Give Someone a Broadway Experience for the Holidays

You don’t have to go to New York City to see a Broadway show. Walton Arts Center brings the best touring Broadway shows to Northwest Arkansas. What could be a better gift than a Broadway theater experience?  

Gifting an experience is guaranteed to please even the pickiest of family members. According to Consumer Reports, “66% of people between the ages of 25 and 34 would rather receive an experience gift than a tangible item.” The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology also found that people derive a greater level of happiness from experiences than they do from material possessions, both when anticipating receiving them and after they have received them.  

Science Daily also reports that experiential gifts are more effective than material gifts at improving relationships from the recipient's perspective. Cindy Chan, an assistant professor in U of T Scarborough's Department of Management and the Rotman School of Management says, “the reason experiential gifts are more socially connecting is that they tend to be more emotionally evocative. An experiential gift elicits a strong emotional response when a recipient consumes it – like the excitement of a rock concert. 

If you are looking for the perfect shows to give as gifts this year, we have a few recommendations. 

Les Misérables is still the world’s most popular musical, and during the holiday season it can also be the most popular gift. Make a fan’s dreams come true or introduce someone on your list to Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award®-winning musical, Les Misérables, at Walton Arts Center January 2-7.   

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. Les Misérables is the perfect opportunity to gift your loved one’s a once in a lifetime theater experience.  

Want to make sure they have an elevated theater experience? Add on a Walton Arts Center VIP Upgrade for $49 per person and step past the velvet rope into a private VIP room open pre-show and at intermission. Price includes two drinks, a dedicated bar, appetizers and a themed photo booth.  

Looking for a new Broadway musical? Jagged Little Pill is coming to Walton Arts Center Jan. 23 – 28 with eight performances and is guaranteed to make you feel what it’s like to be human again. It is inspired by the seminal rock album of seven-time Grammy® Award winner Alanis Morissette. 

Joy, love, heartache, strength, wisdom, catharsis, LIFE – everything we’ve been waiting to see in a Broadway show – is here in the exhilarating, fearless new musical. Ignited by Morissette’s groundbreaking lyrics and music – from beloved hits such as “You Oughta Know,” “Head Over Feet,” “Hand In My Pocket” and “Ironic”, to brand new songs written for the show. 

Jagged Little Pill is recommended for ages 14 and up. Please note: This production contains strong language, adult themes, drug use, and moments of sexual violence that some may find upsetting. 

Add a little extra holiday magic to someone’s holidays and add on a cocktail class before Jagged Little Pill. Mix things up before your show, our master mixologist will lead you through the steps to create two themed drinks, paired with light appetizers. Must be 21 or older to participate. 

With two amazing Broadway performances and add-ons to choose from, the ability to gift an experience is easier than ever at Walton Arts Center. Spice up your holiday gifting this year and find the perfect tickets for anyone on your list at www.waltonartscenter.org.  

The Heart Behind TINA – The Tina Turner Musical with Writer Katori Hall

Katori Hall, writer TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, shared with us more background on her process of writing the musical and all the heart and soul that she poured into it. Don’t miss your chance to experience this show in person when it comes to Walton Arts Center Dec. 12 – 17.  

“I started on Tina as a child. What I mean by that is that I am from Tennessee. Tina’s from Tennessee. My mother loved Tina Turner so much that she named my eldest sister after her. Her presence was always baked into the soundtrack of my own life – my mum would talk about her all the time, and her influence on being a woman in the South. 

Being asked to walk hand in hand with Tina in the process taught me that it wasn’t about what she said, it was about what she was hesitant to say. This was where the new part of the story was. When I interviewed Tina, we talked a lot not just about Ike, but also her life before Ike. She grew up in an abusive home. Often people point to Ike and say he’s the biggest villain in her life, but in all actuality, there have been a number of negative factors, including racism, sexism, classism as well as abusive individuals and environments, including the household in which she grew up. Tina has had to slay the biggest dragons that anyone can slay and yet Tina’s journey has been utterly inspirational. 

