LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Schoolhouse Rock cartoon may be decades old now, but this fresh, live-theatre adaptation will spark the wide-eyed wonder of new discovery in our youngest generation while inviting smiles of toe-tapping, lip-synching nostalgia from the rest of us. Get ready to relive those fun-filled afternoons in front of the TV; Schoolhouse Rock Live! is coming to the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre March 4-25.
From "Just a Bill," "Conjunction Junction," "Interplanet Janet" and more, every song in this live musical performance of the classic, Emmy Award-winning cartoon series "Schoolhouse Rock" is sure to please. With performances Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., March 4-25, and 2 p.m. matinee performances March 22-25, there are plenty of opportunities to see this show which makes learning grammar, science, math and history a delight!
The Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre performance of Schoolhouse Rock Live! is directed by Katie Campbell. Costumes are designed by Erin Larkin, lighting design by Mike Stacks, scenic design by Miranda Young, choreography by Erin Fowler and Rivka Kupperman is the stage manager. Nicole Jovanovic and Cathleen Gleason are part of the run crew.
The cast includes:
- Nick Spencer of Nashville, Tenn. as Tom;
- Jeremy Matthey of North Little Rock, Ark. as George;
- Samantha Harrington of Little Rock, Ark. as Shulie;
- Aleigha Morton of Beebe, Ark. as Dori;
- Geoffrey Eggleston of Sioux Falls, S.D. as Joe and
- Paige Carpenter of Little Rock, Ark. as Dina.
Schoolhouse Rock Live! was originally adapted and produced for the stage by Theatre BAM, from the series created by George Newall and Tom Yohe, based on an idea by David McCall; book by Scott Ferguson, George Keating and Kyle Hall. Music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newall and Tom Yohe.
Schoolhouse Rock and the accompany play have strong ties to Arkansas. Robert Dorough, born in Cherry Hill, Ark., wrote and performed many of the original songs for the cartoon and the play. Scott Ferguson is the original director and author of Schoolhouse Rock Live! Not only is he a native of Sherwood, Ark., but he is also an alumnus of the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre.
Get ready for the ultimate Throwback Thursday event with Schoolhouse on the Rocks—an adults-only singalong performance of Schoolhouse Rock Live! on Thursday, March 10. Before the play, enjoy a reception at 6 p.m. featuring themed cocktails, a cereal and Hiland Dairy milk bar with some of your favorite breakfast treats and a grownup spin on other classic childhood snacks. Tickets are $10 for members, $20 for non-members and include the reception and ticket to the show.
The Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre will once again offer "Pay What You Can" preview performances. "Pay What You Can" tickets are available for the 7 p.m. Thursday preview performance of each Main Stage production. Tickets for the Schoolhouse Rock Live! preview on Thursday, March 3 must be purchased in person at the Arkansas Arts Center (501 East 9th Street) from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Stephens Inc. Visitors Center, or from 6-6:45 p.m. at the Children's Theatre Box Office, Lower Lobby Level. The maximum ticket purchase of six tickets per person. Additional tickets can always be purchased in person, online or by phone at regular ticket pricing.
Recognized by The Drama League as one of the best regional theatre companies in America, the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre features six Main Stage shows as part of the 2015/2016 season: Puss in Boots; The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; The Gingerbread Man; The 13 Clocks; Schoolhouse Rock Live! and The Adventures of Peter Rabbit. It is sponsored by: Presenting Sponsor, Arkansas BlueCross Blue Shield; Fall Season Sponsor, Centennial Bank; Spring Season Sponsors, The Fine Arts Club of Arkansas and Dr. Loren Bartole, ‘Family Foot Care'; Additional Support Provided by Bear State Bank and the Shubert Foundation; Media Sponsor, Little Rock Family Magazine.
Schoolhouse Rock Live!
March 4-25, 2016
Show times: Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Spring Break Matinee Performances: March 22-25, 2016 at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices: $12.50 General admission, $10 for Arkansas Arts Center members, $10 per person for groups of 10 or more
Best enjoyed by all ages.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ArkansasArtsCenter.org/theatre.
Schoolhouse Rock Live! is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. Phone: 212-541-4684; fax: 212-397-4684; web: www.MTIShows.com.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Contact: 501-372-4000
Location: Arkansas Arts Center - 9th and Commerce, Little Rock, AR 72202
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed Monday & Major Holidays
Arkansas Arts Center programs are supported in part by: the City of Little Rock; the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau; the City of North Little Rock and the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the National Endowment for the Arts.
