Get to Know the Artists Behind Time for Three

Standing at the intersection of classical music, Americana and singer-songwriter is Time for Three. Comprised of violinists Charles Yang and Nick Kendall, and Ranaan Meyer on double bass, the trio’s charismatic and energetic performances have earned praise from NPR, NBC and The Wall Street Journal.  

The group will return to Walton Arts Center on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7 pm as part of the Coca-Cola Night Out Series. Ahead of their performance, we asked them some questions about their story and inspiration. 

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What is your favorite part of touring and performing?  

Now more than ever in our career, we are a band that loves building community through our music. The act of performing goes much further than just making certain we do justice to the music – which we take very seriously and spend a lot of time preparing and rehearsing.  

When it comes time to be on stage, we use the music to communicate amongst the three of us, but also send the energy into the audience to create that unexplained but felt “X factor” interaction. In the end, we hope that people come away more empathetic and joyful, and if so, all the preparation has been worth our time!  

 
How did the name of your group come about?  

When we started, we were still at music conservatory. At this point, TF3 wasn’t a serious band at all, just a place to jam together and make extra cash. We were on our way to play a gig and about 15 minutes away from the venue, we realized we didn’t have a name.  

We all considered ourselves uniquely on the same page musically, yet we were each distinctly different personalities. So, we thought it would be fun for the emcee of the event to welcome us by saying, “now ladies and gentlemen, it’s Time for Three!” Never did we imagine we’d be a full-time group, and never did we ever think to have such a fulfilling and creative life as we do now!   
 
You have been to Walton Arts Center before, so what are your favorite memories or local places here in Fayetteville?  

We love Fayetteville so much! Really looking forward to being back for the local brews, food and the community there who loves the arts! 

 
Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups?  

A good nap, coffee, light snacks and just before walking out, fist bumps with each of us and our tour manager, Dave Ross, without whom we’d be nowhere!  

 
Pick 5 words to best describe your work.  

Heartfelt, joyous, soulful, empathetic and generous  

 
What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to?  

Currently, we’ve been searching out music from as many living composers as possible. After the success of our last album recorded with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the huge amount of satisfaction that came from bringing new music to life from Jennifer Higdon and Kevin Puts, we are hungry for more collaborations with creators and composers! 

 
What are some unique or memorable experiences you’ve had while traveling around the world to share your music?  

A few highlights would be playing the famous Musikverein in Vienna, Royal Albert Hall in London, Carnegie Hall, our concerts with the Czech Phil and our recording sessions with our beloved Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by our fearless and incredible Maestra, Xian Zhang.  

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Don’t miss Time for Three on Jan. 24. Tickets are $18-25.

10 Questions With The Five Browns

The next show in our 10x10 Arts Series is “the biggest classical music sensation in years,” according to The New York Post. The 5 Browns are delivering on their dream to wake up classical music by introducing it to the widest, largest and most excited audience they can find, including a show at Walton Arts Center on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 8 pm. 

The 5 Browns – Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae – all attended New York’s Juilliard School and became the first family of five siblings ever accepted simultaneously. The quintet enjoyed their first wave of critical attention in February 2002 when People magazine dubbed them the “Fab Five” at about the same time they were featured on Oprah and 60 Minutes.  

In keeping with our 10x10 Arts Series, we asked the artists 10 questions ahead of their performance.  

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What can audiences expect when they come see this performance?  

“As brothers and sisters, we have loved performing around the world together. There is nothing like the sound of 5 Steinways onstage – our own little orchestra! The opportunity to share our love of classical music and provide a fun experience for families is something we will always cherish. Spend an evening with us exploring a mix of favorites, including Rhapsody in Blue and Star Wars, along with many others we are excited to share with you.” – Deondra 

What message do you hope to send to the world or what do you hope audiences leave with after they see you perform?  

"We hope audiences will leave our concerts feeling the same joy for music that my siblings and I experience while we're performing onstage. Some audience members come to a piano concert feeling a little nervous about whether it's going to be stuffy or whether they'll be able to follow the right etiquette. It's important to us to show people that this music is not some museum piece to be intimidated by. Great music stands the test of time because it remains capable of helping us feel joy, excitement, heartbreak, or peace – no matter who we are. We hope our audiences will leave the concert having experienced all of these emotions, but especially joy.” – Gregory 

What is it like being a part of a nearly 20-year legacy? 

“We have been performing together for 18 years, if you can believe it! After all these years we have really streamlined our rehearsal process and learned to treat each other with kindness and patience. Now, when we play together, it feels almost like being home. Being on stage together feels like a safe space.” – Desirae 

What drew you to this performance field?  

“I think a large part of the draw was the opportunity to perform with each other. Classical soloists live a very solitary life, and we're so grateful we get to perform around the world as a group. Not only as just a group of musicians, but as a family that truly are each other's best friends. We love hanging out and have way too much fun on the road. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we need to rehearse or we'll just keep talking and chatting through our allotted rehearsal time!” – Melody 

What are some memorable experiences you’ve had while sharing this performance with others?  

"I think one of the most memorable performances we shared was our debut at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium. We had grown up going to concerts in this iconic hall, so it was stressful, but it was also rewarding to finally get there with one another. After we finished our last bow and realized the performance was a success, we all started jumping up and down, hugging each other and crying. It was such a memorable night.” – Melody 

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they?  

“I have a really hard time starting a concert if my hands are not sufficiently warm. The warmer the better. So, 10 minutes before I walk out onstage, I usually try to soak them in steaming hot water until they've got that red, puffy feeling. If you see me start the concert with pink hands, it's because I have just purposely scalded them.” – Gregory 

“We’re so grateful we get to perform around the world as a group. Not only as just a group of musicians, but as a family that truly are each other’s best friends.”

— Melody, The 5 Browns

Pick 5 words to best describe your work. 

“Passionate, energetic, introspective, joyous, siblings.” – Deondra 

What is the best advice that you have been given? 

“My old teacher Phillip Kawin personalized the famous "practice makes perfect," saying, ‘practice makes better not perfect.’ Along those lines was the idea of working slowly, in small sections first to make sure my brain could process what I was working on in a faster and better way. – Ryan 

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to? 

"We all listen to a wide range of genres of music. Anything from pop, rock and indie to jazz and classical. My personal favorite song this year is ‘Can’t Pretend’ by Tom Odell and my favorite albums are Gabrielle Shonk’s 2017 self-named album and Esja by Hania Rani.” – Ryan 

What are some unique or memorable experiences you’ve had while traveling around the world to share your music?  

"There are so many! Walking the Great Wall of China together, touring Kyoto in Japan and seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time. These are all unforgettable experiences that we have been able to do together.” – Desirae 

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Don’t miss their energetic and joyful performance on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 8 pm. Tickets are only $10, so grab a few tickets for friends and neighbors too.  

Q&A with Portrait Photographer Andrew Kilgore

Self Portrait

Andrew Kilgore is a photographer from Fayetteville, Ark. Over the course of his 53-year career, Kilgore has taken over 750,000 images, capturing the lives of those who are “unseen” in society and the underrepresented diversity of those who live in Arkansas. Kilgore will be awarded the 2023 Governor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in March at a ceremony in Little Rock.  

Walton Arts Center will showcase his career and the advocacy of his portraits in the Joy Pratt Markham Gallery January 6 to March 19. We sat down with him ahead of the 100 Photographs by Andrew Kilgore exhibition opening to ask some of our most pressing questions. 

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What can guests expect when they come to see 100 Photographs by Andrew Kilgore in the Joy Pratt Markham gallery? 

Well, obviously 100 photographs. And, I hope the photographs will move viewers to a deep sense of connection with their fellow beings.  

What messages do you hope audiences leave with after they see your work?  

That even if they are in their most vulnerable and scared moments, they’re not alone. That we are all connected, that we’re all part of one loving, aware, being. 

What is your favorite image from the 100 Photographs in the gallery? 

I could never pick just one. I love them all.  

What drew you to photography as an art form? 

The fact that I couldn’t draw. I wanted to be an artist, and I thought I would never be able to be one until I discovered that a camera worked as well as a brush or pencil in creating art. Then I was all set and ready to roll.  

Do you have any rituals or processes that guide your work?  

Sunrise, 1970

I meditate between an hour and two hours every day, and that experience of silence and stillness is the source from which all my creativity comes. So, I would say that the meditation that I do is very important. I love to talk to people, and I always start any session by talking for a while with my subjects.  People say, “Oh you do that to make better photographs,” and I always respond, “No, I photograph people so that I get to talk to them. I don’t talk to them so I can make better photographs of them.”  

Pick three words to best describe your work.  

Oh that’s hard. Real. Personal. Loving.  

What is the best advice that you have been given? 

When I was just starting out, I had a professional photographer look at my work, and he said there’s no real black tonalities in my images. I realized that I was not using the full range of tonalities that were available to me as a photographer, and that inspired me to become an infinitely better printer.  

