2017/18 SEASON
Beyond Amazing BROADWAY 10X10 MUSIC FAMILY THEATER AND MORE!
Contents 4 P&G Broadway Series 12 Coca-Cola Night Out Series 14 American Music Series 16 10x10 Arts Series 20 LOL@WAC 22 Kimberly-Clark Family Fun Series 25 VoiceJam A Cappella Festival 26 Mattel Kids Series 28 Visual Arts
29 Beyond the Show 30 Starrlight Jazz Club Series 33 Artosphere 34 West Street Live Series 36 Packages 38 SoNA/Community Creative Center 39 TheatreSquared/Trike Theatre 40 Holiday Gift Market/Art of Wine 41 Sponsors 42 Friends of WAC 43 Ticketing and Box Office
Welcome to our 2017/18 Season!
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
RENT page 11
Béla Fleck page 17
Alicia Olatuja page 31
Finding Neverland page 7
Cabaret page 11
Keb’ Mo’ & Taj Mahal page 14
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
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Broadway Series We’re proud to present eight knock-your-socks-off Broadway shows for the 2017/18 season! We’re also introducing a buyer’s choice option to our subscription packages. Fixed shows include: + Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I + Finding Neverland + An American in Paris + Beautiful - The Carole King Musical + The Sound of Music
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Buyer’s choice shows: + Irving Berlin’s White Christmas + Cabaret + RENT 20th Anniversary Tour
SHOW PACKAGE /
Tuesday & Wednesday evenings, and Thursday matinée
$271-398 Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings, and Saturday & Sunday matinees
$306-441
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SHOW PACKAGE /
Tuesday & Wednesday evenings, and Thursday matinee
$314-463 Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings, and Saturday & Sunday matinees
$349-506
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BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical page 9
SHOW PACKAGE /
Tuesday & Wednesday evenings, and Thursday matinee
$357-528 Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings, and Saturday & Sunday matinees
$392-571
Carnegie Hall. Julia Knitel (“Carole King”)
Dates, prices & programs are subject to change.
Act Now! 4
Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
The sooner you buy, the better your seats will be! Subscribers receive 15% off single ticket prices. See page 36 for more information about subscription packages.
2017 /
Oct. 3-8 8 shows
Tues-Thur 7pm Thur 1:30pm Fri-Sat 8pm Sat-Sun 2pm Tickets start at $36 Jose Llana and Laura Michelle Kelly. Photo by Matthew Murphy. Laura Michelle Kelly as Anna and the Royal Children of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I. Photo by Matthew Murphy. The cast of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Two worlds collide in the Lincoln Center Theater production of this “breathtaking and exquisite” (The New York Times) musical, directed by Bartlett Sher. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance” and “Something Wonderful.” Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. Winner of the 2015 Tony Award® for Best Musical Revival, THE KING AND I is “too beautiful to miss” (New York Magazine). Support provided by Cynthia Coughlin
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
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Procter & Gamble
BroadwaySeries Continued
Back by popular demand!
2017 /
Nov. 7-12 8 shows
Tues-Thur 7pm Thur 1:30pm Fri-Sat 8pm Sat-Sun 2pm Tickets start at $36 (L-R) Kerry Conte and Kelly Sheehan, IBWC 2016 National Tour Company. Jeremy Daniel Photography, 2016. (L-R) Kelly Sheehan and Jeremy Benton, IBWC 2016 National Tour Company. Jeremy Daniel Photography, 2016. IBWC 2016 National Tour Company. Jeremy Daniel Photography, 2016. IBWC 2016 National Tour Company. Jeremy Daniel Photography, 2016.
This holiday season, discover the perfect gift for everyone on your list! Start with a timeless tale of joy and goodwill, fill it with classic Irving Berlin songs, top it off with glorious dancing and lots of snow and head on over to Walton Arts Center to see IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS. The must-see classic returns this November in a lavish new production that The New York Times says to “put on your wish list.” IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS tells the story of a songand-dance team putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn and falling for a stunning sister act in the process. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written! Give everyone the gift they’re dreaming of with this merry and bright holiday musical. TM and © Paramount Pictures and TM and © The Estate of Irving Berlin. All rights reserved.
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
2017 /
Dec. 19-23 7 shows
Tues-Thur 7pm Thur 1:30pm Fri-Sat 8pm Sat 2pm Tickets start at $36 The Cast of FINDING NEVERLAND Photo by Jeremy Daniel. Christine Dwyer as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. Photo by Carol Rosegg. The Cast of FINDING NEVERLAND Photo by Jeremy Daniel.
The winner of Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, this breathtaking smash “captures the kid-at-heart,” says TIME magazine. Vogue cheers, “It’s a must-see you’ll remember for years to come!” Directed by visionary Tony ®-winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically acclaimed Academy Award®-winning film, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J. M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. FINDING NEVERLAND is “far and away the best musical of the year!” (NPR). Support provided by Billie Jo Starr
Ben Krieger as Peter Llewelyn Davies and Christine Dwyer as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. Photo by Carol Rosegg.
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
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Procter & Gamble
BroadwaySeries Continued
2018 /
Feb. 6-11 8 shows
Tues-Thur 7pm Thur 1:30pm Fri-Sat 8pm Sat-Sun 2pm Tickets start at $36 Sara Esty and McGee Maddox in AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. Photo by Matthew Murphy. Nick Spangler and the AN AMERICAN IN PARIS Touring Company. Photo by Matthew Murphy. Nick Spangler, McGee Maddox and Etai Benson. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is the new Tony Award®-winning musical about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Acclaimed director/choreographer and 2015 Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon brings the magic and romance of Paris into perfect harmony with unforgettable songs from George and Ira Gershwin in the show that earned more awards than any other musical in the 2015 season! The New York Times raves, “AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is a triumph! Pure joy!” and The Wall Street Journal declares, “Once you’ve seen it, you’ll find it hard to settle for less ever again.” Don’t miss this stunning Broadway hit when it arrives in Northwest Arkansas on its first national tour!
2018 /
Apr. 24-29 8 shows
Tues-Thur 7pm Thur 1:30pm Fri-Sat 8pm Sat-Sun 2pm Tickets start at $44 Jay McKenzie, Paris Nix, Josh A. Dawson and Sidney DuPont. Carnegie Hall. Julia Knitel (“Carole King.”) Curt Bouril (“Don Kirshner”), Liam Tobin (“Gerry Goffin”), Julia Knitel (“Carole King”), Ben Fankhauser (“Barry Mann”) and Erika Olson (“Cynthia Weil”). Photos by Joan Marcus.
BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.
Featuring a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and the title song, BEAUTIFUL has a book by Tony® and Academy Award®-nominated writer Douglas McGrath, direction by Marc Bruni, choreography by Josh Prince and took home two 2014 Tony Awards and a 2015 Grammy Award®. Show Sponsor Support provided by Steve & Linda Nelson
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
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Procter & Gamble
BroadwaySeries Continued
2018 /
May 15-20 8 shows
Tues-Thur 7pm Thur 1:30pm Fri-Sat 8pm Sat-Sun 2pm Tickets start at $36 Maria. Photo by Jeremy Daniel and Matthew Murphy.
