Shakespeare in the Park at River Market tonight

AST_logoThe River Market and The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau are pleased to announce their second seasonal showing of “Shakespeare in the Park”, a production of a special version of the Bard’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, on Sunday, June 23rd in the East Pavilion of Ottenheimer Market Hall, home to the Farmers’ Market.  The production runs from 6pm to 7pm.  Ticket prices are $7 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under.

The production is created by the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.  It was adapted and directed by Josh Rice.  The other members of the creative team include Debra P. Holmes (scenery and puppets), Nikki Webster (costumes), Evan Harney (sound) and Chad Bradford (musical score).  The cast includes Joe Boersma, Adam Frank, Ira Grace, Jordy Neill and Julie Schroll.

 

About A Midsummer Night’s Dream:
Shakespeare’s band of hempen homespuns have run amok and taken over this midsummer night. In a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy of magic and mayhem, Bottom and the Rude Mechanicals take center stage as they do their best to put on a show full of tragical mirth while mischievous woodland fairies do their best to get in the way. Audiences of all ages will enjoy the merriment that ensues.

LION, WITCH, WARDROBE at Children’s Theatre

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

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

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