HAMLET, EVITA, THE 39 STEPS & More Part of Arkansas Rep's '10-'11 Season

Arkansas Repertory Theatre (The Rep), the state's largest professional nonprofit theatre, is proud to announce its 35th MainStage Season. Musicals, comedies, timeless classics and social dramas combine to form a season that exemplifies The Rep's mission of producing diverse work of the highest artistic standards for its Arkansas audience.

"It is interesting that every play we have selected either started out as or became a major motion picture," says Bob Hupp, Producing Artistic Director at The Rep. "It is a testament, I think, to the broad appeal of our season and to our number one commitment: a passion to tell great stories on our stage. These great stories are created to entertain and engage our audiences from September until June. The Rep's creative team is second to none and our new season will be a wonderful canvas upon which to create these compelling stories."

THE MAINSTAGE SEASON 

An unrequited ghost, an indecisive prince, a kingdom in chaos: something is rotten in the state of Denmark. William Shakespeare's dark tale of power and lust, murder and vengeance is regarded by many as the most influential work ever written for the stage, and it's opening The Rep's 35th season on September 10 - September 26, 2010. Shakespeare's Hamlet never fails to enthrall and enlighten audiences with its riveting portrayal of a man surrounded by many, but who ultimately remained alone. "A theatre company is defined by its approach to the classics. No play exemplifies the enduring power of our art form more than Hamlet, and it is an honor to bring this play to life on our stage," Hupp says.

October 22 - November 14, 2010 audiences will enjoy the ever-popular combination of Andrew Lloyd Webber's music and Tim Rice's lyrics with Evita, the timeless rags-to-riches, Tony award-winning story that continues to fascinate audiences worldwide. A modern musical classic of sweeping grandeur and romantic passion, Evita provides a biography of the fascinating Argentine political leader Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentinean president Juan Perón. Immensely popular with ordinary Argentineans (but equally despised by the middle class and powerful factions in the army and political circles), Eva Perón rose from obscurity to political power and was eventually considered the spiritual leader of the country. "For each of the past three seasons, we have selected one work from our performance canon to bring back to the stage," Hupp says. "This season we've chosen one of our most popular musicals... a show that has become an iconic image of the modern pop musical."

A Christmas Story, the classic, heart-warming family movie comes to life as one of America's most popular holiday shows, at The Rep December 3 - December 26, 2010. With a script adapted by Philip Grecian, A Christmas Story unforgettably captures the essence of holiday wonder with a deliciously wicked wit and a nostalgic eye in Jean Shepherd's glorious celebration of growing up in late-1930s small-town Indiana. All the favorites are here, including a "Major Award" leg-shaped lamp, a yellow-eyed bully, a frozen flagpole, Little Orphan Annie's thrilling radio exploits and a delightfully funny Chinese Christmas dinner. "It's a show all ages will embrace and cherish for years to come," Hupp says. "The Rep's December play has become a cherished family holiday tradition, and this nostalgic, heartwarming play will make us laugh and lift our spirits."

The New York Times called it "...A play that changed American theater forever." The Washington Post said it was "...One of a handful of great American plays - it belongs in the inner circle, along with Death of a Salesman, Long Day's Journey Into Night and The Glass Menagerie." Written by Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun is an award-winning drama that tells the story of an African American family living on Chicago's south side in the 1950s. In performance at The Rep January 21 - February 6, 2011, audiences won't want to miss this vital and hopeful portrait of one family's search for the American dream. "I wanted to bring Raisin to the stage for three reasons: it's a quintessential American story, it's a milestone that literally changed the face of American theatre, and the power of its voice has not dimmed in the more than 50 years since it was written," says Hupp.

Next up is our Young Artists' Production of Review the Revue, a celebration of the first five years of The Rep's young artist theatre training program, on The Rep's MainStage March 11 - March 19, 2011. Reminiscing favorite memories and musical numbers from Hollywood and Broadway on Main, Sing, Dance, Repeat, If You Sing It, They Will Come and Follie Holidays, the most talented young artists in the state always deliver some of the most feel good shows of the season. Conceived and directed by The Rep's Associate Artist and Director of Education, Nicole Capri, this is a show the whole family will love. Our Young Artists' programs repeatedly sell out and patrons will want to purchase these tickets early. (This is a $15 add-on ticket for series subscribers; Flexpass holders may use their passes for this show.) "The Rep's Young Artists have established themselves as a defining characteristic of this theatre. Their enthusiasm and spirit leaps across the footlights and combines with their amazing talent to create rousing and unforgettable experiences," says Hupp.

