Feature: 2022 Arkansas Year in Review
BWW's Theresa Bertram gives out awards for 2022 and talks about what's next.
By: Theresa Bertram Dec. 27, 2022
As requested by the powers that be in New York, here is my Broadway World 2022 year in review and what I'm looking forward to next year.
I have written 69 articles this year for Broadway World (70 counting this one):
39 Community Theatre (6 Community Youth Productions)
7 Equity/Commercial Shows
7 University Theatre Shows
6 High School Shows
5 Feature/Interviews
3 Touring Shows
2 Ballets
This was, by far, the busiest year for me with BWW, and I've enjoyed every minute of it. You guys are wonderful, and I am proud to say that Arkansas has a lot of talented people, some of which are my friends!
From these shows (as listed at the bottom), here are my picks that I deem my favorites.
Favorite Couple: At the top of my list is Satia Spencer and Craig Wilson as Felicia and Huey in MEMPHIS at the Argenta Community Theatre in North Little Rock. To be honest, I am still in love with them! If you missed it, OMGoodness...they were the best! We were blessed to have another glimpse when they performed at the Argenta GALA later in the year, but it still wasn't enough. I. WANT. MORE! Encore, Encore, Encore, Encore. Ok, I'm probably not going to get it, but I'm just letting my feelings known!
https://www.kellyhicksmedia.com/
Favorite Villian: Ben Barham as Bill Sykes in OLIVER! at Wildwood Park for the Arts in Little Rock. Here is what I said in the review, and I still stand by this statement....
"The one character I want to spotlight gets my Broadway World Award for Best Villian of the Year. I knew there was a bad guy in this show, but I had no idea that Ben Barham as Bill Sykes would make me hate him so much (In a good way, of course)! And I'm not alone on this assessment, as evident that he got as many boos as applauses at the end of the show. Barham brought so much testosterone-infused energy to his character, that you could feel the slimy...the horridness...the despicable nature every time he stepped foot on the stage. I mean...you could feel it even before he got on stage. It was that saturated in toxicity. I am assuming that the actual kids in the show love him, but...WOW! Just WOW!"
Most Interesting Guest Artist: So, when Arkansas Repertory Theatre had Former First Lady of Arkansas Hillary Rodham Clinton's headshot in the cast of INTO THE WOODS as The Giant, I seriously thought it was a joke...no, seriously, I did. I thought they were just messing around and how funny that would be if it were true. Well, guess what...it was true. I couldn't believe they pulled that off. How cool is that???? I still went in a little skeptical. Sure, she was a big name that could fill a few more seats, but how good could she possibly be? Not bad at all. I was impressed, and the more I thought about it, the more I believed that The Giant role was a perfect character for her to play.
Best Disney Princess: The enchanting Bridget Davis in DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID at Murry's Dinner Playhouse could easily be at any Disney resort. And the BWW review said.....
"Bridget Davis is a perfect Ariel. She embodies the spirit of the Disney Princess in every way. She is beautiful, her voice floats on air, and her personality shines through her eyes."
I believe this with my whole heart. For a second award, I give Murry's the Dessert Award with their cheesecake ball. And though they did not have it for THE LITTLE MERMAID, I hope they bring it back for future shows.
Most Shocking Plays: It's a tie. I can't decide, so I'm choosing them both- THE NETHER at Weekend Theatre in Little Rock and WHO'S HOLIDAY at Studio Theatre in Little Rock.
I chose THE NETHER for a couple of reasons: 1. The content of the play....whew...the subject matter was definitely in the grey area, and 2. I had a close friend in it (who gave me a warning before I showed up), but because I specifically asked her to NOT tell me about it, I got an alarming surprise.
Why is WHO'S HOLIDAY on my list? You have to go see it next year to find out, since it is a yearly tradition for The Studio Theatre. I did know that it was an adult take on Dr. Seuss' Cindi Loo Who, but I didn't know just how adult it was. Also, I thought it was going to be one laugh after another...and it was...but it got emotional, too. I wasn't ready for that.
/little-rock/article/Review-WHOS-HOLIDAY-Is-a-Holiday-Tradition-at-The-Studio-Theatre-20221220
Favorite Touring Show: I only saw three-HAMILTON, FIDDLER, and ANASTATIA, and though my most anticipated show was HAMILTON, my favorite ended up being FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Robinson Center in Little Rock. All three had fabulous sets, costumes, singing, dancing....all of it. They were, of course, all great. However, the cast of FIDDLER impressed me the most on their interpretations of their characters. Jonathan Hashmonay as Tevye was intentional with his delivery of his monologues.