The musical had to bring the essence of a Tina Turner concert into a theater. It is a way to make sure that this icon and her energy never goes away – to make her immortal. My parents got to see Tina perform in person, but my generation has only seen her concerts in film footage. To see Tina live was a gift that is gone now, and so the musical is the best way to keep the theatricality of Tina’s own concerts, her life story and her influence alive. 

To see what this woman achieved in a life that others may have deemed non-important, to see this woman come from the middle of nowhere to being at a point where her impact will be felt for generations. You can slay domestic abuse, you can slay the dragon of racism, and  I want people to leave the theater feeling triumphant.

The show ends with a concert. There’s so much joy in having survived, and I want people to understand that no one can take your love and power from you. It’s inside yourself, and it can’t be taken. I’m so happy that we can showcase the essence of Tina as a resilient woman, in addition to Tina the performer. The music is kind of secondary in that respect. 

It’s the story of survival in the show that’s most important – the message that you can rise to your own personal mountaintop.” 

For this show you can add on a VIP experience! Step past the velvet rope into a private VIP room open pre-show and at intermission, with two drinks of choice, a dedicated bar, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a themed photo booth. Add on this package for only $49 per person and experience TINA – The Tina Turner Musical the VIP way. 

Wishing You a Season Full of Walton Arts Center Performances

Gift the joy of a live performance this holiday season with tickets to a variety of shows at Walton Arts Center. There is guaranteed to be a show for everyone on your holiday gift list, from unique, artistic performances to live music and hilarious, cabaret-style comedy shows. We have created the following guide to make giving easy this year!

For the classical music fan: 

Galvin Cello Quartet is bringing an innovative musical performance to Walton Arts Center. The Galvin Cello Quartet is on a mission to establish the cello quartet as a core part of the classical music world. This diverse ensemble presents works from a variety of cultural backgrounds with a tonal beauty and astonishing timbral contrast. Don’t miss this award-winning international sensation when they make their debut at Walton Arts Center on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7 pm. Tickets are just $10 - it’s a great gift for teachers, neighbors or family. 

For the jokester: 

Experience our brand-new series, The Comedy Zone. Tammy Pescatelli kicks off the new year in a hilarious fashion.  After making it to NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” Pescatelli has become known as one of the sharpest women in comedy. Experience Pescatelli’s sharp wit and iconic humor on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 7:30 pm. 

For the concert lover:

In their early days, Damn Tall Buildings didn’t rehearse – they busked. Now whether live or on record, the trio still radiates the energy of a crew of best friends playing bluegrass on the street. Anchoring that energy is their instrumental chops, strong songwriting and varied influences that stretch beyond bluegrass. Part of West Street Live, come see this electric performance on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 pm. 

For the Broadway fanatic: 

Jagged Little Pill will make you feel joy, love, heartache, strength, wisdom, catharsis and life. Everything you have been waiting to see in a Broadway show is here in this exhilarating, fearless new musical based on Alanis Morissette’s world-changing music. Come live, learn and remember what it is like to truly feel human at Jagged Little Pill with eight shows, Jan. 23 – 28. 

Don’t see the perfect ticket in this article? Look at our calendar to find a show and a ticket price that is just right for everyone on your gift list. 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!  Tickets and gift certificates can be purchased by visiting waltonartscenter.org, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am – 5 pm or in-person at our box office weekdays 10 am – 2 pm. 

Try These Staff Recommendations for Your Next Theater Outing  

Photo by Joan Marcus

With a season full of music, theater, dance, kids shows and more, it can be hard to decide which shows you should see. To help you pick, we’ve asked some of Walton Arts Center’s staff (the people in the know) to recommend the performances they are most excited about in the first half of the season! 

Single tickets to all of our shows are available now at waltonartscenter.org, in person at the box office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm or by calling 479.443.5600.

Musical Theater 

SIX

Sept. 12-17

“What isn't to love about SIX? It is such a fun way to look at history, not to mention the songs, costumes and the all-female orchestra. It’s a season standout.” 

Jessica T. / Volunteer Programs Coordinator 

The Cher Show 

Nov. 19 & 21

“Got to see it in New York with four lifelong girlfriends – it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. The performance was fantastic and portrayed Cher in several stages of her career, and there were some very clever moments portrayed on stage to tell her story.” 

