Theater
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
What's going on / Theater Thursday and Friday To Do: Arkansas New Play Fest 2012
ARKANSAS NEW PLAY FEST 2012
7 p.m. Oxford American. $7 per reading, $20 full pass.
This marks the second year that The Arkansas Repertory Theatre has teamed up with TheatreSquared of Fayetteville to host a Central Arkansas production of The Arkansas New Play Fest (the Northwest Arkansas dates for the festival are May 18-20 at Nadine Baum Studios).
"The collaboration is designed to introduce promising new works for the stage to audiences in Northwest and Central Arkansas and to encourage conversation about the themes of these new plays," according to TheatreSquared.
This year's lineup includes readings of "Uprooted," a family drama by Clinnesha Dillon Sibley about a successful actress returning to her small hometown for her mother's funeral; "The Football Project," the story of a high school football team that becomes enmeshed in controversy and the reaction of the team's hometown, by Samuel Brett Williams; Robert Ford's "The Spiritualist," about a school cafeteria cook and self-proclaimed psychic who communes with dead composers; and "The Ballad of Rusty and Roy," the tale of two brothers — both musicians — whose careers follow different paths after they move to New York City, by Troy and Jonny Schremmer.
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Sunday, May 13, 2012
Music / Coming soon / Theater / Comedy The Joint opens in Argenta
The Joint, a new coffeehouse and comedy club in Argenta, has finally announced its grand opening. We've been talking about The Joint since January, and now there are actual dates — the coffee shop will be ready for business at 7 a.m. sharp on May 14. In the comedy venue, the first performance is scheduled for June 2. The debut performance will be "Little Rock & a Hard Place," an original two-act play about a man who dies in a car wreck and is banished at the Pearly Gates, sent back to Little Rock, where he died, to help the city and earn his wings. The Joint is owned and operated by Vicky and Steve Farrell, a veteran comedy team, who's work has been featured on Saturday Night Live and NPR's All Things Considered.
In addition to coffee and wifi, the cafe will serve sandwiches, craft beers and wine, and the live venue will feature a full slate of entertainment. Wednesday nights will be improv, Thursdays will be music, Fridays and Saturdays will be the comedy plays. "Little Rock & a Hard Place" runs all summer. In the fall it will be replaced by "Electile Dsyfunction," about the upcoming election.
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Friday, May 11, 2012
What's going on / Theater Here's a trailer for The Rep's 'Next to Normal'
The Arkansas Repertory Theatre's current show is "Next to Normal," the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical about a contemporary family's struggle with a mother's struggles with mental illness.
Our reviewer Bernard Reed described it as "unusual and effective, especially in taking the audience to the highs and lows of its bipolar protagonist, and energizing what could have been a very music-less, hard-handed family drama. One is left with the satisfying sensation of having seen everything a stage can offer."
After the jump, check out a preview trailer for the show, which runs through May 27. Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
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Thursday, May 3, 2012
What's going on / Theater Friday To-Do: "A... My Name is Alice"
'A ... MY NAME IS ALICE'
7:30 p.m. The Weekend Theater. $12-$16.
"A ... My Name is Alice" is a musical revue that originally opened in 1983. Conceived by Joan Micklin Silver and Julianne Boyd with tunes written by several other people, the play is made up of several self-contained scenes that all have to do with relationships between women of various ages and backgrounds.
Some of the topics explored include lifelong friendships, sibling rivalries and an exchange between a 50-something widow and a teen-ager. Most of the scenes are songs, but the show is interspersed with a few monologues and a series of poems as well. Several of the songs, including the title tune, as well as "Trash," "For Women Only Poems" and "Welcome to Kindergarten, Mrs. Johnson" were written by Marta Kauffman and David Crane, the co-creators of the smash TV series "Friends."
"These cast members are incredibly unique, wildly talented, and each has a different level of life experience that they bring to the stage," Director Duane Jackson said in a statement about the show. "Rehearsal conversations are a hoot, as you can imagine, with me being the only male involved in the show. There is a lot of laughter and love with this cast. And I have learned so much more about life from these ladies." The Weekend Theater's production runs through May 20, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
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Thursday, April 12, 2012
What's going on / Music / Theater Friday: Michael '5000' Watts, Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe, Leftover Salmon and more
FRIDAY 4/13
Fans of the chopped 'n' screwed sound won't want to miss Decadence with Swishahouse CEO Michael "5000" Watts, who plays Revolution with DJ Derrty Deja Blu and VJ g-force, 9 p.m., $10 21 and older, $15 ages 18-20.
