Arkansas Theatre Newsroom

What did our critic think of BRIGHT STAR at Red Curtain Theatre? Intimate size theatres are my newest favorite way to watch shows, so when I heard that Red Curtain Theatre, 913 W Oak Street, in Conway, was bringing BRIGHT STAR to their newly remodeled performance area May 3-5 and May 10-12, I was intrigued.

UCA Public Appearances is celebrating Reynolds Performance Hall's 25th Anniversary in the 2024-2025 season. Along with this anniversary, we are thrilled to introduce our new UCA Public Appearances logo which celebrates the growth we have had with the addition of the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Broadway World went on a hunt for the bare necessities when we traveled to Sheridan to see The Grant County Theater’s presentation of THE JUNGLE BOOK Friday, May 10, but instead found all sorts of wild thespians taking the stage. Written by Joseph Robinette and based on the book by Rudyard Kipling, this play was not exactly like the Disney version, but it still had a lot of the familiar characters.  It was a packed house, and rightfully so. This theater grabs you when you walk into the door.  

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra has announced that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) approved a Grants for Arts Projects award of $40,000.

Broadway World saw the tiniest Annie at Studio 42 & Co. production of ANNIE in the Adams-Vines Recital Hall on the Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville May 5. However, though seven-year-old Darby Carter was small, she proved that she could stand as tall as the rest of the cast as she belted out her signature song Tomorrow.  

My favorite beauty pageant by far is in AMERICAN BEAUTY, which was presented at The Weekend Theater, 1001 W 7th St, Little Rock, April 19-May 5. With Music and Lyrics by Arkansan Michael Rice (born in Monticello and has since conquered the Broadway world), this musical celebrates the participants both on and off the pageant stage with all of its complexities that goes with it. It was humorous, the music brought out all the emotions, and the girls were absolutely amazing! 

What did our critic think of PUFFS at Arts & Science Center For Southeast Arkansas?

Watch the cast of Fat Ham at Theatre Square test their acting skills with a game of charades on Sit and Sip in the video here!

I love going to see a Trent Reese production, because he always puts a refreshing spin on whatever the subject matter may be. For our viewing pleasure this time, The Lantern Theatre and the Maumelle Players teamed up to present THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST by Oscar Wilde the last two weekends in April at The Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle.

What did our critic think of BRAVO! at Arkansas Museum Of Fine Arts?

Walton Arts Center announced the 2024-25 Diamond Awards, Arkansas' first regional high school theater awards program. The award program celebrates the power of the arts in education and motivates support for and interest in high school musicals. 

What did our critic think of CLUE: ON STAGE at Morrilton High School?

Arkansas State University Beebe theater department has blossomed so much under the tutelage of Director Ryan Gibbons that they now offer multiple opportunities for their students to work on and off the stage. In March the ASU Beebe Theatre presented BLACK BOX NIGHT, where students were able to gain experience performing in a more intimate setting, and then in April, the students adapted Lewis Carroll’s iconic ALICE novels into a script molding in their own vision. Though vastly different, both shows allowed the students to prove that they were worthy of competing with the larger programs in Arkansas. 

If you were lucky enough to see Celebrity Attraction’s national tour of Pretty Woman the Musical at Robinson Center, 426 West Markham St., in Little Rock, AR April 26-28, you are probably still dancing and humming like me.

A weekend of “Tradition” in the Harton Theatre at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, began on Friday April 19 and ran through Sunday April 21 with Fiddler on The Roof.  I was so excited when Theresa asked me to review this show because it’s a favorite of mine. 

What did our critic think of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING STORY at Argenta Contemporary Theatre?

TheatreSquared’s signature annual celebration supporting education and access to remarkable live theater will be held on May 2, at 6:00pm at the Fayetteville Public Library, and is presented by sponsors Bob and Becky Alexander.

What did our critic think of ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL at Ouachita Baptist University Jones Performing Arts Center?

The cast of TheatreSquared's Laughs in Spanish picks questions from a comedically large bowl about all things Texas and test their knowledge on Sit and Sip in the video here.

Special guests Director Monteze Freeman and actor LaTrea Rembert from TheatreSquared's 'Fat Ham' join Trey Smith for an episode of Sit and Sip. Listen to them discuss the show, being an artistic director, and the magic of co-productions here!

Director Monteze Freeland, co-Artistic Director at City Theatre, discusses the process of directing Fat Ham at TheatreSquard.

BONNIE AND CLYDE, which is playing at The Royal Theatre, 111 S Market St, in Benton, through this Sunday, April 28, was my most anticipated show that I’ve wanted to see for a few years now.

Life is about making connections, and when my daughter told me she wanted me to interview her Band Director Brent Bristow at Arkansas State University Beebe because he started a band named EMERALD CITY COUNCIL and released a new album entitled MOTION CARRIES, I was intrigued.

SEE NOW: Why does NWA rave about 𝙇𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝?

What did our critic think of ROCK OF AGES at The Studio Theatre?