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE! A brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC is coming to Walton Arts Center. The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award®-winning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-ReMi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song. THE SOUND OF MUSIC features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. THE SOUND OF MUSIC enjoyed extraordinary success as the first live television production of a musical in over 50 years when “The Sound of Music Live!” aired on NBC in December, 2013 and was seen by over 44 million people. 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history. Support provided by Lee & Linda Scott
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
“Sparkling, fresh and lively.” – Los Angeles Times
2018 /
Based on Roundabout Theatre Company’s Tony Award®-winning production, Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty) and Rob Marshall’s (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films), CABARET debuts at Walton Arts Center this January!
5 shows
Come hear some of the most memorable songs in theater history, including “Cabaret,” “Willkommen” and “Maybe This Time.” Leave your troubles outside – life is beautiful at CABARET – John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff’s Tony-winning musical about following your heart while the world loses its way.
Jan. 19-21 Fri-Sat 8pm Sat-Sun 2pm Sun 7:30pm Tickets start at $36
Support provided by Joel & Lynn Carver
2018 /
Mar. 2-4 5 shows
Fri-Sat 8pm Sat-Sun 2pm Sun 7:30pm Tickets start at $36 (L to R) Skyler Volpe, Kaleb Wells, RENT 20th Anniversary Tour, Credit Carol Rosegg, 2016.
In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway… and forever changed the landscape of American theater. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. And now, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning masterpiece returns to the stage in a vibrant 20th anniversary touring production. A re-imagining of Puccini’s La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters – love. Support provided by Jeff & Lisa Gearhart
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
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Night Out Series Classic Albums Live: Rumours
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
At This Performance...
Classic Albums Live: Rumours
Monday, Jan. 29, 7pm / Tickets start at $15
Friday, Feb. 2, 8pm / Tickets start at $26
At This Performance™, a critically acclaimed celebration of Broadway standbys and understudies, gives some of New York’s finest musical performers their chance in the spotlight. No longer “waiting in the wings,” they take their well-deserved place center stage. Produced and hosted by New York Casting Director Stephen DeAngelis, the performers will showcase their great talents and versatility, share backstage behind-the-scenes anecdotes about their experiences, and conduct an enlightening and entertaining question and answer session with the audience in an evening created exclusively for Walton Arts Center. Join us for what has become a “can’t miss event” for New York theatrical audiences and entertainment industry insiders in this rare opportunity to see the Broadway stars of tomorrow, today.
Back by popular demand, Classic Albums Live returns to perform your favorite rock albums live – note for note, cut for cut. You’ve seen them perform Led Zeppelin II and The Beatles’ Abbey Road, and you loved every minute! Now, hear them perform one of the most popular and critically acclaimed albums of the 1970’s – Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 Grammy® Album of the Year, Rumours, featuring “Go Your Own Way,” “You Make Loving Fun,” “Never Going Back Again” and many more. With skilled vocalists and musicians who honor these works with no gimmicks, no make-up or other illusions, this is more than a tribute show – it’s the music played live exactly as it was recorded. Support provided by Bob & Becky Alexander
PostSecret: The Show
3 Shows in Starr Theater!
Mummenschanz you & me
Mummenschanz you & me
PostSecret: The Show
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7pm / Tickets start at $10
Friday, March 9, 7:30pm / Saturday, March 10, 2pm & 8pm / Tickets start at $25 In Starr Theater
Since its successful three-year run on Broadway, Swiss-based experimental mime troupe Mummenschanz has pioneered a new form of visual theater using shadow, light and creative manipulation of objects, resulting in a stunning spectacle that transcends cultural barriers and sparks the imagination. Making their Walton Arts Center debut, these “musicians of silence” bring their surreal, signature large-scale masks to life and revive an historic tradition of acrobatics, with each scene set to only the soundtrack of the awe, joy and laughter of the audience. Celebrating their 45th anniversary, this revolutionary group returns to the U.S. to present a show full of originality, exceptional ingenuity, surprises and deft satirical touches.
If you love exploratory theater pieces, this is the can’t-miss show of the season! PostSecret: The Show is a visual, auditory and emotional journey through the beauty and complication of our deepest fears, ambitions and confessions. Using projected images and video, three actors guide the audience through a narrative of the stories behind secrets: sexual, sad, funny and controversial postcards that have made postsecret.com one of the most popular blogs in the world. With the bravery of RENT and the surprising honesty of The Vagina Monologues, this show is a breakthrough in storytelling, sourced from over a million anonymous and artful secrets mailed on postcards to artist, curator and internet phenomenon Frank Warren.
VoicePlay Friday, April 6, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $15 Original. Imaginative. Ridiculous. What began quite literally as a street corner barbershop act has now evolved into an internationally acclaimed touring sensation. Seen nationwide on Season 4 of NBC’s “The SingOff,” VoicePlay is unlike any other theatrical experience, recreating the orchestrated sound of an entire musical production with nothing but the human voice. Amazing, humorous, vertigo-inducing harmonies pepper this vocal band’s signature sound as they ping-pong between eras and styles, lacing their shows with inventive and often hilarious onstage theatrics. A show fit for all ages, VoicePlay stops in Northwest Arkansas to headline the 2018 VoiceJam A Cappella Festival with a sound you have to hear to believe. Support provided by Kelly & Marti Sudduth
VoicePlay / Part of the 4th Annual VoiceJam A Cappella Festival!
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
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TajMo: The Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ Band
Jake Shimabukuro
Back by popular demand!
AmericanMusicSeries TajMo: The Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ Band
with special guest Black Pacific Tuesday, Sept. 19, 7pm / Tickets start at $38 Iconic blues legends Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ unite for an historic cross-generational collaboration. Their new album TajMo marks a timely convergence of the talents of two unique American artists, each with their own iconoclastic individual legacies that have extended and expanded blues traditions into adventurous new territory. The collaboration brings out the best in both artists, with the pair merging their distinctive voices, personalities and guitar styles to create vibrant, immediate music that’s firmly rooted in tradition yet ruled by a playful sense of adventure. The two artists have known each other for decades, Taj even played a role in Keb’ getting his first record deal, but TajMo marks the first time that they’ve joined forces in the studio.
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
Jake Shimabukuro Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7pm / Tickets start at $15 Jake Shimabukuro can still vividly remember the first time he held a ukulele at age 4. It was an encounter that would shape his destiny and give the world one of the most exceptional and innovative uke players in history – an artist who has drawn comparisons to musical titans such as Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis. After selling out his appearance on Walton Arts Center’s 10x10 Arts Series, Jake returns to demonstrate the rich and varied catalog that captures the many moods of the ukulele. Known for his unique arrangements of popular songs like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” this highly acclaimed artist proves that an instrument is limited only by the imagination and creativity of the person playing it.
LeAnn Rimes
Charlie Daniels Band
LeAnn Rimes Today is Christmas Tour 2017
Charlie Daniels Band
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 7pm / Tickets start at $45
Few artists have left a more indelible mark on America’s musical landscape than Charlie Daniels. Since forming the Charlie Daniels Band in 1972, this fiddlin’ man has received numerous accolades, including induction into the Grand Ole Opry, Musicians Hall of Fame and, in 2016, the Country Music Hall of Fame. Over his career, Daniels has populated the radio with such memorable hits as “Long Haired Country Boy,” “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” “In America” and of course, his signature song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” Now, this country music icon takes the Walton Arts Center stage for the first time ever to prove that, even at 80 years old, he’s still got it!
