Theresa Bertram - Page 2

There is something undeniably electric about walking down into the basement of Actors Theatre of Little Rock at Quapaw United Methodist Church, because you immediately know you are about to experience theatre in its most raw and intimate form. That immersive magic is exactly what makes their production of Fences by August Wilson, running through May 2, such a gripping and unforgettable evening.

What did our critic think of FREEDOM! at St. James UMC In Little Rock?

What did our critic think of BYE BYE BIRDIE at Little Rock Christian Academy?

That passion is at the heart of what Community Theatre of Cabot is becoming under the leadership of Artistic Director Keith Percefull, who stepped into the role in October 2021 and has been steadily guiding the organization toward an exciting new chapter.

Once upon a time, in a cozy corner of Conway, a magical kingdom came to life onstage, and it’s exactly why I so love returning to Red Curtain Theatre. There is something truly special about the way this space invites audiences into its stories, creating an atmosphere where imagination flourishes and young performers shine.

There’s something incredibly special about watching a young performer step into material that asks more of them—not just as an actor, but as a storyteller with empathy and insight. That’s exactly what Keegan Washington, a student at Little Rock Central High School, accomplished in his recent work in Brighton Beach Memoirs, bringing both sensitivity and thoughtfulness to a role that required emotional depth beyond his years.

There’s no business like show business, and The Royal Theatre is proving exactly that with its lively, crowd-pleasing production of Annie Get Your Gun, running now through April 19. Nestled in the heart of downtown Benton, this historic venue once again transforms into a toe-tapping Wild West spectacle, reminding audiences why this Irving Berlin classic has remained a staple of American musical theatre for decades.

There are musicals that entertain, and then there are musicals that reach into your chest, grab hold of your heart, and refuse to let go. Next to Normal, now playing at The Historic Lyric Theater in Harrison through Sunday, April 19, does exactly that in this powerful collaboration between the Ozark Arts Council and NorthArk Drama.

A magical wonderland full of pinks and greens have hit the Robinson Center Performance Hall stage, and it is nothing short of spellbinding. I have always been a fan of The Wizard of Oz, but for some reason, I was never able to make it to see Wicked at the movies or on Broadway.

There is something undeniably powerful about young artists taking ownership of a story, and with Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory, the North Little Rock High School Theatre Department does exactly that, delivering a production that is as haunting as it is inspiring. Completely student-led and directed by Brianna Wood, this staging proves that passion and purposeful storytelling can shine just as brightly as any professional production.

Sunday school lessons have never been so groovy as Godspell, conceived by John-Michael Tebelak with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and The Pocket Community Theatre brings it to life with a joyous spirit that makes every moment feel personal and uplifting. Running through Sunday, 19, this production invites audiences into a space where community is not just a theme, it is the experience.

What did our critic think of ROOTED IN OUR HISTORY: INSPIRED BY OUR DREAMS at Hot Springs World Class High School Theater?

There’s something wonderfully magical about stepping into the world of Into the Woods, and Studio 42 & Co transported audiences straight into that enchanted forest with their ambitious production at The Forum Theatre, running April 2–5. Directed by Dylan Poe, with Assistant Director Camryn Counts and Music Director Rike Robinson, the creative team guided this production with a clear vision that honored both the whimsy and emotional depth of the piece.

Although I didn’t get the chance to catch the Purple Cast, if the Blue Cast is any indication, I can only imagine they delivered just as fiercely—because what I witnessed was nothing short of gripping.

What is the definition of crazy? Are you nuts? And perhaps the most unsettling question of all—would you be able to defend yourself in court if your sanity were put on trial? To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how successful I would be at convincing a judge to deem me fit for a regular trial… and that uneasy thought is exactly what lingered with me as I walked into Tom Toper's NUTS at The Weekend Theater, which ran March 6–22 in Little Rock.

SomeBODY once told me that Shrek The Musical Jr. would be a fun night at the theatre, but what I experienced at The Royal Theatre in Benton was a joyful, high-energy celebration of young talent, teamwork, and the kind of storytelling that reminds us all why we fell in love with theatre in the first place.

Out of all the musicals I see, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is one of those rare favorites I never tire of revisiting, and this newest production, which features many of my favorite performers, feels right at home at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse in Little Rock.

At the intimate and ever-vibrant Music Box Lounge in Hot Springs, GLITTER & GRIT proved to be far more than a cabaret; it was a fearless deep dive into the messy, magnificent complexity of being human.

Oh, the thinks you can think when a school like Conway Christian dives headfirst into the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss! From March 13–15, Conway Christian School’s production of SEUSSICAL JR. blossomed into a technicolor celebration of imagination, friendship, and the power of believing in the unseen.

I don’t know why The Lion King evokes such powerful emotions in me, but every time that opening chant begins and the world of the Pride Lands comes to life, something in my heart completely surrenders.