Visionary Approach to Classic Music

Combining elements of jazz, jam-band, folk and classical music, Béla Fleck is teaming up with Brooklyn Rider for an unforgettable night!

Each Artist is Visionary in Their Music.

Widely considered the premier banjo player alive today, Béla has completely redefined the limits of His instrument. All the While, Brooklyn Rider is Hailed as “the future of chamber music” (Strings), Offering eclectic repertoire in gripping performances that continue to attract legions of fans and draw rave reviews from classical, world and rock critics alike. 

Q&A with Béla

1.      What inspired A collaboration With Brooklyn Rider?

I've always loved the string quartet configuration, ever since hearing my step father play cello in quartets at my house when I was a kid. That meant that banjo and string quartet together was a bucket list item for me. When I finally had the opportunity to write for string quartet, I asked around and many roads pointed to this particular quartet. They are fantastic collaborators and made my ideas sound better than they were!

2.      When did you start playing your instrument; and, what or who were your early influences?

I started when I was 15, but got very excited about it when I was 4 or 5 after hearing Earl Scruggs playing the "Beverly Hillbillies" theme song. When I first began, I followed Earl - then got interested in everyone else who was bringing new ideas to the banjo. In particular, there is a wonderful player named Tony Trischka who became my inspiration and later my teacher.

3.     Do you play more than one instrument?

I play a bit of guitar and mandolin. But banjo is my thing.

4.      What has been one of your most memorable performances to date?

There have been so many... from opening for the Grateful Dead and collaborating with Dave Mathews Band, to concerts with Chick Corea, Branford Marsalis and so on. But, the first show with my group Bela Fleck and the Flecktones will always be a very special memory.

5.      Pick 5 words—that start with the letter ‘B’—that best describe your performance.

Boundless. Bouncy. Beguiled. Bliss. Bodacious.

6.      How does your music connect to the larger world?

Lots of people would like it if they heard it, I suspect. But it's harder and harder to find avenues to bring in new people. Fortunately, I'm pretty well established after all this time and there are lots of people who will give my new projects a chance. I think folks like me perform a meaningful role, kind of like outliers, who live near the edge of things and can bring things back to the community from outside of their experience.

7.      What do you hope the audience takes away from your music?

I hope the sense of joy and curiosity inspires their own experience in life. And, I hope the music can find a place in their lives where it is meaningful.

8.      What advice would you give any young musicians in the audience?

Find something that you love to do that no one else is doing. Grow the part of you that is most unique.

9.    Whom do you define as visionary?

Edgar Meyer, Jerry Douglas, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Johan Sebastian Bach, Béla Bartok, Earl Scruggs and so forth.

10.   What songs, artists or styles of music are you currently listening to?

I love the new Randy Newman record, Dark Matter. The Wood Brothers’ The Muse, David Bowie’s Blackstar, John Scofield’s Still Warm, Pat Metheny’s Offramp, Earl Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Banjo, Oumou Sangare’s Best of and so many more.

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Béla Fleck with Brooklyn Rider

Wednesday, January 17 at 7pm

at Walton Arts Center

Cine-Concert Craze!

The beloved animated film, "The Triplets of Belleville" is screened as composer Benoit Charest leads Le Terrible Orchestre de Belleville in the live performance of his original score for the film, including his academy award nominated best song. In the spirit of the film, Le Terrible Orchestre de Belleville transports audiences to the exciting streets of 1920s Paris and Le Jazz Hot.

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 faithful dog follow his trail and are taken in by a trio of eccentric jazz-era divas. The motley sleuths follow the clues to an under- ground speakeasy, where they entertain the crowd. The chase is on!

Q&A with Benoit Charest

What was the inspiration of bringing The Triplets of Belleville to life again through live performance?

Well ‘’Le Terrible Orchestre’’ (In French Terrible means terrible too, but it is a figure of speech meaning the contrary: fantastic, so to say.) was put together purposely for this ciné-concert.

What moved you to revisit The Triplets of Belleveille and make it a cine-concert?

To get out of my studio and away from being in front of a computer all day! And I thought since the film is musical, it would be a good idea to create the ciné-concert.

How do you accomplish the sound of a vacuum cleaner, bicycle, newspaper, record player and the various other sounds in the film?

