Weekly Update!
Suddenly, and without warning, it returns to your inbox
Hello, hiya and how do you do? It’s another fabulous week here in sunny Central Arkansas (please stay sunny, for the love of god) and I’m bringing you all of the latest news for our lovely theatrical community! We’ve got new shows that have announced their opening, events right around the corner where you can support and plenty more to see.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and see what’s happening around the area and how you can continue to support community theatre and the arts!
🚣♂️ A Timeless Classic’s Cast Announced 🚣♂️
What, you thought I WASN’T going to start this whole thing by promoting the show that I’m a part of? Who do you think I am, inhuman?
But seriously, it’s so exciting to finally be able to share this fantastic cast and say that I get to be a part of it as the Understudy for Charlie & Bill Ray. It’s a daunting task, because I haven’t been in a “straight play” in over a decade, but under the direction of Quinn Gasaway and alongside just a handful of my local idols (looking at you, Bob and Brooke), I feel confident this is going to be an extremely memorable show.
I have to also say, after seeing folks like Chris Flowers in A Christmas Story, Matthew Maguire and Katie Choate (my fellow understudy) in God of Carnage and working with Davis Chrysler in School of Rock, I think we’re pretty stacked in terms of talent.
See below for the show synopsis:
On Golden Pond is the love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, who are returning to their summer home on Golden Pond for the forty-eighth year. They are visited by their divorced, middle-aged daughter and her dentist fiancé, who then go off to Europe, leaving his teenage son behind for the summer. In the end, as the summer wanes, so does their brief moment of bliss, and in the final, deeply moving moments of the play, Norman and Ethel are brought even closer together by the incidence of a mild heart attack. Time, they know, is now against them, but the years have been good and, perhaps, another summer on Golden Pond still awaits.
🪴 Don’t Feed the Plant! 🪴
In the cozy hamlet of Conway, there’s a green, mean monster who’s just dropped down from outer space and landed at the Red Curtain Theatre! That’s right, everyone’s favorite plant, Audrey II, Seymour, and the whole of Skid Row are coming to the stage in just over a week to thrill and excite Conwegians out of their skin.
It’s a cult classic story that follows poor Seymour, the cleaning boy of a local plant shop, as he dreams of a better life, a girl to share it with and all the things he was never given, having started his life as an orphan. Enter a strange little plant that magically appears one day during a total eclipse of the sun, sold off for less than two bucks and then raised by Seymour.
I won’t spoil the rest of the tale, but if you’re looking for something a little different this Spring/Summer season, it’s a perfect pick for any theater lovers out there.
Strangely enough, I could not tell you who’s in this production. Per their previous posting during shows, I’m assuming that we’ll see each member of the cast laid out day-to-day as we get closer and the show opens, but as it stands, it’s a complete mystery to me!
If anyone has any information they’d be willing to provide regarding the cast list, please contact me and I’d be happy to include it in this post.
👑 Carrie’s Cast is Giving Scream Queens 👑
In a recent press release from The Weekend Theater, the full cast and a slew of promotional photos, taken by local actor/photographer Caroline Holt, were officially dropped into the media cycle. When I tell you that I have been so thoroughly impressed with TWT this season and its productions, it’s an understatement.
This is going to be one of those movie-to-musical adaptations that will live rent-free in my head for weeks, if not months, to come, especially after hearing some of these cast members during the auditions (rightfully cast in their respective roles) and seeing others in previous shows across town.
See below for the full press release:
The Weekend Theater, located at 1001 W. 7th Street, on the corner of Chester Street, in downtown Little Rock, AR, presents Carrie the Musical. Book by Laurence D. Cohen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore. Directed by Corey Olson, musical direction by Emory Molitor, and choreography by Valerie Arnold.
Carrie the Musical runs May 2nd through May 18th, with show times at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday nights, and 2:30 pm on Sunday afternoons. For more information, call (501) 374-3761. Tickets are $25 for general admission, or $23 for seniors and students, and may be reserved online at WeekendTheater.Org.