It's 1962, and pleasantly plump Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire: to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to dancing queen...but she must use her newfound power to vanquish the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network - all without denting her 'do! At The Rep April 15 - May 15, 2011, winner of 8 Tony Awards (including Best Musical), Hairspray (with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan and based on the film by John Waters) is a joyous tribute to an era past, and an intelligent, warm, and joyous musical comedy that absolutely should not be missed. "How much fun can you cram into one musical? We'll find out when we create Hairspray for our patrons this spring," says Hupp. "It's the great songs that make Hairspray so memorable, and this musical also has a great heart."

Take an Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece, combine it with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow, a fast-paced whodunit wrapping up The Rep's 35th season June 10 - June 26, 2011. This two time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters (played by a very busy cast of four), and all the action from the 1935 Hitchcock film, including a chase atop a Flying Scotsman train, a bi-plane crash and a death-defying finale in London's Palladium theatre. Buckle up and strap in for a ride you'll never forget! "This madcap comedy really ends the season on a high note," says Hupp. "You'll be amazed by the whirlwind performances that result when four actors tackle 150 roles in less than two hours."

Education and Outreach Offerings

In addition to The Rep's MainStage productions, educational work and outreach programs fill The Rep's calendar.

The extremely popular Summer Musical Theatre Intensive (SMTI) workshops for young artists will be held July 11 - August 7, 2010. The two, two-week-long workshops culminate in performances on our MainStage. Young artists ages 16 - 23 perform on July 24 and ages 10 - 15 take to the stage on August 7. Hundreds of local young artists auditioned in February for the chance to participate. Led by Nicole Capri, the SMTI program continues to grow at The Rep. "We offer these young artists a professional musical theatre experience. They work closely with theatre professionals to hone their craft," Capri notes.

Voices at the River makes its return July 5 - 18, 2010 at The Rep. This biennial program is designed to support African American and Latino playwrights, both nationally and across Arkansas as participants work alongside directors, actors and Rep staff to refine their specific projects for the stage. The program, funded by a grant from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, includes a two-week playwrights' residency at The Rep, plus Legacy Awards recognizing an outstanding African American and/or Latino playwright who has made a significant contribution to the national canon of theatrical literature.

The Rep's other educational work occurs year-round and includes student matinee performances of our MainStage shows at deeply discounted prices, study guides for educators, in-class visits from professional actors, theatre professionals and more.

New This Season at The Rep

New at The Rep this season are 7 p.m. curtain times for all Thursday evening shows.
Also new this season are Subscriber Benefit Cards, provided to all season subscribers of The Rep and offering a variety of discounts at seven downtown restaurants: Lulav, Copper Grill, Ciao's, E.J.'s, Capriccio Grill, Ashley's and Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro.

Season Subscriptions

Season Subscriptions are on sale now and range from $175 - $240. Available again this year is the option to pay in installments, making a Rep Season Subscription more convenient and a greater value than ever before. Call The Rep's Box Office at (501) 378-0405 or toll free 866-6THEREP for more information on Season Subscriptions. Single ticket sales open to the public in August 2010.

Special Events this Season

The Rep has also announced the dates for four of its special events this season:

Saints & Sinners Ball, January 29, 2011

Startin' Early, January 27, 2011

ArtWorks, October 9, 2010

Passion for Fashion, June 20, 2011

About the Arkansas Repertory Theatre

Founded in 1976, Arkansas Repertory Theatre is the state's largest nonprofit professional theatre company. A member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT D), The Rep has produced more than 280 productions, including 40 world premieres, in its historic building in downtown Little Rock. Producing Artistic Director Robert Hupp leads a resident staff of designers, technicians and administrators in the creation of seven or more productions for an annual audience in excess of 70,000 for MainStage and SecondStage productions, educational programming and touring. The Rep produces works that range from contemporary comedies and dramas to world premieres and the classics of dramatic literature.

For more information, visit www.therep.org.

 

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