Ah! That’s a professional secret… Sorry… Seriously: for the vacuum it took me a while but I discovered that I could control a pitch made by the flesh on my fingers when I put my hand over the nozzle… Roughly and octave and a half. For the bike and newspaper, I basically recorded samples and boosted the gain then played around with them.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

Even with a pair of 2’s, stay in the game… Advice from a poker player.

Whom do you define as visionary?

Someone with good eyesight? I guess it’s someone stubborn enough to pursue their own ideas… then I guess it’s up to the people to acknowledge them as new and innovative.

What do you hope the audience takes away from your performances?

Pleasure out of seeing a beautiful animation and hearing real musicians!

What’s next; do you have your sights set on any new adventures?

We just finished a month tour of France. So for the moment, I’m writing and practicing. Film projects are on the way, but none that I could officially announce.

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

My musical tastes and cravings are quite eclectic. This past month I have listened to:

• Satie early works
• Kendrick Lamar
• John Adams –Nixon in China
• Ali Farka Touré
• Franco Califano
• Copeland- Appalachian Spring
• Al Green
• Sonny Rollins
• Cuban Rumba

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The Triplets of Belleville

Thursday, February 1 at 7pm

at Walton Arts Center

My Funny Valentine is the Perfect Night Out!

looking for the perfect Valentine’s or Galentine's night out? Join comedians Pat Hazell and Dena Blizzard for an evening of hilarious and heartwarming stand-up comedy. 

A night of laughs covering topics from relationships to dating, parenting and family life, along with an interactive Q&A session with Dena and Pat. Bring your sweetheart, bring your friends and your sense of humor for an evening of laughter ever after.

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Dena Blizzard 

A comedian, corporate host and former Miss New Jersey, Dena has been featured in The New York Times, co-hosted with Anderson Cooper, and performed at The Laugh Factory, Gotham Comedy Club, Catch a Rising Star and The Comedy Stop at the Tropicana.

She also served as the host and on-air correspondent for the preliminaries of the Miss America Pageant on ABC. Dena is a mother of three who recently starred Off-Broadway in her one-woman show, “One Funny Mother.” Her recent viral video “Chardonnay Go," viewed over 23 million times, is now a hilarious party game called “Chardonnay Go, The Board Game for Wine Lovers, Moms and Other Shameless People.”

When she is not working on TV, she is writing and producing content for her web series and making inappropriate videos about parenting that are sure to put her kids in therapy.

Pat Hazell

Showtime has declared Pat Hazell one of the five funniest people in America. His 30 years of experience as a writer, producer and director have made him a go-to guy for new American theater.

Pat is one of the original writers for NBC’s "Seinfeld," a veteran of "The Tonight Show," critically acclaimed playwright and contributing commentator to National Public Radio. He is recognized for his genuinely funny Americana humor and his salute to nostalgia.

As a playwright, Pat’s first endeavor, "Bunk Bed Brothers," was commissioned by Columbia Pictures, then gained the attention of the TV industry and later filmed as the sitcom, "American Pie," for NBC.

Hazell’s signature work, "The Wonder Bread Years" - a grand salute to the baby-boomer generation - aired on PBS where they referred to him as “America’s foremost pop culture anthropologist.” Currently, the live theatrical tour of "The Wonder Bread Years "is enjoying success across the U.S.

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My Funny Valentine

At Walton Arts Center

Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 pm

Friday, Feb. 9 at 7 pm

Friday, Feb. 9 at 9 pm

Observations on the Human Condition: Cas Public

Cas Public stakes its reputation on the exceptional quality of their works, which can be seen as a compendium of observations on the age-old enigma of the human condition. Its fiery choreographic scores − with intense physicality and an innate sense of theater − stand markedly apart from established codes and cast a sharp yet sensitive light on our human foibles.

Founded in 1989 by choreographer Hélène Blackburn, the company favors the renewal of contemporary approaches to dance. Cas Public continually strives to revitalize their approach, focusing on the depth of experiences by incorporating effective themes and treating them with vigor and a touch of humor. 

For over 25 years, each creation has marked Cas Public’s evolution to their pursuit of excellence through the renewal of gestural codes.

Q&A with

Hélène Blackburn

Cas Public, Founder & Choreographer

1.     When did you first become passionate about dance?

I was a very active child and to help channel my energy, my parents chose to enroll me in dance lessons from a very early age. Dance has always been part of my life. Looking back, I'm not sure that the initial idea of channeling my energy was a success. I remember how I would annoy my mother by constantly practicing my dance steps in the middle of our little kitchen. My parents were very patient and accepted my career choice even though the idea of becoming a choreographer might’ve seemed wacky at the time, especially when one comes from a small town in northern Quebec.