Ranny K. / Patron Services Manager 

Jagged Little Pill 

Jan. 23-28

“This show has the most appeal to me for pop’s sake - Alanis Morissette is a rock icon and lyricist legend. Jagged Little Pill is going to be raw and energetic.”

Derek W. / Lead Audio Technician

Music AND CONCERTS

JOHNNY CASH - The Official Concert Experience  

Oct. 14-15

“I'm really excited to see this show about the life and music of Johnny Cash, one of Arkansas' own. Using performance footage of Cash along with a live band on stage will give those of us who didn't get a chance to see him live a very special performance experience. We all know these songs, and Johnny's story thanks to some recent movies about him. But this experience will be part concert, part documentary - and we will be the first audience to see this production.”

Jenn W. / Public Relations Director  

The Music of Sam Cooke 

Thursday, Sept. 7

“We actually had this show on the schedule last year, but it was cancelled at the last minute due to a snowstorm. This decision was made after the band had already set and begun sound check, so I know how good they will be!”

Alex N. / Technical Director 

Jeff Lorber Trio 

Friday, Oct. 13

“Covering the breadth and diversity of jazz styles can be a challenge with only a six-concert series, but the Starrlight Jazz season makes a formidable stab at it this year with fusion jazz super-star, Jeff Lorber making his debut appearance at Walton Arts Center. Over the course of 42 years and 24 albums, Lorber is an acknowledged pioneer of what would later become known as ‘smooth jazz’ and ‘urban jazz’, weaving together elements of funk, R&B, rock and electric jazz into an appealing hybrid that has consistently won over listeners from coast to coast and resulted in several No. 1 radio hits.”

Robert G. / Jazz Curator 

Dance 

Ailey II 

Tuesday, Feb. 27

“Ailey II is a fine American dance company. They have performed at Walton Arts Center previously and they were inspiring. Our community will love seeing a company that dances the work developed by the great American choreographer, Alvin Ailey.” 

Dr. Patricia R. / Arts Learning Specialist 

From comedy, the best of Broadway, blues and jazz, annual events, festivals and more, there is a something for everyone to enjoy this season at Walton Arts Center.

Photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Broadway Subscriptions vs. Create Your Own Subscription: Which is the right package for you? 

There are so many ways to enjoy the upcoming season at Walton Arts Center, including series subscriptions, options to create your own personalized subscriptions and, of course, purchasing single tickets. With an option to suit each preference, schedule and budget, we’ve created the following guide to help explain the differences between our two most popular options, the Broadway Subscription, Broadway Sampler and the Create Your Own Subscription.  

Broadway Subscriptions  

Broadway subscribers get the best seats at the best price for all Broadway shows, along with priority access to new shows, discounts on most other shows during the season and free ticket exchange and replacement. This package allows patrons to see all six shows in the upcoming season, SIX, Sept. 12-17; TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, Dec. 12-17; Jagged Little Pill, Jan. 23-28; Company, Feb. 20-25; Aladdin, March 26-31; To Kill A Mockingbird, April 16-21; and get first access to three bonus shows: The Cher Show, Nov. 19 & 21; Les Misérables, Jan. 2-7; and Hairspray, May 3-5. 

Six-show Broadway subscription packages range from $326 to $478 for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Thursday matinee, and $381 to $533 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, and Saturday and Sunday matinees. Package prices vary depending on seat location and include all fees. Dates, programs and prices are subject to change. 

Full Broadway Subscriptions are only available until the first show in the Broadway season, so act fast! 

Broadway Sampler 

For the busy Broadway lover, the Broadway Sampler gives patrons early access to all Broadway shows in the season, including the P&G Broadway series and bonus shows. Just select three or more of the following shows to curate your package: SIX, The Cher Show, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical, Les Misérables, Jagged Little Pill, Company, Aladdin, To Kill A Mockingbird and Hairspray. 

Subscription packages start as low as $147 for three shows. Broadway Sampler subscribers also have no exchange fees for one performance and get discounts and reduced fees on Broadway tickets. 

