Theresa Bertram - Page 21

Though there are not may hills in the Argenta District, North Little Rock was definitely filled with the SOUND OF MUSIC this weekend, as the cast brought the Von Trapp family story to life at the Argenta Community Theater, 405 Main St, North Little Rock. This is the first partnership with Wildwood Park for the Arts, and I hope there will be many more, because this show is so good. Seriously, I will try to verbalize how great everyone is, but honestly, you need to go see it for yourself.

Do you have a mom who you think wants to control your every move? Do you think she does not want you to live your best life? Or, do you have a daughter who you feel may not be living up to her teenage potential? Does she not want to participate in family activities? If you can relate to any of these questions, then Disney's FREAKY FRIDAY is for you, and you are in luck. Cabot High School has two more public performances of FREAKY FRIDAY at the Cabot High School auditorium, 602 North Lincoln Street, in Cabot, Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7pm, and Sunday, Nov. 7, at 2:30pm.

As I hurriedly walk into the Collins Theatre, 120 W. Emerson St. In Paragould, I was thrilled with how charming it was and mentally kicked myself for not getting there sooner so I could explore the building. Originally built in 1925, this facility takes you back to yesteryears to what theaters use to be before all the modern updates, but though the look was dated, the choosing to perform RENT, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, definitely was not. The people of the Collins Theatre chose a very bold, daring musical that exceeded way past my expectations, and even though they had technical difficulties early on (and what theatre doesn't have those), they reset and performed like they were on Broadway.

If you were a fan of the television show Designing Women back in the 80s and early 90s (which I was), this show is for you. If you were not watching tv back then, this is still for you. Giving off a Feminist vibe with a southern spin from the moment you enter the theatre, this production covers all of today's topics including #metoo, Black Lives Matter, COVID, and Donald Trump. There is also a nod to Cardi B and the Kardashians.

Presented at Heritage Hall, the cast, which is a mixture of kids ranging from elementary to high school, could rival some universities. Adapted from the Hans Christian Andersen 1843 story The Ugly Duckling, HONK! retails the classic through song and dance and a little tongue and cheek humor, fit for kids and adults.

It's always fun and nostalgic when I go back to my 'home' theatre, which is what I did to preview the Rialto Theater's performance of DOUBLEWIDE, TEXAS. From the writers of the Golden Girls, The Five Mrs. Buchanans, and Teacher's Pet, Jones Hope Wooten is a comedy team that can't be beat! '(The authors) put at least one character out of the Golden Girls in every play,' Assistant Director Amanda Autrey said. 'It's gonna be a grand old time full of trailer redneck humor and, you know, just a little bit everything for everyone.'

Nature versus nurture. This idea is debated throughout the world premiere of PRIMATING, written by Jennifer Vanderbes, and presented by The Arkansas Repertory Theatre August 10-29. Located deep in the sweltering, humid jungles of Africa, eh, the Little Rock Zoo, the story begins with Primatologist Desmond Hawkes (Douglas Rees) being interviewed for Time magazine by the lovely reporter Jenna Barash (Thea Foundation recipient Talley Gale). Then, past lover Eve Goodwin (Kate Goehring) shows up after 25 years to shake things up.

After 19 months of Covid Hell, theatre in Central Arkansas is opening back up, and it is EXTRAORDINARY! The Grand Re-opening of the Argenta Community Theatre and the choosing of Pippin as the season opener was just what we needed to get us back to our favorite 'corner in the sky.'

After a llllooooonnnnnggggggg hiatus from any sort of live entertainment (thanks a lot, COVID!), I finally saw my first musical this year at Cabot High School, and to quote Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, it was 'What I've Been Looking For!' The mask mandate was lifted a few weeks before opening night, but Director Courtney Shepard and cast pushed on even during the new normal. 'It has definitely been interesting doing theatre in a masked and socially distanced environment,' Shepard said. 'Before the mask mandate was lifted, we were rehearsing in masks and keeping 6 feet apart. This was very different for the performers but they came to rehearsal every day following the rules and ready to make the best of it.' And make the best of it they did. It was noticeable that the cast was happy to be back on stage.

What do displaced actors during a pandemic do when there is no stage in which to perform? They take it to the internet, of course, and that is exactly what the company Creative Quarantine has done. CREATIVE QUARANTINE Presents LES MISÈRABLES In QUARAN-STREAM will broadcast Saturday, June 6, at 7 p.m., on their Creative Quarantine Youtube channel. Based out of Los Angeles, Calif., two dozen actors from all over the country, including Arkansas' own Piper Wallace, came together with co-founders and producers Benji Kaufman and Lara Lafferty to create a fully realized - and fully virtual - tribute to the beloved musical, LES MISERABLES.