Which artists have inspired you throughout your life and why? 

Photographer Gene Smith, because of the compassion and love that he poured into his photography of people. Richard Avedon, because of his incredible craftsmanship and Irving Penn, because of his wonderful way of approaching all kinds of people from all over the world and making photographs of people that just jumped off the page.  

How have you used photography to advocate for others?  

I’ve done a lot of exhibitions that were sponsored by or I partnered with advocacy organizations that worked with diverse populations of people. I have really loved doing work that starts with the best advocacy themes.  

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The free exhibition will be open 10 am - 2 pm on weekdays January 6 through March 19. The Joy Pratt Markham Gallery also opens one hour prior to performances and during intermission. There will be an audio component to the exhibition, curated by KUAF Public Radio. 

The exhibition will feature 100 portraits of Arkansans selected by guest curator Kathy P. Thompson from Kilgore's archive of over 750,000 images. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Our exhibition underwriters are Hershey and Denise Garner. Framing donated by Aaron Randall of Frame Fayetteville.  

Tickets make a great gift for everyone on your list

Walton Arts Center makes shopping for holiday gifts easy with a ticket that’s just right for everyone on your list, from children’s shows to jazz, comedians and everything in-between. There has never been a better time to gift an experience, especially a ticket to a thrilling and unforgettable show. These experiences will not collect dust, rather, they will inspire memories that will live on for decades.  

There are lots of ways to give and save. If you purchase tickets to three or more shows at the same time – for you or as gifts – you can save with a Create Your Own Subscription offer. Gift certificates are also available, totally customizable and valid for shows at both Walton Arts Center and the Walmart AMP. Don’t forget to reserve and pay for parking ahead of time too!  

For Music Lovers 

Audiences at the Time For Three concert will hear various eras, styles and traditions of classical music, blended with western traditions and vocals.

Time For Three hosts an unforgettable genre-shattering performance full of energy, mastery and personality. The electrifying trio returns to Northwest Arkansas at 7 pm on Tuesday, Jan. 24, and promises to seamlessly combine classical, bluegrass, jazz, pop and more.

Spend an evening with one of the most popular and beloved artists of all time with The Music of Sam Cooke - The King of Soul on Monday, Jan. 30 at 7 pm. Performing hits such as “You Send Me” and “Wonderful World,” Bradd Marquis pays homage to the legendary American icon.

LADAMA, an international collective of women, seamlessly blends four languages, pop music, percussion and vocals to create a brand new engaging performance. This talented ensemble will perform Thursday, March 30 at 7 pm. Tickets are only $10. So, grab a few for teacher gifts, neighbor gifts or a thank you for your babysitter! 

For Theater Lovers 

Tootsie was called “the laugh-out-loud funniest musical of the season” by Rolling Stones and “the most uproarious new musical in years” by Hollywood Reporter.

“It’s impossible not to laugh” when watching Menopause the Musical, according to The New York Times. Set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and 80’s, this musical parody celebrates sisterhood, hot flashes and night sweats. There is only one chance to see this show on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 7 pm.

Tootsie, the next installment of the Procter & Gamble Broadway Series, will be bringing its unique brand of musical comedy to Baum Walker Hall for eight performances Jan. 17-22. If the name Tootsie sounds familiar, it is for good reason. Tootsie is based on the 1982 Dustin Hoffman movie and is a hilarious love letter to the ups and downs of a career in theater.  

Spend the evening with bohemians and aristocrats in a world of splendor, romance, glitz and grandeur when Moulin Rouge! The Musical takes the stage for 14 performances February 9-19. With mesmerizing choreography, glamorous visuals, and direction from some of the best minds in theater, the adaptation has won 10 Tony Awards®, including best musical.  

For Comedy Lovers: 

For 25 years, David Sedaris has charmed audiences with his sometimes neurotic and seemingly mundane, yet profound storytelling.

This season features a laugh-out-loud lineup of comedians, who are each set to bring their signature humor to Northwest Arkansas.

Internet-viral comedian, John Crist, performs Sunday, March 19, at 7 pm with his family-friendly Emotional Support Tour. Drawing upon his upbringing in a Christian family in the south, he is widely known for viral videos like “Honest Football Coach” and “Every Parent at Disney.”

Sedaris is one of the greatest humorists writing today and is a fan favorite, returning to Walton Arts Center on Tuesday, April 25 at 7 pm. Beloved for his personal conversational essays, short stories and NPR segments, the three-time Grammy Award® nominee’s anecdotes are riddled with strange addictions, unbelievable job experiences and his eccentric family.

Named “One of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time,” by Rolling Stone, Tig Notaro, will take the stage with her delightfully absurd, monumentally serious storytelling on Friday, June 23, at 8 pm. 

For the Kids 

With moo-sical stars like Chickee Minaj and Dairy Parton, Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie is sure to delight viewers of all ages!

Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie, featuring Dairy Parton and Chickee Minaj, will bring a favorite children’s book to life on Sunday, March 5 at 4 pm. This show is based on two beloved children’s books by Kwame Alexander. Give the books along with tickets to the show for a complete experience!

The Jungle Book is an enchanting ballet-adaptation by Trike Theatre, Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation and the Dhirana Dance Academy of the classic story at 4 pm on Saturday, March 25.

And finally who doesn’t love everyone’s favorite underdog story? Annie, will delight audiences May 5-7. These shows are sure to entertain children and adults alike!  

Don’t see the perfect ticket in this gift guide? Take a look at our calendar to find a show and a ticket price that is just right.

'Tis the Season For holiday shows and events

Whether you are looking for a traditional or a non-traditional holiday night out and everything in-between, there is no place like Walton Arts Center for the holidays. This season is packed with shows and holiday fun that everyone can enjoy with a mix of live music, theatrical presentations, film screenings and more.  

If you are looking for a more non-traditional holiday show you can spend it with the Million Dollar Quartet: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. The music icons come together at Sun Records to play holiday favorites with a rock and roll twist. Million Dollar Quartet Christmas will have everyone rockin’ around the Christmas tree for three performances Dec. 2-3.

The Swingles holiday tour takes the stage on Sunday, Dec. 4. at 4 pm, and it promises to be a festive and joyful event. Known as masters of their craft, the Grammy®-winning a cappella group has been captivating audiences with their innovation and mastery for nearly six decades. It’s the perfect opportunity for the whole family to enjoy holiday classics performed by one of the world’s most admired vocal groups. Presented as part of our 10x10 Arts Series, all tickets are only $10. 

A beloved holiday tradition continues when Walton Arts Center and Symphony of Northwest Arkansas present The Snowman: A Family Concert at 2 pm on Sunday, Dec. 11. SoNA will perform the original score live alongside a screening of the beloved movie. Afterward, acclaimed Music Director Paul Haas will lead the audience in a lively holiday sing-a-long. Tickets are $10. 

Country music icon, Martina McBride will celebrate the music and the magic of the holiday season when she performs The Joy of Christmas Tour at Baum Walker Hall on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7 pm.  McBride is celebrating 12 years of The Joy of Christmas Tour, calling the 2022 version of the tour “the best one yet.”

Also don’t miss Winter Nights at Walton Arts Center a new holiday experience for the whole family. Starting Thursday, Dec. 1, the Bradberry Amphitheater & Rose Garden and Joy Pratt Markham Gallery will be decked with silver bells, frosty firs and snowy scenes. The space is open to the public 5-11 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Friday, Dec. 23. Free walk-up seating, reservable firepits for $25 and snow globes for $50 are available. Drop in for a festive drink, snack or photo op. 

Groups of 10+ get discounts on most tickets at Walton Arts Center, so you can purchase tickets as a group and rent one of our festive event spaces to host a preshow or post-show reception. Our event spaces are also available for holiday rentals on non-production nights, providing the perfect space for work parties, family get-togethers and more!  

This year, introduce your family and friends to the magic of a beloved holiday tradition or start a new tradition. Tickets and information about these shows and events are available at waltonartscenter.org or by calling the box office weekdays 10 am-5 pm at 479.443.5600. 

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What's the Rumpus? It's Gaelic Storm on Tour!

From jam sessions in a small pub, to performing in a blockbuster film and touring more than 200 days every year, Gaelic Storm is well into their 20-year career and is nowhere near slowing down. The Irish rock juggernaut has 13 celebrated albums to their name, more than 3,000 shows under their belt and massive success on the Billboard charts.  

Gaelic Storm kicked off their career in 1996 as a pub band in Santa Monica, California. The band’s first exposure arrived before they had even recorded their first album, appearing as the “steerage band” entertaining passengers in the massive 1997 blockbuster Titanic. Their original song, “Irish Party in Third Class,” featured on the Titanic Motion Picture Soundtrack is RIAA Diamond® Certified. They were widely embraced by the time they released their self-named album a year later.  