Create Your Own 

Our most flexible option, the popular Create Your Own subscription allows patrons to curate their own package from a wider range of shows in our seasonriber-only benefits. 

Choose shows from any series, except for Starrlight Jazz Club and West Street Live, to make your three, five or seven-show subscription package. The more shows you add in a Create Your Own subscription, the more you save+. Three-show packages get $2 off each ticket, five-show packages get $3 off each ticket and seven-show packages get $5 off each ticket. 

In addition to the ability to customize their subscription, Create Your Own subscribers also get early access to the season’s shows before single tickets go on sale to the general public later this summer, early access to new shows added throughout the year and discounts on most shows, including Broadway. 

Start building your Create Your Own package from these shows: 

10x10 Arts Series 

  • Scythian: Ukraine to Appalachia, September 10* 

  • As We Speak: Béla fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer featuring Rakesh Chaurasia, November 4* 

  • Mariachi Herencia de México presents A Very Mariachi Christmas, December 21* 

  • Galvin Cello Quartet, January 30* 

  • Aquila Theatre’s Fahrenheit 451, February 15* 

  • Ailey II, February 27* 

  • Drum Tao, March 12* 

  • Take 6, April 12* 

  • Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, April 26* 

LOL@WAC  

  • The Capitol Fools, October 26 

  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Party, October 30 

  • Menopause the Musical 2: Cruising Through “The Change,”® March 2 

  • John Waters’ End of the World, May 1 

Bonus Shows 

  • Les Misérables, January 2-7 

  • VoiceJam Competition, April 13 

P&G Broadway Series 

  • SIX, September 12-17 

  • TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, December 12-17 

  • Jagged Little Pill, January 23-28 

  • Company, February 20-25 

  • Disney’s Aladdin, March 26-31 

  • Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, April 16-21 

Coca-Cola Night Out Series 

  • The Music of Sam Cooke, September 7 

  • The Cher Show, November 19-21 

  • David Foster & Katharine McPhee, February 29 

  • Pilobolus Re: Creation Tour, March 14 

  • Hairspray, May 3-5 

 Land O’Lakes Concert Series 

  • Devon Allman & Donavon Frankenreiter, September 5 

  • Tanya Tucker, October 4  

  • JOHNNY CASH: Official Concert Experience, October 14-15 

  • Lorrie Morgan’s Enchanted Christmas, December 1 

  • Squirrel Nut Zippers’ Holiday Caravan, December 19 

Kellogg’s Kids and Family Series 

  • Paw Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite,” September 29-October 1** 

  • Walton Arts Center & SoNA Present The Snowman: A Family Concert, December 10* 

  • American Girl Live! In Concert, February 3 

  • BRUSH Theatre’s Poli Pop!, February 13* 

  • tutti frutti’s The Boy Who Cried Wolf, March 5 

  • NORTH, April 28* 

  • Compagnia TPO’s +ERBA – A Forest in the City, May 14-15* 

*Shows not eligible for discounts. 

**Discount available to select shows 

+ While not all shows are eligible for discounts, they do count toward your package level. All shows must be purchased in one transaction to receive the discount. You can add more later, but you will keep the same package level all year. 

 

More information about West Street Live and Starrlight Jazz Subscriptions will be available soon. Single tickets to all 2023-24 shows will go on sale later this summer. Follow us on social media to be the first to hear about new shows, on sale dates and more!  

How Rescue Dogs Are Trained to Play Sandy in Annie

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

It’s no secret that the dog who plays Sandy in Annie has been stealing the spotlight at every show since the musical first premiered in 1976. And it’s no exception for the latest national touring production starring Ellie Pulsifer in the title role, coming to Walton Arts Center May 5-7. 

Since Annie’s inception, Bill Berloni has been training the Sandys. Sandy, according to the script by Charles Strouse, Thomas Meehan and Martin Charnin, is described as medium-sized, sandy color of an indistinguishable breed. 

Before Annie was on Broadway, Berloni, who was a 20-year-old aspiring actor at the time, who was asked by one of the musical’s producers to find a dog and train it to be Sandy. From that moment, he made training rescue dogs for the stage his passion and career.   

