The UALR Theatre and Dance season kicks off with the whimsical musical fairy tale Once Upon a Mattress.  This marks UALR’s first musical in several years and comes after the theatre and dance program have been revitalized.  The production of this Mary Rodgers, Marshall Barer, Dean Fuller, Jay Thompson musical opens tonight at 8pm.  Other show times are Friday, October 7 at 7pm; Saturday, October 8 at 2:30pm and 8pm; and Sunday, October 9 at 2:30pm. Tickets can be obtained by calling the UALR Box Office at 569-3456.

Rhythm McCarthy is serving as director and choreographer.  Designers are William Marshall, Yslan Hicks, Jim Spencer and Karen Harris.  Michael Heavner is serving as musical director.

The 2011/2012 season has the tagline: Where Your Imagination Is Our Reality.  Other productions are:

• Senior Dance Projects, November 17-20
• Jeff Baron’s Visiting Mr. Green and Jane Martin’s Criminal Hearts presented in repertory, February 22-26
• Spring Dance Concert, April 19-22