Bonnie Montgomery plays a songwriters showcase at UALR's Stella Boyle Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. She'll be performing excerpts from her opera "Billy Blythe," as well as the upcoming opera "West Memphis Three" and the living painting "Enoch: A Story of the Watchers," both of which feature text by Nathan Howdeshell (of Gossip renown) and composer (and sister) Holly Montgomery.
Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe headline what'll no doubt be a raucous affair at White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $7.
Up on The Hill, George's Majestic Lounge has jam circuit faves Leftover Salmon, 8 p.m., $24.
The Weekend Theater's production of "Next Fall" continues, 7:30 p.m., $12-$16.
The 33rd Annual Arkansas Scottish Festival boasts Scottish sports, dancing, music, food, drinks and more, Lyon College through April 15, noon, free.
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Coming soon / Theater Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre to stage 'The Tempest' in LR
If you've been itching for Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre to stage an outdoor production of one of the Bard's works in Little Rock, you're in luck.
The company will present an hour-long version of "The Tempest", which it has described as being tailored "specifically for families and those less familiar with Shakespeare to enjoy together."
The play will be staged at Rivermarket Pavilion at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29. Tickets are $3-$5 and will only be sold at the door.
The company's season begins June 7, with a "Twelfth Night" at Hendrix College, and continues through July 1 with productions of that play, as well as "Richard III," "The Tempest" and "Big River," which is based on Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." The shows take place at Hendrix, UCA's Reynolds Performance Hall and Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts.
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Thursday, April 5, 2012
What's going on / Theater Friday To-Do: 'Next Fall'
- Byron Taylor
- Harold Dean, left, and Jackson Stewart star in The Weekend Theater's production of "Next Fall."
'NEXT FALL'
7:30 p.m. The Weekend Theater. $12-$16.
Geoffrey Naufft's "Next Fall" concerns a couple — Adam and Luke — who don't see eye-to-eye on matters of spirituality. Luke is a dyed-in-the-wool fire-and-brimstone Christian and Adam is an atheist. Luke is worried his significant other will spend an eternity in the lake of fire, while Adam can't brook such superstition. An accident forces uncomfortable confrontations amongst their friends and families.
When the play opened in June 2009, the New York Times' Ben Brantley called it "an intellectual stealth bomb," and "the kind of gently incisive, naturalistic play that rarely materializes anymore." The play's off-Broadway run was extended for several weeks, and opened the next spring on Broadway with the same cast and director.
Weekend Theater director Ralph Hyman saw the play on Broadway and loved it. This production stars Jackson Stewart, Harold Dean, Ryan Whitfield, Hannah Blackburn-Parish, Allison Pace and Byron Taylor. It runs through April 21.
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What's going on / Theater Friday To-Do: 'Beyond the Valley of the Red Octopus'
'BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE RED OCTOPUS'
8 p.m. The Public Theatre. $8-$10.
Looks like the good folks behind Red Octopus Theater have been feasting on trash lately — specifically, lowbrow auteur Russ Meyer's 1970 film "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" (co-written by Roger Ebert). This time around, they're paying their respects to the kitschy, the campy, the trashy, the cheesy and the cornball. Sample skit titles: "All My Children Went to Amsterdam, and All I Got Was This Crappy T Shirt," "Is Jesus a Rabbit?" and "LSD? You're Soaking in It!"
As usual, this show is for grownups with fully developed senses of humor, and not for kids, prudes, squares, scolds, prigs or no-fun-damentalists. The cast for this show includes Sandy Baskin, Brian Chambers, Alli Clark, Josh Doering, Drew Ellis, Michael Goodbar, Grant Morris, Jason Willey, and Ramthor, a.k.a. Luke Rowlan.
The show runs this weekend and returns April 12-14.
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Wednesday, March 28, 2012
What's going on / Theater Thursday To-Do: Circus Oz
'CIRCUS OZ'
7 p.m. Walton Arts Center. $39-$49.