For the new national tour, Addison and Georgie play Sandy. “We look for dogs with well-balanced temperaments. That's it. If they're well-balanced, then they can learn anything,” Berloni said of what makes the perfect candidate to be a stage dog.

Bill Berloni, Annie’s touring dog-trainer.

Sandy has a pivotal role in the story. The character is on stage for about fourteen minutes with 15 - 20 stage cues a show.  And the Sandys cast are always rescue dogs. Addison was rescued four years ago from a North Carolina animal shelter, one day before she was set to be euthanized. While Georgie was saved from nearly being turned over to a Pennsylvania high kill shelter. “Animals end up in shelters for many reasons. But many of them end up there because of family hardships or a death in the family— not because of any behavioral issues. We hope to find those animals and hopefully adopt them.” explained Berloni.   

Training the dogs to be on a big stage with thousands of people in the audience takes about two to three years. First, they get healthy and housebroken. Then trainers use a basic obedience course where the rescue dogs learn how to walk by your side, sit, stay, lay down, sit up and come when you call them.  

 “Our training begins a conversation with them unlike any conversation they've ever had before,” explained Berloni of his process. “Every behavior has a reward. And for the most part, the reward is love. So, there's never any, ‘if you do that, this is your punishment.’ There is: ‘I'd like you to do this. And if you do, you'll get a reward.’ It's a much slower process.”  

Annie’s director, Jenn Thompson

Once that’s mastered, the dogs learn their cues for the show. For this production of Annie, the rehearsal process with the cast began about a month before the first performances. Pulsifer spent many hours bonding with Addison and Georgie by feeding them, walking them and even sleeping with them. “What differentiates our dogs from other pets is that they learn to listen to other people, as opposed to just listening to me,” Berloni said. If at any time the dogs don’t want to perform, they don’t have to and they retire from their stage careers.   

What’s even more special about this version is that it’s directed by Jenn Thompson, who played the orphan named Pepper, in the original Broadway production. She’s known Berloni since she was 10 years old. For this new tour of Annie, he’s the only person on the creative team that has worked on the show before. With new eyes on the story, music, scenery and costumes – it gives this version a fresh perspective that audiences may not have seen before. 

“It's been really emotional to be together in some ways,” Thompson said of their reunion. “I still look at Annie a little bit like a 12-year-old. Being with him has been like coming home.”  

While Thompson says it's her first time directing a production of Annie, Berloni disagrees. “It's 1978 there's all these kids on Broadway. They're bored. So, they come up with an idea to do their own production of Annie onstage in between shows. Jenn directed the eight orphans doing their version of Annie. I knew she was a director because she was always bossing everyone around,” Berloni joked.   

Like Thompson, who found her calling for directing at a young age, Berloni discovered his passion through Annie too on the day he rescued a dog to play the part. “That one dog helped me find what I do the best.” He hopes, with every Sandy, it helps audiences see a different perspective on animal adoption.   

Annie teaches kids and kids-at-heart to hold on to hope when times get tough, just when we needed it most. You and your young theatergoers have five chances to see this new warm-hearted production. Tickets start at $29.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Celebrate Your Valentine's Date Night at Walton Arts Center

Nothing says, “I love you,” quite like the gift of live entertainment. Ditch the conversation hearts and roses this year, and treat your Valentine to Walton Arts Center tickets instead!

With Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday this year, you can surprise your sweetie with tickets to a date-night to see the Sullivan Fortner Trio or American Patchwork Quartet appearing at Walton Arts Center that weekend.

Sullivan Fortner

On Friday, February 18, the Jazz virtuoso Sullivan Fortner will provide the perfect soundtrack to a romantic and inspiring night of music.

Saturday, February 19, has American Patchwork Quartet, that draws on a repertoire of centuries-old American folk songs that highlight America’s immigrant roots.

But that’s not all...

This year, when you purchase any Walton Arts Center or Walmart AMP tickets or gift certificates through our box office in the month of February, you’ll receive a special offer from some of our favorite local businesses. Just present your ticket receipt at the businesses below to redeem your offer. 

