Tag Archives: The Dork Knight

15 Highlights of 2015 – Ark Rep opens new performance space

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Rep Black Box interiorThe Arkansas Repertory Theatre opened its new education and black box performance space in the summer of 2015.  Located in the 500 block of Main Street on the Creative Corridor, it also serves as additional rehearsal space for The Rep.

The Rep’s youth education programs have been limited by the available performance and rehearsal options the Rep previously had. It was fitting, that this space was opened with one of the Rep’s Summer Musical Theatre Intensive’s (SMTI) productions.  The Maurice Sendak-Carole King musical Really Rosie was performed by two different casts in the summer.  The performances, directed by Rep audience favorite Ethan Paulini, was the culmination of a two week workshop training for preteen students.  (At the same time, across the street in the Rep’s main building, older students were preparing for two different productions of Once on This Island.)

In September, during ACANSA, the Rep hosted a performance of Jason O’Connell in his autobiographical one-man play The Dork Knight.

The space will allow the Rep to not only showcase educational performances, but to produce plays in a black box setting.

Day 3 of ACANSA offers A Little Poetry and a lot of music, theatre and art

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Acansa day 3The third day of this year’s ACANSA Arts Festival offers theatre, music and art!  Four different stages offer opportunities to experience unique performances.

A Little Poetry: The Art of Alonzo Ford – 5:30PM reception (Arkansas Arts Center)

The exhibition will be on view September 15 to October 25, 2015 in the Arkansas Arts Center’s Sam Strauss, Jr., Gallery.

Alonzo Ford, grew up on farm in the Southland Community near Lexa, Arkansas. His figurative drawings focus on his memories of a life lived on his family farm. Ford enjoys creating with color and drawing landscapes that depict farm life and old buildings and active portraits. Stark figures engage in the daily activities Ford recalls from childhood leaving one with a sense of the activity, simplicity, and intimacy of mid-century rural life in Arkansas.

The Exchange – 7pm (Albert Pike Memorial Temple) $20 (general admission); $50 (A Capella Lounge); $10 students/military

In just the past year, The Exchange, debuted their original EP, toured with the Backstreet Boys, and had a featured spot on NBC&The Sing Off.; The bands explosive energy is ignited by their diversity in music styles ranging from rock to hip-hop to opera. This amazing A Capella group blends different styles and instrumentation, but its sound will always be defined;by the raw, soulful power of the human voice.

The A Capella Lounge – “Meet the Artists” reception after the performance.

 

“The Dork Knight” – 9pm (Arkansas Rep Black Box, 550 Main) $20 (general admission)

Jason O’Connell brings an iconic interpretation of his relationship with Batman through the years. His impersonations are so lifelike that if you close your eyes, you would swear you were in the room with Christian Bale or Jack Nicholson. O’Connell keeps audiences in rapt attention, at times laughing hysterically or mesmerized in complete silence and he takes you with him on this journey with Batman.

“Blood at the Root” – 8pm (Argenta Community Theatre) $30 (general admission) $15 (students/military)

Based on a true story of the Jena Six, Blood at the Root, written by Dominique Morriseau, is a play that touches on many social issues. Directed by Steve Broadnax, head of the Pennsylvania State theatre program, this play has received international acclaim on its tours through South Africa, Scotland and Australia. It is an exciting piece of work that breaks traditional convention. It speaks to where America is right now racially, economically, and socially. It is also a fun show with musicality, and an emphasis on movement. The inclusion of many different perspectives makes for an exciting, thought provoking performance. Please note: This performance contains strong language.

 

The Bo-Keys – 10pm (South on Main) $20 (general admission)

The Bo-Keys are a soul/jazz band from Memphis, formed as an homage to the city’s rich musical tradition. They keep the sound of classic Memphis R&B vital and contemporary.Featuring legendary singer Percy Wiggins and led by Grammy nominated producer-bassist Scott Bomar, group also includes historic session musicians from Stax and Hi Records studio bands

Earlier in the day – at noon, there is a Lunch and Learn at the Argenta Branch of the Laman Library.  It will feature a discussion of Arkansas art pottery by David E. Gifford. This program is free.

The Angela Davis Johnson Exhibit will be on display at the Argenta Gallery all day today (and through October 12). It has free admission as well. A reception will take place this evening.

