Arkansas Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations

Review: CONWAY MEN'S CHORUS at Reynolds Performance Hall
by Theresa Bertram - December 26, 2024

When I heard that CONWAY MEN’S CHORUS was celebrating 25 years of singing, I knew I needed to check out their Holiday Concert Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Reynolds Performance Hall at The University of Central Arkansas in Conway, and I loved this celebration of music, community, and the holiday spirit. Not o...

Review: A FERTLE HOLIDAY AND NEW YEARS EVE BASH at The Joint Comedy Theater
by Theresa Bertram - December 23, 2024

The holiday season is in full swing at The Joint Comedy Theater, located at 301 Main Street in North Little Rock! The Main Thing Comedy Trio—featuring my favorite comedians, Steve Farrell, Vicki Farrell, and Brett Ihler—brings the uproarious Fertle family to life in A FERTLE HOLIDAY this Friday and ...

Review: SHUCKED at Walton Arts Center
by Theresa Bertram - December 20, 2024

If you mix the Hee Haw cornfield joke skits with a PG-13 RomCom, you get SHUCKED, which is playing at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville now through December 22nd. This hilarious Broadway musical (Book by Robert Horn with Music and Lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally) combines down-home hu...

Review: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA at Simmons Bank Arena
by Theresa Bertram - December 20, 2024

I now have a new favorite Christmas rock band! Scratch that. I now have a new favorite rock band that happens to play Christmas music, and let’s be honest, if you can make Christmas music sound this cool, you deserve high accolades....

Review: A CHRISTMAS STORY THE MUSICAL at Argenta Contemporary Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - December 16, 2024

To close out the holiday season, the Argenta Contemporary Theatre in North Little Rock presents A CHRISTMAS STORY THE MUSICAL now through December 22, to a sold-out crowd, and rightfully so. The talent level for this production is through the roof, with a cast that brings extraordinary energy and ch...

Review: WINTER WONDERETTES at The Pocket Community Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - December 15, 2024

What did our critic think of WINTER WONDERETTES at The Pocket Community Theatre?...

Review: SILVER BELLES at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - December 13, 2024

What did our critic think of SILVER BELLES at The Royal Theatre?...

Review: DREAMGIRLS at Actors Theatre Of Little Rock
by Theresa Bertram - December 13, 2024

With Music by Henry Krieger and Books and Lyrics by Tom Even, DREAMGIRLS follows the rise of a fictional 1960s girl group, The Dreams, which was inspired by acts like The Supremes. Effie (Courtney “Coco” Briggs), Deena (Rosa Howard), and Lorrell (Tiara Piggee) enter a talent contest with hopes of la...

Review: ANNIE at The Studio Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - December 10, 2024

As one of their last main shows in their space that they have been inhabiting for about a decade, the Studio Theatre in Little Rock brings the timeless charm of ANNIE to life in a heartwarming production with songs that you know and love now through Sunday, Dec. 15. It’s going to be sad to say goodb...

Review: THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL at North Little Rock High School PAC
by Theresa Bertram - December 07, 2024

What did our critic think of THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL at North Little Rock High School Performing Arts Center?...

Review: CHARLES DICKENS' A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Lakeside High School
by Theresa Bertram - December 07, 2024

What did our critic think of CHARLES DICKENS' A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Lakeside High School?...

Review: THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER at Silvermoon Children's Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - December 06, 2024

What did our critic think of THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER at Silvermoon Children's Theatre?aBroadway World loves taking a road trip to Texarkana to see the young actors at The Silvermoon Children’s Theatre. They impress me every time I go see them. For this trip we saw the delightful BEST CHRISTM...

Review: IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS THE MUSICAL at Murry's Dinner Playhouse
by Theresa Bertram - December 04, 2024

Nothing says Christmas like going to Murry’s Dinner Playhouse in Little Rock for a festive evening of delicious food and heartwarming entertainment. With its cozy atmosphere and wonderful hospitality, Murry’s creates the perfect setting to celebrate the season with family and friends. Now through Ne...

Review: RIDE THE CYCLONE at Arkansas State University Jonesboro
by Theresa Bertram - December 01, 2024

What did our critic think of RIDE THE CYCLONE at Arkansas State University Jonesboro?...

Review: CENDRILLON: A CINDERELLA STORY at Ouachita Baptist University McBeth Recital Hall
by Theresa Bertram - December 01, 2024

What did our critic think of CENDRILLON: A CINDERELLA STORY at Ouachita Baptist University McBeth Recital Hall?...

Review: THE MALTESE ANTIDEPRESSANT at Batesville Community Thatre
by Theresa Bertram - November 27, 2024

Creativity thrives at Batesville Community Theatre! Their latest production, THE MALTESE ANTIDEPRESSANT, an original play written by board member Stephen Norris, debuted to enthusiastic audiences November 15–17. The show was such a hit that they’re bringing it back by popular demand the weekend of J...

Review: HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION at Bryant High School
by Theresa Bertram - November 26, 2024

Directed by Jeremy Clay, the Bryant High School Thespian Troupe took on an ambitious challenge with their production of Hadestown: Teen Edition, presented November 14-17, and the result was nothing short of extraordinary. With a story as layered and emotionally rich as this Tony Award-winning musica...

Review: CLUE At Red Curtain Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - November 25, 2024

What did our critic think of CLUE at Red Curtain Theatre?...

Review: WAIT UNTIL DARK at Performing Arts Center On The Square
by Theresa Bertram - November 23, 2024

What did our critic think of WAIT UNTIL DARK at Performing Arts Center On The Square?...

Review: A CHRISTMAS STORY at Twin Lakes Playhouse
by Theresa Bertram - November 21, 2024

Believe it or not, I have never really seen the movie A CHRISTMAS STORY. Sure, I’ve heard ‘you’ll shoot your eye out’, I’m familiar with the kid sticking his tongue on the frozen pole, and I’ve seen the leg lamp, but I have never sat down and watched the movie. So, my real introduction to this Chris...

Review: HEATHERS THE MUSICAL at University Of Central Arkansas Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - November 20, 2024

What did our critic think of HEATHERS THE MUSICAL at University Of Central Arkansas Theatre?...

Review: DR. SEUSS HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS THE MUSICAL at Robinson Center
by Theresa Bertram - November 19, 2024

Framed like a Christmas dream full of color and glee, Dr. Seuss’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS THE MUSICAL was simply magical, and we were thrilled to catch a performance Saturday, Nov. 9, at Robinson Center in Little Rock. With its whimsical sets, dazzling costumes, and a heartwarming story brough...

Review: WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S HAMLET at The Lantern Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - November 15, 2024

The Lantern Theatre in Conway has reimagined William Shakespeare’s HAMLET by casting a female in the titular role, and it has proved to be the most inspirational and creative choice allowing you to experience this classic in a whole new way. Directed by Vera Proctor, this innovative approach not onl...

Review: DANCE NATION at Actors Theatre Of Little Rock
by Theresa Bertram - November 16, 2024

Broadway World loves it when companies produce shows that take risks unapologetically. Several times now the Actors Theatre of Little Rock has left me speechless and proud at the same time, and this is one of those moments with their production of DANCE NATION, which was presented Oct. 30 through No...

Review: MOLIERE'S THE IMAGINARY INVALID at UALR Haislip Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - November 12, 2024

Theatre education is incredibly important for fostering a range of skills and values that benefit students far beyond the stage, so I love going to the different schools to see what they are learning. For my inaugural trip to the University of Arkansas Little Rock’s Haislip Theatre Thursday, Oct. 24...