  • Crown Beauty Bar: 10% off services and a free gift with purchase of a product

  • Pearl’s Books: 10% off total purchase

  • Riffraff Fayetteville: 15% off storewide

  • Spark Café: Buy one single scoop cup or cone, get a second one free

  • Zuzu's Petals & Gifts: Free delivery on Valentine's Day with any purchase over $50 (while availability lasts)

  • ELXR Yoga Lounge: $15 off a 5-class package or 50% off the first month when purchasing a membership

  • Onyx Coffee Lab: 10% off whole bean coffee

  • Gearhead Outfitters: Free tote bag and mystery gift with purchase

  • Block Street Records: 10% off everything in store.

joyUS justUS

In addition to the great discounts at local business, Walton Arts Center has plenty of shows will make anyone swoon. From live music like Darrell Scott and Tower of Power, to dance like Circa Sacre and CONTRA-TIEMPO joyUS justUS, and of course Broadway classics like Fiddler on the Roof and A Chorus Line, there is something for everyone. And Walton Arts Center even has your little Valentine’s covered with family and children’s programming like Popovich Comedy Pet Theater.

Show the loves in your life that you care more than the boring old box of chocolates and flowers! Valentine’s Day shopping is made easy by the myriad of entertainment offerings that the we have coming up!

For more information about the Valentine’s Day Specials, visit waltonartscenter.org/valentines-day-deals. Visit waltonartscenter.org or amptickets.com for a complete list of upcoming shows. Can’t decide which show to choose? Then get a gift certificate that can be redeemed at either venue.

Purchase tickets or gift certificates online, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or in-person weekday at the Walton Arts Center Box Office 10 am until 2 pm or the Walmart AMP Box Office 10 am until 5 pm.

An Officer and a Gentleman: Reimagining a Classic

The brand-new musical An Officer and a Gentleman had completed training, shined up its boots and was ready to hit the ground running with its national tour in early 2020…then the pandemic shut the production down.

“On the one hand, it was really difficult,” says Producer Stephen Gabriel. “But then there was a terrific positive.” The lockdown allowed the show’s creators to completely rework the production, he explains. After a “tremendous amount” of rewrites and swapping out songs, Gabriel says the productions “made leaps and bounds from what we originally had.”

Appearing at Walton Arts Center January 4-9, this love story follows two people going through different, but parallel struggles. A Naval officer candidate must learn to balance his ego with the ever-present demands of his strict drill sergeant. He falls for a local woman struggling to improve her life while working in the backbreaking conditions at the local factory.

This uplifting story comes packed with beloved music from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. In addition to the Academy Award®-winning hit “Up Where We Belong,” the musical includes smash hits like “Renegade” by Styx, “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood, “Love Is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar and others by Rick Springfield, Wilson Phillips and Melissa Ethridge.

“I hope that if people know the songs, they love how we’ve used them. And I hope if they don’t know the songs, then they just found a whole cache of favorite new tunes,” musical director Dan Lipton says.

Those who love the 1982 movie will get a dose of nostalgia, while still enjoying a lot of surprises. The show’s creative team wanted to bring the musical out of the 80s and into the present by placing a priority on the way that women are portrayed. Off the screen and onto the stage, the women are smarter, stronger and more empowered, explains writer and director Dick Scanlan. “Since 1982, the world has changed and our political perspectives are different,” Scanlan says. “We’ve really rethought the young women in the story.”

An Officer and a Gentleman is guaranteed to delight those who love the film as well as those who are new to the story. With a charming love story, toe-tapping songs and stunning choreography, this breathtaking production celebrates triumph over adversity and includes all of the iconic romance you’d expect.

With eight performances, tickets prices for An Officer and a Gentleman start at $41 plus applicable fees.

And don’t forget to make your theater night even more fun with show-themed cocktails that you’ll learn to make yourself at the Officer and a Gentleman cocktail class on Friday, Jan. 7. You’ll make and enjoy two cocktails along with light appetizers. Tickets are $35, and space is limited so act fast.

Purchase tickets for the show and the cocktail class by clicking below, by calling 479.443.5600 or by visiting the Walton Arts Center Box Office

Tickets Make Great Last Minute Gifts!

