El Dorado Insider Relocation Guide 2023 - 19

SPRING PRODUCTION TAKES THE STAGE
Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition coming to South Arkansas Arts Center
Text by: Laura Allen
F
ollow the Yellow Brick Road to the stage at the
South Arkansas Arts Center for this spring's
production of The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition!
Some of the most talented young people around will
be appearing in the musical extravaganza, made
possible through a gift from the Kiwanis Club of El Dorado.
Students in grades 2 through 8 will take the stage Saturday,
May 5 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 6
at 2 p.m.
Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion will
embark on their adventure through Oz with guidance from
director Hayden Nooner and music director Cassie Hickman.
Hayden was born and raised in Hampton and is a graduate of
Harding University, where he received a degree in Theatre.
He currently teaches drama at SAAC and at Barton Junior
High School. At SAAC, he has appeared onstage in Clue: On
Stage and Mamma Mia! and directed The Complete Works
of William Shakespeare: Abridged. Cassie has served as
music director for countless youth productions, including the
recently completed run of Frozen, JR.
The beloved tale is sure to be a crowd-pleasing show, filled
with beloved songs like " Ding, Dong the Witch is Dead, " and
" If I Only Had a Brain. " Director Hayden is excited to bring
the story to life with his talented cast.
" This classic story has touched the hearts of millions for
over eighty years, " he says. " I love being able to be a part of
a show that can touch so many people in different ways and
that's what The Wizard of Oz does. I cannot wait to see the
2023 cast of The Wizard of Oz, bring this show to life. I fell
in love with this movie when I was young and I can't wait to
share my love of this story with the SAAC audience. "
Tickets for both shows are available for $5 through SAAC's
website, www.saac-arts.org, in-person at 110 East 5th Street,
or by calling 870-862-5474. p
Mark your calendars now for the 2023 summer musical,
Newsies! Sponsored by Murphy USA, the production
runs July 20-30, with evening shows at 7:30 and Sunday
matinees at 2:30.
Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the
rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and
leader of a band of teenaged 'newsies.' When titans
of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys'
expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to
strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's
right! Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a
timeless message, perfect for the whole family and
every audience.
Director Kristen Blossom, making her return to SAAC
after 2019's Hunchback of Notre Dame, has scheduled
auditions for June 3 and 4. More audition information
is available at www.saac-arts.org.
www.GoElDorado.com 19
http://www.saac-arts.org http://www.saac-arts.org http://www.GoElDorado.com
El Dorado Insider Relocation Guide 2023

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