Favorite Interview/Feature: These posts are where I talked one-on-one with my artists, which is so much fun for me. I appreciate it when people allow me into their worlds, even if it is for a brief moment. And though I end up writing so many words for these articles, intimate conversations are the best. With that said, I cannot pick a favorite. They have all enriched my life by these interactions. However, I will say that talking to EARL TURNER-Las Vegas 2022 Best Entertainer- was a huge thrill for me. I have been a fan for over a couple of decades now, and talking on the phone for more than an hour with him was surreal. Reeling in my fangirl was a challenge!
Favorite Youth Production: There were 12 high school and community youth productions (no adults) where we saw budding thespians pour their hearts out on the stage. Arkansas is blessed to have so many artistic educators to help the youth along to develop their skills and voices. These shows not only foster a love of performance, but they also learn how to interact with people, problem solve, conquer public speaking, and a host of many other lessons that are important in everyday life. For this award, I passed it on to my 12-year-old son, Johnny. He chooses THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL at Hot Springs High School. It does have a rockin' soundtrack, and here is what was said about one of the characters.
"The dedication to the character award goes to Bryce Cunningham-Nunn for his portrayal of Chiron. I loved how he trotted around the stage. It was perfect!"
Best Show Recovery: With live theatre, there are bound to be issues. Is it really a true theatrical experience if there are not a few glitches? How you handle these situations can be just as important as the actual performance. So, this award goes to LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the University of Central Arkansas. Here is what the review had to say....
"During the scene when Mr. Mushnik (Jimmy Bowler) is yelling at Seymour Krelbourn (Jagger Halk) a lightbulb [on a sign above their head] exploded and the actors had to pause. However, no one would have thought otherwise if they kept on going, because it looked like Mr. Mushnik's anger caused the bulb to explode. And I'm sure they would have gone on with the show, except there was glass everywhere--(good job to the stage crew for taking care of the mess)."
These actors handled it like pros! When the stage manager said pause, they froze, but stayed in character, which was funny in itself. This crew was very entertaining and didn't panic during their technical difficulties. Good job!
Best Audience Interaction: This is an easy one. ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW with Actors Theatre of Little Rock at Discovery Night Club was dancing all over their audience. Sweet Transvestites were everywhere. Pro tip: DO NOT tell them you are a ROCKY HORROR virgin-trust me on this one. hahahahahahaha
Best Multi-Media Performance: Also titled the "Wow! That Was Cool" award goes to DRACULA with Ballet Arkansas. This show not only had awesome ballerino/as, but the presentation had so much to it. I will now refer to the review....
"As the show began, the movie screen backdrop gave a synopsis of each scene (similar to how Star Wars opens), played a pre-recorded video of the characters acting out the drama, and had the background of the different locales. They also had some really cool surround sound for the train and other effects. The music was a mixture of classical piano and dramatic horror music. They even had a jump scare, which was warned in the beginning with a laugh, but I still was not ready."
Quirkiest Play/Musical: Brand new musical IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE was first commissioned by the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre before it came to TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, and I am so happy I was able to see it. This campy sci-fi musical is based off of the 1953 movie of the same name and has equally quirky music to its quirky characters. It was so weird...and funny....and creative. I LOVED it! I want to see it again.
Best Company for Kids: The Red Curtain Theatre in Conway caters to our younger thespians. Though they have a few adult shows, the youth productions outnumber that by many. Not only do they produce shows for all ages, but they offer dance classes, acting classes, piano lessons, voice lessons and possibly other things that I am not even aware. They value uniqueness and are sensitive to the emotional needs of their patrons.
https://www.redcurtaintheatre.com/
Best Bartender: I spend the most money at The Studio Theatre thanks to drink crafter James Linker. His creations, both kid friendly and adult friendly, are tasty and imaginative. Each show has a themed drink, and sometimes they come with a souvenir cup. I think The Grinch drink is my favorite....so far. I can't wait to see what he makes next.
https://www.studiotheatrelr.com/
What am I looking forward to seeing in the next few months? I'm sure there are others, but these are what's on my radar at the moment.
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AMERICAN IDIOT at The Royal Theatre in January https://www.theroyaltheatre.org/
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DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at Twin Lake Playhouse in Mountain Home in January http://twinlakesplayhouse.org/
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TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE at Pocket Community Theatre in Hot Springs in February https://www.pockettheatre.com/
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ON YOUR FEET at Reynolds Performance Hall in Conway in February https://uca.edu/publicappearances/
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THE CRUCIBLE at Harding University in Searcy in February https://www.harding.edu/events/theatre
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THE PRODUCERS at Argenta Community Theatre in North Little Rock in February https://argentacommunitytheater.org/
Thank you for entertaining me. I love you all. If there is something that Broadway World can do for you, email me at bwwtheresa@gmail.com.
