Tag Archives: Keith Smith

Last chance to see VELVETEEN RABBIT on stage at Arkansas Arts Center

Posted on by

aac velvrabWhat is real?” the Velveteen Rabbit asks his strange new friend. “Real is something that happens to you when a child loves you for a long, long, time—not just to play with—but really loves you,” the old Skin Horse replies. From this moment on, the timid toy bunny longs for only one thing in the world—to become real.

But how can he become real when the boy doesn’t play with him or even notice him, let alone love him? Then one day, the Velveteen Rabbit is taken from the dark toy cupboard and finds himself in the warm arms of a sleeping child. And so he begins his journey down the long, long road to real.

This classic tale has been made “real” at the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre.

This is adapted by Keith Smith from the classic story by Margery Williams.

The final performance is at 2pm today.

Classic tale THE VELVETEEN RABBIT comes to life at Ark Arts Center Children’s Theatre

Posted on by

aac velvrab“What is real?” the Velveteen Rabbit asks his strange new friend. “Real is something that happens to you when a child loves you for a long, long, time—not just to play with—but really loves you,” the old Skin Horse replies. From this moment on, the timid toy bunny longs for only one thing in the world—to become real.

But how can he become real when the boy doesn’t play with him or even notice him, let alone love him? Then one day, the Velveteen Rabbit is taken from the dark toy cupboard and finds himself in the warm arms of a sleeping child. And so he begins his journey down the long, long road to real.

This is adapted by Keith Smith from the classic story by Margery Williams.

The show opens on November 28 and runs through December 21.  Performances are at 7:00 pm on Fridays, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Saturdays, and 2pm on Sundays.

SORCERER’S APPRENTICE at Children’s Theater

Posted on by

As the state’s premiere center for visual and performing arts with a renowned collection of international art, the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre will present The Sorcerer’s Apprentice October 25 – November 10.

The audience will love this fun-filled, popular rendition of a thoroughly modern young girl on a magical journey when she meets a mysterious medieval sorcerer’s apprentice. The production is written by Alan Keith Smith and is based on a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

“This Children’s Theatre production brings to life an exciting magical world while reminding us that our actions have consequences,” said Arkansas Arts Center executive director Todd Herman. “This tale of morality is a wonderful experience for the whole family to share and the relatable characters give the story an entirely new dimension on stage.”

The cast for The Sorcerer’s Apprentice includes: John Isner, Tanner Barry, Mark Hansen, Jeremy Matthey, Moriah Patterson, Veronica Lowry, Sissy Quaranta, Sarah Nicholson, Huner Wood, Sophie Wacaster, Margaret Lowry, Brooke Melton, Mattingly Bartole, Savanna Fischer, Erin Fowler, Ben Fish, Montana Bartole and Kate Kelly.

Keith Smith is the director, playwright and scene designer for the production. Artistic direction by Bradley Anderson, choreography by Moriah Patterson, costumes are designed by Nikki Webster, technical direction by Drew Posey, lighting design by Penelope Poppers, musical direction by Lori Isner, properties by Miranda Young, children’s acting coach is Aleigha Morton and Sarah Gasser is the stage manager.

Presenting sponsors for the event are Landers Fiat and Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The production is also sponsored by Centennial Bank, JPMS Cox, PLLC with in-kind support provided by Boulevard Bread Company.

Recognized 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 unique experiences for family audiences. During the 2012-13 season, nearly 43,000 children and families enjoyed Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre productions which included more than 200 schools across Arkansas.

3 Pigs and 3 Goats Up Next at AAC Children’s Theatre

Posted on by

Two childhood tales of animal sibling trios are combined in the latest offering of the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre.  Opening tomorrow night, The Three Little Pigs and Three Billy Goats Gruff is a witty musical production full of whimsy that takes its audience to a magical land where pigs and goats talk, trolls reside under bridges, and wolves huff and puff.

The play, written by Children’s Theatre Associate Director Keith Smith, opens with the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. The three young goats are grazing in Gruff Valley, but wonder if the grass really is greener on the other side of the bridge. They have heard tales of greener pastures, but exploration to those lands is hindered by a troll that lives under the bridge. The three goats hatch a plan to
defeat the troll, giving him the “what-for,” and earning passage to the luscious lands beyond. They carry out their plan, but find some surprising truths along the way.

On the other side of the troll’s bridge, meadows are lush and pigs live in houses! The second part of the play focuses on another famous set of siblings: the three pigs. After Mama Pig sends out the three piglets to find their own way in the world, each decides on a different way to establish their new life. Dennis, the Big Bad Wolf, is just as interested in how each decides to construct their new home as he is in Grandpa Bill’s famous recipe for piggy pie. The classic story provides the basis for this retelling, but the characters are sure to provide a new form of entertainment for both the young and young-at-heart.

The production runs from January 25 through February 10.  Public performances take place on Friday evenings at 7pm, Saturday afternoons at 3pm and Sunday afternoons at 2pm.

Bradley Anderson is the Artistic Director of the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre.  Dr. Todd Herman is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Arts Center.

 

CITY MOUSE, COUNTRY MOUSE, CHRISTMAS HOUSE at the Children’s Theatre

Posted on by

It’s sleigh-loads of Christmas excitement at the City Mouse house with a whole lotta stirrin’ going on this Christmas Eve! It’s hardly the “silent-night-hot-cocoa-and-candy-canes-by-firelight” Christmas that Country Mouse expected with his City Mouse cousin. And to top it all off like a star on a tree, you’ll never believe who comes to visit!

This year’s holiday offering is an original script written by Keith Smith for the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre. The musical is very loosely based on Aesop’s fable “Town Mouse and Country Mouse.” Full of physical comedy, this production is a refreshing twist on a classic story.

The production opens tonight and runs through December 16.  Public performances are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 1 and 3 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

BUNNICULA at Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre

Posted on by

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre presents Bunnicula through November 11.  Based on the book by Deborah and James Howe, it features a book and lyrics by Jon Klein.  Music was written by Chris Jeffries.

Bunnicula has been a hit with kids and their parents since the book was published in 1979. When the Monroe family brings home a small black-and-white bunny they find in the movie theater after seeing Dracula, Chester the cat and Harold the dog are instantly suspicious. After the vegetables in the Monroe kitchen start turning white, Chester and Harold are certain that Bunnicula is a vegetarian vampire.

Bunnicula is directed and designed by Keith Smith.  Bradley Anderson is the Artistic Director of the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre.  Todd Herman is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Arts Center.

Performances are at 7pm on Fridays, 3pm on Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays through November 11.

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.