermaid who dreams of love and life on land. This musical has it all: a great story, lush designs and all the songs you sang with your kids.

Join the Clinton School for a panel discussion about this production with moderator Bob Hupp, producing artistic director at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

The play opens officially on Friday evening and runs through Sunday, January 3.

#GivingTuesday – support a cultural institution

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Today is #GivingTuesday. Since most of the cultural institutions are non-profits, please remember them when considering a donation.