In the 20 years that followed, they have topped the Billboard World Music chart six times. They proved to be a popular touring act and quickly followed up with a pair of albums: 1999's Herding Cats and 2001's Tree. By the time they released their fourth studio album, How Are We Getting Home? in 2004, they became a chart success as well, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard World Music chart. Gaelic Storm's next two releases, Bring Yer Wellies in 2006 and What's the Rumpus? in 2008, fared even better, reaching No. 2 and No. 1, respectively. 

Gaelic Storm has headlined at some of the world’s largest Celtic and Irish festivals in America and Europe including Milwaukee Irish fest, Dublin Irish Fest in Ohio, Festival Interceltique De Lorient in France and Festival Ortigueira in Spain. Other notable major performances include Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado, Summer Camp Music Festival in Illinois, Wakarusa right here in Arkansas. Gaelic storm also recorded “Scallywag” in “simlish” for the EA Game Sims2.  

The band attributes their success to their dedicated audiences, who come from any and all music genres. Country music lovers, bluegrass fans and Celtic traditionalists can all find an unexpected home in Gaelic Storm. The innovative group seamlessly blends Irish and Scottish traditional fare, drinking songs, beautiful folk songs and playful originals, resulting in more than 250 million streams on all platforms.  

On Go Climb a Tree, co-founders Steve Twigger and Patrick Murphy, along with longtime friend and co-writer Steve Wehmever, are again at the helm of song-writing duties. The album has everything – party drinking songs (“The Beer Song”), patriotic anthems (“Green, White and Orange”), beautiful folk songs (“Monday Morning Girl”), spritely instrumentals (“The Night of Tomfoolery”), perfectly poppy songs (“Shine On”), and even a raucous pirate song (“Shanghai Kelly”). When speaking of the overall concept of the album, Murphy gives some insight, “With all the craziness and division in the world, we wanted to make an album about ‘contemplative escapism.’ Go Climb a Tree certainly isn’t about dropping out of the conversation, it’s just about taking a short hiatus to recharge the batteries before you take on the world again.” 

Now comprised of Murphy, Twigger, Ryan Lacey, Peter Purvis and Natalya Kay, the group is thrilled to tour again after a few years of worldwide challenges. The affectionately named We Missed You Tour is set to stop in Northwest Arkansas in just two weeks. 

Gaelic storm is 20 years into its successful career, yet in their own words, they “grow stronger after each performance.” Click here to listen to Gaelic Storm on Spotify and don’t miss it when the Irish rock juggernaut takes the stage at Walton Arts Center on Thursday, Nov. 15. Tickets start at under $20 and are on sale now at waltonartscenter.org. 

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Representation Matters: Reflecting on LGBTQ+ History and the Theater

“Give in to love or live in fear.”

- RENT

October is LGBTQ+ History Month and at Walton Arts Center we are reflecting on the historic beauty, diversity and progress of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities. Since the first march for gay rights in Washington DC in 1979, the month-long celebration has grown to encompass Ally Week, National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11 and Spirit Day on Oct. 20.  

Walton Arts Center welcomes LGBTQ+ artists, musicians, actors, dancers and comedians year-round, and during LGBTQ+ History Month, we are looking back on the shows and artists who have brought their stories and experiences to our stage.

Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots, which performed to sold-out audiences at Walton Arts Center in 2015, is the story of an Englishman who struggles to save his family-run shoe factory from closure. An unexpected call from a woman who runs a shop specializing in drag queen glamour wear convinces him to try a line of women’s shoes in men’s sizes. He develops his line of “kinky boots” under the brand name “Divine Footwear,” and a business partnership flourishes. 

Actor J. Harrison Ghee, who played Lola on the national tour, commented in an interview with BUILD Series that his favorite part of the show was “the feedback from parents and kids. Because of the show, a child decides to come out to their family … now we can have a conversation and can understand where to begin because of Kinky Boots.” Kinky Boots shows audiences that when you change your mind about someone, you can change the whole world. 

"Love Can Tell a Million Stories,” declares Falsettos, the heartwarming and poignant musical about the infinite possibilities of a modern family. The story revolves around the life of a charming, intelligent, neurotic gay man named Marvin, his wife, his lover, about-to-be-Bar-Mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist and the lesbians next door.  

Falsettos takes place during the early days of the AIDS crisis. It asks audiences around the country to “think about their actions and have more respect for the battle toward equality that LGBTQ people have had to fight across generations,” said award-winning choreographer Spencer Liff. Falsettos teched and launched their national tour from Walton Arts Center in 2019. 

“Love can tell a million stories.”

- Falsettos

Other groundbreaking Broadway shows to visit Walton Arts Center include RENT, Cabaret, A Chorus Line, Avenue Q and Spring Awakening. But LGBTQ+ artists go beyond Broadway. This season, we welcome a contemporary dance company and several comedians to our stage to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQ+ experience.

On Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7pm, the famed social commentator, social satirist and self-identifying lesbian, Fran Lebowitz promises to bring an evening of long-awaited, engaging conversation to the Walton Arts Center stage. This show was rescheduled from 2021, so limited tickets remain! 

Complexions Contemporary Ballet’s STAR DUST: From Bach to Bowie pays homage to queer music icon David Bowie on Thursday, March 16, at 7 pm. Billboard called the glam rock-inspired dance spectacular a “bold and utterly transfixing love letter to Bowie,” whose gender-bending performances and advocacy for gay rights inspired generations of lesbian, gay and transgender people. 

David Sedaris will return for his fourth performance on Tuesday, April 25 at 7pm. The author, comedian and five-time Grammy nominee has captivated audiences for decades, often challenging them to find humor in both the mundane and the eccentric. Many of Sedaris’ writings and anecdotes deal with his experiences growing up and living as a gay man, and his relationships with family members and his husband.  

Later this season, one of Rolling Stone’s best stand-up comics of all time, GLAAD award winner Tig Notaro will share her effortlessly funny storytelling with Northwest Arkansas audiences during PRIDE week. Notaro’s subject matter ranges from worldly observations, her wife and kids, health stories (Notaro is a cancer-survivor) and “general nonsense.” 

When it comes to representation, theater is often at the forefront, and while there is still much to be done to advocate equality and inclusion, many LGBTQ+ artists have found a home on the stage. Vulnerable to censorship and persecution, LGBTQ+ artists have risked everything to exist throughout history. But when LGBTQ+ stories are shared, perspectives are widened. When all people feel included, our Northwest Arkansas community becomes a better place. We are dedicated to sharing these stories here at Walton Arts Center.  

“As we travel on, love is what we will remember.” - A Chorus Line

Staff Recommendations: Try These for a Fun Night Out

With a season full of stand-out shows, it can be hard to decide which ones you just can’t miss. That’s why we’ve asked some of Walton Arts Center’s staff (the people in the know) to recommend some of the performances they are most excited about this new season. This is part two - shows that we recommend for a memorable night out! To see part one, click here!

Amazing Music

When I was President of the Mann Center, the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, two members of Time for Three stepped in to save a sold-out performance after we lost power due to a nearby lightning strike. The sold-out audience of 8,000 came to hear the magnificent Philadelphia Orchestra perform Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and with only a backup generator running, our options were limited to one microphone and a few speakers. Fortunately, Raanan Meyer on bass and Zack DePue on violin offered up their services, and dazzled the audience with their virtuosic take on old tunes, bluegrass classics and classical gems.  

Their performance lasted nearly 45-minutes while the singers, orchestra members and choir members waited patiently for the full power to be restored – which never happened. Although we never heard Beethoven that evening, we realized we had witnessed a special, albeit unexpected evening of joyous music making that left us thrilled and wanting more.   

I always wonder how good the show would have been with full power and the third member of their trio!

Peter B. Lane, President and CEO

Date Night Pick

STAR DUST: From Bach to Bowie had me hooked just from the name! If you are not familiar with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, they are a phenomenal ballet company formed by two Alvin Ailey alumni with a singular approach to reinventing dance and contemporary ballet. From Bach to Bowie is a two-shows-in-one tribute to artists who managed to create their own musical hemispheres. Bach 25, set to the music of Johann Sebastian and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, is an exploration of love and alliances, perfectly merging contemporary dance with ballet technique. Then, after intermission, Star Dust features Bowie’s most iconic hits in a spectacular dance extravaganza with glam-rock inspired costumes. Hello, date night? Two tickets, please!      

Rachel Burkevich, Programming Specialist

Girls Night Out - Culture Night Out

For my second pick (Rachel couldn’t just pick one!), I have to recommend this incredible, multi-disciplined, multi-cultural group, LADAMA. This a Latin alternative band consists of four musician/activists who originate from Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and the U.S. Their music fuses sounds from South America and the Caribbean with soul, R&B and pop. I’m calling this one a “don’t miss” not only because their sound is gorgeously innovative, but also because their mission is to empower women and girls through voice, percussion and movement. Perfect for a girls night out! Plus, LADAMA is part of our 10X10 Arts Series, meaning tickets are only $10, so you’ll have plenty of money to get some drinks at concessions! Cheap tickets, Latin music AND female empowerment? Yes, please! (Speaking of Latin music and female empowerment – also be sure to check out Aida Cuevas on Oct. 20.)

