Theresa Bertram - Page 7

To finish out the summer season at Pocket Community Theatre in Hot Springs, the younger members took audiences on a magical, monster-slaying quest with She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition.

Whew, y’all! Bring tissues for this one. Arkansas Repertory Theatre is closing out their season with THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams, a production so beautifully acted and heartbreakingly staged that it left me misty-eyed and heavy-hearted walking out of the theater.

I have sad news and happy news to share. If you haven’t heard, The Joint in North Little Rock shut its doors after 13 years of business. However, everyone can rejoice because the space has now been christened Birdie’s Cabaret Theater & Lounge.

For my first time at the Murphy Arts District Amp in El Dorado, I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was certainly surprised when I saw the Avett Brothers on August 23rd. I enjoyed a leisurely walk up to the metal detectors, took a considerable amount of time emptying my pockets to go through them, and hilariously realized that I needed to go get my ticket from the box office, which was around the corner.

Does one really need an excuse to visit Eureka Springs? Not at all, but here’s one you won’t be able to resist. Beneath the town’s sultry, bohemian glow lies Melonlight Theater, where Emily and Raymond Ulibarri, Eureka’s most magnetic power couple, command the stage with a mix of mystery, passion, and raw allure

Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre has long held its place as one of literature’s most enduring gothic romances, and the Twin Lakes Playhouse production, which ran from August 8–24, captured both the novel’s sweeping passion and its quiet resilience with remarkable theatrical ingenuity. Adapted by Willis Hall and directed by Olivia Wolfe, the play embraced Brontë’s spirit while offering fresh theatrical choices that gave the story immediacy and impact. 

Breaking News! You don’t have to know a single thing about Bunco to have a blast with this All-Star cast of incredibly talented women in Bunco Squad at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse in Little Rock, running now through September 6.

This summer, I’ve attended several performances at the Murphy Arts District in El Dorado, and all have been exceptional in performance and public response. After a certain amount of time being in the event space, you learn how to seek out the quainter moments, the ones which really tell you something about the audience, the performer, the human experience.

What did our critic think of SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Red Curtain Theatre? SOMETHING ROTTEN! is directed by Jeff Ward with music direction by Kayla White and choreography by Ansley Sherman.

Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss and directed by Tanner Oglesby, this show is anything but your typical musical. Yes, there’s singing (and honey, these Queens don’t just sing—they slay), there’s dancing (more like a night out at the club than a polished Broadway routine), and there’s acting (delivered with a wink and plenty of sass).

What did our critic think of SHREK THE MUSICAL at The Pocket Community Theatre?

What did our critic think of SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN at Performing Arts Center On The Square? Downtown Searcy has the charm of yesteryear, where history and culture blend seamlessly with small-town warmth. It boasts one of only three remaining operational Rialto Theaters in Arkansas, a beautifully preserved historic courthouse, and is home to the beloved Performing Arts Center on the Square.

‘And the world will know...’ how much I love going to the Royal Theatre in Benton. I love the theatre troupe, I love their program they cultivate with The Young Players, I love their concession stand, and I love their programming.

Who knew going to church could be this dramatic? Well, maybe we all had a hunch, but Arkansas Repertory Theatre in Little Rock is taking Central Arkansas to church, both literally and figuratively, now through August 24th with The Amen Corner by the legendary James Baldwin.

The yellow brick road has been a well-traveled path here in Arkansas lately, and I’ve followed just about every twist and turn it’s taken (I think). Most recently, it led me to Manila High School, where Studio 42 & Co. brought their own magical rendition of The Wizard of Oz to life. For one weekend only, from July 31 to August 3, they transformed the northeast corner of the state into a land of wonder, courage, and unforgettable performances. 

What did our critic think of RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA at Batesville Community Thatre? Running from July 31 to August 3, this enchanting production, directed by Kristian Ameigh, was more than just a show, it was a celebration of dreams, community, and the timeless belief in the impossible.

When it comes to summer programming, The Royal Theatre in Benton has proven that they are absolute geniuses. Their commitment to youth involvement is unmatched—case in point: they didn’t just choose to produce Disney’s Newsies (running August 7–17), they also just wrapped up a high-energy, heart-stealing production of Newsies Jr., which I had the delight of catching on Friday, August 1.

Homecoming.  That’s what this past Monday night at CALS Ron Robinson felt like for me.  A delightful homecoming where you literally love and adore all your kinfolks.  When Theresa invited me to review 24 HOUR PLAYS: LITTLE ROCK, I gladly accepted.  Heck!  I already had my ticket to attend.

Upon being asked what kind of music he performs, Trey Johnson said something to the effect of, “That’s the question, isn’t it?” And, of course, it certainly is.

Actors Theatre of Little Rock, 1601 S Louisiana St. In Little Rock, continues to deliver production after production that speaks directly to my soul, and their most recent musical, West Side Story, is no exception.