Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.
The University of Central Arkansas’s Reynolds Performance Hall will feature a record 23 events for the 2017-18 season which kicks off with a lecture Sept. 25 by Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. as part of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School.
The season will include Broadway, Pops, and Night Out Series; two Distinguished Lectures; and two Add-On Specials, as well as six Main Stage EdUCAtion shows and a benefit performance for Main Stage.
“The 2017-18 season offers spectacular concerts, beloved Broadway musicals, thrilling variety shows and notable speakers,” said Amanda Horton, director of Reynolds. “Our Pops Series will include multi-award winning musicians America and the Charlie Daniels Band, who are both trailblazers in the music industry.
“Our Broadway Series will bring to life the classic tales of Cinderella and The Wizard of Oz and also includes the 2014 Tony-award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. We will also have exciting world entertainment options with the taiko drumming ensemble TAO from Japan and Dublin Irish Dance, which features highly-trained Irish dancers accompanied by an eight-piece traditional Irish band.”
The season includes:
Broadway Series
- The Wizard of Oz, Nov. 12, 3 p.m., presented by the Log Cabin Democrat
- Million Dollar Quartet, 5, 7:30 p.m., presented by the Log Cabin Democrat
- Cinderella, April 18, 7:30 p.m., presented by WINC magazine and Andy’s Custard
- A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, April 29, 7:30 p.m., presented by Arkansas Times
Pops Series
- Charlie Daniels Band, Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m., presented by My Country Y107.1
- America, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m., presented by KARN 102.9FM
- Pixar in Concert featuring the Conway Symphony Orchestra, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m., presented by 501 Life magazine
- Home Free, March 13, 7:30 p.m., presented by Conway Printing Company
Night Out Series
- Jack Hanna Into the Wild Live! presented by Nationwide, Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m., presented by 501 Life magazine
- Dublin Irish Dance, Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m., presented by B98.5FM
- TAO: Drum Heart, March 4, 7:30 p.m., presented by Alice 107.7FM
- Cameron Carpenter, April 3, 7:30 p.m., presented by the UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication
Distinguished Lectures
- Henry Louis Gates Jr., Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., presented by KOKY 102.1FM
- Jenna Bush Hager, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m., presented by 501 Life magazine
Add-on Specials
- A Charlie Brown Christmas, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m., presented by Y107.1
- Christmas with BJ Thomas, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Main Stage EdUCAtion
- How I Became a Pirate, 11, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
- Mooseltoe, 8, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
- Freedom Riders, 23, 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
- Pinkalicious, Feb. 11, 3 p.m. (public performance), and Feb. 12, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
- Cirque Zuma Zuma, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
- Charlotte’s Web, April 6, 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 6 p.m. (public performance), presented by Toad Suck Daze Festival
Benefit for Main Stage EdUCAtion
- A Christmas Carol, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.
The Main Stage EdUCAtion series, aimed at Arkansas school districts, debuted in 2015-16. Horton said then the goal was to increase access to the arts for kindergarten through 12th grade students.
“The Main Stage Education Series continued to grow in its second season with almost 9,000 students, teachers and parents served,” she said. “We had school groups attend from across Arkansas, including Mountain View, Little Rock, Searcy, Cabot and Conway. For our 2017-18 season, we are expanding our program to six shows that are sure to entertain while educating the students.”
Subscription renewals for current season ticket holders are available now. New subscriptions will go on sale to the general public June 26. Subscriber Courtesy Week, when those who bought packages for the season may purchase individual tickets to any show before they open to the general public, will be July 31-Aug. 4. Single tickets will go on sale to the general public Aug. 7.
To purchase a new subscription package beginning June 26, call 501-450-3265 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Individual tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, online at uca.edu/reynolds, or by calling 501-450-3265 beginning Aug. 7.
Individual series prices range from $90-$130; Performing Arts Package (all three series) range from $245-$380; individual tickets for all shows except lectures are $30-$40; lectures are $15. A “Pick Six,” build-your-own package is available to donors of $100 or more.
For more information, contact Horton at 501-450-3682 or ahorton@uca.edu or Julia Dossett Morgan at 501-852-7889 or jmorgan@uca.edu or visit www.uca.edu/reynolds. Details about all the upcoming performances as well as information about Reynolds Performance Hall may be found there.
The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Music, and Film, Theatre and Creative Writing, as well as the School of Communication. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit www.uca.edu/cfac or call 501-450-3293.
