Theresa Bertram - Page 8

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.

Confession time — I didn’t read most of the required reading in school. I had a friend who struggled in math but loved reading, and I excelled in math but couldn’t focus on the classics.

Somewhere over the rainbow, I found myself transported to a land of wonder and imagination, right inside the Don Tyson School of Innovation’s Pat Ellison Performing Arts Center. Arts One Presents waved their theatrical wand and brought The Wizard of Oz to life in a vibrant, heart-filled production that ran from July 17–27.

With Music and Lyrics by the Queen herself, Book by Patricia Resnick and Directed by my favorite Caelon Colbert, this production follows closely to the movie, or so I was told by the women sitting in front of me and insisted that I immediately watch the movie (I haven’t, but it is on my list).

I’ve often said I was born in the wrong decade when it comes to music. I would have loved to be part of The Shirelles, The Supremes, The Ronettes, or The Marvelettes. Like Huey Calhoun says in Memphis the Musical, this is the music of my soul! So, anytime I get the chance to see this musically historical experience, I go.  

The Southern Theatre Company, created by Samuel Brett Williams, Kevin Day, and Christi Day, made its bold debut July 18–20 with Derby Day, a play penned by Arkansas native Samuel Brett Williams.

What did our critic think of CABARET at Undercurrent Collective?

Housed in just about as far west as you can go in Arkansas, the Fort Smith Little Theatre pays homage to Oklahoma! from now through August 2.

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock is a radiant beacon of creativity in Central Arkansas where imagination takes shape in architecture, blooms on canvas, and dances through a year-round tapestry of enriching programs and performances.

When I first heard that HAIR was coming to the Arkansas Repertory Theatre stage, which is running through July 27, my eyebrows were raised. With book and lyrics by Jerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot, this groundbreaking rock musical has long carried a reputation for its bold themes and boundary-pushing content.

Josh Meloy took the stage at First Financial Music Hall in El Dorado on June 27, and the night turned out to be exactly what I needed.