FAYETTEVILLE — For those who think the sound of motor- cycles will become played out over the next few days, there are some options. Namely, plays.
In the wake of the Bikes, Blues & BBQ rally that has flooded the area with motorcycles, their riders and the thousands of those simply interested in watching the other two are four presentations on stages throughout the area that plan to provide a change of pace in the days following the rally.
From children's shows to traveling musicals based on popular movies, here is a look at what is coming to local stages in the next few days.
'WAR OF THE WORLDS'
When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Oct. 2-3 Where: Fort Smith Little Theater, 401 N. Sixth St., Fort Smith Tickets: $5; available by calling 783-2966
Like it was when Orson Welles debuted it in October 1938, "War of the Worlds" was intended as a radio program. Written by Howard Koch and delivered by Welles and his staff on the air as a breaking news bulletin, the show created mass hysteria as thousands of people, mostly on the East Coast, were convinced aliens were indeed landing on Earth.
Though that was later proved to be untrue, the show has become legendary for the panic that was created and the power of the spoken word.
The radio script will be revisited by actors from the Fort Smith Little Theatre beginning Thursday. It is being presented as a staged reading, and the set has been built to resemble an old-fashioned radio studio.
In addition to the 22 voices in the production, a crew will create live sound effects, much as someone would have during the original broadcast.
'CHARLOTTE'S WEB'
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday Where: Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 E. Main St., Alma Tickets: $20/adults, $10/children 12 and younger; available by calling 632-2129 or at www.almapac.org
One of the most classic of children's books, E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web," is about the friendship of a pig named Wilbur and spider named Charlotte. In an attempt to save Wilbur from becoming someone's dinner, Charlotte decides to create a message in her web for all to see.
TheatreworksUSA's restaging of the tale will come to the Alma Performing Arts Center on Tuesday with a production that is best suited for those in kindergarten through the fifth grade. According to the production company, more than 4 million people see a show staged by Theatreworks each year.
'THE WEDDING SINGER'
When: 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday Where: Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville Tickets: $30.50-$45.50; available at the WAC box office, by calling 443-5600 or at www.waltonartscenter.org
The debut of the tour- ing production of the Broadway musical "The Wedding Singer" will take place in Fayetteville when the show
takes the stage at the Walton Arts Center on Monday and Tuesday.
The musical is based on the 1998 movie that featured Adam
Sandler and Drew Barrymore as a down-on-his-luck wedding singer and a waitress, respec- tively. Both are engaged to oth- ers, but find friendship and a
budding relationship along the way.
The musical version first appeared on Broadway in 2006.
'ANDROCLES AND THE LION'
When: 3 p.m. Saturday Where: Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St., Springdale Tickets: $12/member, $16/nonmember, $8/member student, $9/nonmember student; available by calling 751-5441 or at www.artscenteroftheozarks.org
Androcles and the lion were supposed to be friends. But when they were captured, their fates crossed again. Would the hungry lion attack his friend? This is the principle concept behind "Androcles and the Lion," the children's play being staged by the Arts Center of the Ozarks on Saturday. The play, written by Aurand Harris, is based on a fable by Aesop.
The story is being told in the tradition of Commedia dell'Arte, an Italian style of improvised theater. All the char- acters have been determined, and their main course of action has been scripted. But the actors have the ability to improvise within their role. The show features plenty of slapstick and physical humor.