Arts Center Children’s Theatre Main Stage Season for 2015-2016

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aac_logo_childrens_theatreRecognized by The Drama League as one of the best regional theatre companies in America, the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre is the only professional company in Arkansas that produces children’s literary works for the stage. Since 1979, Children’s Theatre has been creating exceptional theatre for family audiences. Well-loved contemporary stories and classic tales come to life with fantastic characters, brilliant lighting, colorful costumes and a little magic in our fully-staged productions.

The 2015-2016 season, presented by Arkansas BlueCross BlueShield, will feature six Main Stage shows: Puss in Boots; The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; The Gingerbread Man; The 13 Clocks; Schoolhouse Rock Live! and The Adventures of Peter Rabbit.

 

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre is dedicated to the creation and presentation of high quality adaptations and original plays for young people and their families. Inspired by classic and contemporary sources, these works provide an honest, relevant and challenging artistic experience for our audiences throughout the state. It is our purpose to cultivate a nurturing and educational environment where performing artists and audience members alike can discover, learn and grow.

“Pay What You Can” tickets are available for the 7 p.m. Thursday preview performance of each Main Stage production. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Arkansas Arts Center (501 E. 9th St.) from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Stephens Inc. Visitors Center, Atrium Level, or from 6-6:45 p.m. at the Children’s Theatre Box Office, Lower Lobby Level. The minimum ticket price is $1.00 per ticket, with a maximum ticket purchase of six tickets per person. Additional tickets can always be purchased in person, online or by phone at regular ticket pricing.

Theatre doors open 30 minutes prior to show for seating.

The 2015/2016 season of the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre is sponsored by: Presenting Sponsor, Arkansas BlueCross Blue Shield; Fall Season Sponsor, Centennial Bank; Spring Season Sponsors, The Fine Arts Club of Arkansas and Dr. Loren Bartole, ‘Family Foot Care’; Additional Support Provided by The Morris Foundation and Media Sponsor, Little Rock Family Magazine.

 

MAIN STAGE SHOWS

 Puss in Boots

 September 18 – October 4, 2015

 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 (Children 2 years of age and under are free, however the child must remain in an adult’s lap at all times.)

 Best enjoyed by all ages.

Based on Charlie Perrault’s world famous feline fun-time fairytale, Puss in Boots is an electric story set in song and dance. Be amazed as swashbuckling Puss the Cat raises his master, Claude, from a down-and-out miller’s son to the heights of happiness. Enjoy all the madcap fun as Puss brandishes, not his sword, but his superior feline intellect to conquer kings and ogres (and even a few rabbits along the way). It’s all about brain over brawn. Oh, and you’ll just love his shoes. Adapted by Keith Smith from the fable by Charles Perrault.

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

 

 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

 October 23 – November 8, 2015

 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 third grade and up.

Ichabod Crane is the newly-hired schoolmaster of Sleepy Hollow, a superstitious little community in New York’s Hudson Valley, 1790. He persistently professes his disbelief in all things supernatural—until the night of Katrina Van Tassel’s Halloween Frolic, that is. Riding home that evening, Ichabod comes face to face—so to speak—with Sleepy Hollow’s most feared and famous ghost.

Be swept along on this wild midnight ride of a story with the gremlins, ghosts and galloping headless horsemen which haunt this American Halloween classic—Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Adapted by Frederick Gaines from the story by Washington Irving.

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

 

 The Gingerbread Man

 December 4-20, 2015

 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.

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 wild, wacky holiday adventure, 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! By Keith Smith.

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

 

 The 13 Clocks

 January 29 – February 14, 2016

 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 third grade and up.

Enjoy this whimsically impossible fantasy quest from the ever-surprising, always entertaining imagination of James Thurber. Prince Zorn attempts to rescue Princess Saralinda from her uncle, the Duke of Coffin Castle. To do so he must complete an impossible task: He must deliver 1,000 jewels to the Duke just as the 13 castle clocks strike five o’clock. There’s just one problem: the clocks in Coffin Castle haven’t worked in seven years. Adapted by Keith Smith from the book by James Thurber.

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

 

 Schoolhouse Rock Live!

 March 4-25, 2016

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

 Spring Break matinees: March 22-25 at 2:00 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.