Can’t-Miss Comedy

Last, but absolutely not least (still Rachel!), I am picking Tig Notaro for a perfect night of comedy. Tig is known mostly for her deadpan comedy and hilarious stories about her wife, twin sons and cat named Fluff. She is a favorite on numerous talk shows and has been nominated for a WGA, a Critic’s Choice Award, two GLAAD Awards and two Grammy Awards. Her memoir, I’m Just a Person, is a New York Times Bestseller. This show is during 2023 NWA Pride and is sure to be popular, so get your tickets now before they are sold out!

Rachel Burkevich, Programming Specialist

Purchase tickets for these others shows on our 2022/23 season now!

Helping Shows Hit the Road: Legally Blonde The Musical

America’s favorite blonde, Elle Woods, is ready to prove who’s in charge as Legally Blonde The Musical comes to Walton Arts Center for four shows only Oct. 14-16. The ultimate Broadway tribute to girl power, Legally Blonde the Musical takes you from a UCLA sorority house to the Harvard halls of justice with a timely coming of age story of Broadway’s brightest heroine.

Based on the beloved movie, the contemporary, sassy musical also follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams.

The tour isn’t just making a stop at Walton Arts Center, it will be holding technical rehearsals and launching a national tour from Northwest Arkansas. “Teching” is when all of the actors, designers, creatives and crew put the technical elements of the show in place, including sets, lights, costumes and the orchestra, to prepare a show for its life on the road.

Other shows that got their start at Walton Arts Center include: A Chorus Line (2002, 2022), The Music Man (Fall 2002), The Graduate (2004), BLAST (2005), AIDA (2006), The Wedding Singer (2009), Blue Man Group (2010), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (2017), The Lightning Thief (2019), Falsettos (2019) and Blue Man Group Speechless (2019).

The process cannot be completed without a rehearsal space. It requires a full-scale theater and a live audience to get the show ready. Watching and listening to the reactions of the first audiences gives the artistic staff information about the parts of the show that need a bit more work. These initial performances are an integral part of the theatrical process and one in which few audiences are able to participate.

We typically choose to tech outside of large metro areas for the community vibes,” said Sophie Whitfield, associate general manager and associate producer with Big League Productions. Big League teched A Chorus Line at Walton Arts Center in Summer 2022 and is bringing Legally Blonde The Musical this fall. “We get great reception from local vendors, and we love getting to know the city we tech in. Fayetteville has so much to offer and we are excited to get to go back!”

Producers looking to tech and mount a tour view Walton Arts Center as a resource, which speaks volumes about the organization’s reputation in the industry. Teching is also a huge benefit to the economy of the region. When a cast and crew of 25-75 spends two weeks in town, they are supporting hotels, restaurants, hardware stores, yoga studios, coffee shops and more while they are here.

Walton Arts Center has helped 13 Broadway-sized shows launch both national and international tours since 1997 and is excited to help Legally Blonde the Musical get ready for its US tour.

Be the first to see Broadway’s brightest and most fabulous heroine!

Hispanic Heritage: More Than Just a Month-Long Celebration

Each year during Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, communities gather to honor the beauty, legacy and contributions of Hispanic culture around the world. Here at Walton Arts Center, we are excited to celebrate Hispanic and Latin-American artists this season through our Mosaix program initiative. 

Aida Cuevas, the Queen of Mariachi, is celebrating 45 years on tour with her new tour Yo Creo Que Es Tiempo, featuring the Mariachi Aztlan.

Mosiax programs are a collection of concerts and arts experiences curated to celebrate the cultural “tiles” that come together to make up Northwest Arkansas. Mosaix was first launched in 2020 as a stand-alone festival highlighting a single culture through art and performances. Since then, Mosaix has transitioned to a year-round celebration with performances spread throughout the season that represent the many diverse cultures present in NWA. This year, we are showcasing performances from Latin American cultures. 

Walton Arts Center is bringing “the very best of Mexico’s music” to Northwest Arkansas - perfect timing as a finale for Hispanic Heritage Month. We are thrilled to welcome Aida Cuevas on Thursday, Oct. 20. With a 46-year career that spans both traditional mariachi and Latin genres, and more than 40 albums, she is considered one of Mexico’s most prolific and important female voices.  

Among her many accolades, Cuevas was the first female singer in the mariachi category to win a Grammy®. She also has a Latin Grammy®, as well as 11 nominations for the best mariachi/ranchero album category. She masterfully encapsulates the voice of her beautiful country and honors its history and traditions, while breaking barriers and forging a path forward. 

Cuevas’ performance is also a part of the 10x10 Arts series, a collection of 10 performances chosen to encourage and expand awareness of diverse cultures. All shows in this series are just $10.  

The Edward Simon Trio is honoring female Latin songwriters in Femeninas: The Songs of Latin American Women.

Your exploration of Hispanic and Latin American art can continue throughout the Walton Arts Center season.  

On Friday, Dec. 16, the Edward Simon Trio will present Femeninas: The Songs of Latin American Women. The show highlights female songwriters from Chile, Cuba, Argentina and Brazil. The group will be joined by award-winning Mexican vocalist Magos Herrera and percussionist Luis Quintero. Music starts at 7:30 pm, and tickets range from $33-53.  

Rarely can you see films made by independent filmmakers locally, and it’s even more rare to see works by independent filmmakers of Hispanic origin. Now you can. Join us for a mini film festival at Walton Arts Center on Friday, Jan. 13, featuring films by Central and South American independent filmmakers. Titles are selected by the Fayetteville Film Fest and will be announced soon. Tickets are just $15.  

Chick Corea Afro-Caribbean Experience with Elio Villafranca & Friends will bring a distinctly Latin flavor to their jazz performance on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 pm. Jazz icon Chick Corea passed away in 2020, but his inspired music lives on through Villafranca and the international and intergenerational artists coming to Starr Theater for this show. Tickets are $33-53. 

Experience LADAMA, an international collective of women building community through sound, when they perform on Thursday, March 30. Patrons can expect to hear original pop music in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The show starts at 7 pm and tickets are $10. LADAMA is also a part of the 10x10 Arts Series.  

These artists have left incredible impact on Hispanic music and culture. Similarly, Hispanic culture has left an undeniably rich and meaningful impact on Northwest Arkansas. Through the Mosaix initiative and the annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we hope to encourage a deeper cultural richness within our community that comes from understanding and welcoming diversity.  

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Don’t limit your celebration of Hispanic culture to just one month. Explore the beauty, joy and traditions throughout the season at Walton Arts Center!

Staff Recommendations: Shows for Families with Kids of All Ages

Sometimes when you look at the season listing for Walton Arts Center, it can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many shows, and they all look so good. We can help!

We’ve asked some of Walton Arts Center’s staff (the people in the know) to recommend their favorite shows or some of the performances they are most excited about in the new season. Here’s part 1 with recommendations for shows families with kids of all ages.

Shows for Families with Older Kids

Recommended for ages 10+

I am excited to bring my family to see Spamilton: An American Parody! It combines two of our favorite things: musical theater and comedy. Since we just saw Hamilton this past year, it’s the perfect follow-up show! But it’s not just for Hamilton fans - it’s full of Broadway references, parody songs and jokes. If you have teens and tweens who love theater and laughing, don’t miss this show.

Jill Suel, Sr. Director, Marketing and Sales

I am looking forward to taking my boys to see The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players’ The Pirates of Penzance. This show is a can’t-miss classic for kids because it’s hilarious and includes lots of impressive songs with fast vocals, like “Modern Major General,” that they will appreciate. Plus, there are beautiful operatic moments. It just has it all! The movie version starring Kevin Kline Linda Ronstadt was one of my all-time favorites growing, up so this is a nostalgic one for me.  

The 10x10 Arts Series is a no-brainer for families because of the programming diversity and the price. For only $10 a ticket, you can expose your children to the classics, like The Pirates of Penzance, and also see concerts from a variety of genres and cultures (see: Aida Cuevas, LADAMA and Duwende) and cool modern performances like Visceral Dance Chicago - all in a single series.

Heather Holland, Creative Director

Shows for Families with Younger Kids

Photo by Darren Thomas

I'm looking forward to the Kellogg’s Kids Series shows because my kids will love them all, particularly Bluey’s Big Play, coming Dec. 20-21! We watch “Bluey” everyday on TV, and to see the characters live will light up their little faces. I can count on Bluey to show my kids creative play using imagination, how to deal with some big feelings and family fun. 

