The South Arkansas Arts Center recently announced its lineup of titles for the 2017-2018 theatre season at an announcement party held in the art galleries on Saturday. The upcoming season will be SAAC’s 54th year of theatre productions. The party included a production of the fast-paced play, “Completely Hollywood (Abridged)” and guests came dressed as their favorite Hollywood stars.
Gary Hall, chairman of the theater committee, spoke to the crowd following the play and filled the guests in on the list of productions picked for the upcoming season. Following the theme of “classic Hollywood films,” Hall wowed the crowd when he announced the season opener for 2017 will be “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” which will be directed by El Dorado’s own Alexander Jeffery, who was also in attendance Saturday night.
Spring 2018 will feature the musical version of the ever popular, “Sunset Boulevard,” followed up by the classic Hollywood musical ‘Singin’ in the Rain,” as the summer offering.
“Two of the productions are actual behind-the-scenes stories that we will be bringing to life in live theatre. The other production contains one of the most vibrant and
recognizable characters to ever grace the screen. We want to bring a little taste of old Hollywood to a new era in El Dorado’s history. We’ve just come off one of the most successful seasons in SAAC history and we have no intention of backing up. So El Dorado, it’s showtime at SAAC,” Hall said.
Based on Truman Capote’s classic novella, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” tells the story of a young Southern-born writer, known to us only as Fred, who becomes infatuated with his Upper East Side neighbor, the beguiling, effervescent beauty “Miss Holly Golightly.”
The musical version of “Sunset Boulevard,” is a tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition. In her mansion on Sunset Boulevard, silent-screen goddess Norma Desmond lives in a fantasy world. Impoverished screenwriter Joe Gillis stumbles into her reclusive domain and is persuaded to work on Norma’s “masterpiece,” a film script that she believes will put her back in front of the cameras. Joe becomes entrapped in a claustrophobic existence until his love for another woman leads him to try and break free with dramatic consequences.
“You will tap your toes and sing along in this splashy adaptation of the celebrated and beloved film ‘Singin’ in the Rain’,” Hall said. Each unforgettable scene, song and dance from the film is accounted for, including the show-stopping title number, complete with an onstage rainstorm! “Hilarious situations, snappy dialogue and a hit-parade score of Hollywood standards make ‘Singin’ in the Rain,’ the perfect entertainment for any fan of the golden age of movie musicals.”
South Arkansas Arts Center will also be hosting other Hollywood productions and special events this year.
“It’s so exciting to do a classic Hollywood season at SAAC and it’s very inspiring to see everyone here gearing up for it, from the children’s drama classes to the Silver Theater group. Everyone is embracing the theme of the season and we are ready to get to work. SAAC is also happy to once again be the venue for the El Dorado Film Festival, which will be held Nov. 9-12,” said Laura Allen, SAAC’s executive director.
Jeffery spoke to the crowd about the film festival, which he heads up. “This year, we are thrilled to be returning to the South Arkansas Arts Center and have an amazing lineup in store for our audiences. Musical acts during the festival will include Arkansas’ own Barrett Baber, and… exclusive announcement here… we’ve got Dennis Quaid coming with his band Dennis Quaid and The Sharks.”
The Arts Academy Drama Club, grades seven through 12, will present “Fiddler on the Roof Jr.” as their end of the semester project in December. This special adaptation of the nine-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “Fiddler on the Roof Jr.” follows Tevye the milkman as he tries to protect his daughters and his way of life from a changing world.
“Hollywood & Pine” will feature a selection of songs from the great Hollywood holiday movies in December. This family-friendly show includes holiday songs, comedy, dancing and magic to get you in the holiday spirit.
In January 2018, the Silver Theater Group will present a reader’s theater production of “Moonlight and Magnolias.” After shutting down his production of “Gone with the Wind,” David O. Selznick sends for screenwriter Ben Hecht and director Victor Fleming. The three men spend five days locked in an office and fashion a screenplay that will become one of the most successful and beloved films of all time.
For more information about the upcoming theater season, call the SAAC office or visit the website at www.saac-arts.org. SAAC is located at 110 E. Fifth St., El Dorado.