Since her first chart-topping single in 1996 when she was just 13, LeAnn Rimes has won two Grammy Awards®; 12 Billboard Music Awards; two World Music Awards; three ACM Awards; one CMA Award and one Dove Award. At 14, Rimes won “Best New Artist” making her the youngest recipient of a Grammy Award. Out of the 42 singles she has released throughout her expansive career, including “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” and her first national hit “Blue,” LeAnn’s song “How Do I Live” still to this day ranks #4 on Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time: Hot 100 Songs.” Performing for the first time at Walton Arts Center, this internationally acclaimed pop-country icon will bring good tidings of joy and cheer with traditional and original Christmas songs from her trio of annual holiday albums.
Thursday, May 10, 7pm / Tickets start at $30
Support provided by Dale & Prudy Caudle and Kelly & Marti Sudduth
Show Sponsor Support provided by Kelly & Marti Sudduth
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
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The10x10ArtsSeries Cas Public Symphonie Dramatique
1 / Ballet Arkansas Emergence Friday, Oct. 13, 8pm / Tickets $10
Ballet Arkansas Emergence
Ballet Arkansas, the state’s professional ballet company, has emerged as a dynamic presenter of diverse repertoire throughout the region, combining the beauty and grace of classical ballet with the innovation and athleticism of contemporary creations. With its move to the Creative Corridor of Little Rock, Ballet Arkansas has become a driving force of artistic collaboration and is a catalyst for the creation of engaging new works through its annual Visions Choreographic Competition. Emergence brings the depth and range of Ballet Arkansas to the forefront, highlighting the regional hit Under the Lights by Chris Stuart, set to the music of Johnny Cash; a world premiere by 2017 Winter Visions winner Mariana Oliveira, and other critically acclaimed pieces.
2 / Cas Public Symphonie Dramatique Hélène Blackburn, Artistic Director Thursday, Oct. 26, 7pm / Tickets $10
Purchase a 10x10 Ambassador Membership! See page 36
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
In this contemporary piece, Cas Public reimagines the mythical couple from William Shakespeare’s romantic masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet. This vibrant homage to the original tale is tinged with impetuousness and a contagious energy, evoking notions of seduction, desire, unchained passion and death. Recognized for its high-energy performances, Cas Public has staked its reputation on the exceptional quality of its works and has succeeded in positioning itself amongst Canadian companies which enjoy an international reputation. A fiery soundtrack by Martin Tétreault, mixed and sampled from masterpieces by Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Gounod and others, sets the scene for intense choreographic physicality. The company’s performances stand markedly apart from established codes, with an innate theatrical flair that will ignite your imagination.
3 / Voces8 Sunday, Dec. 3, 7pm / Tickets $10 The British vocal ensemble VOCES8 is one of the world’s most versatile and best-loved singing groups. Touring extensively throughout Europe, North America and Asia, the group performs a wide-ranging repertoire from Renaissance polyphony to jazz standards to contemporary works and popular arrangements. Consisting of eight beautifully integrated solo voices with pure harmonies, tonal clarity and expressive phrasing, the members of this group combine their talents in sheer vocal beauty. Together, the group oozes panache, right down to their polished shoes, and their astute programming and sheer stage presence will win you over immediately.
Voces8
4 / Béla Fleck and Brooklyn Rider
Brooklyn Rider
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 7pm / Tickets $10 Legendary banjo virtuoso and Grammy Award®-winner Béla Fleck teams up with the unsurpassably inventive string quartet Brooklyn Rider for an evening of works from Brooklyn Rider’s versatile repertoire, solo turns by Béla and other collaborative surprises. This prolific quintet slips seamlessly between the diverse worlds of music – stretching from avant-garde American to Romanian Gypsy, to Irish and South American – each musician revealing his skills and passion for this new, untried musical venture. Together they have assembled a tight ensemble and invigorating show, anchored by the true musical polymath Béla Fleck. Be there to see these profoundly Béla talented musicians interacting in profoundly Fleck interesting ways. Show Sponsor
5 / The Triplets of Belleville Cine-Concert Benoit Charest, Composer-Conductor Thursday, Feb. 1, 7pm / Tickets $10
The Triplets of Belleville Cine-Concert
The chase is on! Composer Benoit Charest leads Le Terrible Orchestre de Belleville in a live performance of his original film score, including his Academy Award®nominated Best Song, for this much loved animated film. Kidnapped by mysterious, square-shouldered henchmen, a Tour de France cyclist named Champion is spirited across the ocean to the teeming metropolis of Belleville. His near-sighted grandmother and her faithful dog follow his trail and are taken in by the renowned Belleville triplets – a trio of eccentric jazz-era divas turned elderly improvisational musicians – who use their talent, wits and cunning to save the day.
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
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6 / Pasadena Roof Orchestra Saturday, Feb. 24, 7pm / Tickets $10
Pasadena Roof Orchestra
Swing is in. Top DJs are stocking up on old vinyl copies of the great big bands, trendsetting clubs are vying to outdo each other with their swing and electro-swing nights, and Pasadena Roof Orchestra (PRO) is the band responsible for starting the revival. The 11-piece orchestra – with its authentic 1920s and ’30s aura, technically brilliant delivery, rousing atmosphere and light-hearted musical style – has been grooving for more than 45 years, first bursting onto the scene after discovering over 1,000 swing-era arrangements in their founder’s attic. The PRO has since earned a reputation for transporting what some might consider “antiquated” music into modernity in a fashion both fascinating and authentic. Join us for a thrilling concert experience that’ll keep you swinging for years to come! Support provided by Cynthia Coughlin
7 / Aquila Theatre Company’s Sense and Sensibility Thursday, March 8, 7pm / Tickets $10
Aquila Theatre Company’s Sense and Sensibility
With precision, sensitivity and high voltage energy, Aquila Theatre Company articulates the human essence inherent in classical drama and expands the canon of classical works for the stage. At the hand of artistic director Desiree Sanchez, this production incorporates an innovative use of space, movement, design and sound, combining the techniques of British and American theater to present a bold and exciting adaptation of one of Jane Austen’s most popular novels, Sense and Sensibility. Living in a world in which choices are limited, especially for women, this story poignantly and cleverly illustrates the effects of economic uncertainty brought about by rules of inheritance. Show Sponsor
Dublin Guitar Quartet
8 / Dublin Guitar Quartet Friday, March 9, 8pm / Tickets $10 Described as a “quartet with a difference” by the Irish Times, the Dublin Guitar Quartet (DGQ) is the first classical guitar ensemble entirely devoted to new music. Since its formation at the Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama, DGQ has worked to expand the limited repertoire by commissioning new works and adapting modern masterpieces intended for instruments other than guitar, bringing attention to some of the world’s leading composers. With a keen sensitivity to the musical and emotional demands of each composition, these artists incorporate ingenious textures that transform the standard guitar sound, arousing audiences with rhythms and harmonies that buzz, clunk and ring like gongs. Show Sponsor
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
9 / Ravé Mehta’s FLOW Thursday, May 24, 8pm / Tickets $10 Enter a world where music, yoga, art, mindfulness and dance all converge into one awe-inspiring, soul-healing experience. FLOW is a live piano concert by award-winning composer, producer and pianist Ravé Mehta, choreographed by lululemon ambassador and yoga dancer Kristen Schneider and accompanied by the awe-inspiring vocals of award-winning singer Radha Mehta. Infused with yoga-inspired artistry, such as piano yoga, yoga dance, acro-yoga, aerial yoga and more, FLOW will take you on a musical journey filled with grace, beauty, elegance, creativity and love. Partly choreographed and partly improvised, this show is an original experience that will allow you to be fully in the moment, free and open to whatever may come.