Everyone has someone on their shopping list who is just so hard to buy for! Gift giving can be so daunting – especially when you’re shopping in a last minute pinch. Most people have too much “stuff” as it is, and no one needs another candle. So, what do you get those hard-to-buy-for loved ones in your life? We suggest the gift of live entertainment!

Tickets to a Walton Arts Center show are a gift anyone would love to see under the tree or in their stocking. And depending on who it is that you’re buying for, maybe you’ll get lucky and be their plus one!

Take a look at our gift guide suggestions!

For Parents or In-Laws

Treat your parents or in-laws to a night at a classic Broadway show with Fiddler on the Roof or A Chorus Line.

Fiddler on the Roof (May 10-15) is filled with iconic songs and choreography, while telling the beloved story of life in a Jewish community in a pre-revolutionary Russian village.

A Chorus Line (June 24-26) shows a cattle call audition for a Broadway show, where dancers show off stunning choreography through catchy and emotional songs that recollect their lives.

A Chorus Line

For Your Significant Other

Darrell Scott

Nothing says “date night” like an intimate night of live music. Choose between any number of genres. Or better yet… why choose at all? Check out our Unilever Starrlight Jazz Club, West Street Live or Land O’Lakes Concert series shows for a fun night out together.

Sullivan Fortner Trio (Feb. 18) is led by the Grammy Award®winning bandleader, pianist and composer, and promises to be an unforgettable evening of music.

Darrell Scott (March 4) is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter whose masterful songs and charming demeanor are a gem in the Americana/Folk music movement.

Tower of Power (April 10) is an American-based R&B horn section and band that has been performing 50 years of funk and soul hits.

For Your Girlfriends

Make it a girls’ night out with the fun ‘80s musical, An Officer and a Gentleman or feminist cultural icon Fran Lebowitz.

An Officer and a Gentleman

An Officer and Gentleman (Jan. 4-9) is guaranteed to lift you up where you belong! Based on the hit movie, the 80s soundtrack to this brand-new Broadway musical is a must for girls’ night.

A Conversation with Fran Lebowitz (Feb. 4) promises to be an evening of sharp wit from a cultural satirist whose works are regarded as classics of literary humor and social observation.

For Kids

We’ve got something for evening the littlest theater fans this season! From performing pets to singing zoo animals, kiddos are sure to be amazed.

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater (April 28) features circus veteran and “America’s Got Talent” finalist Gregory Popovich alongside the extraordinary talents of his performing pets! 

Madagascar the Musical (June 3-4) follows all of your favorite characters from the hit movie as they escape from the zoo and find themselves on the unexpected adventure of a lifetime.

Madagascar the Musical

For Teens and Preteens

Now is the time to turn your teens and tweens into theatre lovers! In addition to Broadway shows, we’ve got two performances that they’re sure to love.

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom (Feb. 3) is a new musical that tells he inspiring true story of Lynda Blackmon Lowery, the youngest person to walk from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama during the Voting Rights March in 1965.

VoiceJam Competition (April 9) brings together the best a cappella groups from across the country along to battle it out live on stage. Ticket to this one will make an aca-awesome gift!

Something for Everyone!

Walton Arts Center works hard to bring something for everyone to its stages throughout the year. Whether you’re gifting a music-lover, a theatre-aficionado, a dance enthusiast or a classical music fan, we’ve got you covered.

Don’t see anything in this guide that fits the bill? Take a look at our calendar or consider a gift certificate. You just might find the gift that will be the hit of the season! 

Tickets to these and all Walton Arts Center shows can be purchased in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office, by calling 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom

Experience My Fair Lady As Never Before

My Fair Lady tells the classic story of an unlikely relationship between linguistics expert Henry Higgins and working-class florist Eliza Doolittle as he attempts to pass her off as a member of high-society by ridding her of her brash cockney accent.

Based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 play Pygmalion, the musical My Fair Lady first graced Broadway in 1956 starring Julie Andrews. Now, decades later, the show is coming to Northwest Arkansas with an elaborate set, classic tunes, lush costumes and an updated ending that empowers women.

