Tag Archives: Bradley Anderson

Final weekend of MADELINE AND THE GYPSIES

Posted on by

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre kicks off its 33rd season with Madeline and the Gypsies.  This is the final weekend for the show with performances Friday at 7, Saturday at 3 and Sunday at 2.

Gretchen Bush leads the cast in the title role.  Diondre Wright plays Pepito and Jillian Flood plays Miss Clavel.   Others in the cast include Jimi Brewi, Abby Bannerman, Annie Forunte, Claire Havens, Kyndall Jackson, Margaret Lowry, Emily Pyron, Jenna Sims, Phoebe Tillemans, Sophie Wacaster, Maddie Woziwodzki, Jenny Zhang, Anna Newman, Melissa Griffith, Cassandra Nary, Jeremy Matthey, Kaiya Griffith, Alta Griffith, Karlie Barnett, Rachael Caffey, Timothy Espejo, Garrett Flood, Anna Grace Estes and Mark Hansen.

The play is based on Ludwig Bemelmans’ tales of Madeline and her friend Pepito.  It was adapted by Barry Kornhauser and features a musical score by Michael Koerner.  John Isner is the director, while the production is designed by Miranda Young.  Erin Larkin is the costume designer and Penelope Poppers designed the lighting. Bradley Anderson is the Artistic Director of the Childrens Theatre, and Todd Herman is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Arts Center.

Ark Arts Childrens Theatre 2012-13 Season

Posted on by

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre has announced the 2012-2013 season.

The season will kick off with Madeline and the Gypsies from September 21 through October 7.  In this adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans classic children’s story, the irrepressible Madeline and her friend Pepito are stranded during an outing at the rousing gypsy circus.

Bunnicula will be on stage October 26 – November 11, 2012. Bunnicula by James Howe has been a hit with kids and their parents since the book was published in 1979.

The season continues with the holiday show City Mouse, Country Mouse, Christmas House on stage November 30 – December 16, 2012. A Children’s Theatre premiere, this musical is based on Aesop’s fable about a country mouse who is invited to visit her cousin in the city for Christmas.

The Three Little Pigs and Three Billy Goats Gruff will be on stage January 25 – February 10, 2013. The Children’s Theatre will present these classic stories back to back in a witty musical production.

The Princess and the Pea, a Children’s Theatre premiere, will come to life on stage March 8 – 24, 2013. This classic tale of royal courtship is told in a fresh new way.

The 2012-13 season will end with Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, on stage April 26 – May 12, 2013.

Performances are held Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. City Mouse, Country Mouse, Christmas House will have an additional performance on Saturdays at 1 p.m. as well as 3 p.m. The Princess and the Pea will have special Spring Break matinees in addition to the normal performance times.

Tickets are $12 for children and adults. Season ticket packages are available. The season is sponsored by Landers Fiat and Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield. Bradley Anderson is the Artistic Director of the Children’s Theatre; Todd Herman is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Arts Center.

Call 501-372-4000 for more information.

LION, WITCH, WARDROBE at Children’s Theatre

Posted on by

In the same week that Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre alum David Auburn had his latest show open on Broadway, the Children’s Theatre opens the final show of the 2011-2012 season.  The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe will run from April 27 – May 13, 2012.

“The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is the story of four courageous siblings who embark on a wonderful adventure,” said Artistic Director Bradley Anderson. In this Children’s Theatre production, C.S. Lewis’ masterpiece transports your
family to a world of magic and enchantment when siblings Lucy, Susan, Peter and Edmund embark on an epic journey and learn the true meaning of loyalty, courage and sacrifice.

The cast for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe includes Allison Light as Susan; Will Nicholson as Peter; Lucy Miller as Lucy; Dean Patterson as Edmund; Jimi Brewi as Mr. Tumnus; Vanessa Sterling as White Witch; Josh Rice as Fenris Ulf; Kati Campbell as Mrs. Beaver; Mark Hansen as Mr. Beaver; John Isner as Aslan; Mattingly Bartole and Margaret Lowery as Rabbits; Brooke Melton and August Fitzgerald as Nymphs; Park Lanford, Aaron Eley and Nate Buursma as Wolves; Morgan Maxwell and Rachel Caffey as Two Nyads; Anna Newman and Jacqui Harvey as Dryads; Ashton Brass, Becca Hughes and Jhonika Wright as Foxes; and Wylie Greer and Anna Tess as Squirrels.

