The Royal Theatre

Review: AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at The Royal Theatre in Benton
by Theresa Bertram - Feb 19, 2026

From now through Sunday, February 22, The Royal Theatre invites audiences aboard a snowbound locomotive packed with secrets in Murder on the Orient Express, brought to the stage by Ken Ludwig from the legendary mystery by Agatha Christie.

Photos: THE LAST SHIP Starring Sting Opens in Amsterdam
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 23, 2026

The Last Ship starring Sting opened in Amsterdam at the Royal Theatre Carré. Following this sold-out world premiere in Amsterdam, The Last Ship will next play Paris at La Seine Musicale. See photos from the opening here!

The Royal Players To Present MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS At The Royal Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 14, 2026

The Royal Players will present Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie’s celebrated mystery adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, at The Royal Theatre in historic downtown Benton.

Photos: First Look at Sting in THE LAST SHIP in Amsterdam
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 13, 2026

You can now get a first look at The Last Ship starring Sting. The Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam will present the world premiere of the reimagined production.

Review: DISNEY'S DESCENDANTS at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Jan 12, 2026

Welcome to 2026! To kick off the new year, I headed to The Royal Theatre in Benton for The Young Players’ production of DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS THE MUSICAL, directed by the amazing Justin A. Pike—and what a magical way to start the year.

Feature: Arkansas Theatre Year in Review for 2025
by Theresa Bertram - Jan 5, 2026

Young Players Second Stage At The Royal Theatre To Present DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS: THE MUSICAL
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 23, 2025

Young Players Second Stage at The Royal Theatre will present Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, a youth production based on the Disney Channel film. Performances will take place at The Royal Theatre in Benton, Arkansas.

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.