Hope-based theater group sets meeting

The formation of a community theater group is “ahead of schedule,” according to George S. Smith, former executive director of the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council, and, along with his wife Bobbie, a group organizer.

Since the first exploratory meeting in early September, Smith said ‘Numerous residents have made expressed interest in being a part of the organization and being in the first production, a musical review, scheduled for the spring 2020.

Smith, who has assisted in starting community theater groups in four cities, three in Arkansas and one in Texas, said the first production will be a four-act musical review. “We have the interest, enthusiasm and voices to carry off 50s-60s act, along with gospel, a Broadway segment and a patriotic salute to America.”

The next informational meeting an audition will be at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct 10 at the McLarty Room at the Amtrak Depot. Smith urged all interested persons, including those that attended the first meeting, to attend. “We are not just forming a group to perform on stage, we are forming a ‘family’ that believes in the power of the theater and live performances.”

While he said “The voices and individual characteristics of performers will determine the final musical lineup of the show,” a draft of possible songs for the four acts point to the need for certain singers. “We will gladly accept suggestions for songs to include from anyone.”

Every area, he said, “has a legion of good actors, singers and people who love the theater to sustain live stage productions. South Arkansas is no different. I was blown away at the quality of talent that showed up at the first meeting and I know there are others who could attend the meeting because of conflicts.’

As director, Smith sees a need for:

■ Children ages five to young teens for Broadway segments, including “Pick a Pocket or Two” from “Oliver” and “Do Re Mi” from “Sound of Music.” (Both on YouTube.)

■ Five to six “teenage’ female singers for a slumber party scene. (He said possible songs that could be included can be found on YouTube and include: “Mr. Lee,” “Leader of the Pack,” “Be My Baby”, “Soldier Boy,” “I Love How You Love Me,” “I Met Him on a Sunday”, and ‘Summer Lovin’.’

■ Same number of ‘teenage” male singers hanging out in a park. Possible songs include “Sh-boom,” “At the Hop,” “Hand Jive,” “Be-Bop-a-Lula,” ‘book of Love,”

“Who Put the Bomp” “Maybe Baby” and “Summer Lovin’.”

■ Males for various segments, with songs that could include “Ballad of the Green Beret,” “Nothng Like a Dame (from Broadway’s “South Pacific”), “God Bless America,” “I’m Getting Married in the Morning” (“My Fair Lady”), “This Land is Your Land.”

■ Female singers: “I Wanna Be in America”, “Tonight” (“West Side Story”) “America the Beautiful,” “Green, Green Grass of Home.”

■ Various gospel songs for solos, duets, and groups.

Additionally, Smith said, “We are planning a dinner before the main performance and entertainment will be provided. Singers and entertainers can recommend the material they want to present.”