Rollicking Slapstick “Around the World in 80 Days” — June 15–18 — #LiveAtTheLyric!

Hold onto your seats for the original amazing race, June 15–18 at the historic Lyric Theater!

Stampeding elephants!
Raging typhoons!
Runaway trains!
Unabashedly slapstick!

If this sounds like a play you can’t miss, your hearing is perfect!

Come join fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg and his faithful manservant as they race to beat the clock. When Phileas Fogg (Preston Garrison) agrees to an outrageous wager from a fellow club member (Lakin Mills) that puts his fortune and his life at risk, he grabs his resourceful manservant, Passepartout (Jarrett Mann), and sets out to circle the globe in an unheard-of 80 days. But his every step is dogged by Detective Fix (Lexi Knight,) who is thoroughly convinced that Phileas is a famed robber on the run. All seems on track (and even 2 days ahead!) until their train literally runs out of track and the dogged duo run into Aouda (Abigal Kops), the wife of a priest who is about to be sacrificed. Danger, romance, and comic surprises abound in this whirlwind of a show!

Come traverse all 7 continents at the Lyric Theater Jun 15, 16, 17 at 7:00 and June 18 at 2:00. Tickets at TheLyric.org or 870-391-3504. $12 Adults, $10 Seniors/Students, $8 Children.

Raucous Comedy “One Man, Two Guvnors” — April 27–30 & May 4–7 — #LiveAtTheLyric!

Under license from Dramatist Play Service, the Ozark Arts Council is pleased to announce the Northark Drama and Theatre Company of the Ozarks collaboration on Richard Bean’s One Man, Two Guvnors, to be performed at the historic Lyric Theater in Harrison, Arkansas!

In 2011, Mr. Bean (no relation…!) completed a wonderful project of making a modern (well, 1960s, anyway) English adaptation of Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni’s 1743 commedia dell’arte, Il servitore di due padroni (Servant of Two Masters). Both the script itself and the pre-show and interval skiffle concerts, with music and lyrics by Grant Olding, are hilarious.

Please Note: the play itself is not a musical, but it has a couple of short concerts that relate to the subject matter of the play, but without giving anything away. Seriously. (If you’re confused, just buy a ticket; this is how Italian comedy redone by the Brits a few centuries later works. We have all been happier since we determined to just get used to it.)

One Man, Two Guvnors received widespread critical acclaim. For example, this is what the press in England had to say:

▪ The Guardian gave it 5 stars, saying that it was “A triumph of visual and verbal comedy. One of the funniest productions in the National’s history.”

Citadel Guide — Download the Citadel Theatre’s wonderful enrichment guide to get the most out of the show!

▪ The Daily Telegraph described it as “the feelgood hit of the Summer.”
▪ The Independent wrote that it is a “massive hit” and London’s Evening Standard as “a surefire hit”. Blogging site
▪ Everything Theatre described it as “one of the most side-splittingly hilarious productions ever to be staged in London”.
▪ In fact, the show won Best Play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for 2011.

When the play came to the Unites States, Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune said that he enjoyed it at its opening, but that the flaw in the performance was in the actors trying to push the comedy, when the comedy was already there. He writes:

Those flaws I mentioned, though, come mostly from not trusting the simple truth of the material — I know, “truth” sounds out of context here, but believability still is the foundation for physical comedy.

One of the great things often noted about directors Bekah Wilson and Michael Mahoney is their dedication to “letting the text speak,” having the plot live through the characters and the characters live through the actors…rehearsing to the point that the words and actions of the characters are natural to the cast.

Says Co-Director Rebekah Wilson:

I was lucky enough to see the Broadway tour of this show a few years back and I fell in love with it. I have never laughed so hard at any show. I also thought it was one of the most difficult shows I had ever seen and someone would have to be crazy to try to direct it at a community theater. Obviously, I happen to be one of those crazies…[the cast has] worked incredibly hard, giving it absolutely their whole hearts. This cast has committed from day one to me and this project and I couldn’t be more proud and excited for them and for our community to see what they have accomplished. Don’t miss out on this one guys. I desperately want to share this unique and hilarious bit of Broadway with our hometown.

Co-Director Michael Mahoney wholeheartedly agrees:

Working on this show has been another blessing and challenge in the theatre. I feel the same way as my dear friend and directing partner Bekah Wilson…It is a very challenging and yet hilarious script. The humor is so deep and rich and yet the level of focus and realistic aspects must be present for this show to work. The cast and crew have grown together in their commitment and dedication to making the production a reality for our community. I am honored to be onstage with all of them.