2. How does your work connect to the larger world?

I began my career in the ‘80s at a time of great effervescence in the arts in Quebec. Dancing was no exception. It was very inspiring. It was around the same time as Cirque du Soleil, La La Human Steps, Ex-Machina (Robert Lepage) and other large companies were created. It seemed that everything was possible – a time when artistic circles began opening up to the world. Very early in my career, I had the opportunity to present my work in Europe and Canada even before Cas Public was founded. Now, I have the chance to present my work in many countries, meet different audiences and carry out creative projects all over the world. This openness to the world colors my work and leads me to more humanistic concerns!

3. What is a typical rehearsal and/or performance day like?

Dance is an art that requires many artists. It is a privilege to be on stage − we must be remarkable and out of the ordinary. We work a lot. Each day of rehearsal or show always begins with a ballet class or a specific training according to our needs. Currently, we have added martial arts training for the company's female dancers. Coming from ballet training, I needed them to feel strong and develop an attack power similar to that of a fighter. It is a very physically demanding undertaking, but it has interesting results. In rehearsals, we work 5-6 hours a day as needed. If we are performing, we do the technical work then we rehearse dance sections of the show. Often we put in more hours than the rehearsal days and dance the show twice on the same day; that way, we have the stamina to come on stage and give the best of ourselves. 

4. What Moves you to create a new project? 

All of my creations from the last 10 years are based on strong musical works from a classical repertoire that is rewritten and remixed for our projects. Behind these sources of inspiration, there are often references to classical ballet works, as is the case for Symphonie Dramatique – inspired by Romeo and Juliet. However before approaching a work, I try to find a thread of inspiration that resonates with contemporary life. Symphonie Dramatique came from my need to talk about love and the sometimes-tragic consequences that love entails. I created this piece four years ago after a famous trial in Canada, based on what has been described as a "crime of honor." My daughter was about the same age as the protagonists when I began the work, which made me realize how complex life and love is for these young people living in communities with a cultural diversity. When I look at the rise of racist stigma here and elsewhere, it is clear that the young people of today live in a terribly complex world… It is infinitely sad to think that love can lead to death.

5. Pick 5 words—that start with the letter ‘C’—that best describe Cas Public.

1. Collaborative
2. Community
3. Creative
4. Captivating
5. Contemporary

6. How would you classify Cas Public’s style of dance; and what makes it unique?

I am not presumptuous enough to say that the style of Cas Public is unique, but I believe the extreme demand of our dance – its virtuosity, its sincerity and the courage of our dancers- who make it a special experience. I also believe that we have developed a great refinement at the theatrical level that makes our work stand out.

7. Whom do you define as a visionary?

Beautiful question. Several artists inspire me with the past and the present: Jean-Sébastien Bach for classical music, Gleen Gould for his completely reinvented interpretation of Bach's music, the whole period of the Ballets Russes is very inspiring, notably, the work of Nijinsky as a dancer but also as a choreographer, more recently, choreographers like Wilson Forsythe, Jill Killian, and Quebec choreographers such as Édouard Lock and Jean-Pierre Perreault.

8. What is the best advice that you have been given; and what advice would you give to dancers in the audience?

I was fortunate to collaborate with several great Québécois choreographers. Including Jean-Pierre Perrault for whom I danced, Paul-André Fortier who directed my masters degree dissertation and Edouard Lock – whose company I led for a few years. I learned from each of them. Paul-André taught me that a career is built in the long-term and that we must continue to reinvent ourselves. Jean-Pierre Perreault taught me about meticulousness – an obsession for the smallest detail within large spaces. Edouard Lock taught me how to execute a dance using my extreme exigency as an artist. Everyone, in his or her own way, taught me that everything starts with work. Jean-Pierre often said, "dancers are made to rehearse." This is certainly true for the dancers of Cas Public but also for me when I consider my obsessive behavior when I develop a new project.

As for what I say to the dancers, I like to say that they must be mythical on stage- offering all they have to give to the public. Each performance is unique and valuable, even if we have the chance to dance 100 performances a year, at the end of a life we spend a very short amount of time on stage – missing a single chance is not an option.