“Just a Bill,” “Conjunction Junction,” “Zero, My Hero,” “Interplanet Janet,” “Three is a Magic Number,” —and the beat goes on! Every song in this live musical performance of the classic, Emmy Award-winning cartoon series Schoolhouse Rock is sure to please.

Packing plenty of giggles, gasps, and outright laughs, this show makes grammar, science, math, history, and citizenship a delight to learn. And while the cartoon may be decades old now, this fresh live-theatre adaptation will spark the wide-eyed wonder of new discovery in our youngest generation while inviting smiles of toe-tapping, lip-synching nostalgia from the rest of us. It may be a fun-filled romp of color, comedy, music and movement, but the word of the day is still learning.Originally adapted and produced for the stage by Theatre Bam; From the series created by George Newall and Tom Yohe and based on an idea by David McCall; Book by Scott Ferguson, George Keating and Kyle Hall; Music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newall and Tom Yohe.

Schoolhouse Rock Live! is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com

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

 

 The Adventures of Peter Rabbit

 April 22 – May 8, 2016

 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.

Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter Rabbit are bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and ready to romp. But before sending them off to explore the wide-wide world, Mother Rabbit gives each of her little ones a kiss and a pinch and a stern word of warning: “My dears, you may run and play in the fields or by the brook or down the lane, but whatever you do, don’t go into Mr. McGregor’s garden.” And so begins a day of mischief and adventure for one naughty little bunny—Peter Rabbit.

Featuring the charming and memorable songs of company composer, Lori Isner, this sweet little musical is a garden feast for eyes and ears of any size! Adapted by Keith Smith from the stories of Beatrix Potter.

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

(Posters for the MainStage shows created by David Hohn, with the exception of Schoolhouse Rock Live!)

Happy Birthday Maureen O’Hara – In 1940 she set off a stampede of fans at Robinson Center

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Mayor J V Satterfield escorting actress Maureen O'Hara at the Movie Ball (photo from Arkansas Democrat)

Mayor J V Satterfield escorting actress Maureen O’Hara at the Movie Ball (photo from Arkansas Democrat)

Oscar winner Maureen O’Hara turns 95 today.  With her elegance and beauty, she still turns heads. Seventy-five years ago, in February 1940, a nineteen year old Miss O’Hara turned many heads and set off a frenzy of autograph seekers when she came to Little Rock to attend a series of events.

In conjunction with a meeting of film executives and movie theatre owners sponsored by Robb and Rowley Theaters (which later became the United Artists theatre chain), several Hollywood actors were in Little Rock and headlined a Movie Ball. While in Little Rock, Maureen O’Hara, Phyllis Brooks, Arleen Whelan, Tim Holt and Gene Autry had also made a variety of public appearances.

On the evening of February 1, 1940, Robb and Rowley hosted the Movie Ball in the lower level of Robinson Auditorium. So many of the attendees crowded around for autographs that the evening’s grand march could not take place (a newspaper headline in the Democrat innocently used the word “orgy” to describe the crowd). After two attempts, Little Rock Mayor J. V. Satterfield (who was escorting Miss O’Hara) and the other members of the Little Rock host delegation led the Hollywood stars to their reserved table. For quite a while that evening, the table was besieged by autograph seekers.

Though it is unknown as to whether he sought an autograph, photos from the evening showed a very satisfied Mayor Satterfield with Miss O’Hara on his arm. Satterfield family lore joked that Mrs. Satterfield (who had stayed home that night to tend to a sick son) was not a fan of Miss O’Hara’s films after that evening.

The Movie Ball showed Little Rock citizens the value of Robinson Auditorium even before it had been officially dedicated. The film industry meetings had taken place at the Albert Pike Hotel which did not feature a ballroom large enough to host the ball. Without the auditorium’s availability for the gala, organizers might not have chosen Little Rock for the meeting.

Back to School Cinema: GREASE

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greaseGrease is the word! This 1978 film rode the wave of 1950s nostalgia and became a cultural phenomenon.  Based on the long-running Broadway musical, the film version capitalized on the success of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John by pairing them and making film history.

The film was directed by Randal Kleiser based on the original play by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.  The cast included 23 year old Travolta, 28 year old Newton-John, 26 year old Jeff Conaway, 33 year old Stockard Channing and cast members ranging from 20 to 31 including Barry Pearl, Michael Tucci, Kelly Ward, Didi Conn, Jamie Donnelly, Eddie Deezen and Annette Charles.  Only Lorenzo Lamas and Dinah Manoff were teenagers, at 19, from the principal cast.