Here is a complete list of articles that I have written this year:
January
THE NETHER at The Weekend Theater
February
HAMILTON at Robinson Center
March
TITANIC THE MUSICAL at Howard Theatre At Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City
SCHOOL GIRLS; OR THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arkansas Repertory Theatre
OUR TOWN at Argenta Community Theatre
Roald Dahl'S MATILDA THE MUSICAL at Cabot High School
April
STEEL MAGNOLIAS at The Pocket Community Theatre
SISTER ACT at Wildwood Park For The Arts
THE WIZARD OF OZ: YOUTH EDITION at Red Curtain Theatre
INTO THE WOODS at Arkansas Repertory Theatre
OUR TOWN at Arkansas State University Beebe
May
GUYS & DOLLS at Magnolia Performing Arts Center
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at University Of Central Arkansas Theatre
THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL at Hot Springs School District Joyce L. Littleton Craft Auditorium
THE WIZARD OF OZ at Argenta Community Theatre
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN at Morrilton High School
June
ALWAYS....PATSY CLINE at The Weekend Theater
GYPSY at The Studio Theatre
DISNEY'S MOANA, JR. at Red Curtain Theatre
DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at The Royal Theatre
July
THE STAR-SPANGLED GIRL at Batesville Community Theatre
MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS OF 1940 at Searcy Summer Dinner Theatre
SHREK! THE MUSICAL at Murry's Dinner Playhouse
MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL at Argenta Community Theatre
CASA VALENTINA at The Weekend Theater
FEATURE: MICHAEL HEAVNER helps bring shows to life through music
August
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at Searcy Summer Dinner Theatre
DISNEY'S DESCENDANTS THE MUSICAL at The Studio Theatre
THE MUSIC MAN at The Pocket Community Theatre
THE SOUND OF MUSIC at The Red Curtain Theatre
NOISES OFF at The Royal Theatre
DOUBT: A PARABLE at Lantern Theatre in Conway
IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE THE MUSICAL at TheatreSquared
September
OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS at Murry's Dinner Playhouse
EVERY BRILLIANT THING at Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Feature: EARL TURNER talks about life, cruising, and selling out Myron's at The Smith Center
KINKY BOOTS at The Studio Theatre
RADIUM GIRLS at The Weekend Theater
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY At Fort Smith Little Theatre
October
WINNIE THE POOH KIDS at Red Curtain Theatre
Interview: Dr. Jeffrey Neuhauser, Dr. James Moses, Kristen Dempsey, Bruce Benson of THE BACK BEATS Bring Vintage Rock-N-Roll to the Rialto Theatre
Roald Dahl's JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, JR. at Red Curtain Theatre
OLIVER! at Wildwood Park For The Arts
DEATH OF A SALESMAN at The Pocket Community Theatre
Ballet Arkansas' DRACULA at PTC-CHARTS
MISERY at The Weekend Theater
THE CRY OF THE PEACOCK at Batesville Community Theatre
ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW at Actors Theatre Of Little Rock
ACT II GALA AND DRIVING MISS DAISY at Argenta Community Theatre Christen the Sharon Heflin Performing Arts Education Center
November
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at Murry's Dinner Playhouse
Interview: Professional Opera Singer Frank Pitts is Guest Music Director of BIG FISH at Arkansas State University Beebe
13 THE MUSICAL at The Studio Theatre
BIG FISH THE MUSICAL at Arkansas State University Beebe
THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD: PERCEIVE, FEEL, KNOW at Ouachita Baptist University Mabee Fine Arts Center
A....MY NAME IS ALICE at Red Curtain Theatre
THE WIZARD OF OZ at North Little Rock High School
ANASTASIA at Reynolds Performance Hall
TARTUFFE THE IMPOSTER at Texarkana Repertory Company
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Robinson Center
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER at The Studio Theatre
December
INTERVIEW: R. Christopher Maxwell of GUYS & DOLLS Perform Theatre Magic at Arkansas Repertory Theatre
GUYS & DOLLS at Arkansas Repertory Theatre
A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Conway Junior High School
WHITE CHRISTMAS at Argenta Community Theatre
NUTCRACKER SPECTACULAR at Robinson Center
A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre
DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID at Murry's Dinner Playhouse
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER JR at Red Curtain Theatre
WHO'S HOLIDAY Is a Holiday Tradition at The Studio Theatre
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