9. What do you hope the audience will take away from tonight’s performance?

I hope that the audience will be moved by the energy of our dance and that this energy will turn into emotion. I believe the primary strength of dance is to make us feel things deeply, physically and emotionally. The experience of this direct and inexpressible connection between the body and heart seem to be uniquely particular to dance.

10. What songs, artists or styles of music are you currently listening to?

♪ Quebec

Alexandre Desilets “Windigo,” Charlotte Cardin “Big Boy” and Nelly “Dear Criminals”

♪ Classic

Prokofiev: Cinderella, op. 97 (transcriptions for piano solo); Bach’s Partita No. 1-3 prelude and fughetta in G (played by Glenn Gould); “My tribute to Yehudi Menuhin” and “Spheres” by Daniel Hope

♪ International

Sufjan Stevens Carrie & Lowell, Lana del Rey “Honeymoon,” The Libertines Anthems for Doomed Youth and LP “Into the Wild”

Symphonie Dramatique Contemporary Dance

Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7:30pm | Tickets $10

Cas Public's Symphonie Dramatique is a mordant look at the mythical couple of Romeo & Juliet. Their adaptation draws from Shakespeare’s romantic masterpiece to evoke notions of seduction, desire, unchained passion and death. In this contemporary version, the company’s dancers present a vibrant homage to the original tale tinged with impetuousness and contagious energy. Conflict and inner turmoil are magnificently rendered by the dance and the music, achieving a unique resonance. 

The 10x10 Arts Series brings groundbreaking artists and awe-inspiring performances to Northwest Arkansas…. at a price that is right for the whole community!

All 10x10 performances include pre-show Creative Conversations, a post-show party with artists and the popular Post-It® responses!

A Classic, Reimagined

Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I

Set in 1860’s 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. 

A Beloved Story

"Five stars. Grand and glorious." — Time Out New York

The Lincoln Center production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic tale has received rave reviews across the country. The Chicago Tribune called the show, "a magnificent, genuinely revelatory production," and the Star Tribune proclaimed, “'King and I' reminds us why musicals exist.”

This production of The King and I bridges the gap of time, combining tradition and innovation in a stunning performance that is properly honored and purposely refreshed for the 21st century.

“Magnificent. A sweepingly romantic production. How good to be getting to know the show all over again.”

— NEWSDAY

The production boasts a score that features beloved classics such as “Getting To Know You,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance,” “I Have Dreamed” and “Something Wonderful.” Exceptionally grand and opulently staged, this musical revival stays true to the elegance of classic Broadway while tackling troupes that feel modern.

Award-winning Cast & Crew

Cast and crew come together in a massive scale with opulent costumes and a set designed to be dazzling, elegant, panoramic and personal.

The King & I, directed by Tony Award® winner Bartlett Sher, won four 2015 Tony Awards® including Best Revival of a Musical. Hailed as "too beautiful to miss" (New York Magazine), the production played 538 performances on Broadway at the Vivian Beaumont Theater being going on tour!

Reawakening the role, Laura Michelle Kelly plays a "smart, scrappy" Anna O'Hara (The New York Times). Kelly is an Olivier Award-winning actress for her role as Mary Poppins in London and has a long list of Broadway and West End credits including the 2004 revival of Fiddler on the Roof, Beauty and the Beast and Les Miserables. Every note Kelly sings as Ms. O'Hara takes on a wistful tune that infuses something wonderful into the musical.

Paired perfectly, Jose Llana plays the King of Siam. The chemistry of the two artists adds a playful element to the seasoned, award-winning cast. “Jose was so superb on Broadway in The King and I that I begged him to join us on the tour and l feel we are incredibly lucky to have him. He brings such joy and virility and strength to the King. And he is one of Broadway's great talents," says Director Bartlett Sher.

“I doubt I’ll see a better production in my lifetime”

— Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal

Too beautiful to miss!

Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I

Oct. 3-8, 2017 

Eight shows! Part of the 2017-18 Procter & Gamble Broadway Series.

Tuesday, October 3 at 7pm  GET TICKETS!
Wednesday, October 4 at 7pm  GET TICKETS!
Thursday, October 5 at 1:30pm  GET TICKETS!
Thursday, October 5 at 7pm  GET TICKETS! 
Friday, October 6 at 8pm  GET TICKETS!
Saturday, October 7 at 2pm  GET TICKETS!
Saturday, October 7 at 8pm  GET TICKETS!
Sunday, October 8 at 2pm  GET TICKETS!