A dash of old Hollywood – or at least TV from the 1950s rounded out the adult cast with Eve Arden, Sid Caesar, Dodie Goodman, Alice Ghostley and Joan Blondell. Frankie Avalon had a cameo as the very contemporary looking Teen Angel.

Because of the success of Saturday Night Fever, a BeeGees written title song was added.  Other songs were written for Newton-John by John Farrar, her main songwriter.  One of those, “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” nabbed the film’s only Oscar nomination.  Sha-Na-Na was added to perform 1950s standards and Grease songs at the school dance in the film.

Though the film has its flaws, it was wildly successful and stands up today as still a very fun film.  Just hearing the opening strains of “Summer Nights” is likely to send people into singing “Tell me more, tell me more….”  In the 1970s, Grease was evocative of a simpler time.  Now, 37 years after its initial release, the film stands as a reminder of a simpler time – the summer it came out.

Remember end of WWII with a visit to MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

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With this month marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, it is a good time to remember the museum in Little Rock dedicated to preserving Arkansas’ rich military history.

Located in the historic Arsenal Tower in MacArthur Park, the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History honors the Arkansans who have served in the armed forces.  Exhibits feature artifacts, photographs, weapons, documents, uniforms and other military items that vividly portray Arkansas’s military history at home and abroad.

Undaunted Courage, Proven Loyalty:
Japanese American Soldiers in World War II
This exhibit focuses on the military experience of Japanese Americans during World War II including stories from veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service. To prove their loyalty to the United States government, many Japanese American men joined the army as part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team or as part of the Military Intelligence Service.

Other exhibits include:

  • From Turbulence to Tranquility: The Little Rock Arsenal
  • Capital In Crisis and Celebration: Little Rock and the Civil War
  • Alger Cadet Gun
  • Camden Expedition
  • David Owen Dodd
  • Through the Camera’s Eye: The Allison Collection of World War II Photographs
  • By the President in the Name of Congress: Arkansas’ Medal of Honor Recipients
  • Conflict and Crisis: The MacArthur- Truman Controversy
  • Duty, Honor and Country: General Douglas MacArthur
  • The Sun Never Sets on the Mighty Jeep: The Jeep During World War II
  • War and Remembrance: The 1911 United Confederate Veterans Reunion
  • First Call – American Posters of World War I

The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History is a museum of the City of Little Rock.  It is led by executive director Stephan McAteer who works with the MacArthur Military History Museum Commission.

Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday; 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday; 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Back to School Cinema: DEAD POET’S SOCIETY

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Dead_poets_societyWith students returning to school, this week the Culture Vulture will feature seven favorite films about the high school experience.  Up first is 1989’s Dead Poets Society.

While it can be a bit melodramatic, Peter Weir’s movie (from Tom Schulman’s script) captures not only the generational split between students and their teachers & parents, but also the seismic shifts that were happening in the US in the late 1950s. The movie takes place just prior to the JFK-Nixon election time.  It sets the stage for the dichotomy of feelings those candidates represented.

When it first came out, it had a tremendous influence on me.  I appreciated the references to history and literature, the Ralph Lauren designed clothing, the tremendous use of plaid in set decoration and the breathtaking scenery.  The actors playing the students were my age, though playing slightly younger (I was in college, they were playing prep school seniors).  Though I confess, I was not much of a Walt Whitman fan, and still am not.

Robin Williams is stellar as a combination Mr. Chips and Pied Piper who bucks the system at Welton Academy. Though the part was not written for him, he made it his own. It showcased not only his comic talents but also his ability to show pathos.  Even when he is hamming it up for his students, Williams shows a bit of restraint – he keeps his character grounded in 1959.

The actors playing the students had great chemistry – they functioned as a complete unit. They have gone on to varied levels of success.  Robert Sean Leonard has won a Tony and alternated between stage and TV with a few films.  Ethan Hawke was, for a while, a leading actor of his generation and has received Oscar nominations for acting and writing. Josh Charles has worked fairly steadily, especially on TV in shows like “SportsNight” and “The Good Wife.”  James Waterston has also kept busy in various acting roles.  Gale Hansen, who was so magnetic in this film, has disappeared from acting.  Allelon Ruggiero and Dylan Kussman, too, have had only a few credits.

