The Royal Theatre

Joy Wielkens Will Join the West End Cast of HADESTOWN
by Stephi Wild - Dec 10, 2025

Dutch actor and singer Joy Wielkens will join the critically acclaimed West End production of Hadestown as Persephone from 20 January until 8 March 2026. Learn more here!

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL Comes To The Royal Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Nov 11, 2025

Celebrate the season at the Historic Royal Theatre as The Royal Players present The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical This funny and heartwarming musical is based on the play by Barbara Robinson.

The Royal Theatre to Present 6th Annual ROYAL HAUNTED HOUSE
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 25, 2025

The Royal Theatre will host its 6th Annual Royal Haunted House beginning October 16 and running through Halloween night. Sponsored by Arvest Bank, the haunted attraction has been recognized as Arkansas’s top haunt by ArkansasHauntedHouses.com and Haunts.com from 2021–2024.

Review: JEKYLL & HYDE THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre in Benton
by Theresa Bertram - Sep 18, 2025

During my time of writing reviews for The Royal Theatre in Benton, I have seen so many wonderful productions, but.... JEKYLL & HYDE: THE MUSCIAL may be my favorite! From the first time I heard Frank Wildhorn’s sweeping score, this show has held a special place in my heart, and seeing it brought to life at The Royal Theatre in Benton made that love burn even brighter.

Genoveva Productions to Present THE SELFLESS SISTER at The Producers Club Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 18, 2025

Genoveva Productions and Upbeat Performances Ltd. will present The Selfless Sister, a new play by Julia Genoveva, September 19–21, 2025, at The Producers Club Theatre in NYC.

CHIP ON HER SHOULDER Premieres at Theatre Works For Melbourne Fringe 2025
by Stephi Wild - Aug 25, 2025

This October, Chip On Her Shoulder, starring Vanessa Buckley (Doctor Doctor, La Brea, Home and Away) will have its world premiere as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Review: DISNEY'S NEWSIES at The Royal Theatre in Benton
by Theresa Bertram - Aug 14, 2025

‘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.

Review: DISNEY'S NEWSIES JR at The Royal Theatre in Benton
by Theresa Bertram - Aug 7, 2025

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.

THE UNAUTHORIZED HALLMARK(ISH) PARODY MUSICAL to Make World Premiere in Toronto
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 29, 2025

Toronto will be the first to experience the world premiere of The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical, an immersive holiday musical comedy set to run from November 20, 2025 through January 4, 2026 at The Royal Theatre.

Young Players Brings Disney's NEWSIES to Royal Theatre
by Emmy Rice - Jul 19, 2025

Based on the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899, this high-energy, dance-packed musical tells the story of Jack Kelley and his band of underdog newsies as they fight for justice against powerful publishing giants

Review: THE SOUND OF MUSIC at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Jun 10, 2025

If you're looking for a few of your favorite things this June, make sure one of them is a ticket to The Sound of Music at The Royal Theatre in Benton.

Feature: BROADWAY BOUND AWARDS at Robinson Center
by Theresa Bertram - May 9, 2025

The Broadway Bound Awards of Central Arkansas, presented by Celebrity Attractions in partnership with Argenta Contemporary Theatre, is proud to honor the next generation of musical theatre stars with an opportunity of a lifetime. 

Review: NEIL SIMON'S RUMORS at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Apr 21, 2025

It was laughter nonstop at The Royal Theatre in Benton with their uproarious production of Neil Simon’s Rumors, which was presented April 3rd-13th.

Neil Simon's RUMORS to be Presented at The Royal Players
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2025

The Royal Players will bring Neil Simon's Rumors to life. Written by Tony Award winning playwright, Neil Simon, Rumors is a beloved fast-paced comedy. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Review: INTO THE WOODS at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Mar 14, 2025

I have loved Into the Woods ever since I saw the 1987 production on PBS. The way it mashed up all those fairy tales into one story completely blew my mind — and then when most of the characters died, I couldn’t believe it. It was wild. Honestly, I still think it’s wild, and I’m still obsessed. So, when I heard that my favorite, Bob Bidewell, was directing this Stephen Sondheim classic (Book by James LaPine) at The Royal Theatre in Benton — playing through Sunday, March 16 — I knew I was ready to go back Into the Woods.

Review: SEUSSICAL JR at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Feb 26, 2025

Oh, the things you can think when you see a musical that lingers in your mind for days after you've left! That's exactly what’s twirling in my head after visiting The Young Players at The Royal Theatre in Benton to see Seussical Jr., which I had the chance to catch on Sunday, March 23. I don’t usually like going on the last day, but thanks to the groundhog, the weather made it difficult to get there any sooner. 

Feature: ARKANSAS THEATRE YEAR IN REVIEW FOR 2024
by Theresa Bertram - Jan 22, 2025

Welcome to my 2024 Broadway World Year in Review. It’s been a busy year, and I’m having a great time. This year I’ve written 174 articles (175 counting this one), which is up 30 articles from last year. Thank you for allowing me into your world and entertaining me.  

Review: THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Jan 19, 2025

What did our critic think of THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre?

YP2S to Present THE LIGHTNING THIEF in January
by Blair Ingenthron - Dec 28, 2024

The Historic Royal Theatre will bring THE LIGHTNING THIEF to the stage in 2025, performed by the Young Players Second Stage company. Learn more about the production here!

Review: SILVER BELLES at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Dec 14, 2024

What did our critic think of SILVER BELLES at The Royal Theatre?