Theresa Bertram - Page 16

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.

With only having seen a sampling of 'Singing In the Rain' with Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, I didn't have a formed idea of what the Red Curtain's interpretation of the musical should have been like, but I knew Director Bob Bidewell, Choreographer Olivia Stephens, Music Director Kent Britton, and Producer Kristen Sherman had some big tap shoes to fill. Friday night's show in Staple's Auditorium at Hendrix College in Conway was enjoyable. This was definitely a different type show than normal for the Red Curtain, but it was a solid performance with memorable scenes.

The Argenta Community Theater, 405 Main St., in North Little Rock, never fails to bring a top-notch performance with every show, and the audience has caught on to this fact. Not only was the show that I saw on Sunday sold-out, the whole entire run was sold out by opening night. When most theaters hope to at least break even, the Argenta has to decide if they want to add extra shows to accommodate all of their fans. I do not have to go to a show at the Argenta to write about whether the production is good or not. I am lucky enough to get to attend the performances to catch the details and watch emerging stars shine on the stage.

For the candy lover in all of us, the Arkansas Repertory Theater, will present Willy Wonka Jr., their first all-kids cast on the main stage June 21-30.

Revolting children? I think not! Audiences were encapsulated by the enter-twining story that Matilda spun in The Red Curtain Theatre's regionally premiered Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical at The Staples Auditorium at Hendrix College in Conway April 12, 13, 14, 19, and 20. Directed by Kristin Sherman, with help from Music Director Kent Britton and Choreographer Olivia Stephens, the Red Curtain has proved to be a powerful force in the community theatre arena.

The Rialto Community Art Center performs a charming rendition of Caroline Smith's Kitchen Witches Thursday through Sunday, March 21 through 24. This is the funniest cooking show you will see on stage. Touted as a cross between Martha Stewart and Jerry Springer, this play touches base with infidelity and friendship.

With a very colorful set and equally colorful costumes, North Little Rock High School Theatre Arts Department presented SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL Friday March 1, through Sunday March 3, to well attended and entertained audiences both young and young at heart. Music and lyrics are by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Aherns, and based on characters by Dr. Seuss. The show was directed by Mike Noland, choreographed by Christen Pitts, with music direction by Lori Isner. As a fellow Dr. Seuss lover, I smiled through the whole performance, and they get extra bonus points for including a live orchestra.

The Argenta Community Theater cast of Newsies may not be the King's of New York, but they are most definitely the King's of North Little Rock. Argenta never fails putting on a fantastic show. Led by Director Vincent Insalaco, and produced by Judy Tenenbaum, the casting was superb, the set was envious, and the choreography was top notch--and looked like so much fun!

Do you hear the people sing? Well if you didn't hear these performers sing, you missed out. The Red Curtain Theatre presented Les Miserables: School Edition, December 7-16, 2018, at the Staples Auditorium located on the Hendrix College campus, and let me tell you, I found it hard to believe these kids weren't even out of high school yet.

Nestled at 405 Main Street in North Little Rock, the Argenta Community Theater deserves its spot amongst the other 'artsy' venues and clubs taking residence in the Argenta district. Though it isn't a very big setting (not as small as a black box theater, but definitely not auditorium size), they impress this writer with their creative use of space. And the talent? It's surprising that these people are not professional actors, though I do take the liberty to prophesize that some of them very well may be in the near future. The Argenta family never disappoints.

Nestled in the the downtown corridor of North Little Rock sits the perfect-sized theater (in my opinion) called the Argenta Community Theater. In this perfect-sized theater, magic happens. This group of talented artists come together and utilize every space harmoniously to tell their stories. The story that I happened to see this time was 'To Kill A Mockingbird.' Now I have to make a confession: I only read half of it in 10th grade and let my friend fill me in on the rest (sorry Mrs. Smith.) My teenaged brain just wasn't mature enough to really appreciate what all this story has to offer. Luckily, though, the Argenta people gave me this opportunity, and I'm so happy I came.

What does it take to put on a musical? In one answer: teamwork. A musical is a big undertaking with a big cast, and not just one director can fully handle it all. He/she has to have a team that works well together.

North Little Rock High School's Theatre Arts Department did not disappoint with their production of Disney's The Little Mermaid.