Tag Archives: Todd Herman

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

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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.

 

Ark Arts Center Collector Show & Sale: Nov 30-Dec 30

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Opening this Friday, the Arkansas Arts Center presents the 44th Collectors Show & Sale.

First organized in 1968 by then-Arkansas Arts Center Director and Chief Curator Townsend Wolfe, the purpose of the exhibition is to encourage local collecting, acquaint Arkansas Arts Center visitors with works from New York galleries and promote the drawing media.

Arthur B. Davies “Figure Composition” c. 1905

Through the years the exhibition has evolved to an annual tradition that brings the New York Gallery scene to Little Rock. Executive Director Todd Herman and curators select the best in drawings and contemporary craft from over 20 New York galleries.

The exhibition includes works in a variety of media that range from 18th century masterworks to contemporary pieces by emerging artists. The unique and varied selection of works allows seasoned buyers to add to their collections, while introducing potential new collectors to the field.

There will be a members reception on Thursday, November 29 from 6pm to 8pm.  Memberships are available at the door.

BUNNICULA at Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre

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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.

Final weekend of MADELINE AND THE GYPSIES

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The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre kicks off its 33rd season with Madeline and the Gypsies.  This is the final weekend for the show with performances Friday at 7, Saturday at 3 and Sunday at 2.

Gretchen Bush leads the cast in the title role.  Diondre Wright plays Pepito and Jillian Flood plays Miss Clavel.   Others in the cast include Jimi Brewi, Abby Bannerman, Annie Forunte, Claire Havens, Kyndall Jackson, Margaret Lowry, Emily Pyron, Jenna Sims, Phoebe Tillemans, Sophie Wacaster, Maddie Woziwodzki, Jenny Zhang, Anna Newman, Melissa Griffith, Cassandra Nary, Jeremy Matthey, Kaiya Griffith, Alta Griffith, Karlie Barnett, Rachael Caffey, Timothy Espejo, Garrett Flood, Anna Grace Estes and Mark Hansen.

The play is based on Ludwig Bemelmans’ tales of Madeline and her friend Pepito.  It was adapted by Barry Kornhauser and features a musical score by Michael Koerner.  John Isner is the director, while the production is designed by Miranda Young.  Erin Larkin is the costume designer and Penelope Poppers designed the lighting. Bradley Anderson is the Artistic Director of the Childrens Theatre, and Todd Herman is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Arts Center.

Ark Arts Childrens Theatre 2012-13 Season

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The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre has announced the 2012-2013 season.

The season will kick off with Madeline and the Gypsies from September 21 through October 7.  In this adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans classic children’s story, the irrepressible Madeline and her friend Pepito are stranded during an outing at the rousing gypsy circus.

Bunnicula will be on stage October 26 – November 11, 2012. Bunnicula by James Howe has been a hit with kids and their parents since the book was published in 1979.

The season continues with the holiday show City Mouse, Country Mouse, Christmas House on stage November 30 – December 16, 2012. A Children’s Theatre premiere, this musical is based on Aesop’s fable about a country mouse who is invited to visit her cousin in the city for Christmas.

The Three Little Pigs and Three Billy Goats Gruff will be on stage January 25 – February 10, 2013. The Children’s Theatre will present these classic stories back to back in a witty musical production.

The Princess and the Pea, a Children’s Theatre premiere, will come to life on stage March 8 – 24, 2013. This classic tale of royal courtship is told in a fresh new way.

The 2012-13 season will end with Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, on stage April 26 – May 12, 2013.

Performances are held Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. City Mouse, Country Mouse, Christmas House will have an additional performance on Saturdays at 1 p.m. as well as 3 p.m. The Princess and the Pea will have special Spring Break matinees in addition to the normal performance times.

Tickets are $12 for children and adults. Season ticket packages are available. The season is sponsored by Landers Fiat and Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield. Bradley Anderson is the Artistic Director of the Children’s Theatre; Todd Herman is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Arts Center.

Call 501-372-4000 for more information.

JAZZKAPELLE jazzes up the Arkansas Arts Center

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Tonight, March roars out like a Lion (instead of the proverbial docile lamb) at the Arkansas Arts Center.  Studio Party: Jazzkapelle is the Arkansas Arts Center’s premiere fundraising event for 2012. Following the overwhelming success of Studio Party after Tabriz in 2011, Studio Party has evolved to its own event. Designed as an exciting prohibition-themed party that supports the Arkansas Arts Center, the Studio Party theme is inspired the 1921 Max Beckmann drawing from the AAC collection titled Jazzkapelle, which is German for jazz band.

At Studio Party, guests are invited into the Deco-drenched cabaret experience of the early 20th century, just as in the drawing.

“One of the benefits of having a world class collection of art at your fingertips is that it offers an almost endless supply of themes and subjects to spark the imagination,” says Todd Herman, Executive Director of the Arkansas Arts Center. “I love the idea that we are using a German drawing from the 1920s as our inspiration this year for Studio Party. The noise and energy that are so apparent in the drawing by Beckmann will be translated into a high-energy party at the Arts Center!”

Party goers will dance the night away in a club setting to Liquid Pleasure from Atlanta, GA, who in their 29th year have firmly established themselves as the South’s premiere show and dance band.

Tickets to the Studio Party are $100 party tickets and $250 VIP tickets. VIP tickets put AAC Patrons one step closer to the dance floor. While sipping sloe gin fizzes and classic champagne cocktails in a speakeasy lounge atmosphere, pre-party goers will enjoy the Roaring 20’s tastiest treats, live jazz and the antics of a Cabaret clad wait staff.

Windstream Corporation is the Studio Party presenting sponsor. Event sponsors are East-Harding, Central/Moon Distributors, Inc., Noble Strategies, CWP Productions and Stone Ward. Patron sponsor is First Security Bank.

Tickets will be available at the door.

Arts & Humanities Month: AAC Children’s Theatre presents CINDERELLA

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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.