Fort Smith audiences might want to check their cellphones at the door for a Jan. 28 concert at the ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center.
The performer is internationally renowned for her work on Broadway -- "Gypsy," "Company," "Sweeney Todd," "Evita"; in film -- "State and Main," "Witness," "Driving Miss Daisy"; and television -- "30 Rock," "Ugly Betty," "Will and Grace." She's also been in the news a lot lately for her campaign against rude theater goers. Just a few days ago, she snatched a phone from a texting audience member at a performance of her latest play, "Shows for Days."
FYI
UAFS 35th
Season of Entertainment
Oct. 13 — UAFS Choral Concert, 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center
Oct. 15-17, 19-20 — Theatre @ UAFS production: “All My Sons,” 7:30 p.m., Breedlove Auditorium
Oct. 26 — UAFS Symphonic Band Concert, 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center
Nov. 12 — National Touring Event: “An Evening with LeAnn Rimes,” 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center
Nov. 17 — UAFS Jazz Concert, 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center
Nov. 23 — National Touring Event: “Ragtime,” 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center
Dec. 1 — Season’s Greeting Concert, 7 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center
Jan. 28 — National Touring Event: “Patti LuPone: Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda,” 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center
Feb. 11-13, 15 — Theatre @ UAFS production: “The 39 Steps,” Breedlove Auditorium. The Feb. 14 performance will take place at 2:30 p.m., with all others at 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 — National Touring Event: “Million Dollar Quartet,” 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center
April 4 — UAFS Symphonic Band Concert, 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center
April 14 — UAFS Jazz Concert, 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center
April 26 — “A Grand Night for Singing,” 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center
INFO — 788-7300
FYI
w/Matt Stansberry pic
UAFS at
The Blue Lion
Also recently announced, the schedule for the third annual Season at The Blue Lion offers three concerts at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith’s downtown entertainment venue.
The season features musical performances by Matt Stansberry & The Romance on Sept. 18, UAFS music faculty on Jan. 30 and Rising Stars of the Metropolitan Opera on Feb. 16. All concerts take place at 7:30 p.m. at The Blue Lion at UAFS Downtown, located at 101 N. 2nd St.
Only 200 tickets are available per performance. Season tickets cost $50 and are on sale now.
INFO — UAFS Box Office at 788-7300
"We work hard onstage to create a world that is being totally destroyed by a few rude, self-absorbed and inconsiderate audience members who are controlled by their phones," LuPone said after the incident.
Stacey Jones, associate vice chancellor for campus and community events and founder of the Season of Entertainment, now in its 35th year at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, doesn't think LuPone will need to worry.
"Her coming to Fort Smith is a major feat, and we're ecstatic to present her," Jones says. "What a great artist!"
Also scheduled for 2015-16 are two-time Grammy winner LeAnn Rimes plus touring productions of "Ragtime" and "Million Dollar Quartet." They'll be joined by Theatre @ UAFS productions "All My Sons" and "The 39 Steps" plus jazz, choral and symphonic band concerts.
The Season of Entertainment was founded on the idea of blending UAFS offerings from the drama and music departments with touring productions captured as they traveled between longer engagements in cities such as Dallas and Kansas City or St. Louis. Jones says it's a "massive task" to look at what's available, figure out the "tie-in dates" and schedule around the locally produced plays and concerts. But the plan to bring in audiences has paid off.
"There was a time when I would go to a university production, and I remember seeing more people on stage than there were in the audience," Jones says. "The kids deserved better than that."
Now UAFS plays and musical ensembles are winning regional and national acclaim, giving the season "a great balance to it. There's something for everybody," Jones says. "I think the Season of Entertainment is exactly what it says it is -- a season of entertainment with a good mix of everything."
NAN What's Up on 07/17/2015