Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
HOLLAND TAYLOR
Little Rock connection: Appeared at the Clinton School speaking about the process of researching and writing her play about Ann Richards. A link to her speech can be found here.
Tony Awards connection: Nominated for the 2013 Actress in a Play Tony for her performance in Ann.
(Photo by Joseph Harris for the AP)
Hal Holbrook
Little Rock connection: In the 1950s, appeared at Little Rock Central High School during an educational theatre tour. Later appeared in Mark Twain Tonight! in Little Rock, most recently at Wildwood Park. Made visits to Little Rock in the 1980s and 1990s in conjunction with “Designing Women” and “Evening Shade” TV shows.
Tony Awards connection: Won the 1966 Tony for Actor in a Play for his performance in Mark Twain Tonight! That year was the only year the ceremony was held in the afternoon so he accepted his award in a blazer and necktie instead of a tuxedo. Holbrook has been a presenter at various Tony ceremonies over the years.
Steve Lawrence
Little Rock connection: Has appeared in concert in Little Rock over the years.
Tony Awards connection: Served as a host of the 1964 ceremony. Nominated for Actor in a Musical in 1964 for What Makes Sammy Run?
Drawing on the classics from The Second City archives as well as scenes ripped from the morning headlines, The Second City’s Happily Ever Laughter tour is your chance to see comedy stars in the making in an evening of smart, cutting edge comedy.
Many of comedy’s brightest stars have hit the road with The Second City Touring Company including Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, Steve Carell, Bill Murray, Keegan Michael Key and most recently, current Saturday Night Live stars Cecily Strong, Tim Robinson, and Jason Sudeikis.
“From John Belushi to Tina Fey to Stephen Colbert, The Second City alumni define comedy in America,” says Bob Hupp. “You’ll want to be the first to check out the rising new stars on their all-new tour.”
The cast includes Scott Morehead, Adam Peacock, Liz Reuss, Marlena Rodriguez, Sarah Shook, and Ted Tremper.
The performance schedule is:
Thursday, May 1 | 7 p.m. | BREWHAHA sponsored by Sync
Friday, May 2 | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 3| 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 4 | 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 6 | 7 p.m. | Night Out with The Point sponsored by The Point 94.1
Wednesday, May 7 | 7 p.m. | Singles Mix and Mingle Night
Thursday, May 8 | 7 p.m. | Cidre Night with Stella Artois sponsored by The Arkansas Times
Friday, May 9 | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 10 | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
The Second City is a $25 add-on for series subscribers; FlexPass holders may use their passes for this show.
Lynn Fontanne & Alfred Lunt
Little Rock connection: Appeared at Robinson Auditorium in 1941. The couple often toured the country in their Broadway plays. This appearance was probably in the Pulitzer Prize winning There Shall Be No Night which had been their 1940 Broadway success.
Tony Awards connection: The couple received a special mounted dual Tony Award in 1970.
Lunt received a 1954 Tony for directing Audrey Hepburn in Ondine. The next year he received a Tony for acting in the play Quadrille. In 1959, he received a Tony nomination for his performance in the play The Visit, his final Broadway appearance as an actor.
Fontanne was nominated for her performance in The Visit, which was her final Broadway appearance.
Most of this couple’s career predated the Tony Awards. Tony nominations weren’t announced until 1956, so it is unknown whether Fontanne received a nomination for Quadrille.
Nell Benjamin
Little Rock connection – Wrote the lyrics and libretto for Because of Winn Dixie musical which had its world premiere at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.
Tony Awards connection – Received a Tony nomination for the score of the musical Legally Blonde.
The 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, Tuesday, April 29 at 12 noon at Sturgis Hall in Clinton Presidential Park.
Join Rep Producing Artistic Director Bob Hupp as he hosts the hilarious cast of Second City’s Happily Ever Laughter tour to discuss the art of improv comedy.
Second City’s Happily Ever Laughter opens April 30 and runs through Saturday May 10.
Little Rock Culture Vulture 