For great comedy well done, you cannot beat One Man, Two Guvnors!

The Story

In 1963 Brighton, out-of-work skiffle player Francis Henshall (Daniel Seay) becomes separately employed by two men—Roscoe Crabbe (O. Wolfe), a gangster, and Stanley Stubbers (Michael Mahoney), an upper class twit. Francis tries to keep the two from meeting, in order to avoid each of them learning that Francis is also working for someone else.

Complicating events, Roscoe is really Rachel Crabbe (Olivia Wolfe) in disguise, her twin brother Roscoe having been killed by her boyfriend…who is none other than Stanley! Complicating events still further is local mobster Charlie the Duck (Rick Porter), who has arranged his daughter Pauline’s (Rowen Bolonsky) engagement to Roscoe despite her preference for over-the-top amateur actor Alan Dangle (Gavin Wilson). Even further complications are prompted by several letters, a very heavy trunk, several unlucky audience volunteers, an extremely elderly waiter (Preston Garrison), a cast of roughhousers (Wyatt Mahoney, Josiah Reynolds, Isaac Stevens, Jarrett Mann, Billy Dromgoole, Sara Davison) and…Francis’ pursuit of his twin passions: Dolly (Michelle Reynolds), Charlie’s feminist bookkeeper, and food.

Backed up by The Craze—Northern Arkansas’s answer to the UK’s fondness for skiffle in the 1950s and ’60s—One Man, Two Guvnors is one you don’t want to miss!

Please note: Adult language and themes, parental guidance recommended.

The Cast

Francis Henshall — Daniel Seay
Stanley Stubbers — Michael Mahoney
Rachel Crabbe — Olivia Wolfe
Alfie — Preston Garrison
Harry Dangle — Josiah Reynolds
Lloyd Boateng — Isaac Stevens
Pauline Clench — Rowen Bolonsky
Charlie Clench — Rick Porter
Alan Dangle — Gavin Wilson
Dolly Michele — Jewell Reynolds
Gareth — Wyatt Mahoney
Cops — Jarrett Mann, Billy Dromgoole

Ensemble, Old Lady — Sarah Davison
Taxi Driver — Billy Dromgoole
Singers — Callie Johnson, Kt Blessing, Abi Kops

Directors: Rebekah Wilson and Michael Mahoney
Choreographer: Katie Beth Allison
The Craze: Bob Johnson, Abi Kops, James Melton, Curtis Reed, Gray Squires, Eric Stefanski
Stage Manager: Michael Krasowski

GENERAL ADMISSION: $12.00

STUDENTS: $10.00

NORTHARK STUDENTS with NORTHARK COLLEGE ID: $5.00

North Arkansas College in association with
The Theatre Company Presents:
“One Man Two Guvnors”
By
Richard Bean

Adult Language and Themes

Sunpie Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots — March 11, 7:00PM — #LiveAtTheLyric

Sunpie Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots
March 11, 7:00PM

New Orleans music icon Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots, his world-class 6-piece band, will be performing at 7:00, Saturday, March 11, at the historic Lyric Theater on the Harrison square. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are now available for $15.

It is no exaggeration to say that Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes is one of the most talented and compelling artists we have ever welcomed to the Lyric stage. Having interned as a river guide right here on the Buffalo, he has been a National Park Ranger in Louisiana for most of his life, spent time as a professional football player with the Kansas City Chiefs, is a photographer, actor, and author, a former high school biology teacher…and his multi-instrumentalist skills, great band, and beautiful baritone vocals make blues/zydeco fusion music that has to be experienced to be understood—but
from the first chord, you’re hooked for life!

Sunpie recently completed a 58 city tour spanning 34 countries, playing in the bands of both Paul Simon and Sting in their “Paul Simon and Sting Together” tour. Along with his musical group, he has traveled worldwide playing festivals with his unique style of what he calls Afro-Louisiana music incorporating blues, zydeco, gospel, Caribbean and African influenced rhythms and melodies. He is a multi-instrumentalist, master accordion and harmonica player, and also plays piano, rubboard, talking drum, and dejembe. His sound is known as Bouje Bouje music meaning “music that moves” and is Louisiana music at its best. Sunpie has performed for over 20 years at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and shared the stage at festivals with artists from across the globe including Willie Nelson, BB King, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, Willie Dixon and Phish. He has recorded 6 critically acclaimed CDs with his compositions currently featured in 16 Hollywood film productions.

