Category Archives: Theatre

Don’t WAIT UNTIL the show is DARK – Final two performances of thriller at Arkansas Rep

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THEREP_WAITUNTILDARK (no credits)-page-001Frederick Knott’s Tony-nominated thriller Wait Until Dark plays its final two performances today on the stage of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

This masterfully constructed tale of suspense will keep Rep audiences on the edge of their seat (but you still have to pay for the entire seat).

A sinister con man and two ex-convicts are about to meet their match. They have traced the location of a mysterious doll to the Greenwich Village apartment of Sam Hendrix and his wife, Susy. With murder afoot, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues, as Susy discovers the only way to play fair is to play by her rules.

The cast is composed entirely of Rep veterans. It includes Amy Hutchins (It’s a Wonderful Life), Nate Washburn (Henry V), Michael Stewart Allen (Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, Romeo & Juliet), Robert Ierardi (Clybourne Park), Craig Maravich (Death of a Salesman), Michael Lowe (Les Miserables, Hairspray), David Tennal (Clybourne Park, Les Miserables), Reagan Hodson (Because of Winn Dixie), and Ella Moody (White Christmas).

The production is directed by Robert Hupp. Others on the production team include Mike Nichols (set), Marianne Custer (costumes), Yael Lubetzky (lighting), Allan Branson (sound), Lynda J. Kwallek (props), and D. C. Wright (fight choreography).

Show times are 2pm and 7pm.

No Lies, final weekend of PINOCCHIO on stage at Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre

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PinocchioThe Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre presents Pinocchio through November 9.

“We are thrilled to bring this timeless children’s book to life with the magic of live theatre,” said Todd Herman, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Center. “Audiences young and old are invited to experience the fun and the frolic as Geppetto’s little Pinocchio learns an important lesson.”

Once upon a time there was… a king? A beautiful princess? An evil wizard? No. Once upon a time there was… a block of wood. One day, by a stroke of incredible luck, this commonplace piece of lumber found its way into the skilled hands of Geppetto the wood carver. And so, the world’s most famous marionette, Pinocchio, was born. Come join the fun as the little puppet runs away to discover the world. Meet strange and exciting creatures like the Fox, the Cat, the Blue-haired Fairy, the dreaded Giant Dogfish, and yes – the Talking Cricket.

This production is adapted for the stage by Keith Smith from the original story by Carlo Collodia.

The cast for Pinocchio includes:

  • Mark Hansen as Geppetto Patalone
  • Genevieve West Fulks as The Blue Fairy
  • Margaret Lowry as Pinocchio
  • Nate Plummer as Dottore/The Talking Cricket
  • Jeremy Matthey as Capitano
  • Katie Campbell as Arlecchino/The Lame Fox
  • Araya Harrison as Puchinella/The Blind Cat
  • Aleigha Garstika as Scapino/Tuna
  • Paige Carpenter as Antonio/The Coachman
  • Lauren Linton as Asti
  • Kenny Barron as Spumanti/Inn Keeper
  • Sienna Grace, Richard Nelson, Anna Spollen, Sophie Wacaster, Jasmine Ware, and Demetrius Watts as the Pandemonium Mimes

Keith Smith is the director and playwright for the production. Costumes are designed by Erin Larkin, set design and technical direction by Drew Posey, lighting design by Penelope Poppers, properties design by Miranda Young and Sarah Gasser is the stage manager.

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre season sponsor is Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the fall season is sponsored by Centennial Bank.

For more information, visit ArkansasArtsCenter.org or call (501) 372-4000. “Like” the Arkansas Arts Center on Facebook for the most up-to-date information on exhibitions, events and educational offerings.

Help the Rep pick 2015-2016 Season – Take Part in Fan Favorite Survey

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ark repHow often do you say, “I wish the Arkansas Rep would do XYZ show again?”

Now, in honor of the upcoming 40th anniversary season, the Arkansas Rep wants to know what you think.

Take their Fan Favorite Survey here.

You can also review their past productions list.
So take a trip down memory lane.  Help the Rep look Fabulous at 40 with a Fan Favorite production.

Pulitzer winning TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at The Weekend Theater

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TopDog-UnderDog-Poster-SmallWinner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Topdog/Underdog, is a darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity.

In the play Suzan-Lori Parks explores the way people are defined by history. The play tells the story of Lincoln and Booth, two African American brothers whose names were given to them as a joke, foretelling a lifetime of sibling rivalry and resentment. Haunted by the past, the brothers are forced to confront the shattering reality of their future. Vibrating with the clamor of big ideas, audaciously and exuberantly expressed, this play considers nothing less than the existential traps of being African-American and male in the United States, the masks that wear the men as well as vice versa.

The play is directed by Jermaine McClure, who also appears along with Byron Thomas Jr.

Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.  The show opened last night and continues tonight. It also plays November 7 & 8 and 14 & 15 at 7:30pm.

 

No Lies, PINOCCHIO now on stage at Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre

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PinocchioThe Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre presents Pinocchio through November 9.

