No Lies, PINOCCHIO now on stage at Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre

PinocchioThe Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre presents Pinocchio through November 9.

“We are thrilled to bring this timeless children’s book to life with the magic of live theatre,” said Todd Herman, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Center. “Audiences young and old are invited to experience the fun and the frolic as Geppetto’s little Pinocchio learns an important lesson.”

Once upon a time there was… a king? A beautiful princess? An evil wizard? No. Once upon a time there was… a block of wood. One day, by a stroke of incredible luck, this commonplace piece of lumber found its way into the skilled hands of Geppetto the wood carver. And so, the world’s most famous marionette, Pinocchio, was born. Come join the fun as the little puppet runs away to discover the world. Meet strange and exciting creatures like the Fox, the Cat, the Blue-haired Fairy, the dreaded Giant Dogfish, and yes – the Talking Cricket.

This production is adapted for the stage by Keith Smith from the original story by Carlo Collodia.

The cast for Pinocchio includes:

  • Mark Hansen as Geppetto Patalone
  • Genevieve West Fulks as The Blue Fairy
  • Margaret Lowry as Pinocchio
  • Nate Plummer as Dottore/The Talking Cricket
  • Jeremy Matthey as Capitano
  • Katie Campbell as Arlecchino/The Lame Fox
  • Araya Harrison as Puchinella/The Blind Cat
  • Aleigha Garstika as Scapino/Tuna
  • Paige Carpenter as Antonio/The Coachman
  • Lauren Linton as Asti
  • Kenny Barron as Spumanti/Inn Keeper
  • Sienna Grace, Richard Nelson, Anna Spollen, Sophie Wacaster, Jasmine Ware, and Demetrius Watts as the Pandemonium Mimes

Keith Smith is the director and playwright for the production. Costumes are designed by Erin Larkin, set design and technical direction by Drew Posey, lighting design by Penelope Poppers, properties design by Miranda Young and Sarah Gasser is the stage manager.

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre season sponsor is Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the fall season is sponsored by Centennial Bank.

For more information, visit ArkansasArtsCenter.org or call (501) 372-4000. “Like” the Arkansas Arts Center on Facebook for the most up-to-date information on exhibitions, events and educational offerings.

COWS typing T H E E N D today at 2 and 4

aacctcowsToday at 2pm and 4pm, the typing cows will be preparing to remove the paper from the typewriter one final time at the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre production of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.

“This classically hilarious children’s story about some rebelliously clever farm animals will come to life on stage at the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre as they engage in peaceful protests to improve their working conditions,” said Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre artistic director Bradley Anderson. “This delightful tale about negotiation and compromise is enjoyable for any age.”

Farmer Brown thinks it’s odd when he hears typing sounds coming from the barn but his troubles really begin when his cows start leaving him notes demanding better working conditions before staging a strike. Join the Arkansas Art Center Children’s Theatre as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown’s farm upside down. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is adapted by George Howe and James E. Grote from Doreen Cronin’s original book with illustrator Betsey Lewin.

The cast for Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type includes: John Isner, of Little Rock, as Farmer Brown Jeremy Matthey, of Little Rock, as Duck Moriah Patterson, of Sheridan, as Cow 1 Aleigha Garstka, of Little Rock, as Cow 2 Veronica Lowry, of Charlottesville, VA, as Hen

Bradley D. Anderson is the artistic director and the director for the production. Choreography by Moriah Patterson, musical direction by Lori Isner, costumes are designed by Erin Larkin, technical direction by Drew Posey, lighting design by Penelope Poppers, scenic design and properties by Miranda Young and Sarah Gasser is the stage manager.

Presenting sponsors are Landers FIAT in Benton, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and in honor of Dorothy and Fallon Davis by Dr. Scott and Shannon Davis. Also sponsored by All Aboard Restaurant and Martha Logue.

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.

For more information, visit arkansasartscenter.org or call (501)372-4000.

General Admission Tickets are $12.50 for children and adults & $10 for AAC members.

Typing Cows Continue on stage at Ark Arts Center

aacctcowsTyping cows and a talking duck are just a few of the wonders which await audiences as the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre production of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type continues through February 9.

“This classically hilarious children’s story about some rebelliously clever farm animals will come to life on stage at the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre as they engage in peaceful protests to improve their working conditions,” said Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre artistic director Bradley Anderson. “This delightful tale about negotiation and compromise is enjoyable for any age.”

Farmer Brown thinks it’s odd when he hears typing sounds coming from the barn but his troubles really begin when his cows start leaving him notes demanding better working conditions before staging a strike. Join the Arkansas Art Center Children’s Theatre as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown’s farm upside down. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is adapted by George Howe and James E. Grote from Doreen Cronin’s original book with illustrator Betsey Lewin.

The cast for Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type includes:
John Isner, of Little Rock, as Farmer Brown
Jeremy Matthey, of Little Rock, as Duck
Moriah Patterson, of Sheridan,  as Cow 1
Aleigha Garstka, of Little Rock, as Cow 2
Veronica Lowry, of Charlottesville, VA, as Hen

Bradley D. Anderson is the artistic director and the director for the production. Choreography by Moriah Patterson, musical direction by Lori Isner, costumes are designed by Erin Larkin, technical direction by Drew Posey, lighting design by Penelope Poppers, scenic design and properties by Miranda Young and Sarah Gasser is the stage manager.

Presenting sponsors are Landers FIAT in Benton, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and in honor of Dorothy and Fallon Davis by Dr. Scott and Shannon Davis. Also sponsored by All Aboard Restaurant and Martha Logue.

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.

For more information, visit arkansasartscenter.org or call (501)372-4000.

General Admission Tickets are $12.50 for children and adults & $10 for AAC members.
Friday at 7 p.m.
Saturday at 2 p.m.
Sunday at 2 p.m.

SORCERER’S APPRENTICE at Children’s Theater

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.