When Sunpie plays in Harrison, it is always to a packed house!

With sponsorship by Neighbor’s Mill Bakery & Café, the Ozark Arts Council is thrilled to invite you to the return of a Lyric Theater favorite, Sunpie Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots! Tickets are on sale now; head to our ticketing page or call (870) 391-3504 early to choose your favorite seats!

Ben de la Cour — March 18, 700pm — #LiveAtTheLyric

Ben de la Cour, 2016 Kerrville “New Folk” Award Winner, presented by Crooked Creek
March 18, 7:00PM

Ben de la Cour has lived a different kind of life. After growing up in Brooklyn, he set out to see the world as an amateur boxer, bartender, janitor, and agricultural worker in Havana, London, Los Angeles and New Orleans before settling in Nashville. Influenced as much by giants such as Townes Van Zandt and Warren Zevon as by Nick Cave and The Gun Club, Ben de la Cour has managed to meld all of these influences into a uniquely modern, haunting and sometimes darkly humorous sound that is all his own. Says No Depression magazine, “Ben de la Cour’s songs are
brimming with urgent authenticity. There is thematic hardness and vulnerability throughout, but what distinguishes de la Cour’s songs from lesser guitar-and-anguished-vocals hacks is the raw humanity of his delivery and the potency of his way with words.” According to Crooked Creek Concerts founder Aaron Smith, Ben’s music is more Hamlet than Howard Stern, and deals with some adult issues, so parental guidance is suggested for those under 18.

On March 18 at 7:00, the Ozark Arts Council welcomes the second chapter of 2017’s Crooked Creek Concert Series with 2016 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Winner Ben de la Cour, with an opening act of local talent, Scott and Karen Fancher. Tickets are available online through the OAC ticketing page or at (870) 391-3504.

Heather Styka in Concert, with Special Guest Ronnie Long – January 26 at 7:00

Heather Styka in Concert
January 26, 7:00PM

Chicago songwriter Heather Styka is not afraid to go where others fear to tread. Beneath “sweet, soulful vocals” (Portland Press Herald) and “nimble fingerpicked guitar” (Dispatch Magazine) lie narratives of vulnerability, strength, and wanderlust, played and sung with fierce and fearless honesty. An award-winning writer with a #3 album on the FOLK-DJ charts and a Kerrville “New Folk” finalist already at the age of 28, she has performed for over a decade, released four full-length albums, and toured from coast to coast. Now, Heather Styka is coming to Harrison’s Lyric Theater with Ronnie Long for a 7:00 concert on Thursday, January 26.

Heather Styka should be a good fit for all of those who have loved live entertainment at the Lyric: with training both as a poet and an actor, she is equal parts wordsmith and entertainer. Colored by a quirky sense of humor and peppered with confessional storytelling, Styka’s live shows are intimate and candid as late night conversation. Heather started writing and performing as a teenager in the Chicago suburbs. Honing her craft among Chicago’s long-standing folk community, she hit the road after graduating with a degree in creative writing.

With a very direct storytelling style, Styka is noted both for her nimble fingerpicking and for her essential poetry and vocal purity. As Tim Carroll of FolkWords says, her “unique delivery combines the influences of a fragile Irish air, the warm effervescence of upbeat Americana, soulful country, and mournful blues.” Her eclectic background shines through both in style and in subject matter; songs like “Love in the Multiverse” and “Caspian Sea” reveal Styka’s intellectual curiosity—and her passion for philosophy, history, and theoretical physics—while the earnest and catchy pop sensibilities of “Careful With My Heart” caught the ears of a number of peers who now cover that song, including Joe Jencks (Brother Sun) and Scott Cook.

Styka’s latest album, The Bittersweet Tapes (2016), “tugs the ear on first listen and greets you like an old friend on subsequent visits” (Simon Rigby, Indie Music Portal). These gut-punch pretty songs nod to traditional folk, classic country, and even garage rock, carried by Styka’s emotive vocals. With such diversity, she is recommended for anyone who likes Iris DeMent, Feist, Aoife O’Donovan, Joan Armatrading, Damien Rice, Josh Ritter, Gillian Welch, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Leonard Cohen, or Bonnie Raitt. In other words, Heather Styka will fit well into the Lyric’s catalogue of great artists, from Eric Bibb to the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and is sure to delight everyone who attends this Thursday’s concert.