I wish....more than anything that the Red Curtain would have extended their run of INTO THE WOODS just a little longer, because I knew of other people who had scheduling conflicts, but really wanted to see it. And they should have seen it. It was comparable to the 1987 Broadway version. I ended up catching the last show of the run on Sunday, February 23, at Staples Auditorium at Hendrix College, and though I thought the audience lacked in energy, the cast pushed on through their wishes like pros.

Telling a story where multiple ethnic groups come together to form an even bigger story can be quite the undertaking, but the Argenta Theater in North Little Rock had no problems pulling it off with the magnanomous RAGTIME, on the official opening night Friday, Feb. 21. And according to their website at argentacommunitytheater.org, the fans agree, leaving Wednesday, Feb. 26, as the only date available for tickets....as of now.

Are you ready for Christmas? Well the Rialto Community Arts Center in Morrilton has the show that will jump start your holiday season into high gear with North Pole's Got Talent. Written by Lavinia Roberts, this holiday spin off brings the inhabitants of the North Pole to compete for a 'super secret surprise,' including the elves, reindeer, Jack Frost and the Snow Queen. Director Casey Myers has brought together a true community cast for this production ranging from age one to folks in their golden years. This blend includes children, teachers, a doctor, and many others all sharing the Rialto stage bringing holiday cheer to the attendees of the show.

Just in time for Halloween, Maumelle High School will be presenting I AM FRANKENSTEIN, an adaptation from Arkansas playwright John Haman, Thursday, Oct. 31, and Friday, Nov. 1. 'It's the story of two tortured creatures,' says Haman. 'Victor's famous monster, and the novel's troubled author, Mary Shelley.' I was privileged to sit in on a rehearsal and speak with some of the actors bringing this show to life.

This weekend, Thespian Troupe 3131, under the direction of Heather Hooten, at Morrilton High School will recreate the dramatization of Orson Welles' reading of H.G. Wells' book THE WAR OF THE WORLDS. Considered the first of its kind to imagine what the world would look like if aliens invaded Earth, this story supposedly terrified the radio listening public back in 1938 as they took it for actual news. WAR OF THE WORLDS: THE PANIC BROADCAST will take you through the reading and then show you the response from the people. Broadway World was on set to interview a few of the cast members about their experience with performing this radio play.

The Red Curtain's production of CHICAGO: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION 'Razzle Dazzled' the audience as they shimmied across the stage at Staples Auditorium at Hendrix College in Conway Friday, Oct. 11. An abbreviated version of the actual musical with only teenagers 18 years old and younger, this show was a highlight of the songs with heavy dance numbers, and the kids impressed with what they learned at Red Curtain.

The talent at the Weekend Theater will blow you away at their production of SIDE SHOW (2014 Broadway Revival). Running through October 27, you do not want to miss this.

Rock-n-Roll came alive on the Arkansas Repertory Theatre stage Sunday afternoon as the 'Million Dollar Quartet' told the story of Sam Phillips (Karack Osborn) and his history with 'my boys' Elvis Presley (Trent Rowland), Johnny Cash (Bill Scott Sheets), Carl Perkins (Skye Scott), and Jerry Lee Lewis (Brandyn Day). Directed by Hunter Foster, who was named 2018 'Director of the Year' by the Wall Street Journal, the show is based on the infamous picture of the four musicians gathered around a piano on December 4, 1956, at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. According to the story, Carl Perkins was having a recording session with a then unknown Jerry Lee Lewis on piano. Elvis Presley stops in since he was in town with motives to convince Phillips to take the deal with RCA, and Johnny Cash was called in for a surprise renewal of his contract. Though labeled as a jukebox musical, it really is a play within a concert.....or a concert within a play, whichever way you want to look at it. I LOVED it! The cast was phenomenal. I want to see it again. It is a definite must-see show!

Shakespeare may have been in love with Viola in this season's premiering romance/comedy Shakespeare in Love at the brand new installation for TheatreSquared, 477 W. Spring Street, in Downtown Fayetteville, but I was in love with this theatre the moment I stepped inside the venue. The look of the building, the eagerness from the staff, and the fun coming from my fellow patrons made Wednesday night's (Aug. 28) production immensely enjoyable. Running through September 15, this performance is a must see.