10 / Artosphere Festival Orchestra Corrado Rovaris, Music Director
Ravé Mehta’s FLOW
Tuesday, June 19, 7pm / Tickets $10 Soaring strings, crashing symbols, timpani drum rolls to a tumultuous musical crescendo....with the decisive sweep of his baton, internationally acclaimed Maestro Corrado Rovaris will once again conduct some of the world’s most talented musicians through a virtuosic symphonic experience. In their eighth year performing together, this dynamic young ensemble showcases fresh interpretations of leading composers in a stunning exhibition demonstrating the brilliance of classical music. The Artosphere Festival Orchestra has been recognized as an important musical voice by American Public Media’s “Performance Today” - the nation’s most popular classical music radio program. Support for Artosphere provided by Lee & Linda Scott Support for Maestro Corrado Rovaris provided by Reed & Mary Ann Greenwood
Artosphere Festival Orchestra
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
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Disenchanted
LOL@WAC David Sedaris Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7pm / Tickets start at $46 NPR humorist and bestselling author of Naked, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls, the pre-eminent humor writer, David Sedaris returns to Walton Arts Center for an evening of playful, sardonic and insightful social critique. The Grammy® Award-nominated and “Best American Essay” author is known for original radio pieces, regularly heard on the public radio show “This American Life.” With an eye for the absurd and vulgar, Sedaris’ infallible deadpan prose sprinkled with heartwarming, charming narratives about the human condition has become all-too familiar to his fans…and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Get your tickets early – they won’t last long!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Monday, Oct. 30, 8pm / Tuesday, Oct. 31, 8pm / Tickets $20
2 Screenings in Starr Theater!
Fasten your garter belt, come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab! The madcap, musical mayhem begins when rain-soaked Brad and Janet take refuge in the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a mad scientist from outer space who is about to unveil his greatest creation - and have a bit of fun with his reluctant guests. Join us in your best Rocky Horror themed costume, and sing along with this screamingly funny, sinfully twisted salute to sci-fi, horror, B-movies and rock music – the most popular cult classic of all time. BYOP* (Bring Your Own Props) for this interactive, unforgettable Halloween night out! *BYOP: Check our website for approved props closer to the show dates! Recommended for ages 16 and up. Contains adult content.
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
Robert Earl Keen’s “Merry Christmas From the Fam-O-Lee” Show Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7pm / Tickets start at $25 It’s not always easy to sum up a career – let alone a life’s ambition – so succinctly, but the five words from Robert Earl Keen’s calling-card anthem “The road goes on forever…” just about do it. From his humble beginnings on the Texas folk scene, Keen has blazed a peer-, criticand fan-lauded trail that’s earned him living-legend (not to mention pioneer) status in the Americana music world. Three decades later, with well over a dozen records to his name and thousands of shows under his belt, there’s still no end in sight to the road ahead. Here for a festive, largerthan-life concert full of holly-jolly costumes and plenty of joyful tunes, Keen and his band will perform fan favorites from his much-loved Christmas album and more!
My Funny Valentine
3
Shows!
Thursday, Feb. 8, 7:30pm / Friday, Feb. 9, 7pm & 9:30pm / Tickets start at $25 In Starr Theater Are you looking for the perfect Valentine’s date night? Join comedians Pat Hazell, one of the original writers for NBC’s “Seinfeld” and a veteran of “The Tonight Show,” and Dena Blizzard, a featured comic at The Laugh Factory and Gotham Comedy Club, and creator of the viral video “Chardonnay, Go!” (viewed over 23 million times), as they come together for an evening of hilarious and heartwarming stand-up comedy. Topics include relationships, dating, parenting and family life, and there will be a chance to ask for relationship advice as Pat and Dena answer questions from the audience. Bring your sweetheart, bring your friends and bring your sense of humor for an evening of laughter ever after.
Disenchanted
2
Shows!
Wednesday, March 14, 7pm / Thursday, March 15, 7pm / Tickets start at $25 Poisoned apples. Glass slippers. Who needs ‘em?! Not Snow White and her posse of disenchanted princesses in the hilarious hit musical that’s anything but Grimm. Forget the princesses you think you know – the original storybook heroines have come back to life to set the record straight. After multiple sold-out runs nationwide, these royal renegades tossed off their tiaras to bring their hilariously subversive, not-for-the-kiddies musical to you. What you thought about princesses will never be the same! Recommended for ages 12 and up. Contains strong language.
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
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FamilyFunSeries
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Ages
5+
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo Friday, Oct. 27, 7pm / Tickets Adults $15 / Children $9 In Starr Theater As the first song hits your ears, a family dance party full of funky beats and bass groove drops begins! Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is the 2017 Grammy® Award-winner for Best Children’s Album of the Year. Known for combining the excitement of hip hop with the magical world of childhood, Skidoo produces witty and sophisticated music both positive and inspiring for audiences of all ages. The show is an energetic tribute to the quirky underdog in us all. With bumping call-and-response anthems, sweet harmonies, Motown-inspired dance moves and classy purple suits, nobody is making better “kid hop” than Secret Agent 23 Skidoo!
10 5+ Ages
Shows!
Trike Theatre presents
Charlotte’s Web Friday, Nov. 17, 7pm / Sunday, Nov. 19, 2pm & 4pm / Saturday, Nov. 25, 2pm & 7pm / Sunday, Nov. 26, 2pm & 4pm / Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30pm / Saturday, Dec. 2, 2pm & 7:30pm / Tickets Adults $15 / Children $9 In Starr Theater In the classic and beloved E. B. White story, Wilbur, a little pig with a big heart, becomes famous with the help of his clever friend Charlotte and their chatty animal neighbors. Wilbur, the runt of the litter, struggles to survive from the very beginning. But with the help of his barnyard friends, Wilbur becomes the prize-winning pig of the county fair and the most famous pig ever! Trike Theatre brings to life this gentle story of friendship, loyalty and truth, reminding us that friends come in all shapes and sizes. Support provided by Mike & Susan Duke
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
2
Shows!
Ages
6+
Martial Artists and Acrobats of Tianjin, People’s Republic of China Thursday, Dec. 7, 7:30pm / Friday, Dec. 8, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $15 This distinguished troupe has been dedicated to innovation and excellence in the circus arts since 1958, performing in more than 50 countries around the world. One of the best circus troupes in China, the award-winning Martial Artists and Acrobats of Tainjin are world-renowned for their cutting-edge tricks and superior techniques. Accompanied by traditional Chinese music, these dedicated performers take the stage in a spectacle of acrobatic stunts, feats of balance, juggling acts, contortion tricks and martial arts. From the breathtaking production and the dynamic landscape to the lavish costumes and thrilling storyline, this show is sure to have you on the edge of your seat!