The Ozark Arts Council, in association with Crooked Creek Concerts, presents Heather Styka, with special guest Ronnie Long. Tickets are $10 and available by clicking any of our Get Tickets links, or by calling (870) 391-3504. The Ozark Arts Council will also be sponsoring Business After Hours for the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce prior to the show. Those who attend the 5:00 Business After Hours event will be able to discount their tickets by $2 each. Ugo’s Pizzeria will be running a ready-to-eat single portion special for Business After Hours/Heather Styka attendees, as well, so that you can catch a bite to eat without having to leave the square. (To get the special ticket price when you purchase online, just enter the code BAH when you check out.)

Marvelous Misfits Vaudeville Variety Show – RESCHEDULING for January 2017

Marvelous Misfits Vaudeville Variety Show
December 3 Show CANCELLED
RESCHEDULING for January, 2017 (Will still be an 8:00PM showtime) Tickets will be on sale presently!

Hey, Harrison: some Marvelous Misfits are headed your way! raven-1

The Marvelous Misfits Vaudeville Variety Show,
headquartered in Little Rock, but with performers from all over the country, features juggling, hooping, magic, mentalism, comedy, theater, singing, sideshow
and dancing acts. The show is different each time, with a rotating cast of performers. Paul Prater (who marvelously mystified many when he performed solo at The Lyric a few years ago) is your emcee for this night of fun, excitement and incredible entertainment. You may see a little sideshow, some mind-reading, or maybe some magic; you never know what Paul will provide!

josh-stage2 Paul’s co producer is Arty Dodger—the Dapper Dabbler in Danger, the Virtuoso of Vaudeville, the Beethoven of Balance, the Juggernaut of Jugglers, and Devourer Incendium. A small town boy with Southern charm, Arty Dodger has spent years honing his craft of the art of juggling and balance. With the influence of early vaudeville and variety performers, Arty boasts a wide repertoire, including stilt walking, fire eating and hat, cane, and cigar manipulation as well as high energy juggling with fire, knives, and any other inanimate object that beseech him. (Better look lively in your seat or he may try to juggle you!)

Paul and Arty have assembled a group of performers that never fail to amaze and entertain, and they will be #LiveAtTheLyric at 8:00pm on Saturday, December 3!

New Year’s Eve EVE Party with the Downtown Livewires! – December 30, 2016 at 7:00

New Year’s Eve EVE Party
w/The Downtown Livewires!
December 30, 2016 – 7:00PM to Midnight
(Party Begins at 7:00, Live Music Begins at 8:00)

The Downtown Livewires, based in one of the fastest growing regions in the nation, Northwest Arkansas (Bentonville/Fayetteville), play high energy Electric Blues/Rock, Memphis blues, and legacy blues. Audiences of their shows love to dance and sing along, no matter the venue, whether it be clubs, festivals, private parties, concerts, or city events. Now, they’re coming to The Lyric to provide music for our five-hour-long New Year’s Eve EVE Party! Come at 7 to grab some drinks and food, find a seat with your friends, and be ready for the show to begin at 8!

Down home Memphis blues in Northwest Arkansas? You bet—Just call THE DOWNTOWN LIVEWIRES! I’ve mixed countless bands over the years and these guys lay it down right. Always a pleasure to work with, too!

~ Evan Chronister, SCB Audio Productions

The band’s first gig was on Halloween 2011. They have played at many venues since, including a two-night weekend gig at Club 152 on world famous Beale Street in Memphis, multiple Oklahoma casinos, special events including The Grape Festival as the “warm-up” band for Country Platinum recording artist Collin Raye, and for The Reverend Horton Heat concert in Downtown Bentonville, AR in Oct 2015.

Their first CD, “Cruisin’ for a Bluesin,”came out August 2nd, 2013 with a Release Party (with 2 hours of live music from the band) at George’s Majestic Lounge on Dickson St in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Their new CD “I’ll Do It Today, But Not Right Now” came out in January, 2016.

The Downtown Livewires are exactly that! LIVEWIRES! It’s like hiring a party in a box; They come with enthusiasm, talent, energy and always bring a happy crowd! The Downtown Livewires is a group of dedicated, knowledgeable, well- rehearsed and hardworking professional musicians who come to play their hearts out and raise the roof every time…

~ Andy Green, Director of Productions, Downtown Bentonville, Inc.