Sara Broome Jones, Learning Programs and Festivals Specialist

I’m very excited for Winnie The Pooh! I missed the show when it opened off-Broadway last year, but I am thrilled it’s touring the country. Those characters are ingrained in my childhood, and I can’t wait for my 2 year old to see it as his first live theatrical production. To see him connect with those characters who meant so much to me as a child (especially Tigger!) will be the ultimate reward. The puppetry looks terrific, and the storytelling will no doubt be wonderful. Adults will be able to rekindle their relationships with Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit and Eeyore, and kids will form new connections. For these to be live characters, as opposed to cartoons on a screen, is just the honey on top!

Curt Owens, Director of Programming

Purchase tickets for these others shows on our 2022-23 season now!

Host an Unforgettable Event at Walton Arts Center

Shannon Eubanks, events director, styles a table for an event at WAC.

In November 2016, Walton Arts Center completed a massive $23 million renovation and expansion. More than 30,000 square feet were added and improvements were made across the venue. This expansion has allowed Walton Arts Center to host more events than ever before, including private engagements such as weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, parties and more.  

“Flexibility was key in the design,” says Shannon Eubanks, events director at Walton Arts Center. “We wanted to develop spaces that can be configured to fit different size audiences and events. We’re a non-traditional venue in the sense that we were not constructed with just shows or meetings in mind, but rather we sought to extend the beauty of the stage, beyond the stage and into our other spaces.”  

Walton Arts Center is a hidden gem when it comes to event venues in Arkansas. The space is unique, it’s in a prime location in downtown Fayetteville and booking with us comes with plenty of perks.  

Walker Atrium’s floor to ceiling windows and signature chandelier make beautiful additions to an event.

The modern design of the space is perfect for party, wedding and event planners who are looking for something different that your typical ballroom, conference center or barn venue. The architecture of Walton Arts Center is stunning and features beautiful additions such as floor-to-ceiling windows, signature chandelier, grand staircase, art gallery and more. In addition to having ample space for your guests, Walton Arts Center is known for providing an exquisite backdrop for your party or wedding photos.  

And speaking of weddings - the Walker Atrium and Pace Balcony make for a grand entrance for any bride, with beautiful natural light and staircase leading to guests below. The Bradberry Amphitheater and Rose Garden is a gorgeous outdoor space featuring climbing roses on trellises and twinkling lights, perfect for a ceremony, reception or even a conference mixer. And of course, Starr Theater is a black box that can be configured in a number of ways for any event.  

Dickson Street is the “it” place to be in Northwest Arkansas. Walton Arts Center’s location is prime real estate when it comes to hosting an unforgettable event — within walking distance to some of the best restaurants, bars and shopping the area has to offer. Your out-of-town guests will be happy to hear that there is a hotel within walking distance and that the venue is easy to navigate to whether on foot or by car.  

Walton Arts Center spaces can be transformed for incredibly unique event locations!

Other venue perks include:  

• Multiple dressing rooms that can accommodate up to 30 people 

• Walton Arts Center production team on-hand to make your events lighting, sound and stage absolutely perfect 

• Bar services with licensed bartenders and specialty drink options 

• Tables, chairs, set-up and tear down, including in booking 

Walton Arts Center offers a chic and elegant location for any number of engagements and occasions. To find out more about hosting your event in this remarkable venue, call 479-443-5600 or click below.

We Aren't WAC Without Our Volunteers!

At Walton Arts Center, we truly depend on our volunteers to function on a daily basis – but especially on show days! They greet you when you walk in the door, help you get your ticket at  Will Call, scan your ticket when you go into the theater and help you find your seat. But that’s not all…  

Our volunteers also assist with our educational programs, special events such as Art of Wine and Masquerade Ball and assist with administrative tasks as well. We have a dedicated corps of volunteers that are involved in every aspect of the theater from helping in the administrative office, to box office, concessions and ushering in the hall. The donation of time and talents from our volunteers enables us to fill some key roles, and that helps keeps our overhead low, allowing us to pass those savings on to our patrons.  

Volunteers create their own schedule by signing up online for opportunities that best meet their needs. Shifts are available during the day and at night, as well as weekdays and weekends. We encourage volunteers to try something new or explore more than one area of service. We love seeing volunteers expand their skills and shine in a variety of positions. 

We ask members of our volunteer corps to contribute a minimum of 30 hours per season, which averages to about one volunteer opportunity a month. Volunteers also have the option of joining a more flexible volunteer path with our Volunteer Ambassador Program. This program is ideal for students that need to fulfill a service requirement, corporate employee volunteers or individuals with schedule restrictions.  

All new volunteers will be asked to attend an orientation session before making the decision to join the team. The orientation sessions are designed to inform prospective volunteers about policies and procedures, plus details about opportunities. New volunteers are offered a mix of virtual, hands-on and mentorship training in order to provide the best possible patron experience. Seasoned volunteers will also attend a training session once a year in the summer as a refresher course.  

Every year Walton Arts Center honors our volunteers at a Volunteer Appreciation Night. During this special evening, awards are given based upon years of service and number of hours. In addition, Walton Arts Center recognizes volunteers throughout the year with a complimentary ticket program, social outings, Volunteer Appreciation Month activities and more. 

Volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people in the community or for students to build leadership and job skills. Anyone interested in volunteering can visit waltonartscenter.org/volunteer. Orientation sessions are offered throughout the season so it’s always a good time to apply!  

Fictional Realities that Parallel Reality Itself in Fiddler on the Roof

By: Scott Galbraith

Walton Arts Center Vice President of Programming & Executive Producer

Fiddler on the Roof is one of the most legendary and beloved American musicals of all time.  

With music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein, Fiddler was inspired by the writings of Sholem Aleichem, one of the most celebrated Yiddish authors of his day – or any. The title of the musical was inspired by the 1912 Marc Chagall painting “The Fiddler,” the subject of which is a metaphor for survival through joy in a state of imbalance. 

Theatrical lore suggests that – with the possible exception of the pandemic – the show has played somewhere in the world every day since its premiere in 1964. Such lore may be rooted in the show’s original 10-year run on Broadway, the longest in history to that point. Or it may be rooted in the number of revivals it’s enjoyed, the frequency with which its staged in schools, who knows...it’s lore. Regardless, the mere presence of that lore speaks to the show’s enduring relevance. 

On the one hand, the show’s relevance lives in its iconic songs which range from celebratory and defiant (“Tradition”), to poetic and poignant (“Sunrise, Sunset”) to sweet and simple (“Do You Love Me?”). On the other hand, its relevance lives in its richly human characters who are funny and flawed, vulnerable and vivacious, all at the same time. On the other hand (see what I did there?), it’s because world events that parallel the show’s principal plot just keep repeating. 

The current war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is the most recent example. For context:  

Fiddler centers on a milkman (Tevye) who is striving to save his religious and cultural traditions – if not the lives of his loved ones - in the face of change. To be fair, some of that change is posed by Tevye’s children who are simply pushing societal norms, as children will do. More to my theme, however, Tevye and his neighbors in the town of Anatevka are facing eviction if not death, change that is incited by the Russian Empire. 

While Anatevka is a fictional town, it exists in the very real Pale of Settlement, an area within czarist Russia where Jews were permitted to live. Living “beyond the Pale,” was largely illegal.  The Pale of Settlement included modern day Ukraine. 

For those unfamiliar with Fiddler, take heart! While the show does allow us to see current events through a historical lens, it does so by focusing on people, not politics.  

So, looking at more people-oriented parallels...both Chagall’s and Aleichem’s work relative to Fiddler draws upon their formative years living inside The Pale; Chagall in Belarus, Aleichem near Kyiv (Ukraine). Upon graduation, Aleichem was hired to tutor a wealthy landowner's daughter, Olga (Hodel) Loev. They later married, against her father’s wishes. In Fiddler, Tevye (who fantasizes about being a wealthy man) hires a student revolutionary from Kyiv (Perchik), to tutor his daughters, one of whom is named (you guessed it!) Hodel. You'll have to see the show to find out if that’s where the parallel stops!  

Through his title character in Hamlet, Shakespeare urges artists "to hold as ‘twere the mirror up to nature,” to create fictional realities that parallel reality itself. Fiddler on the Roof has always done that and continues to, today. May we always be brave enough to look into that mirror and see...really see. 

One last parallel—or perhaps just a “small world” moment. Early in my career, I acted in a production of Othello starring Austin Pendleton - who originated the role of Motel, the tailor, in Fiddler on the Roof. 

Okay, I’ll stop now.  

Fiddler on the Roof is appearing at Walton Arts Center May 10 - 15. Tickets can be purchased at waltonartscenter.org.

We Love Our Volunteers!

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we’re here to let you in on a little secret about the Walton Arts Center – the volunteers are show stoppers! 

Our volunteers provide support to virtually every aspect of our operations with thousands of hours of service each year. Even during the height of the pandemic and our limited Intermission Season, we had a team of dedicated volunteers that provided over 2,800 hours of service!  