"A landmark production and a shot of purest rapture. I never wanted it to end." — The Hollywood Reporter

Study Demonstrates Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Sector on Local Economy

The Arts & Economic Prosperity® Study is conducted nationally every five years. AEP5, the fifth study to be completed, documents the economic contributions of the nonprofit arts industry across the country as well as in 341 study regions, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia during Fiscal Year 2015. Northwest Arkansas (defined for this study as Benton and Washington counties) was the only Arkansas study region included in the report.

“Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 quantifies the economic benefits of arts and culture organizations within a community,” said Randy Cohen, vice president of Research and Policy for the American for the Arts. “This study changes the conversation about the arts from that of a ‘charity’ to one about an ‘industry’ that provides both cultural and economic benefits to the community.” Cohen detailed the findings today during a news conference at the Rogers World Trade Center.

Walton Arts Center staff compiled data for the study from 23 eligible nonprofit arts and cultural organizations located in Northwest Arkansas. Each partner provided detailed budget information for FY15 including labor, payments to local and nonlocal artists, operations, administration, programming, facilities and capital expenditures/asset acquisition. Patrons also were surveyed about spending around their attendance to arts events. Project economists customized input-output models for each study region to ensure reliable and actionable localized results.

Key AEP5 Findings for NWA:

• Nearly 1.8 million people attended arts and culture events in Northwest Arkansas in 2015. Event-related spending by these attendees totaled $63.7 million, excluding the cost of admission, or roughly $35.89 per person. That’s slightly higher than the national average of $31.47 per person and almost double the $19.54 per person spending in the Northwest Arkansas region documented by Arts and Economic Prosperity IV (AEPIV), covering Fiscal Year 2010.
• The economic impact of the arts accounts for more than the monies spent in communities by residents. Cultural tourists spend money, as well. Twenty-five percent of attendees traveled from outside of the county in which the event took place. Their event-related spending on average was 199% more per person than local attendees ($71.20 vs. $23.85).
• A vibrant arts community not only keeps residents and their discretionary spending closer to home, it also attracts visitors who spend money and help local businesses thrive. Eighty-six percent of nonlocal attendees indicated that the primary purpose of their visit was “specifically to attend this arts or cultural event."
• Among local attendees, 42 percent said they would have traveled to a different community to attend a similar cultural event, if the arts event they wanted to attend was not taking place.
• Comparing results from AEPIV and AEP5 shows that the arts industry in Northwest Arkansas has grown significantly, due in large part to the addition of the Walmart AMP and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art between FY10 and FY15.
  • Total economic impact is up 124%
  • Number of jobs is up 212%
  • Local and state revenue is up 248%
  • Resident spending is up by 50% and non-resident spending is up 97%

Key AEP5 Findings Nationally:

• Nonprofit arts industry generated $166.3 billion of economic activity in 2015—$63.8 billion in spending by arts and cultural organizations and an additional $102.5 billion in event-related expenditures by their audiences.
• This industry supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in revenue to local, state, and federal governments—a yield well beyond their collective $5 billion in arts allocations.
• Money spent by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations supported a larger share of the U.S. workforce—0.83 percent—than the legal or public safety sectors.

 “With current threats of cutting funding for nonprofit organizations, this study is timely,” Cohen said. “The $27.5 billion generated in revenue by the arts industry nationally back to the government shows that municipal, state and federal arts support is not a one-way street. Arts organizations provide jobs, support the economy and the government while they also educate, entertain and increase our quality of lives.”

The full report, a map of the 341 study regions and an economic impact summary for each can be found at www.AmericansForTheArts.org/EconomicImpact.

"Create Your Own" Experience

With over 50 shows to choose from, there is something for everyone during our 2017-18 season! And now, you can get early access to the best seats at the best price with a Create Your Own subscription package. All you have to do is choose 3, 5 or 7 shows that you want to see. The more you buy, the more you save!

Here are a just a few of the great shows coming this season... 

Blues legends Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ are uniting for a historic cross-generational collaboration to kick off our new season. TajMo marks the convergence of these two talented and unique American artists. The partnership brings out the best in both artists—merging their distinctive voices, personalities and guitar styles to create vibrant music that’s firmly rooted in tradition yet ruled by a playful sense of adventure.