The leader of the band is Roger Thomas from Bentonville, Arkansas. Roger was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee (South-Central, Oakhaven neighborhood) until he was 30 (with some time in Harrison, Arkansas, during high school), playing professionally there through his 20’s. Roger is known for talking and picking out people in the audiences with whom to have on-stage conversations, sometimes jumping off the stage and playing, dancing and singing within the crowd. He also invites guests to sing songs on-stage, and maybe even play tambourine.
Bob “Super Harp” Coleman is out of New Haven, Connecticut, and is a world-class harmonica player who also sings some of the lead vocals. Bob has played with blues legends all over the country throughout his illustrious career.
Dan Doebele from Kansas City, Missouri is an absolute beast on lead electric guitar, is known by all other professional musicians to be one of the elite guitarists in the region, and plays slide with anything handy!
Kurt “Where’s Kurt?” Haas is on keyboards and vocals from Lone Star, Texas, and is known for his stellar new arrangements of old blues songs.
The rhythm section of Mark Vanderhoof on drums and Jan Sallings on bass is one of the most tenured blues rhythm sections in the country, and audience members often find themselves fixated on their musicianship and killer beats and fretboard runs.

The Downtown Livewires put on a show that is out of this world, absolutely engaging, full of fun and great party music, in which audiences keep calling them back for more!

I am never surprised when Roger Thomas and The Downtown Livewires Band brings the largest crowd of the summer to our City of Bentonville’s Orchard Concert Series. They bring their own crowd, and they have a great following. Over the last two years, they have proven to be professional, and one of the best sounds of any band we hire. We will continue to hire them for events in our city.

~ David Wright, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Bentonville

Need more recommendations? See Roger’s personal Facebook page where he not only has 4,200+ “Likes,” but segments them by town/city based on where the band plays for events. The Downtown Livewires have fans from all over—and a lot of them travel to every show within a few hours’ drive…so don’t sleep on this, thinking that you’ll always be able to get tickets! This will be a sold out show!

Go ahead and “Like” and “Share” the band’s Facebook page, too; share the good times with your friends!

This is a great video of the band performing in the studio when they were recording their first single, “Just Say It Once”, released August 2nd, 2013:

Northern Ireland’s Blues and Soul Darling (and Belfast Arts Ambassador!) Kaz Hawkins – December 17 at 7:00

Kaz Hawkins in Concert
December 17, 7:00PM

Kaz Hawkins—winner of Blues and Soul Magazine’s 2014 “Rising Star” Award and Blues Matters Magazine’s “Best Studio Album of 2015” award, among many others—is taking a little trip away from Ireland in December…because, where else would anyone be when they could be downtown on the Harrison, Arkansas square at our historic Lyric Theater!

Tickets are on sale now for the December 17 appearance of Kaz Hawkins. Kaz has been favorably compared to both Etta James and Janis Joplin; mixing through the genres of music she finally found her niche in roots music bringing a fun,
inspiring and hopeful message with her debut album Get Ready self-released in August 2014…and, as indicated in the first paragraph, she’s been out conquering the world ever since!

For a little introduction to Kaz, check out the video below and read this article from the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts.

Called “A Vocal Force” on stage, Kaz Hawkins envelops the fighting spirit of a true powerhouse singer. Kaz is loved for her down to earth attitude, brings fun to every performance and is loved not only by her fans, but anyone who meets her.

Just a Little SWING for Christmas! – The Lisa Perry Quartet – December 10, 2017

Just a Little Swing for Christmas!
The Lisa Perry Quartet
December 10, 2017 at 7:00PM

Lisa Perry is a true renaissance woman. Any one of her talents would be enough to build a career on, but instead of so mundane an undertaking, she has followed the more enlightened path of building a life that integrates them all to bring joy and beauty to others.

Lisa grew up in a family that loves music and started singing and playing at a very early age. The daughter of a Texas Methodist minister, Lisa was surrounded by music both at church and in the home. Her grandfather—a cook on the Santa Fe Trail—played fiddle tunes for old-time barn dances. Her brother, Randy Crouch, fronts the Oklahoma band “Flying Horse” and has, for example, played fiddle and pedal steel on Lisa’s “Canyon Rose” album.