Ages
12+
Danú A Christmas Gathering: Féile na Nollag
Back by popular demand!
Sunday, Dec. 10, 7pm / Tickets start at $15 The award-winning Danú returns to Walton Arts Center! Direct from County Waterford in Ireland, this spirited band is known as one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles today, presenting authentic interpretations of traditional Celtic music for audiences all over the globe. In this special performance, Danú offers a sampling of songs, music and stories that have emerged from Christmas celebrations held across Ireland for hundreds of years. Witness virtuoso players on fiddle, flute, button accordion and percussion, played alongside the gorgeous voice of Nell Ní Chróinín with top notch guest dancers and beautiful choral accompaniment in an unforgettable celebration of the rich heritage of Ireland!
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
| waltonartscenter.org | Box Office: 479.443.5600
23
Kimberly-Clark
Family FunSeries Continued
The Young King
The Secret Life of Suitcases
The Snowman: A Family Concert
Ages
8+
Slingsby Theater Company’s
The Young King
Ages
8+
2
Shows!
Presented by Walton Arts Center and Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) Sunday, Dec. 17, 2pm / Tickets $9
Saturday, May 5, 11am & 2pm* / Tickets Adults $15 / Children $9 In Starr Theater
Returning by popular demand - an NWA holiday tradition perfect for all ages! Join us for the 3rd annual screening of the 1982 Academy Award®-nominated film The Snowman, based on Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s book of the same name. The film about a snowman who comes to life has won the hearts of families around the world for more than 30 years. Once more, SoNA musicians, performing under the baton of acclaimed Music Director Paul Haas, will bring to life the film’s extraordinary score along with other holiday favorites in an afternoon that is sure to enchant your whole family.
The achingly beautiful and tender language of Oscar Wilde joins the intimate and magical world of internationallyacclaimed Slingsby Theater Company of Australia, as we journey to faraway lands replete with rich rewards and challenging choices. The Young King tells the story of a naïve boy raised by goatherds who turns out to be the heir to a kingdom. Untold treasures and privileges are laid at his feet, but at what cost to others? Performed by two actors and one musician and enhanced by miniature puppets and shadow play, this interactive performance tells a touching coming of age story that grapples with the ethics of beauty, leadership and compassion, and asks “what kind of king would you be?”
Ailie Cohen Puppet Maker’s
The Secret Life of Suitcases
Ages
7+
Friday, May 11, 7pm / Tickets Adults $15 / Children $9 In Starr Theater
*This relaxed performance incorporates special modifications that makes the show more accessible to all individuals and their families. Visit waltonartscenter.org/relaxed-performances for more information.
24
Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
Larry works in an office, and he likes it very much. He likes sorting and tidying and generally putting things in order. Everything in its place, a place for everything. But one day, a suitcase suddenly appears at his door. A suitcase with a tiny label. A tiny label with Larry’s name on it. And this suitcase has a mission... Join Larry on the adventure of a lifetime as his world gets turned upside down by a fantastical flying suitcase taking him further than he ever thought possible. Co-created by one of Scotland’s top puppetry companies and the UK’s leading theater for young audiences, The Secret Life of Suitcases is a playful, hilarious, huge-hearted piece for small people with giant imaginations.
Back for the fourth year, this international vocal festival invites you to attend shows, participate in a workshop or even compete to win. It’s aca-fun for everyone! #VoiceJam2018
Attention local a cappella groups – we want you to audition!
APRIL
6-7
Visit voicejamfestival.org for submission details.
VoiceJam Headliner Concert
VoicePlay Friday, April 6, 7:30pm Tickets start at $15 Join us for a special concert by the outstanding, hilarious international sensation VoicePlay! Seen nationwide on Season 4 of NBC’s “The Sing Off,” this five-piece vocal band presents shows chock-full of on-stage antics, soulful vocals and catchy tunes. Part of the Coca-Cola Night Out Series. See page 13 for more info.
VoiceJam Competition Hosted by the Father of Contemporary A Cappella Deke Sharon Saturday, April 7, 7:30pm Tickets start at $19 Get your tickets now to witness the hottest vocal bands from around the world compete for the title of VoiceJam Champion. The VoiceJam Competition has quickly become one of the most in-demand events on our season. Come cheer on these harmonizing-beatboxingmindblowing groups and cast your vote for aca-fan favorite!
Want to learn from the best in the biz? VoiceJam Workshops are open to the public on Saturday, April 7. Check our website for workshop details. Reserve your ticket today! Special pricing available when you buy all three tickets! Call the Box Office at 479.443.5600 for details. Support for VoiceJam provided by Kelly & Marti Sudduth
KidsSeries Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Ages
4+
3
Shows!
Shh! We Have a Plan
Ages
3+
2
Shows!
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Theatre Company Cahoots NI presents
Friday, Dec. 1, 7pm / Saturday, Dec. 2, 1pm & 4pm / Tickets start at $28 In Baum Walker Hall
Sunday, Feb. 25, 2pm & 4pm* / Tickets Adults $15 / Children $9 In Starr Theater
The beloved TV classic Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different might just be what makes you special. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition when it makes its highly anticipated return to Walton Arts Center!
Shh! We Have a Plan
Prepare to be enchanted and amazed by this awardwinning production featuring magic, music, puppetry and more! Based on the Chris Haughton book of the same title, this delightful and poignant tale follows the journey of some madcap characters all on a quest to capture a beautiful bird perched high in a tree. Sounds simple, but the pursuit soon becomes an obsession and the obsession verges on the absurd! Where will it all end? Join us as the characters learn to love and look after nature, discovering that freedom and kindness are perhaps more important than getting what you want at any cost. *This relaxed performance incorporates special modifications that makes the show more accessible to all individuals and their families. Visit waltonartscenter.org/ relaxed-performances for more information.
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
And Then…
Ages
Ages
5+
3+
6
Shows!
Claire Parsons’
Trike Theatre presents
And Then…
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
Thursday, March 29, 7pm / Tickets Adults $15 / Children $9 In Baum Walker Hall
Friday, April 13, 7pm / Saturday, April 14, 2pm & 7pm / Friday, April 20, 7pm / Saturday, April 21, 2pm & 7pm / Tickets Adults $15 / Children $9 In Starr Theater
Choreographer Claire Parsons received the Swedish Theatre Critic’s Dance Award (2015) for her groundbreaking work in performing arts for children – capturing their imagination with award-winning performances that are lively, warm and beautifully nuanced. In her playful production And Then…, four skillful dancers interact dynamically in Parson’s distinctive aesthetic world. They’re curious and fun to watch, in an exploration of objects and their own idiosyncrasies. And Then… is a series of gentle surprises that keep children interested and entertained side-by-side with the adults who love them.