As our community continues to grow, our volunteers continue to represent a diverse cross-section of the Northwest Arkansas community and speak more than 11 different languages including French, Korean, Vietnamese and Spanish. Though they hail from a variety of backgrounds, they all share a love for the arts and their community. 

Our volunteers make a difference not only to the success of our organization and visiting artists, but to our community. Volunteers help create unique experiences for the first-time visitor or the patron that has been with us for our 30-year history (some of our volunteers have been here that long too).  

From all the staff at Walton Arts Center, THANK YOU to our outstanding team of volunteers.

With April being Volunteer Appreciation Month, we’d like to take a moment to highlight just a few of our amazing volunteers.

Joyce Richards

When did you start volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

I began volunteering in 2017.

What drew you to start volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

I had attended events and performances at Walton Arts Center for many years and wanted to give back for all the enjoyment I had received over the years.

Why do you like volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

I like being in the building with all the people who work, perform, attend and volunteer there. It’s a good feeling every time I walk in the door.

What is one special memory from your time volunteering at Walton Arts Center?  

I love watching a student group who has never been in the building look around and be amazed at being there. 

Why do you think others should volunteer at Walton Arts Center?

It’s a way to give back for everything Walton Arts Center gives to the  community and you meet lots of great people.

If you could see any show on Broadway, past or present, what would it be?  

Sweeney Todd

What are your hobbies outside of Walton Arts Center?

Outside of WAC I love reading, walking and volunteering at other organizations in Fayetteville.

What are 3 things someone would be surprised to know about you?

I like edgy and dark movies and TV shows. I worked on a Wyoming dude ranch for two summers while in college. I drove a car in a presidential motorcade.  

Barry and Colleen Brown

When did you start volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

We started in 2017.

What drew you to start volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

It was recommended by fellow volunteers Jeremy Hess and Peggy Treiber.

Why do you like volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

You get to meet interesting people with diverse backgrounds and unique life stories.

What is one special memory from your time volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

We loved meeting several of our former colleagues from the U of A who we hadn't seen in many years. We also love the yearly volunteer parties.

Why do you think others should volunteer at Walton Arts Center?

You should volunteer to meet other likeminded people who are interested in promoting the arts and to see the shows!

If you could see any show on Broadway, past or present, what would it be?

Anything (and everything) Rodgers and Hammerstein - my favorite is South Pacific (favorite song is “Some Enchanted Evening”).

What are your hobbies outside of Walton Arts Center?

We love to travel, cycle, play golf, read and write novels and Colleen loves gardening.

What are 3 things someone would be surprised to know about you?

I was an assistant concert master (violin). I gave it up when I broke a string! I completed medical school at Michigan State University, but decided to forego MD degree and finish my Ph.D. to pursue research. Colleen is a wonderful cook (over 500 recipes rated 9 or 10 and only one rated a 1 that even the dog wouldn't eat).

Shannon Dillard Mitchell                                           

When did you start volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

I started around 2013 or 2014.

What drew you to start volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

I enjoy live music and theater and appreciated the quality of the performances at Walton Arts Center. 

Why do you like volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

The volunteers at the WAC are really wonderful people and I enjoy connecting with the arts community in NWA.

What is one special memory from your time volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

One of my first volunteer opportunities was for a Roots Festival performance – hearing Jerry Douglas play the dobro live was mesmerizing!

Why do you think others should volunteer at Walton Arts Center?

 We are a fun crew!

If you could see any show on Broadway, past or present, what would it be?

To Kill a Mockingbird with Jeff Daniels – but I am thrilled that the play is coming to the WAC in 2023!

What are your hobbies outside of Walton Arts Center?

I love hiking and travel – usually to visit museums or something art-related – and I am learning how to fly-fish.

What are 3 things someone would be surprised to know about you?

I am an accredited art appraiser (since 2008!). I walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain… (but not all 500 miles!). And, I performed in community theater musicals (as a dancer!) when I lived in Santa Fe.

Marc Villalva

When did you start volunteering at Walton Arts Center?  

This is my first season. I started in October 2021 with Come From Away.

What drew you to start volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

I saw a social media ad about it, the same day I volunteered for our company’s COVID clinic. It was a sign.

Why do you like volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

The staff and other volunteers are really friendly.

What is one special memory from your time volunteering at Walton Arts Center?

Just tonight, after scanning someone’s ticket, she asked if I’ll be performing and told me I look like one of the cast. It must have been the face mask I was wearing!

Why do you think others should volunteer at Walton Arts Center?

You can't go wrong volunteering for the performing arts!

If you could see any show on Broadway, past or present, what would it be?

The original casts of Wicked or Hamilton.

What are your hobbies outside of Walton Arts Center?

I got my first houseplant when we started working from home because of the pandemic, now I have a jungle.

What are 3 things someone would be surprised to know about you?

Lots of people assume I am Latino, but I was born and raised in the Philippines. Northwest Arkansas is the first US region I stayed in, and it’s totally different than how the US is portrayed in the movies. There are a lot of cows here. Also, I’m very shy in person.

10 Questions with Kala Ramnath of TRIVENI

TRIVENI is presented as part of Walton Arts Center’s 10X10 Arts Series, which brings affordable and eclectic entertainment opportunities to Northwest Arkansas. Tickets to TREVENI and all other 10X10 shows are just $10.

In keeping with our 10x10 theme, we recently sat down with 10 questions for Kala Ramnath, violinist for TRIVENI.

1. What message do you hope to send the world through this performance

Kala: Though we may represent different genres and styles, our approach is to bring these different genres and styles together as one music and we hope in these troubled times, this music brings solace to everyone and brings us all closer and together as one.

2. What's a memorable experience you've had while performing this work?

Kala: Every concert is memorable for any artist. But the first time Zakir, Jayanthi and I played together in Mumbai, India, it was an unforgettable experience for the three of us. Moreover, “Triveni” literally means "confluence of three rivers or streams.” Here we are the three streams and how we blend and still show the differences or the different colors of styles and genre we each represent is what makes this memorable for us and hope it will be memorable for the listeners.

3. What drew you to this performance field?

Kala: I belong to a family of seven generations in music. Therefore, music has been with me from the time I was in my mother’s womb. I had no second thoughts about taking music as a career.

4. If you weren't a professional musician, what would you be doing now?

Kala: I can’t imagine what I would be doing…

5. To stay at your optimum performance level, how many hours per day do you rehearse?

Kala: I feel one must stay in music all the time. Apart from quantitative practice there is qualitative practice where you spend time listening to other’s music and thinking about your music. Therefore the number of hours does not matter.

6. What's your pre-show ritual or warm-up?

Kala: Stay calm and positive in a happy frame of mind and think about what I could present in concert.

7. What's the best advice you've ever received?

Kala: Do not be an imitation and always strive to be an original in your music.

8. What did you turn to as your creative outlet during 2020?

Kala: Music, that’s my creative outlet. I created a musical piece on the origin of COVID, the destruction, the confusion we experienced, the struggle to find a solution, the arrival of vaccines and ended the composition with the hope that life will be back to normal soon.

9. What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to?

Kala: Listening to some North Indian Classical Instrumental Music keeping my upcoming tour in mind.

10. What's the #1 thing on your Netflix watchlist?

Kala: Currently watching "Inventing Anna”

GET TO KNOW YOUR 2022 VOICEJAM CONTESTANTS: PART 2

Last week, we brought you a look at four of our talented groups who will battle it out in the 2022 VoiceJam Competition. This week, we want to introduce you to the rest of the a capella groups who will vie for the VoiceJam Champion title on Saturday, April 9!

In addition to the highly anticipated a cappella competition, Walton Arts Center will host a day of masterclasses and workshops. More information about those events is available on our website.

Without further aca-do, here are the final three competitors that are sure to knock your socks off on Saturday.

KeyHarmony

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

KeyHarmony: We are an all-female collegiate group from the University of Central Florida. While we do all have some sort of musical background, we are not exclusively music majors. Our group has a multitude of majors including education, aerospace engineering and theatre.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

KeyHarmony: Our group has a range of a cappella experience. We have women who have never done a cappella before and women who have been doing a cappella for up to seven years.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

KeyHarmony: Our competition set is a mix of alternative pop and R&B and our set contains three soloists. The theme of our set is moving on from heartbreak and realizing your worth. What makes our set special is that each piece was arranged by our current members.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals?

KeyHarmony: Before each performance, we stand in a circle and harness our energy by doing "power poses."

WAC: Tell us about your group’s most memorable performance story. 

KeyHarmony: Our most memorable performance story is winning our first first-place award at SoJam! We performed “Muddy Waters” by LP, “Women (Oh Mama)” by Joy Williams and “Freedom” by Beyonce ft. Kendrick Lamar.