Based on the novel by Stephen King, Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she's dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.
CAST
Carrie White – Brenya Sutton
Margaret White – Kyra Hatley
Sue Snell – Shelby Loftis
Tommy Ross – Tylen Loring
Chris Hargensen – Madison Turner
Billy Nolan – Clint Kesterson
Ms. Gardener – Jessica Miller
Mr. Stephens/Rev. Bliss – Joshua Lanham
Norma – Dorothy Johnson
Frieda – Vaniya Sims
Helen – Madi Campbell
George – Sa’Teh Hampton
Stokes – Donald Jackson
Freddy – Evan Hausera
🎭 Arkansas Shakespeare Returns! 🎭
If you’ve been around the theatrical block a few times in Central Arkansas, then you’ll know that the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre is a name synonymous with top-quality performance, stunning visuals and engaging storytelling. As a young actor, it was always seen at the sort of pinnacle that I could reach with local theatre and every time I see one of their performances, I’m reaffirmed in this notion.
This year, they’re bringing a one-act rendition of As You Like It to the Central Arkansas scene. With a stellar cast, including but not limited to: Emily Wold as Rosalind, Ladarius Lamar as Orlando, Matt Duncan as Jaques/Charles/Corin/Hymen, and Verda Davenport as Duke Frederick (who I’ve now seen on numerous accounts and loved every single time), it’s already shaping up to be an amazing show.
I also have to give a shoutout to my guy, Michael Klucher, who’s always going to be one of my favorite people in the community after having been such a welcoming face in The Producers. It was my first show returning to community theater and he’ll always have a special place in my heart, so I’m thrilled to see he’s a part of this cast as well!
It opens May 15th and runs through the 23rd, but you can scroll down and get your tickets now!
🎓 College Corner - Assorted News 🎓
🎤 Start’em Young 🎤
Pre-Professional Program (Pre-Pro) is Argenta Contemporary Theatre and Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s audition-only performance program featuring some of the most dedicated high school-aged singers, dancers, and actors in the area. Students are taught by a multiple of instructors and guest industry professionals throughout the year, including top performing arts educators and professionals from New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Next Tuesday, come support and enjoy a showcase of talent from more than a dozen incredible performers. The showcase is free to the public!
📓 Lantern Theatre Sheds Light on Playwrights - Click Here 📓
Next weekend, the Lantern Playwright Reading Series returns on Saturday, May 3rd from 3 pm - 4 pm at the Faulkner County Library. They’ll be highlighting work from two local playwrights, Mark Mulkerin and Trent Reese, and directed by Shua Miller. It’ll consist of 30 minutes of reading and 30 minutes of talkback/feedback from everyone attending. It’s totally free, open to the public, but do keep in mind that some content could be considered unsuitable for kids.
⚠️ A SUPER SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ⚠️
Do you love community theatre? Have you ever considered writing reviews? Do you want a way to support the arts, you friends and fellow performers?
I’m opening the floodgates (or maybe it’ll be a trickle, who knows) to the theatre-lovers and performers of our community to join me in continuing the work I do on this substack by attending shows, writing reviews and becoming a grander part of this community.
If you’re interested, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram (@thecalebpatton) or email thecalebpatton@gmail.com.
Please note that this is a completely volunteer-based thing, as I do not have any money to give anyone, but the writing, credit and work you put into it will be completely yours forever AND you’ll be supporting something you love. That’s the whole reason I started this damn thing in the first place!
Current Productions & Available Tickets
for colored girls - Actors Theatre of Little Rock - Click Here - CLOSING THIS WEEK!!
Carrie: The Musical - The Weekend Theater - Click Here
Off Like A Prom Dress Fundraiser - The Weekend Theater - Click Here
Little Shop of Horrors - Red Curtain Theater - Click Here - OPENING SOON
As You Like It - Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre - Click Here - OPENING SOON
P.S. Someone go see Hadestown for me and then come tell me all about it.