Lilly loves almost everything! She loves school, she loves wearing disguises, she loves her awesome teacher, but not her stinky baby brother Julius. Lilly has her own way of doing things and even on the bad days, when she wears her movie star sunglasses and a purple plastic purse that plays music, how bad can it be? Adapted from the awardwinning children’s books by Kevin Henkes, Trike Theatre brings to life Lilly’s hilarious and heart-felt journey where even young mice make mistakes and have to find the courage to apologize.
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
| waltonartscenter.org | Box Office: 479.443.5600
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Visual Arts The Joy Pratt Markham Gallery presents exhibitions of works by both emerging and internationally recognized artists. Visit the Gallery and enjoy four curated shows during our 2017/18 Season.
Charting Terrain: A confluence of light and form Oct. 5 – Dec. 23, 2017 Opening reception: Thursday, Oct. 5, 5pm Six diverse and dynamic contemporary artists challenge the limits of pictoral space using unique and varied media, charting landscapes that independently and collectively synthesize light and form. Featured artists: Victoria Burge, Ben Butler, Theresa Chong, Sean Morrissey, James Siena and James Turrell
Gallery Hours + Monday – Friday / noon - 2pm + One hour prior to most performances Tours available by appointment. Please contact our Volunteer Office at 479.571.2787 to schedule a tour. Three business days’ notice requested. Gallery admission is free
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
The Grammar of Ornament Jan. 18 – March 17, 2018 Opening reception: Friday, Jan. 19, 5pm This exhibition explores the interdisciplinary practices of contemporary artists who sit at the intersection of art and design to consider the ways that ornament can create visual languages.
Adornment: Beauty in excess March 29 – May 25, 2018 Opening reception: Thursday, March 29, 5pm The seven contemporary artists in this exhibition fuse intimate objects, delicate materials and obsessive processes to explore the uncertainty of our physical condition and the vulnerability of the human body. Featured artists: Petah Coyne, April Dauscha, Carson Fox, Roberto Mannino, Matt Neff, Piper Shepard and Kayte Terry
The Bleak and the Burgeoning June 19 – Oct. 7, 2018 Opening reception: Tuesday, June 19, 5pm The works in this exhibition, including large-scale installations, are physically curated in ways that reveal both an independent sense of personal geography, as well as a collective experience of fragile terrains.
Beyond the show…
Be more than an audience member – participate in these fun events and explore the arts from a new perspective! For more information visit waltonartscenter.org/engage.
Arts and Appetizers
Broadway Book Club (BBC)
FREE!
Feed your appetite for theatrical insider info with these delightful and insightful conversations hosted by Walton Arts Center’s Vice President of Programs & Executive Producer, Scott Galbraith. Along with occasional special guests, Scott will provide context, backstage stories and historical perspectives designed to enhance your theatergoing experience. Mark your calendar for these dates and register at waltonartscenter.org or 479.443.5600. Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday,
Sept. 25, 7pm Dec. 11, 7pm Jan. 29, 7pm Apr. 16, 7pm
Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday,
Oct. 30, 7pm Jan. 8, 7pm Feb. 19, 7pm May 7, 7pm
Calling all lovers of Broadway and books! If you’re currently a member of a book club or have never participated in one before. . . this is the club for you! Members of the Broadway Book Club (BBC) will register and read a book curated by our staff that relates to an upcoming Broadway show at WAC. By joining the BBC, you will have access to discounted tickets to the accompanying show as well as an opportunity to join a lively discussion with other BBC members. Choose as many books from the list as you’d like! For a list of books and to register, contact our Group Sales Coordinator, Kimberly Jones, at kjones@waltonartscenter.org or 479.571.2719. Ticket prices will vary.
Appetizers for this experience are generously provided by Bordinos. Cash bar will be available.
This annual event invites college students and young professionals to experience the arts in Northwest Arkansas. For $25, SEEK ticket buyers get access to a pre-party at a Dickson Street destination, a Broadway performance chosen by the Walton Arts Center staff and an after-party in Walton Arts Center’s Walker Atrium. With door prizes, free drinks, live entertainment and more, the buzz about SEEK grows every year!
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
tay tuned for event details at S waltonartscenter.org/SEEK.
| waltonartscenter.org | Box Office: 479.443.5600
29
Starrlight JazzClub Series
Bria Skonberg
Experience world-renowned jazz! All shows in Starr Theater
The Huntertones
Bria Skonberg
Saturday, Oct. 14, 8pm / Tickets start at $30
Friday, Nov. 10, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $30
The Huntertones’ mission is simple: create live music on real instruments that will often make you think and always make you groove. Melding jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, R&B and rock, this high-energy, horn-driven band out of Brooklyn, NY is known for defining their own musical path and creating original music inspired by the voices of the past and the soundtrack of the present. Described as inventive, energized and motivated, these up-and-comers released their first album together in 2015, but have individually compiled a diverse resume of collaborations with top artists and ensembles, including John Batiste and Stay Human, Snarky Puppy, Allen Stone, O.A.R., the Glenn Miller Orchestra and more!
Canadian singer, trumpeter and songwriter Bria Skonberg has been described by The Wall Street Journal as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation.” Recognized as one of “25 for the Future” by DownBeat magazine, Skonberg wields a unique blend of modern-day pop sensibility and sizzling musicianship, both curious and exotic. Elite jazz chops, artfully mixed with worldly rhythms and contemporary songwriting result in a sophisticated sound that has been compared to Norah Jones and Diana Krall. With more than 100 festival performances under her belt and many accolades, including Best Vocal and Best Trumpet awards from Hot House Jazz Magazine, Bria is here to shake up the jazz world with a fresh batch of golden standards and playful originals.
Show Sponsor
Show Sponsor
30
The Latin Jazz All Stars featuring Steve Turre & Néstor Torres Friday, Dec. 8, 8pm / Tickets start at $30 Steve Turre, Chembo Corniel, Néstor Torres, Elio Villa Franca, Richardo Rodriguez and Diego Lopez join forces in the M.F. Productions Tour that showcases the very best in Afro Cuban, salsa, Brazilian and Latin jazz! Individually, these jazz masters have performed to sold out crowds and packed houses all over the country. Now, the six members of this phenomenal ensemble, including SNL band veteran Steve Turre and Latin Grammy Award®-winner Néstor Torres, will share the spotlight, showcasing the impeccable musicianship, irresistible improvisations and rich traditions of this jazz super group. Sprinkled with a little be-bop, a touch of swing and a dollop of bomba, rumba and tango, this show is sure to have you on your feet!
Steve Turre
Chembo Corniel
Néstor Torres
Elio Villa Franca
Show Sponsor
Donny McCaslin Saturday, Feb. 10, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $30 With three Grammy® nominations and 11 albums to his name, Donny McCaslin’s path to success has been punctuated by impressive collaborations and projects, but perhaps none quite as significant as his experience working with David Bowie on the album Blackstar. McCaslin has been a spark plug in New York jazz circles for the past two decades, with his own groups and in the employ of noteworthy leaders like Danilo Perez and Maria Schneider, who led him to his work with Bowie. Known for integrating the entire range of sounds that a tenor sax can produce into his repertoire, McCaslin seamlessly transitions from mainstream modern to funky fusion to laid-back balmy ballads, all flavored with his own experimental style. Paying tribute to Bowie and beyond, McCaslin is here to prove his reputation, taking jazz down a contemporary path with profound expertise and limitless improvising technique.