Fifth Measure

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

Fifth Measure: Everyone in our group has some kind of musical background, whether we’ve taken vocal lessons, grown up doing school choirs, been in theatre, are part of a band or just love the camaraderie of being part of a group that loves music.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

Fifth Measure: Our group ranges from people who have been part of the a cappella group for almost three years now to people that are doing it for their first year.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

Fifth Measure: Our set has a lot of funk to it. It is very upbeat and groovy, but the songs still have a lot of meaning and purpose packed into the lyrics. Our set is special because we have chosen some unique pieces that people wouldn’t expect to hear as a cappella arrangements, and we have a nice selection of one classic song, one popular modern song an unknown song.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals?

Fifth Measure: The most important pre-performance ritual is our whole group warming up together. We take the time before going on to really get into the mindset of our performance. It really bonds us together before we go on stage!

WAC: Tell us about your group’s most memorable performance story. 

Fifth Measure: We can’t think of a specific memory but It we all love being around and are very supportive of each other. At the end of the day, this is just fun for all of us and we like working together and sharing the music we make with people!

A-Side

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

A-Side: A-Side is a high school group. All students have been in choir for several years and are enrolled in both choir and the vocal ensemble during the school day. These students are very involved in the music program. They perform in musicals, many have been in the all-region choir for several years and just this year 4 of the members were members of the Texas All State Choir (a very high honor in the state of Texas). Many are graduating and going on to study music in college.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

A-Side: The experience of the students in this group is very different. Some have been a part of the group since before COVID-19 and have performed numerous times on various stages for a cappella competitions. Some have been in since COVID-19 and have worked on recording projects and local performances.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

A-Side: Our competition set is taking competitive a capella back to the basics; it lets the music speak for itself. It has become a trend to have a consistent theme or story. We aren’t doing that anymore. Each song has a story to be told and they don’t have to coincide. We have two soloists and a featured soloist. Our set is special because we completely stripped the idea who A-Side used to be. We reinvented ourselves and our sound. Mostly importantly, we did it together as a team.

WAC: How did your group hear about VoiceJam? 

A-Side: We have heard about VoiceJam for years but have never had time in our schedule to apply. We decided to do different events and competitions this year and try to do bigger things! Getting into VoiceJam has been such an amazing experience. We have challenged ourselves in ways we never have before and have worked harder than ever. We can't wait to share and learn at VoiceJam.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals?

A-Side: Before we compete, the boys always go to a dark/quiet spot to listen to the entire album of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

WAC: Tell us about your group’s most memorable performance story. 

A-Side: Our most memorable performance has to be getting picked for the wild card performance for Acatex and having to go from soundcheck to performance in less than an hour.

A Conversation with Aaron Burr, Sir.

A version of this interview was first run in Celebrate! Arkansas Magazine.

 Josh Tower is no stranger to the stage. In addition to playing Simba in the Broadway production of The Lion King, Tower has many other impressive Broadway and touring company credits including School of Rock, Motown the Musical and Ragtime. Now, he’s taking his shot in the role of Aaron Burr in the Angelica company of the smash-hit musical Hamilton, appearing at Walton Arts Center March 22-April 3.

Josh Tower

Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theater. Tower recently chatted with Walton Arts Center to talk about the show and its widespread appeal to audiences.

Tower: What it’s like to tour with such a wildly popular show?

Tower: It’s an amazing experience to be on tour with this show. It’s always received really well, though some audiences are more-quiet than others, the energy is the same. We’re excited to be back up and running, and people are excited to be back seeing live theater again.

WAC: Our audiences are certainly excited to be back in the theater, and about Hamilton! What is it that makes this show so special?

Tower: I think the release of the Hamilton [proshot] on Disney+ kept people’s interest and that the love of the show peaked. It’s a completely different experience live, and I do think folks are craving their own night at the show. Theater is such a special fleeting moment. Every show is different. Some of the cast may change; some people are out on vacation, sick, injured, etc., and then swings and understudies jump in where needed. Little mistakes are made every single show... not always the same. And, the audience is different every night with each having their own collective personality. It’s special every night. 

WAC: Hamilton is known for incorporating genres that aren’t traditionally heard in musical theater. How did that affect your preparation for the role of Aaron Burr?

Tower: First of all, I love rap and hip hop, mostly old school, R&B, pop, musical theater tunes... all of it. This music is so full of ear worms that it’s pretty easy to get into its groove. I prepped for Hamilton like I do for all shows, with lots of memorization. I often fall asleep at night, during rehearsal weeks, playing the music of a respective project on my headphones in hopes of some sort of discovery in my subconscious. That’s the homework part. I rehearsed Hamilton every day for four weeks during the day while I was doing School of Rock at night across the street at the Winter Garden Theater. It was an intense time for sure.

WAC: Something else that I’d imagine is difficult to prepare for is Aaron Burr’s historical perception as the bad guy in this story. It’s even a theme that the character explores in the show. How do you see him as a man and as a character?
Tower: Well, of course he’s not the bad guy, and of course he’s misunderstood… says every actor about their perceived bad guy! Burr was a father, a husband, a feminist, an incredible writer and a man like many others; flawed in his own way. What Burr could never shake was that he could never figure out, through his education and station in life, how Hamilton, this outsider from nowhere, could outshine him even with all of his own flaws and behaviors that would have destroyed many men and their careers. Hamilton pushed his buttons and pushed his good nature.

WAC: When you look at Burr in that light, I think everyone can relate to some aspect of who he is – villain or not. What are some of the other central themes or messages that audiences relate to most in Hamilton?

Tower: The main themes to me are love, destruction, redemption and forgiveness. The main aspect that I think audiences can relate to is the look of the cast. That is the cast on stage reflects them and they reflect us. We are truly a beautiful melting pot of a country. Our show has no prescribed look to it and every company is different. With so many nationalities on the stage it is a statement in itself. While these real-life characters are largely white, color just seems to fade away during the course of the show. Washington is Washington, Hamilton is Hamilton, Angelica is Angelica. Et cetera. It’s really, really special, and an aspect of which I’m so proud… to look on that stage and see someone who looks like you is inspiring. Inspiration is where big dreams start, conversations are had and new discoveries are made.

WAC: What a lovely sentiment. What is your personal favorite part of the show or of this cast?

Tower: My favorite part or moment of the show is “Yorktown!” We have an amazing group of dancers in the show and when they’re doing their thing there is nothing like it! The number ends with all of us on stage together claiming victory. It’s amazing! The fact that they sing and dance the whole show is pretty astounding. Many shows have a dance ensemble and a separate singing ensemble.

 WAC: And what about your favorite part as Burr?

 Tower: I also love the songs "Wait for It" and "Room Where It Happens” as a tandem. Both are strong looks at the inner Burr. But in “Wait for It,” that public mask that he wears – that we all wear – is taken off for just a moment and you can take a peek. By the end of the number he puts the mask back on. In “Room Where It Happens”… well, that’s where the mask fractures and cracks, in my mind, in an almost grotesque way. He’s never the same after that. The spiral downward begins. 

 WAC: It has been such a treat to see the show through your eyes. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. What else do you hope that audiences take away from the show?

Tower: At the end of the day, if you don’t like a certain tune in the show, another one that’s a different style will hook you in. If the music doesn’t do it for you then you hook into the history aspect of the show. There’s really and truly something for everyone. We are all so happy to share this incredible work of art with you again. Enjoy it! Love it!

Limited tickets are still available for Hamilton. Visit waltonartscenter.org for details.

Get to Know Your 2022 VoiceJam Contestants

VoiceJam A Capella festival is always a favorite event at Walton Arts Center. We’re so excited to get back to a full-swing, in-person event this year on Saturday, April 9. In addition to the competition, expect a day of masterclasses and workshops that are sure to be fun, educational and aca-awesome!

The headline event is the VoiceJam competition, which sees a cappella groups from schools and communities across the country compete in a vocal smackdown. Keep reading to get to know just a few of our 2022 competitors!

The Ozarks

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

The Ozarks: Founded during the height of the pandemic, The Ozarks A Cappella is an organization dedicated to providing a unique educational and musical experience for high school students in southwest Missouri. In 2020, we noticed that students were unable to have musical experiences in the traditional classroom sense. We wanted this group to be an outlet and opportunity for any high schooler in the Ozarks to make musical excellence, forge friendships, and grow as people.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

The Ozarks: Our current members are all grades 10-12 coming from nine different high schools in the southwest Missouri area. Three members will be attending the A Cappella Academy this summer in Los Angeles; and one member, Zach Liesen, won outstanding Vocal Percussion at ICHSA quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals last year. This group was recently nominated for two Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards for Best High School Solo and Best High School Song. Our directors are/were members of collegiate a cappella groups, The Beartones and Sound Bearrier at Missouri State University.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

The Ozarks: Our specialties cover a wide range, but since we have started, we have stayed in the pop and R&B range. In our set we will have three soloists. Emily Jenkins will start our set with a song called “From Fire” originally performed by the artist Perta. Next, Lilly Jackson will solo the song “War In Your Arms,” originally by Australian artist Ben Abraham. Finally, we will close with Michael Thurston soloing the tune “Higher Power,” original performed by Coldplay. There is not a particular theme to our set this year but, in it you can sense the pain that is created when there is lack of trust in a relationship.

