The South Arkansas Arts Center’s Theatre Steering Committee has announced its 2018-2019 theater season, beginning in the fall, as a celebration of imagination and storytelling.
Opening the season is the Tony Award winning “Peter and the Starcatcher,” sponsored by Murphy-Pitard Jewelers. The play follows the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be “The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up” (a.k.a. Peter Pan). From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, “Peter and the Starcatcher” playfully explores the depths of greed and despair and the bonds of friendship, duty and love. From the books by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, adapted for the stage by directors Roger Rees and Alex Timbers and written for the stage by Rick Elise with music by Wayne Barker, the show will run Nov. 1-6.
Auditions for the show will be held Sept. 17-18.
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is the second production in the lineup, sponsored by Southern Bancorp & Teague Auto Group. Currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” is a fresh approach to the all-time 1967 classic, based on the beloved comic strip by Charles Schultz. Sally Brown joins Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder and Snoopy in this charming revue of vignette. The show depicts an average day in the life of Charlie Brown, with experiences ranging from Valentine’s Day to the baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair, all mixed in with the lives of his friends (both human and non-human). Based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schultz; book, music and lyrics by Clark Gesner, the show will run March 1-3 and March 7-10.
Auditions for the show will be held Jan. 14-15.
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” sponsored by Murphy USA, will round out the season as the summer musical. Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score. An equally powerful story and score make “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” an instant classic. Audiences will be swept away by the magic of this truly unforgettable musical. Book by Peter Parnell, musical score by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, the show will run July 18-21 and July 24-28.
Auditions for the show will be held in May 2019.
“This year’s productions are all infused with that particular element of imagination that can truly create magic onstage,” said Laura Allen, SAAC executive director. “While these three shows have very different subject matter, they are all rooted in a strong tradition of storytelling that is both engaging and entertaining for all ages.”
For more information, contact the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit saac-arts.org. SAAC is located at 110 E. Fifth St., El Dorado.