Donny McCaslin
Alicia Olatuja Friday, March 2, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $30 Praised by The New York Times as “a singer with a strong and luscious tone and an amiably regal presence on stage,” Alicia Olatuja has been astounding audiences with her exquisite vocals, artistic versatility and captivating demeanor since 2013, when she performed as a featured soloist with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir at President Obama’s second inauguration. Influenced by a wide range of musical styles, from gospel and soul to jazz and classical, Olatuja graduated with a master’s degree in classical voice/opera from the Manhattan School of Music, where she developed a special talent: a full-bodied tone, precise pitch balanced with soulful honesty and personal engagement at the lowest whisper or highest wail. Alicia Olatuja
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
| waltonartscenter.org | Box Office: 479.443.5600
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Starrlight JazzClubSeries Continued
Conrad Herwig
Conrad Herwig Saturday, April 28, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $30 Atop both the performing and jazz educational fields, trombonist Conrad Herwig’s professional performance career commenced with big band stints with a number of iconic and legendary figures, including Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente and Frank Sinatra, among many others. Equally well-versed in the be-bop, hard bop and modern jazz musical languages, and armed with composition and arrangement credits for both small and large ensembles, Conrad is able to step into virtually any situation and deliver – making him one of the most in-demand jazz artists and educators at major universities and conservatories around the world. Herwig will weave his musical mastery into an ensemble that features NWA’s finest musicians.
Northwest Arkansas Jazz All-Stars
The Northwest Arkansas Jazz All-Stars Youth Ensemble Monday, April 30, 7pm / Tickets on sale soon!
The Northwest Arkansas Jazz All-Stars Youth Ensemble – a group of gifted high school musicians from around the region – presents an evening of Big Band Jazz with guest artist Conrad Herwig on International Jazz Day! This is the second year that Walton Arts Center has offered talented young artists from the area the opportunity to participate in this intensive, immersive music education experience. After receiving training from professional jazz musicians, including internationally acclaimed trombonist and educator Conrad Herwig, the All-Stars will demonstrate their newly developed skills and techniques in a live performance. Don’t miss the chance to see these up-andcoming local musicians in a special concert celebrating the future of jazz! Show Sponsor
Get all six shows with the Jazz Lovers Package! Subscribers receive 15% off tickets. See page 37
32
Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
Bonus show
Support provided by David & Candace Starling and The Stella Boyle Smith Trust
ARK ANSAS’ ARTS + NATURE FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY WALTON ARTS CENTER
Artosphere Festival Orchestra
AFO 10x10 Concert
Corrado Rovaris, Music Director
Tuesday, June 19, 7pm / Tickets $10
The Artosphere Festival Orchestra returns for another season of creativity and breathtaking performances in the beautiful foothills of the Ozark Mountains. More than 90 musicians from around the world will once again come together to explore music that nurtures the human spirit and examines the relationships between music, nature and scenic beauty.
AFO Finale Concert
Artosphere Sponsors
On sale now!
Saturday, June 23, 8pm / Tickets start at $11 Watch for announcements about Artosphere favorites – Trail Mix, the Chapel Music Series and more! Support for Artosphere provided by Lee & Linda Scott Support for Maestro Corrado Rovaris provided by Reed & Mary Ann Greenwood
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
| waltonartscenter.org | Box Office: 479.443.5600
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West Street Live Series presented by Neal Pendergraft All shows in Starr Theater
Hot Club of Cowtown
Joe Ely Acoustic
Susan Werner Trio
Thursday, Sept. 28, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $30
Thursday, Oct. 19, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $30
Thursday, Nov. 9, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $30
You’d think a band from Austin, Texas with the word “Cowtown” in its name would spend its time off herding cattle or writing songs about whiskey and loose women. Not the Hot Club of Cowtown! Since its beginnings in the late 1990s, this band’s reputation for jaw-dropping virtuosity and unforgettable live shows has become its global brand. Lauded for cozy down-home melodies and exuberant improvisation, this fiddle, guitar and bass trio is at the top of their game, weaving together seemingly disparate styles and standing at the crossroads where country meets jazz to chase the blues away. Prepare to be taken on a lively journey of raw joy and authentic energy when the Hot Club of Cowtown kicks off this season’s West Street Live Series!
Born out of the traditions of Roy Orbison, Woodie Guthrie, Buddy Holly and Waylon Jennings, the west Texas singer songwriter Joe Ely returns to tradition in his newest album Panhandle Rambler. This record brings forth the always dusty, perpetually windy, generally arid, frequently smoldering and seemingly barren landscape of the vast Texas countryside and the spirited people who reside there. His unique brand of honky-tonk, Tex-Mex and rock ‘n’ roll music conjures a western fantasy with stories, customs and amusements of its own. Join us for a moving, beautiful, awe-inspiring performance by one of the great Lubbock luminaries. You’ll be glad you embarked on musical travels with this rambler!
Ask and many will testify, Werner has been knocking it out of the park – or, concert hall – across the U.S. for more than 20 years. Renowned as a charismatic performer, Werner’s creative restlessness has become her defining characteristic, leading her to write 12 albums of songs in a variety of genres ranging from folk and rock to Tin Pan Alley to gospel, country, chamber music and more. What might a woman deemed by NPR as “The Empress of the Unexpected” try next? Find out when she takes the Walton Arts Center stage to showcase the sharp, funny and compassionate songwriting abilities that have prompted her rise to the elite of American songwriters.
Hot Club of Cowtown
Joe Ely
34
Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
Susan Werner
Bonus show
For information on subscription packages, see page 37
Thursday, January 18, 7:30pm /
John McEuen & Friends Will the Circle Be Unbroken Saturday, Feb. 3, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $30 A founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John McEuen brings with him more than 45 years of worldwide performance with his banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin. Often referred to as “the String Wizard,” McEuen was the initiator of the 1972 classic album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, inducted into the Library of Congress as one of America’s most important recordings. Performing music from the 1860s to today, original songs laced with fan-favorite hits and a special tribute to the Circle album (including the stories behind the songs), Grammy® Award-winner John McEuen brings a life’s worth of songwriting to the stage in an evening of acoustic music in overdrive. Show Sponsor
An Evening with Spencer Bohren
Raul Midón Thursday, March 1, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $30 Singer-songwriter and guitarist Raul Midón has earned renown as one of music’s most distinctive and searching artists – characterized by a signature silky tenor voice and a syncopated, flamenco and jazzinfused guitar style with a groove and sophistication that only a virtuoso could master. Bass, harmony and melodic lines fly from the fretboard in a way that seems to belie the fact that all the music is being produced by just two hands. A be-bop “trumpet” solo erupts from the stage, generated entirely from Midón’s lips. And did we mention, he’s been blind since birth? Join us for an eclectic performance full of ripping guitar solos, fierce ballads and slamming bass. This is a concert you don’t want to miss!
