The University of Central Arkansas’s Nostalgia Series returns with a performance by impressionist Rich Little at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4 at the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall.
Little, known for his work imitating former U.S. presidents ranging from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush, has recorded nine comedy albums and been part three HBO comedy specials as well as numerous other television appearances. His Christmas Carol won an Emmy.
“He is best known for his impressions,” said Jerry Biebesheimer, director of UCA Public Appearances. “But what I find incredible about him is not just his voice of the characters. He takes on their whole persona.”
“He also does songs, which I find amazing, because he does those as the person who performed the song originally.”
Little’s impressions are so good that he has even filled in on productions. When David Niven became too ill for his voice to be used in appearances in a couple of Pink Panther movies in the early 1980s, Little filled in and provided the overdub.
The singer, entertainer and comedian has a wide range of individuals he impersonates, from Kermit the Frog to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jack Nicholson and Clint Eastwood.
“He can sound like anybody and has more than 200 people he can impersonate,” Biebesheimer said. “He not only remembers what people say, but how they say it.”
Tickets, available at the UCA Ticket Central Box Office, are $30-$40 for adults, $27-$37 for senior citizens, $25-$35 for UCA alumni, $23-$33 for UCA faculty and staff, and $10 for UCA students with a current student I.D. For tickets, call (501) 450-3265 or toll free from anywhere in Arkansas at 1-866-810-0012.