Day 2 of ACANSA offers Laughs, Learning, Thrills and Thought-Provoking Moments

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Acansa day 2The second day of this year’s ACANSA Arts Festival offers theatre, dance, music and art!  Four different stages offer opportunities to experience unique performances.

The Hot Sardines – 8pm (Clinton Presidential Park Lawn) $20 (reserved seating), $50 (includes Jazz Cafe), $10 (lawn only)

Take a blustery brass lineup, layer it over a rhythm section led by a stride-piano virtuoso in the Fats Waller vein, and tie the whole thing together with a one-of-the-boys front woman with a voice from another era, and you have the Hot Sardines. (We haven’t even told you about the tap dancer yet.)

“The Dork Knight” – 9pm (Arkansas Rep Black Box, 550 Main) 9pm

Jason O’Connell brings an iconic interpretation of his relationship with Batman through the years. His impersonations are so lifelike that if you close your eyes, you would swear you were in the room with Christian Bale or Jack Nicholson. O’Connell keeps audiences in rapt attention, at times laughing hysterically or mesmerized in complete silence and he takes you with him on this journey with Batman.

“Blood at the Root” – 8pm (Argenta Community Theatre) $30 (general admission) $15 (students/military)

Based on a true story of the Jena Six, Blood at the Root, written by Dominique Morriseau, is a play that touches on many social issues. Directed by Steve Broadnax, head of the Pennsylvania State theatre program, this play has received international acclaim on its tours through South Africa, Scotland and Australia. It is an exciting piece of work that breaks traditional convention. It speaks to where America is right now racially, economically, and socially. It is also a fun show with musicality, and an emphasis on movement. The inclusion of many different perspectives makes for an exciting, thought provoking performance. Please note: This performance contains strong language.

PUSH Physical Theatre – 7pm (North Little Rock Middle School Auditorium) $20 (general admission), $10 (students/military)

Seeing award-winning PUSH Physical Theatre is like watching a live-action movie. This talented group of performers inspires awe with physical illusions and gravity-defying, dance-infused, acrobatic high-jinx.

PUSH’s repeated sold-out performances have established them as the masters of physical storytelling.

Earlier in the day – at noon, there is a Lunch and Learn at the Albert Pike Memorial Temple.  It will feature a tour of the building and a chance to learn about its history. This program is free.

The Angela Davis Johnson Exhibit will be on display at the Argenta Gallery all day today (and through October 12). It has free admission as well. A reception will take place this evening.

ACANSA preview – Theatre

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The second annual ACANSA Arts Festival runs from September 16 to 20.  It will feature a variety of art forms at a variety of venues downtown.  This week, we will preview some of the acts.  Up first – theatrical offerings.

ACANSA Late Night - The Dork Knight
Thursday, September 17 and Friday, September 18, Jason O’Connell returns to Little Rock and brings his one man show The Dork Knight.
O’Connell brings an iconic interpretation of his relationship with Batman through the years. His impersonations are so lifelike that if you close your eyes, you would swear you were in the room with Christian Bale or Jack Nicholson. O’Connell keeps audiences in rapt attention, at times laughing hysterically or mesmerized in complete silence and he takes you with him on this journey with Batman.
Little Rock audiences have seen O’Connell on stage at Arkansas Rep in All My Sons, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, and Frost/Nixon. He was most recently here in Clybourne Park.
Both performances begin at 9:00 pm and will take place in the Rep’s Black Box space in the new Creative Corridor location in the 500 block of Main Street.
Blood at the Root

Based on a true story of the Jena Six, Blood at the Root, written by Dominique Morriseau, is a play that touches on many social issues. Directed by Steve Broadnax, head of the Pennsylvania State theatre program, this play has received international acclaim on its tours through South Africa, Scotland and Australia.

It is an exciting piece of work that breaks traditional convention. The show speaks to where America is right now racially, economically, and socially. It is also a fun show with musicality, and an emphasis on movement. The inclusion of many different perspectives makes for an exciting, thought provoking performance. Please note: This performance contains strong language.

Show time is 8:00 pm for all performances. They will take place at the Argenta Community Theatre.

Tickets to both events, as well as festival passes, can be purchased at the ACANSA website.
For more information, 501-663-2287 or email admin@ACANSAartsfestival.org