WAC: How did your group hear about VoiceJam? 

The Ozarks: In past years our directors attended and competed with the group The Beartones. From that experience we saw how immersive and educational this festival is, and wanted to come back with The Ozarks. Being so close to Fayetteville and NWA we think it is very important to foster the continued growth of a cappella in the region.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals? Tell us about them!

The Ozarks: This will actually be one of our first live performances and first live competition ever. So not yet! We were lucky enough to win the International Championship of High School A Cappella in its virtual format last year, and we are looking forward to competing in-person.

­­­­­­­­­­­VIBE

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

VIBE: We are a supergroup of different collegiate/high school a cappella groups from various regions of Texas. The ages range 17-30.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

VIBE: We consist of 12 members - some currently active in high school/collegiate programs, others continuing involvement through festivals/competitions. Most of our members have competed in the Varsity Vocals ICCA/Open finals, been featured in a national Cheerios campaign and recorded for Patti LaBelle’s Christmas album Home for the Holidays.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

VIBE: We have no theme for this set - we sing what we love. We are passionate about creating a series of magical moments that we can invite the audience into. Our style lends to the pop/R&B sound, and we love to travel the decades with our song choices. For this set, we will feature a powerhouse trio for our middle piece and a mesmerizing showman for our finale.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals?

VIBE: We LOVE a show circle! Feeling that sensation together right before heading out on stage is so special. We remember why we love what we do and promise each other that we’ll enjoy the next few minutes as we leave it all on the stage and create new memories for years to come.

WAC: Tell us about your group’s most memorable performance story. 

WAC: Definitely performing at Carnegie Hall for the 2018/19 Varsity Vocals Open Finals. Such a humbling experience being on a stage with so much rich history.

Green Tones

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

Green Tones: Green Tones was founded in 2008 as a contemporary a cappella group at the University of North Texas. Green Tones has evolved since then to become more than your average collegiate a cappella group. The group now gigs across around the DFW area, competes in competitions nationwide and produces professional-level content.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

Green Tones: A portion of Green Tones members were heavily involved in high school a cappella -- competing in competitions like ICHSA and TVAC -- but for some of the group's members, Green Tones is their first step into the a cappella world. Green Tones cultivates an environment for each individual musician to constantly flourish and effortlessly evolve.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

Green Tones: Our set, entitled "The Eden Project," represents the duality of man and the human experience. Each song illustrates a unique, complex emotion. The group's first song, "The Feeling," represents a detached, escapist state. "All My Life" represents the chaotic confusion of overwhelming emotions. The closer, "Flesh and Bone," represents the acceptance of maturity.

WAC: How did your group hear about VoiceJam?

Green Tones: In our last competition season, Green Tones competed in VoiceJam 2019.

WAC: Tell us about your group’s most memorable performance story. 

Green Tones: In 2020, Green Tones had the exciting opportunity to open for Pentatonix and Jay Leno at the Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie, TX.

 Essence

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

Essence: We started as a student group about five years ago. After we all graduated, it took about two years for us to decide to try again and now we are a community group. What brought us back together was really just going out in the world and realizing that what we had was a super experience and we weren't going to replicate it with anyone else.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

Essence: Our levels of experience are generally very similar. Some of us have about one to two years difference of experience on each other. But as far as a group, what we’re doing now has us all on the same level, it seems.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

Essence: We currently have five soloists all at different parts of the set. Our set is created of three songs from three separate genres. I think that really is a good example of the sort of group we are. We collect all sorts of styles, stories, and songs to make a performance that may be unpredictable or surprising. Our direction is to hopefully highlight the growing pains that come with being a young adult and maybe some of the first times we've ever had to figure things out truly alone. Our music now revolves a lot more around the struggle of having to fill your own space and figuring out exactly what to do with our new-found freedoms and adulthood. The confusion of isolation, the desire to rekindle, and to concede to the fact that we still need others and make mistakes despite how hard we try to be independent.

WAC: How did your group hear about VoiceJam? 

Essence: This will be some members third time performing in VoiceJam, and others their second time. We all participated in the past as member of Natural State of Mind high school group in one iteration or another.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals?

Essence: This specific group of singers hasn't found one yet, but I look forward to seeing what that might be. It's a new era for us with a new temperament of people

Carrying on the Tradition of Broadway at Walton Arts Center: Announcing the 2022-23 Season

Walton Arts Center will conclude its 30th Broadway season with Hamilton coming later this month, and Fiddler on the Roof as the finale of the 2021-22 Procter & Gamble Broadway series! Since the beginning of Walton Arts Center, touring Broadway has been a main element of our programming. Our team works tirelessly to bring the best theater, performers and shows to Northwest Arkansas. The titles that Walton Arts Center has hosted over the last 30 years shine as brightly as the marquees on Broadway! From classics like The King and I, Les Misérables and CATS; to musical comedies like Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon and Spamalot; and brand-new shows like Jersey Boys, In the Heights and Finding Neverland, Walton Arts Center has been thrilling audiences with touring Broadway shows for three decades.  

Now, Walton Arts Center is thrilled to announce another stellar lineup for the P&G Broadway Series in 2022-23. With a combined count of 26 Tony Awards®, this is Walton Arts Center’s most awarded season to date. Broadway subscriptions are on sale now and include:

My Fair Lady

Pretty Woman: The Musical

Chicago

Tootsie

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Hadestown

Life is beautiful at Walton Arts Center, especially for our subscribers, who get the best seats at the best prices and so much more!

• Priority purchasing opportunities for Walton Arts Center shows and special engagements

• Great deals on other tickets: 10% discount on most other shows during the WAC season

• No exchange fees and free ticket replacement service. Our exchange policy allows you to exchange your seats for tickets to another performance within the same production.

• Payment plans available

• The latest news through our weekly e-newsletter

Six-show Broadway subscription packages range from $312 to $463 for Tuesday and Wednesday evening and Thursday matinees, and $367 to $542 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, and Saturday and Sunday matinees. Package prices vary depending on performance selected and include all fees. 

But hurry!  

Subscriptions are available now, only for a limited time and can be renewed or purchased online at waltonartscenter.org, by calling the subscriber concierge at 479.571.2785 or in person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm. Single tickets to all Broadway and other shows in the 2022-23 season will be available later this summer.

Now, without further ado, here is a deeper look into our 2022-23 Broadway Series:

My Fair Lady

Aug. 9-14

From Lincoln Center Theater, which brought you The King & I and South Pacific, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Lowe’s My Fair Lady. Director Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was” (New York Magazine). “Every so often a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be” (NY1).

Boasting such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t it Be Loverly” and “On the Street Where You Live,” My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed?

Pretty Woman: The Musical

Sept. 20-25

Arkansas Premiere

Pretty Woman: The Musical, based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, springs to life with a powerhouse creative team ted by two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde).

Brought to the stage by lead producer Paula Wagner, Pretty Woman: The Musical features an original score by Grammy®-winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69,” “Heaven”) and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton. Pretty Woman: The Musical will lift your spirits and light up your heart. “If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical!” (BuzzFeed News).

Chicago

Nov. 8-13

Tony Award for Best Musical Revival

After 25 years, Chicago is still one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz, with one show-stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. No wonder Chicago has been honored with six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations. As the show celebrates its 25th anniversary, you’ve got to come see why the name on everyone’s lips is still… Chicago.

Tootsie

Jan. 17-22

Call it “musical comedy heaven” (Rolling Stone). Call it “the most uproarious new musical in years!” (The Hollywood Reporter). Call it Tootsie! This laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. Featuring a hilarious Tony-winning book by Robert Horn and an outrageously clever score by 2018 Tony-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), this New York Times Critic’s Pick is “a joyful delight” (The Washington Post) that’s “so packed with punchlines, it should be called a jokebox musical!” (Bloomberg). “In these turbulent times, when the world seems out of balance, we need a place to let the good times roll,” raves Rolling Stone. “Tootsie it is!”

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Feb 9-19

Tony Award for Best Musical

Arkansas Premiere

Pop the champagne, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the winner of 10 Tony Awards – including Best Musical.

 Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur and glory. It's a world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Baz Luhrman’s revolutionary film comes to life on stage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and – above all – love. With a book by Tony Award-winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Tony Award-winner Justin Levine and choreography by Tony Award-winner Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical – it’s a state of mind.

Hadestown

May 23-28

Tony Award for Best Musical

Arkansas Premiere

Welcome to Hadestown, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today…and always.

Hadestown intertwines two mythical tales – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone – as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and singers, Hadestown is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.