See the Detailed Set Up Close

The set of the 2018 revival was considered to be one of the most ambitious sets on Broadway during its time there. Set designer Michael Yeargan said that My Fair Lady was the first musical he saw as a child. He told Playbill, “I was completely enthralled and fascinated; I thought it was the greatest magic trick I had ever seen in my life.” Yeargan captured these feelings and more in his elaborate sets for My Fair Lady. Watch the video below to see Harry Hadden-Paton—who played Henry Higgins in the 2018 Broadway cast—give a tour of the set of the office of his character.

Listen to the Classic Tunes from the Show

My Fair Lady features iconic songs including “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “On the Street Where You Live.” If you liked these musical numbers from the 1964 film starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn, you will love hearing them live. You can listen to the 2018 cast recording on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Music.

Take a Look at the Stunning Costumes from the Show

Tony-nominated costumer designer Catherine Zuber created the costumes for My Fair Lady. She told Playbill that it was a challenge to bring a fresh perspective to the design while still honoring the expectations of the audience from prior versions of the show. Take a look at some of her gorgeous designs that you can see during the production’s engagement at Walton Arts Center

My Fair Lady Revival Gives Eliza Doolittle an Empowering New Ending

In light of the #MeToo movement, My Fair Lady was given a new ending that gives more dignity to Eliza Doolittle. The ending recalls how the author of the original play Pygmalion intended for the show to close. Fans of the story will be pleasantly surprised to see this update in the story when they see My Fair Lady this fall at Walton Arts Center.

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Get the best seats at the best price with a subscription!

2020/21 P&G Broadway Series subscriptions start as low as $278! Plus, subscribers who renew for the 2021/22 season will be first in line for their seats to the Northwest Arkansas premiere of Hamilton in 2022.

SUBSCRIBE HERE




Come From Away: A Story of Hope, Heroes and Healing

Anyone old enough to remember can tell you where they were on Sept. 11, 2001. On that day, America changed forever. In the the aftermath of the tragedy, American airways were shut down and planes were grounded across the country. Come From Away tells the inspiring true story of how a small town in Newfoundland that doubled in population as they welcomed 7,000 stranded passengers in the aftermath of 9/11.

Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships as passengers and townspeople alike were coping in the days after 9/11. During one of the worst times, this show tells the uplifting story about how people came together and cared for each other.

How the Musical Came to be

Husband and wife duo David Hein and Irene Sankoff wrote the heart-warming script, music and lyrics for Come From Away after they traveled to Gander, Newfoundland. They spent countless hours interviewing the residents who welcomed the thousands of “plane people” that flooded the town unexpectedly after 9/11. Watch them explain how they managed to tell the stories of 16,000 people in just 100 minutes with 12 actors!

Meet the Real Residents of Gander

The real residents of Gander are the soul of Come From Away, and their involvement with the show didn’t end after they were first interviewed. The original Broadway cast had the opportunity to meet the people their characters were based on. This rare opportunity allowed the performers to get to know their roles in a more intimate way. The video below introduces you to just a few of the people behind the lovable characters from the musical.

Captain Beverley Bass

Beverley Bass is used to having her career in the spotlight. Before she was forced to land her plane in Newfoundland on 9/11, she had already made her mark in 1976 as the first female captain of an American Airlines commercial plane. A decade later, she made history as the captain of the first all-female flight crew. Tony-nominated actress Jenn Colella worked with Beverley Bass to showcase her story as authentically as possible.

Come From Away reminds audiences that in the face of great tragedy and hardship, humanity can come together and support one another. This touching show is sure to leave a lasting impact on all who witness its compelling stories and soaring choruses. Come From Away will be landing at Walton Arts Center May 11-16, 2021. 2020/21 season subscriptions are available now and individual tickets will go on sale at the end of the summer.

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Get the best seats at the best price with a subscription

2020/21 P&G Broadway Series subscriptions start as low as $278! Plus, subscribers who renew for the 2021/22 season will be first in line for their seats to the premiere Fayetteville engagement of Hamilton in 2022.

SUBSCRIBE HERE!