Theresa Bertram - Page 15

I always enjoy going to Hot Springs, but this time my Percy Jackson enthusiast son insisted that we needed to go see THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL with the Hot Springs School District 7-12 Theatre troupe presented in the beautiful Joyce L. Littleton Craft Auditorium, 401 Emory Street, in Hot Springs, and I'm so glad we did. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time I have heard of this musical being performed in Arkansas, which is super cool. The show was upbeat, the dancers were great, and the music was rockin'!

What horrors can come from an exotic plant after a 'total eclipse from the sun?' Imagine my shock during the production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at The University of Central Arkansas Theatre, 201 South Donaghey, in Conway, Friday, April 22, when the 'mean green mother from outer space' ate everyone! What??? That did NOT happen in the movie, but boy was it delightful in a sad, strange sort of way. The cast and crew had me dying...with laughter through the whole show.

As luck would have it for this lady, I had the privilege to review GUYS & DOLLS at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia Sunday, April 24, and let me tell you, hearing those performers sing was well worth the three-hour drive. The Musical Theatre program at SAU is thriving, and the future of those actors is bright!

Set in Grover's Corner, New Hampshire, OUR TOWN, written by Thronton Wilder in 1937, is a staple for theaters everywhere, and it is tradition that every theater performs it, at least, once. And though I've seen it several times, I am always interested to see how each company interprets this piece of classic literature. I was especially excited to do my first college review with the Arkansas State University-Beebe's Theatre Department Thursday, April 21, because when you go to a theater where education is top priority, intriguing scenarios can develop. Also, my daughter has accepted a scholarship to this program in the fall, so I wanted to check it out, and I am happy that I did.

For most Arkansans, going into the woods is a normal, recreational blessing that makes them happy, but when the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 601 Main St., in Little Rock, takes the audience INTO THE WOODS, the tale goes beyond happily ever after and is far from a traditional ending.

We're off to see the wizard.... that is the wizards in Conway who have built up this fantastic program for the youth in their community. Since COVID has loosened its grip on the theatre world, The Red Curtain Theatre has been filling up their roster in minutes of posting signups for whatever workshop they are working on, this newest one being THE WIZARD OF OZ: YOUTH ADDITION. Produced by Co-founder Kristen Dickerson and directed by Savannah Kirkdoffer, this abbreviated version of the classic hits all the highlights of the production without overextending the young performers. If you are looking for a show that will inspire your budding actor/actress, this musical continues through Saturday, April 16, at Conway Junior High School, 1815 Prince Street in Conway. Tickets can be purchased at www.redcurtaintheatre.com.

Checking out the pedigree in the Playbill for SISTER ACT, which is presented by Praeclara and Wildwood Park for the Arts, 20919 Denny Rd, in Little Rock, I knew we were all in for a treat, but...WOW! The pipes on these performers are astounding. The talent is so great in this cast, I think it seeps out the lobby doors and makes the flowers bloom along the trails surrounding the Cabe Festival Theatre. It is that good. And according to my fellow audience members, 'fun' was the adjective most used while exiting the theatre....and it was. I loved the chemistry among the distinct groups, I loved the cohesiveness with the entire production, and did I mention the music-singing and musicians-were off the charts?!

Tucked away on a hill in the fabulous town of Hot Springs, sits this charming, active theatre that has the best collective, comedic timing that I have ever seen. Currently, the Pocket Community Theatre, 170 Ravine Street, in Hot Springs, has a fantastic group of six women performing STEEL MAGNOLIAS through April 10. Tickets can be purchased at www.pockettheatre.com or at the door, but I encourage you to get them soon, because when word of mouth gets around about how funny and touching this production is, I don't want you to be turned away.

Cabot High School Theatre, 401 N. Lincoln Street, in Cabot, knew how to revolt when they performed ROALD DAHL'S MATILDA THE MUSICAL Thursday, March 10 through Saturday, March 12, 2022. Fans delighted as the students whirled and twirled while telling the story of a magical little girl, Matilda (Alix Brown), standing up for herself and finding people who understood her.

When a classic is performed, if it isn't delivered correctly, it can be rather confusing. This, however, was not the case for OUR TOWN, which is going on now through March 19, at the Argenta Community Theater, 405 Main Street, in North Little Rock. This play is offered as part of the ACANSA - Arts Festival of the South. OUR TOWN is one of many events that are playing in Little Rock and North Little Rock through March 25th. For more information and tickets, visit acansa.org.

When I heard the montage of 80s music blaring and saw the beautiful African-American art donning the Arkansas Repertory Theatre lobby, I knew SCHOOL GIRLS; OR THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY by Jocelyn Bioh, which is playing through March 20, was going to be awesome (80s slang intended)! Set in Ghana at the Aburi Girls' boarding school in 1986, the play touches on social nerves like familial status, school hierarchy, and color of the skin. Directed by Sha Cage, this group of storytellers told a tale that still rings true today.

As I walked through the parking lot of Heritage Hall's Howard Theatre, 1800 NW 122nd Street, in Oklahoma City, I knew TITANIC THE MUSICAL was a fitting show to see as I climbed over the literal ice bergs to get to the door. Just prior to the show dates Feb. 24-27, an ice storm came across southern United States and closed schools, making it difficult to have rehearsal and even cancelling the first performance due to inclement weather. However, the ice did not sink the show, and the cast was able to perform the last three shows.

HAMILTON!! HAMILTON came to Little Rock! Do I really even need to go on with this review? Ok, well, of course I knew it would 'Blow Us All Away.' Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to Celebrity Attractions and the powers that be for bringing this powerhouse of a musical to Robinson Center, 426 W Markham St, in Little Rock, which is still going on until February 20, so if you have not gotten your tickets, do not 'Say No to This!'

To wrap up my string of holiday shows for this season, I saw DISNEY'S FROZEN JR, performed by the Red Curtain Theatre, 913 W Oak Street, in Conway.

For all the Charlie Brown fans out there (and I know there are a lot of you), The Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 601 Main Street in Little Rock, performed A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS for most of December, and if you missed it, all I can say is 'good grief!' This show was almost a replica of the cartoon Christmas special on TV, right down to the 30ish minutes of the actual show.

Adapted by Arkansas playwright Judy B. Goss, produced by Vincent Insalaco, and directed by Jamie Stewart, The Argenta Community Theater, 405 Main Street, North Little Rock, version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL delighted patrons, as evident to the numerous sold-out shows. After five years of producing this classic, ACT has decided this is the last year (for now) of this adaptation, and I know their fans will be sad to see this tradition go. After all, some actors and families of actors have graced the stage more than once to tell this tale of holiday redemption.

When watching a Blackbox performance, there is this intimate feeling and up-closeness that you can't get from bigger auditoriums. If you haven't been to a production at The Weekend Theater, 1007 W 7th St, in Little Rock, you need to go this coming weekend Friday-Sunday, December 17-19, for the last showings of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE-A LIVE RADIO PLAY by Joe Landry. For lack of a better adjective, it was absolutely wonderful! The cast was cheerful, the costumes were Christmas-y and the whole format was very creative.

Before I even made it to see ALICE IN WONDERLAND at Morrilton High School, 701 E. Harding St., Morrilton, Caleb, a budding 12-year old critic, gave the show a rating of 1000 out of 10, and it was well deserved. The costumes were beautiful, the set was clever, and the cast would have made Lewis Carroll proud. Obviously created with children in mind, Thespian Troupe 3131 entertained the young and young at heart December 3-5.