Rodgers & Hamerstein’s The King and I will take the stage later in October. This breathtakingly exquisite Broadway musical tells the story of Anna Leonowens, governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the 1860s. The plot follows the experiences of Anna and her relationship with the King that is marked by conflict, cultural barriers and a deep love to which neither can admit.

Jake Shimabukuro returns to the WAC on Oct. 18 to demonstrate his rich and varied catalog that perfectly captures the diverse moods of the ukulele. Remembered for his unique arrangements of popular songs like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsady,” this highly acclaimed artist continues to prove that an instrument is limited only by the imagination and creativity of the person playing it.

Then, kick off the new year in style with At This Performance™. This 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 Q&A session with the audience in an evening created exclusively for WAC. You'll want to secure your seat for what will be a “can’t miss event” for theatrical audiences and entertainment industry insiders in this rare opportunity to see the Broadway stars of tomorrow, today.

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 story book heroines have come back to life to set the record straight in Disenchanted. 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!

While these shows are impressive in their own right, they barely scratch the surface of a season that is packed with music, comedy, Broadway and memorable arts experiences for the whole family! 

For access to the best seats at the best price, visit waltonartscenter.org/cyo and select the shows YOU want to see before single tickets go on sale in August! Or, call our Box Office at 479.443.5600. 

The Best of Broadway is Heading to WAC

The 2017-18 Procter & Gamble Broadway Series debuts this fall at Walton Arts Center, and it might just be the biggest season yet with eight brilliant productions. It’s a great combination of timeless classics and some of Broadway’s hottest new hits.

2017-18 Procter & Gamble Broadway Series

1.    Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I: October 3-8, 2017

Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I

Kicking off the series is Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I, which tells the timeless story of an unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher who 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.

2.    Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: November 7-12, 2017

The next Broadway musical will put you in the holiday spirit and remind you that “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing.” Irving Berlin’s White Christmas has been adapted for the stage in a lavish new production that is full of dancing and laughter, and some of the best songs ever written.

3.    Finding Neverland: December 19-23, 2017

The winner of Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, Finding Neverland tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. The magic of playwright J.M. Barrie’s classic tale spring to life in this heartwarming theatrical event.

4.    Cabaret: January 19-21, 2018

Cabaret makes its Walton Arts Center debut in January. This award-winning production invites you into the Kit Kat Klub where a raucous ensemble takes the stage nightly to tease the crowd. Leave your troubles outside. Life is beautiful at Cabaret.

Cabaret

5.    An American in Paris: February 6-11, 2018

The next musical takes us to Paris for a romantic story about an American soldier and a mysterious French girl, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. An American in Paris brings with it the unforgettable songs from George and Ira Gershwin in a show that earned more awards than any other musical in the 2015 season.

6.    RENT 20th Anniversary Tour: March 2-4, 2018

Two decades after its initial and unprecedented debut, RENT The 20th Anniversary Tour comes to Northwest Arkansas in March. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, RENT is a timeless celebration of friendship and reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters—love.

7.    Beautiful – The Carole King Musical: April 24-29, 2018

The celebration of love and courage continues with Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, the true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom. Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll. But it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice.

Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

8.    The Sound of Music: May 15-20, 2018

Our Broadway series ends with another Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, The Sound of Music. This spirited, romantic and beloved 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-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss” and the title song.

With this amazing lineup of shows, who wouldn’t love the chance to secure your seats to each one today? Each Broadway subscription includes Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I, Finding Neverland, An American in Paris, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical and The Sound of Music. You can complete your package by choosing between Cabaret, RENT The 20th Anniversary Tour and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas—or by selecting all three.

“We’ve given our season ticket holders the opportunity to customize their subscription this year by including five standard shows in every package then allowing subscribers to select one, two or all three additional shows to complete their package,” says Scott Galbraith, VP of Programming and Executive Producer.

A Broadway Subscription also gives you priority purchasing opportunities for Walton Arts Center shows and special events, discounted pricing on shows throughout the season and the ability to exchange your seats for tickets to another show within the same production to better suit your schedule.

With these added benefits and the power to choose exactly what you want to see, what’s not to love about being a Broadway subscriber? Mark your calendars and start planning the shows you’ll choose to complete your package.