The set design is by Keith Smith, technical direction by Jimi Brewi, costume design by Erin Larkin, lighting design by Penelope Poppers and production stage management by Sinovia Mayfield. Lori Isner is the musical director.

Performance times for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Single tickets are $14 for adults and $11 for children.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is proudly presented by Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield and Joshua Kolden. The production is sponsored by the Edmonda and Richard M. Logue, M.D. Marcus Worth Logue Memorial Gift. The media partner for the 2011-2012 Children’s Theatre season is Little Rock Family.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 501-372-4000 or visit http://www.arkarts.com.

AAC Children’s Theatre: If You Take a Mouse to School

Posted on by

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre is now presenting If You Take a Mouse to School through March 25, 2012.  Performances are Fridays through Sundays; during Spring Break there are special matinees throughout the week.

Based on the book If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff, this popular character returns to the Arts Center’s Children’s Theatre stage.  This is the fourth time a Numeroff book has been produced at the Arts Center. Previous productions have been If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (in 2008), Merry Christmas, Mouse! (in 2009) and If You Give a Pig a Pancake (in 2011).

The cast for this production includes Katherine Campbell, Josh Rice, Paige Herschell, Vanessa Sterling and Aleigha Morton.  Bradley Anderson directs this production, which was adapted by Katherine Campbell and Josh Rice.  The creative team also includes Miranda Young (scenery), Erin Larkin (costumes) and Penelope Poppers (lighting).

Goldilocks and Red Riding Hood take stage at Ark Arts Center

Posted on by

Bears, a Wolf, and Fun are along for the journey

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre will present Goldilocks and Little Red Riding Hood January 20 – February 5, 2012. Performances are held Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Goldilocks and Little Red Riding Hood take the stage together in this exciting musical production. These two classic stories are told by a friendly, ever‐present quartet of singers that perform fun and catchy tunes written by Children’s Theatre composer Lori Isner.

“In this adaptation of Goldilocks and Little Red Riding Hood, we have approached these two very old stories in a new and fresh way,” said Artistic Director Bradley Anderson. “We have used music as a way to make the wolf and bears less threatening and more, well, just plain humorous. The musical element of our adaptation is more than just a silly way to tell some once‐scary stories. Rather, it gives the play a universal appeal and is a delight for audiences of all ages.”

Rachel Haislip is the flaxen-haired heronie and Katherine Campbell is the crimson-clad leading lady.  Others in the cast include Josh Rice, Anna Holman, Mark Hansen, Mattingly Bartole, Aleigh Morton and Nate Buursma.

Goldilocks and Little Red Riding Hood is adapted by Bradley Anderson with music by Lori Isner.  Alan Keith Smith directed and designed the scenery for the production.  Others on the creative team include Miranda Young (props), Erin Larkin (costumes) and Adam Britt (lighting).

Tickets are $14 for adults and $11 for children. Call 501-372-4000 or visit http://www.arkarts.com

Arts & Humanities Month: AAC Children’s Theatre presents CINDERELLA

Posted on by

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre continues its 2011-2012 season with the new original musical Cinderella: A Rockin’ New Musical in 3D.

Under the direction of Artistic Director Bradley Anderson, the Children’s Theatre (founded in 1979) continues its mission of entertaining children and adults with new takes on old tales.  Written by the Children’s Theatre resident playwright Keith Smith, the show opens today and runs through November 6.  It was inspired by the classic tale of Cinderella as told by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm.  This production is sponsored by Metropolitan National Bank.

Cinderella is the second of six shows in the Children’s Theatre 2011-2012 season.  In addition, the Children’s Theatre presents the Summer Theatre Academy, Summer Arts Academy, Children’s Theatre on Tour and a variety of workshops throughout the state throughout the year.  This is one of the many artistic and educational programs of the Arkansas Arts Center under the leadership of Todd Herman.