Since it was founded in the late '70s, Circus Oz has been blending old-school circus acrobatics with rock 'n' roll and a comedic sensibility. "They wanted it to be funny, irreverent and spectacular, a celebration of the group as a bunch of multi-skilled individual women and men, rather than a hierarchy of stars," according to the group's bio. Some of the company's guiding principles include collective ownership, no gender discrimination, no rock-star attitudes and no exotic animals.
In the mid '80s, Circus Oz performers began training with acrobats from the Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe and incorporating some of the Chinese company's techniques and acts. A Circus Oz performance is a mix of slapstick, Keystone Kops-type stuff, with lots of traditional circus hoop-jumping, music, comedy and Australian eccentricity. This tour finds the company incorporating a sort of steampunk motif.
The show runs through April 3, taking a day off April 2.
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Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Theater Rep extends 'The Wiz' to April 8
- Courtesy Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Because of popular demand, The Arkansas Repertory Theatre has extended its run of "The Wiz" to April 8. Rep spokeswoman Angel Galloway said this is the first time The Rep has extended a show’s run in seven years.
Times theater critic Blair Tidwell wrote that “the musical's yellow brick road may have a few potholes, but viewers will be so enchanted by the song and dance, they'll barely notice.”
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Thursday, March 15, 2012
What's going on / Music / Theater Weekend: 'The Miracle Worker,' Too Close to Call, Maze and more
- Byron Taylor
- Hannah Sawyer as Annie Sullivan and Sarah Nicholson as Helen Keller star in The Weekend Theater's production of "The Miracle Worker."
FRIDAY 3/16
Revolution has the funk- and blues-informed jams of Interstate Buffalo, with the folky, classic rock-inspired group Houndmouth, 9 p.m., $5, 18-and-older.
Vino's hosts a bevy of bands returning from SXSW, including Wussy, The Sundresses, The Whiskey Daredevils and Oh My Me, 9 p.m.
The Peabody Hotel has a roast and toast of former NFL wide receiver Reggie Swinton to benefit the youth programs at Ministry of Intercession, 6 p.m., $30.
Down the street, you can catch an evening of heavy modern rock, with Too Close to Call, Mourning View, Queen Anne's Revenge, Juanita's, 9 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s.
For some sinister Southern metal, venture to Downtown Music Hall, for VBT, Black Pussy, Holy Angell and Wraith, 8 p.m., $6.
"The Miracle Worker" returns to The Weekend Theater with the story of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $12-$16.
SATURDAY 3/17
Singer/songwriter Eric Sommer returns to Midtown for another night of blues-based tunes and top-flight guitar playing, 12:30 a.m., $5.
Texas singer/songwriter Hayes Carll returns to Revolution, with Honeyhoney and John Paul Keith & The One Four Fives opening the 18-and-older show, 9 p.m., $15.
Old-school soul superstars Maze with Frankie Beverly bring the house down at Verizon Arena, 7:30 p.m., $37-$67.
Dugan's Pub hosts a giant St. Patrick's block party starting at 4 p.m. with live music from Peg Loyd Roach, Scott Moye, James Peeples, The Dead Celts Society and Penguin Dilemma and dance performances from the McCafferty School of Irish Dance and the O'Donovan School of Irish Dance. The St. Patrick's Day parade begins at Dugan's at 1 p.m.
For raucous, debauched rock 'n' roll hijinks, you won't do better than Memphis' River City Tanlines, with Little Rock bruiser Jonathan Wilkins and the pummeling rock of Jab Jab Suckerpunch, 10 p.m., White Water Tavern.
The lovely ladies of the Diamond Dames Burly-Q Revue host guest stars Frankie LaFemme, Erin Go Braughless, Jac Start and aerialist Gina Gargano, with comedian Amy Pannell and pre-show entertainment by Rural War Room, Juanita's, 8 p.m., $10.
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012
What's going on / Music / Theater Thursday: HeavyGrinder, 'The Wiz,' Pearl and The Beard and more
For some electro/dubstep jams, Conway's Ford Theater has you covered, with Los Angeles-based DJ HeavyGrinder. It's 18-and-older, 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 d.o.s.
