Matthew Burns

Review: INTO THE WOODS at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Mar 14, 2025

I have loved Into the Woods ever since I saw the 1987 production on PBS. The way it mashed up all those fairy tales into one story completely blew my mind — and then when most of the characters died, I couldn’t believe it. It was wild. Honestly, I still think it’s wild, and I’m still obsessed. So, when I heard that my favorite, Bob Bidewell, was directing this Stephen Sondheim classic (Book by James LaPine) at The Royal Theatre in Benton — playing through Sunday, March 16 — I knew I was ready to go back Into the Woods.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Extends Run at the Ambassadors Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 4, 2025

To celebrate its four Olivier nominations, new British musical THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON has extended booking at the Ambassadors Theatre. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!

Review: SEUSSICAL JR at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Feb 26, 2025

Oh, the things you can think when you see a musical that lingers in your mind for days after you've left! That's exactly what’s twirling in my head after visiting The Young Players at The Royal Theatre in Benton to see Seussical Jr., which I had the chance to catch on Sunday, March 23. I don’t usually like going on the last day, but thanks to the groundhog, the weather made it difficult to get there any sooner. 

Review: THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Jan 19, 2025

What did our critic think of THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre?

Winners Announced For The 2024 BroadwayWorld Montana Awards
by BWW Awards - Jan 17, 2025

Winners have been announced for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Montana Awards! The 2024 Regional Awards honor regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Extends Run at The Ambassadors Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 13, 2025

The producers of the new British musical THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON have announced that booking has now extended until Saturday 26 April 2025 at The Ambassadors Theatre.

Last Chance To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Arkansas Awards; THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at Searcy Summer Dinner Theatre Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 27, 2024

This is the last chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Arkansas Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Final Week To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Arkansas Awards; Searcy Summer Dinner Theatre Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Dec 23, 2024

This is the final week to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Arkansas Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Vote For The 2024 BroadwayWorld Arkansas Awards; DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Arts One Presents Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 16, 2024

Voting continues for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Arkansas Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2024 BWW Arkansas Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 9, 2024

Don't miss your chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Arkansas Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

First Standings Announced For The 2024 BWW Arkansas Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 2, 2024

Check out the first stats for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Arkansas Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Video: Watch Scenes from THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 15, 2024

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON is now open at the Ambassadors Theatre. The production stars Olivier Award winner John Dagleish as Benjamin Button. Watch video highlights of the cast in action!

Photos: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON at The Ambassadors Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 23, 2024

All new production photos have been released for THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON at The Ambassadors Theatre, starring Olivier Award winner John Dagleish and Olivier nominee Clare Foster. Check out the photos here!

Photos: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON At The Ambassadors Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 11, 2024

First look photos have been released for the award-winning and unordinary new musical THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, ahead of its first preview performance tonight – Thursday 10 October 2024 – at The Ambassadors Theatre.

Photos: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Rehearsals
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 16, 2024

Check out rehearsal photos for the new West End musical The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Review: HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Aug 22, 2024

Magical! The Royal Theatre, 111 S Market St, in Benton, brought pure, heart wrenching magic with their production of HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, based on the Victor Hugo novel and Book by Peter Parnell, with songs from the Disney film written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. Because I have not read the story or watched the movie, I really didn’t know what I was about to experience, and I’m thrilled about that, because wow! This one blew me away! Of course, I knew it would when I saw that the creative team was led by Co-Directors Bob Bidewell and Dariane LyJoi Mull and Music Director Angela Coller. The whole performance was spectacular, but the music....the music....was Broadway worthy.

SISTER AT JR. Comes to The Historic Royal Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 25, 2024

The Historic Royal Theatre will present the Young Players in their “divine” production of Sister Act JR. This production, made possible by our sponsorship with Everett Buick GMC, will open July 2024. The musical tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a high-spirited aspiring singer, who witnesses a murder and is forced to enter the Queen of Angels convent under witness protection. 

Clare Foster Joins The Cast of THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
by Stephi Wild - Jun 21, 2024

Olivier Award nominee Clare Foster will star as Elowen Keene in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, alongside the previously announced Olivier Award winner John Dagleish as Benjamin Button, at the Ambassadors Theatre from Thursday 10th October 2024.

John Dagleish Will Lead THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON at the Ambassadors Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 6, 2024

Olivier Award winner John Dagleish will star as Benjamin Button in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON at the Ambassadors Theatre from Thursday 10th October 2024.

Review: BONNIE AND CLYDE THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Apr 26, 2024

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.