The movie also proved to be a breakout for Kurtwood Smith. He followed up this hellish dad with a kinder version in “That 70’s Show.”  Norman Lloyd, who played the headmaster, celebrated his 100th birthday in November 2014.  He still takes a few acting roles and attends events.  (When I first watched it, I would never have predicted that 25 years later Williams would be dead and Lloyd would be turning 100.)  Several other character actors pop up as faculty members and parents.  (One of my favorites, John Cunningham, plays Ethan Hawke’s father.)

This being a movie that came out in the summer, I was was pleased when it received four Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Actor (Williams), Director (Weir) and Original Screenplay (Schulman).  On Oscar night, Schulman walked home with the trophy.

The ending of the film gives me goosebumps each time – even though I know it is coming.  There are so many other moments I enjoy – the kicking of the ball while reciting inspirational quotes accompanied by Beethoven is certainly another.  And I can still recite Puck’s final speech in A Midsummer Night’s Dream because I learned it from this movie.

I was fortunate to have teachers to inspire me at all levels of schooling.  Though none asked me to stand on desks, I was challenged, cajoled and even on a few times chastised.  And I am the better for it.

 

Sculpture Vulture Sunday: J. G. Moore’s ABUNDANCE

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DSC_0660One of the newest sculptures installed in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden is J. G. Moore’s ABUNDANCE.

Here is the artist’s statement:

This garden bell depicts a pair of mourning doves with wild sunflowers. The piece is titled Abundance because it is about the fall season when the favorite food of the doves is plentiful and allows them to prepare for migration.

Doves are a universal theme for love and peace and the position of this pair speaks to the abundance of well being when two become united in common purpose. It is my desire to bring glory to God by making reminders and reflections of his beautiful creation. My sculptures are intended to be acts of worship.

DSC_0652At a distance, this sculpture can appear simple. It looks to be simply a bell on a curved post.  But upon closer inspection, Moore’s intricate design is apparent.  The bell is covered with sunflowers delicately cast.  The birds atop the bell are nuzzling each other in a sense of affection and protection.  This subtle and powerful piece reflects one of the wonders of art – to offer different perspectives at different distances and angles.

Moore has been working professionally in bronze for the last 19 years. After pursuing a 15 year teaching career as an art teacher – he holds an M. Ed in art education – for middle and high school students in conjunction with his sculpture career, James now devotes full time to his art. His award winning work is in private and public collections across the United States and Europe.

 

Single Tickets On Sale at Ark Rep on Monday

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ScottishPlayThe 2015-2016 season is the 40th one for the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. The audience gets the gifts.  It is not too late to subscribe, but for those wanting single tickets, the wait is almost over.  Single tickets go on sale on Monday, August 17.

The season kicks off with William Shakespeare’s Scottish play about the Thane of Cawdor and his wife Lady M. The cauldron the witches stir is not the only toil and trouble on the heaths and moors of Scotland.  It will run September 11-27.

SpellingBeeNext up is the Tony winning musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This tuneful, witty musical with book by Rachel Sheinkin and songs by William Finn, will play from October 16 to November 8.

TheLittleMermaidDisney’s The Little Mermaid will be the holiday show running from December 4 to January 3.  It will be a regional premiere of this musical featuring a book by Pulitzer and Tony winner Doug Wright and a score by the Oscar winning team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, with additional lyrics by Glenn Slater.

Starcatcher2016 will start off with another regional premiere–Peter and the Starcatcher.  This prequel to the Peter Pan stories is by Rick Elice. Though a play, it does have some songs by Wayne Barker and Elice.  This winner of  five Tony Awards will be on stage from January 15 to February 7.

BridgesThe regional theatre premiere of The Bridges of Madison County will take place on the Arkansas Rep stage from April 8 to May 1.  This musical has a Tony winning score by Jason Robert Brown and a book by Pulitzer and Tony winner Marsha Norman.

Screen Shot 2015-07-02 at 11.49.51 AMThe main stage season will conclude with a world premiere play Windfall.  Directed by Tony winner Jason Alexander, this comedy by Scooter Pietsch looks at greed among a group of office workers.  It will run from June 10 to 26.

The artwork for the shows for the 40th anniversary season was created by Marty Baragiola of Baragiola Creative.