“We are thrilled to bring this timeless children’s book to life with the magic of live theatre,” said Todd Herman, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Center. “Audiences young and old are invited to experience the fun and the frolic as Geppetto’s little Pinocchio learns an important lesson.”

Once upon a time there was… a king? A beautiful princess? An evil wizard? No. Once upon a time there was… a block of wood. One day, by a stroke of incredible luck, this commonplace piece of lumber found its way into the skilled hands of Geppetto the wood carver. And so, the world’s most famous marionette, Pinocchio, was born. Come join the fun as the little puppet runs away to discover the world. Meet strange and exciting creatures like the Fox, the Cat, the Blue-haired Fairy, the dreaded Giant Dogfish, and yes – the Talking Cricket.

This production is adapted for the stage by Keith Smith from the original story by Carlo Collodia.

The cast for Pinocchio includes:

  • Mark Hansen as Geppetto Patalone
  • Genevieve West Fulks as The Blue Fairy
  • Margaret Lowry as Pinocchio
  • Nate Plummer as Dottore/The Talking Cricket
  • Jeremy Matthey as Capitano
  • Katie Campbell as Arlecchino/The Lame Fox
  • Araya Harrison as Puchinella/The Blind Cat
  • Aleigha Garstika as Scapino/Tuna
  • Paige Carpenter as Antonio/The Coachman
  • Lauren Linton as Asti
  • Kenny Barron as Spumanti/Inn Keeper
  • Sienna Grace, Richard Nelson, Anna Spollen, Sophie Wacaster, Jasmine Ware, and Demetrius Watts as the Pandemonium Mimes

Keith Smith is the director and playwright for the production. Costumes are designed by Erin Larkin, set design and technical direction by Drew Posey, lighting design by Penelope Poppers, properties design by Miranda Young and Sarah Gasser is the stage manager.

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre season sponsor is Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the fall season is sponsored by Centennial Bank.

For more information, visit ArkansasArtsCenter.org or call (501) 372-4000. “Like” the Arkansas Arts Center on Facebook for the most up-to-date information on exhibitions, events and educational offerings.

No Longer a Wait – WAIT UNTIL DARK opens tonight at Arkansas Rep

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THEREP_WAITUNTILDARK (no credits)-page-001Frederick Knott’s Tony-nominated thriller Wait Until Dark opens tonight on the stage of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

This masterfully constructed tale of suspense will keep Rep audiences on the edge of their seat (but you still have to pay for the entire seat).

A sinister con man and two ex-convicts are about to meet their match. They have traced the location of a mysterious doll to the Greenwich Village apartment of Sam Hendrix and his wife, Susy. With murder afoot, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues, as Susy discovers the only way to play fair is to play by her rules.

The cast is composed entirely of Rep veterans. It includes Amy Hutchins (It’s a Wonderful Life), Nate Washburn (Henry V), Michael Stewart Allen (Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, Romeo & Juliet), Robert Ierardi (Clybourne Park), Craig Maravich (Death of a Salesman), Michael Lowe (Les Miserables, Hairspray), David Tennal (Clybourne Park, Les Miserables), Reagan Hodson (Because of Winn Dixie), and Ella Moody (White Christmas).

The production is directed by Robert Hupp. Others on the production team include Mike Nichols (set), Marianne Custer (costumes), Yael Lubetzky (lighting), Allan Branson (sound), Lynda J. Kwallek (props), and D. C. Wright (fight choreography).

The show runs through November 9th.  Show times are 7pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Sundays, 8pm on Friday and Saturday and 2pm on Sunday matinees.

 

LR Cultural Touchstone: Ann Nicholson

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ann_nicholsonAnn Nicholson has been in Little Rock since the 1970s. She maintains the distinctive accent of her native Great Britain, which she puts to use as the “voice of UALR Public Radio” and the host of the weekly interview show “Art Scene.”

For more than 25 years, Ann Nicholson has shared the news and promoted cultural events in Central Arkansas via the KLRE/KUAR airwaves.  Host of “The Arts Scene,” an in-depth interview program that features local and international artists in all genres and a weekly arts calendar, Nicholson has loyal listeners who have enjoyed her interviews, her soothing and inviting British accent and her tireless enthusiasm for the arts. Those at KLRE/KUAR often refer to her as “the heart of Little Rock public radio.”

Being featured on Arts Scene has been a boon to many emerging organizations and institutions.  But more than that, her insightful and engaging interview style allows listeners to learn more about the artists and the artistic process.  The program feels less like an interview and more like a chance to eavesdrop on an entertaining conversation.

In addition to hosting the weekly interview program, she has been an active supporter of Little Rock’s arts community since her arrival.  She has been on the Board of Ballet Arkansas and UALR Friends of the Arts. She is often in the opening night audience at the Arkansas Rep.  She also rarely misses a performance of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.  Ann was a longtime member of the Little Rock Arts and Humanities Promotion Commission. She is a supporter of the Little Rock Musical Coterie and the National Federation of Music Clubs. When that organization’s national meeting was in Little Rock in 2002, she was involved in the planning of the meeting.