Music, art and nature are closely linked in Perry’s world.

“My maternal grandmother in Post, Texas would take us out to the canyons and we’d draw the things we saw,” Perry said.
“My dad’s mother was into working with thread and textiles.” Embroidery has been one of her favorite mediums for a long time. “My embroidery art is kind of the result of things both my grandmothers were teaching me when I was young,” she said.

~ Delania Trigg, Gainesville (Florida) Daily Register

As she and her husband relocated for work—from Texas to Florida to Arkansas, back to Texas and then back to Arkansas again—Lisa performed throughout the surrounding areas (and beyond), opening for headliners including Asleep at the Wheel and Jerry Jeff Walker. She’s also shared the stage with Bonnie Raitt, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Hartford and Vassar Clements.

Consider those names for a moment, and you’ll have an understanding of what the Lisa Perry Quartet brings; just for a start:

John Hartford won Grammys in three decades, wrote “Gentle on My Mind,” and was central to the soundtrack of O Brother, Where Art Thou
Vasar Clements is called “The King of Hillbilly Swing”
Bonnie Raitt has won Grammys for the “Americana” style, but is generally considered a blues slide guitarist…and is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Lisa brings that same sort of mixture to her performances, giving everyone something to enjoy. Her smooth jazzy vocal style has delighted audiences everywhere. A big fan of Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn, Lisa performs favorites from the 30’s and 40’s along with many standards and a host of original material (she has written literally hundreds of songs). As the Cibola County Beacon (Grants, New Mexico) said, “Although it might be a little difficult to categorize, the music by Lisa Perry is captivating and different.”

Her renditions of nostalgic songs are enchanting to hear. It’s especially delightful when she sings such favorites as “On a Clear Day,” “As Time Goes By” and “Till There Was You.”

~ Chet Callero, The Daily Commercial (Leesburg, Florida)

Painter, gardener, embroiderer, singer, songwriter, instrumentalist Lisa Perry will bring her distinctive and captivating style to the historic Lyric Theater on the Harrison,

Arkansas square to perform with The Lisa Perry Quartet on Saturday evening, December 10, 2016 at 7:00. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Beltone of Harrison, tickets for this concert, “Just a Little Swing for Christmas!” are only $5.00 and are on sale now through the OAC’s ticketing web site or by calling (870) 391-3504.

The Nerd – November 17–20, 2016

**Nerd Alert! Get ready to nerd up and scream with laughter when The Nerd takes the stage this November!**

November 17, 18, 19 at 7:00PM
November 20 at 2:00PM

The unassuming and, frankly, gumption-less Willum Cubbert (Daniel Seay) lives a relatively peaceful (i.e., rather humdrum) life. An independent architect and landlord to his friends—Axel (Matt Hamblin), a wisecracking
smart-aleck of a drama critic, and Tansy (Kirstyn de Jager), a sweet and smart meteorologist with a mutual (but unfulfilled) attraction to Willum—the ebb and flow of life seems to leave him mostly unaffected.

Willum, though, has often told his friends about one exciting thing: the debt he owes to Rick Steadman (Josiah Reynolds), a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. Willum has always written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, “you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you”—so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his thirty-fourth birthday.

That same night, Willum is hosting a dinner party for his client, Warnock Waldgrave (James Melton), Waldgrave’s wife, Clelia (Rowen Bolonsky), and their temperamental and bombastic son, Thor (Wyatt Mahoney). Willum’s delight soon fades, as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless ‘nerd’—a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence, and even less tact.

As Rick stays on and on…and on…his continued presence among Willum and his friends leads to one uproarious incident after another, from a mishap with cottage cheese to a certain…episode…concerning…swine…until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating (comical) violence—a dire development that only the machinations of his friends can hope to overcome!

The Nerd, presented by NorthArk Drama and the Ozark Arts Council, and directed by Michael Mahoney, will be live at the Lyric Theater November 17, 18, and 19 at 7:00pm, and November 20 at 2:00pm. Tickets available online or by calling 870-391-3504.

Author: Webmaster

Rollicking Slapstick “Around the World in 80 Days” — June 15–18 — #LiveAtTheLyric!

Adventurous Comedy:
Around the World in 80 Days!
June 15–17 at 7:00PM — June 18 at 2:00PM

Raucous Comedy “One Man, Two Guvnors” — April 27–30 & May 4–7 — #LiveAtTheLyric!