An Evening with Peter Yarrow Saturday, March 31, 7:30pm / Tickets start at $30 A nostalgic evening full of folk classics that to this day remain the soundtrack for a generation awaits when Grammy® Award-winner Peter Yarrow – of the legendary trio Peter Paul & Mary – takes the stage, this time performing solo. With singalongs and audience participation, this special performance will include songs like “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Day is Done” and “Puff, the Magic Dragon” and will encourage audience members to recognize the power of music to build community and catalyze change. Join us for a memorable evening rooted in the historic milestones of the past that inspire us toward a better future. Show Sponsor
Support provided by Hershey & Denise Garner
Support provided by Hershey & Denise Garner
John McEuen
Raul Midón
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
Peter Yarrow
| waltonartscenter.org | Box Office: 479.443.5600
35
Subscription Packages All the shows you love plus perks!
Tickets/shows
Procter & Gamble Broadway Series
Create Your Own Series
+ 5 pre-selected Broadway shows plus 6, 7, or 8 show packages, buyer’s choice
+ Choose 3 (or more) eligible shows from the Walton Arts Center lineup
(See pages 4-11)
(See chronological listing)
Discount
+ Best seat for the best price + 15% off the Broadway lineup + 10% off all other eligible shows throughout the season
+ $2 off 3 shows + $3 off 5 shows + $5 off 7 shows
Exclusive Access
+ First chance to keep/renew your seats + Early access to the full season + Early access to new shows added during the year + Free access to pre-show Creative Conversations
+ Early access to the season + Early access to new shows added during the year
Seating
+ Keep your same great seat year after year
+S eats vary depending on availability
Other perks
+ New Thursday matinee option! + Exchanges allowed within the same production up to one business day prior to the show – with no exchange fee! + Call the subscriber hotline at 479.571.2785 to connect immediately to a Ticketing Representative
+ Add more shows throughout the year – you’ll keep the same discount level all season!
36
Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
10x10 Arts Series
Jazz Lovers Package
West Street Live Package
+ 10 pre-selected shows
+ 6 pre-selected jazz shows
+ 6 pre-selected shows
(See pages 16-19)
(See pages 30-32)
(See pages 34-35)
+ Get the whole season and purchase an Arts Ambassador Membership for just $130
+1 5% off package shows
+ First chance to keep/renew your seats + Early access to 10x10 shows + Invitations to special events
+ First chance to keep/renew your seats + Early access to jazz shows + Beverage sevice for table seats
+ First chance to keep/renew your seats + Early access to West Street Live shows + Beverage sevice for table seats
+ Keep your same great seat year after year
+K eep your same great seat or table year after year
+ Keep your same great seat or table year after year
+ Invite someone new with
+A dd on tickets for the NWA
+ Add on tickets for an Evening
access to ambassador tickets + 10x10 Arts Series t-shirt!
+ Reserve your table of four or select your seats in the tiered seating level
Jazz All-Stars Youth Ensemble
with Spencer Bohren in
performance in April 2018!
January 2018!
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
| waltonartscenter.org | Box Office: 479.443.5600
37
Symphony of Northwest Arkansas
Paul Haas, Music Director
2017-18 Season at Walton Arts Center
sonamusic.org
10.14.17 12.16.17 12.17.17 1.27.18 3.10.18 5.5.18
Masterworks I: Tchaikovsky 5 A Very SoNA Christmas The Snowman: A Family Concert Masterworks II: Mozart & Mendelssohn Pops: Fayetteville Jazz Collective Masterworks III: La Bohème
Subscribe to Season 12. 2017/18 Lineup: 8/23 — 9/17
FUN HOME
10/11 — 11/5
THE CHAMPION
11/29 — 12/31
at Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios theatre2.org | 479.445.6333
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
1/24 — 2/18
THE HUMANS
3/14 — 4/8
VIETGONE
4/25 — 5/20
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
6/8 — 6/16
ARKANSAS NEW PLAY FESTIVAL
Six-play packages start at $89 — learn more at theatre2.org.
18TH ANNUAL
Sip, sip, hooray! Wine. Cheese. Beer. Desserts. Bubbles. Friends. You.
Check our website for the latest news!
Funders & Sponsors Star Sponsors
Producing Sponsors
Directing Sponsors
Performing Sponsors
Contributing Sponsors
Media Partners KNWA/Fox 24 | Celebrate | CitiScapes | KFSM | KUAF | NWA Business Journal | NWA Democrat-Gazette | 40/29
All shows, dates, times, artists and prices are subject to change
| waltonartscenter.org | Box Office: 479.443.5600
41
Enhance your experience at Walton Arts Center by becoming a Friend!
The impact of your gift: + Nearly 23,000 school age children attended a Walton Arts Center performance in the 2016-2017 season for a reduced cost + More than 1,000 tickets were given to local charities through our Take A Seat program + Almost 20,000 people attended a free or low-cost Artosphere event in 2017 + More than 6,000 people attended a 10x10 performance last season, seeing a world class performing artist for just $10 Visit waltonartscenter.org/friends or call 479.571.2759 for more information.
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Walton Arts Center 2017/18 Season
Friends of Walton Arts Center enjoy benefits like: + Access to the Friends Lounge + Free reserved parking + Special invitations to exclusive events + Concierge ticket & reservation service + Backstage tours
Ticket & Facility Information
Walton Arts Center Address
Ticket refunds and exchanges
495 W. Dickson Street Fayetteville, AR 72701
All tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges may be available for a different performance of the same production. Exchange fees may apply. Call 479.443.5600 for more information.
Inclement weather policy
Box Office Information
It is rare for a performance at Walton Arts Center to be canceled due to inclement weather, but in the case that a show is canceled, we will post information on our website, social media and phone system and will make every effort to contact all affected ticket holders. If the performance is still scheduled but inclement weather makes it impossible for you to attend, please contact the Box Office at 479.443.5600. Our ticket representatives will help you consider all the options. Due to contracts with performers and production companies, options for day-of-show exchanges vary, and we may not be able to exchange tickets. All ticket donations or exchanges must be completed at least two hours before the performance, and tickets are non-refundable.
Accessibility Accessible seating for patrons in wheelchairs and with other
The only authorized seller of Walton Arts Center and Walmart AMP tickets.
Hours: + Monday–Friday / 10am–6pm + Saturday / noon–4pm + One hour prior to most performances Phone: 479.443.5600 Website: www.waltonartscenter.org
Group Sales
needs is available for all performances. American Sign Language interpretation services and large print programs are available for
Who can be a group? Anybody!
most performances with two weeks’ notice. Please contact the
Groups of 10 or more receive discounts on most performances,
Box Office as early as possible to ensure that we can meet your
personalized service, deferred payment options and reduced
party’s needs.
handling charges. All you need is you and 9 other people! Call our
Hearing enhancement devices, binoculars and booster seats are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at coat check.
Baum Walker Hall Seat Map
Group Sales Office at 479.571.2719 for more information.
Location & Parking Walton Arts Center is located in downtown Fayetteville. For directions or advice on parking, please call 479.443.5600 or visit waltonartscenter.org. Parking is available in the following lots:
495 W Dickson St The Dickson WAC event parking WAC event parking
Starr Theater is a black box theater with different seating configurations. Call the Box Office for details about your show.
Private Parking City Parking
P.O. Box 3547 Fayetteville, AR 72702
Beyond a venue‌ This is Walton Arts Center
Learn more at waltonartscenter.org