The SF JAZZ Collective plays music by Stevie Wonder at Walton Arts Center, 7 p.m., $10-$25.
Don't miss "The Wiz" at The Rep, 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., $30-$60.
Quirky Brooklyn trio Pearl and The Beard brings unconventional instrumentation and twee boy-girl indie pop to Stickyz. Opening the show is Little Rock's Freedom Bureau, made up of a mix of newcomers and old-timers. It's 18-and-older, 9 p.m., $6.
Over at Next Level Events, you can bid on a slew of quality items at a benefit for Arkansas Donor Family Council. It starts at 5:30 p.m., $15 per person and includes door prizes, drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
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Monday, March 12, 2012
What's going on / Film / Music / Theater Monday: Glossary, Reptar, Nachtmystium, 'The Wiz'
The names Glossary and Two Cow Garage are no doubt familiar to many in Central Arkansas. This one's a no-brainer for anybody into the roots/Americana side of things, White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m.
Downtown Music Hall has another killer metal show: longtime local faves Rwake, with Chicago black metal bludgeoners Nachtmystium and psych-doom luminaries The Atlas Moth, Atlanta space-metal outfit Zoraster and Little Rock sludge dealers Snakedriver. It's $10 and starts at 8 p.m.
As far as dance-y electro psych-pop goes, you won't do much better on this particular Monday night than Athens, Ga.'s Reptar, who play an 18-and-older show at Stickyz, 9 p.m., $10.
Reel Classics with the Rep presents a screening of the film "The Wiz" followed by a discussion with The Rep's costume designer Rafael Castanera and a sneak-peek at some of the costume sketches for The Rep's production of "The Wiz." The screening is at Laman Library, 6 p.m., free.
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Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Coming soon / Theater Rep unveils 2012-2013 season
The folks at The Arkansas Repertory Theatre announced their 2012-2013 season yesterday afternoon to a crowd of 100 or so theatre lovers at the recently renovated venue. Some of the highlights include the massively popular musical comedy "Avenue Q," Arthur Miller's timeless "Death of a Salesman" and a musical version of "Treasure Island" that will have its world premiere at The Rep.
Artistic Director Bob Hupp seemed very excited about the upcoming season, which kicks off Sept. 7 with Shakespeare's "Henry V." It's the first time The Rep has produced one of the Bard's historical plays. Hupp mentioned seeing Kenneth Brannagh in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of the play in 1984. "It's one of my personal favorites, and one of the most dramatic ever to live on stage," Hupp said.
One title that might not be as familiar to drama buffs is "Gee's Bend," which runs from Jan. 25-Feb. 10. Written by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder and directed by Gilbert McCauley, it's a story based on the lives and families of a group of women in a sewing circle of Gee's Bend, Ala. Their strikingly colorful and celebrated quilts have been exhibited at some of the top museums in the country. Hupp said The Rep is working to borrow some of the quilts to display during the production run of "Gee's Bend."
Hupp said he's been trying to get the rights to "Avenue Q" for about six years. The musical puppet comedy ranks 21st among the longest running Broadway shows, and is still a huge draw in New York. It's an adult-oriented spoof of "Sesame Street."
"And I want to make clear that it is an adult spoof," Hupp said. "Yes, there is some puppet sex in the show," he conceded to the giggles of many in the crowd. But he added that the play makes some "very heartwarming" points about people and all the ways we interact with each other. "Avenue Q" will run from June 7-30, 2013.
A press release with the the full season is available here.
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Monday, March 5, 2012
What's going on / Theater Tuesday To-Do: 'Young Frankenstein'
'YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN'
7:30 p.m. Robinson Center Music Hall. $23-$61.
With the success of the Broadway musical adaptation of the Mel Brooks classic "The Producers" in 2001, it was only natural that "Young Frankenstein" would receive similar treatment. Back in 2010, Brooks announced that a musical version of "Blazing Saddles" would be forthcoming, a notion that had been hinted at toward the end of the musical "Young Frankenstein."
So will we eventually see "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" or the unjustly maligned "Spaceballs" brought to Broadway? Also, will we see a film version of the musical version of "Young Frankenstein," as we did with "The Producers?" Only time will tell.
This production runs through March 8, and concludes the 2011-2012 Celebrity Attractions Broadway Season.
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