ENTERTAINMENT: WAC hosts Australian Chamber Orchestra | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

MUSIC

Aussie orchestra

The Australian Chamber Orchestra, with violinist and conductor Richard Tognetti, is premiering “Horizon,” a new work it commissioned from Pulitzer- and Grammy-winning composer John Luther Adams, on its current tour. It includes an 8 p.m. concert Saturday at Fayetteville’s Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson St.

The program also includes “Fantazia upon One Note” by Henry Purcell; the Concerto Grosso in A major, op.6, No.11, by George Frideric Handel; Adam Johnson’s arrangement of “The Lark Ascending” by Ralph Vaughan Williams; and Tognetti’s arrangement of the String Quartet in d minor, D.810, “Death and the Maiden,” by Franz Schubert.

Tickets are $10. Visit waltonartscenter.org.

THEATER

‘Pride & Prejudice’

TheatreSquared, 477 W. Spring St., Fayetteville, stages the world premiere of an adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice” by the theater group’s artistic director, Robert Ford, and associate artistic director, Amy Herzberg, opening Wednesday and running, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through May 10 in T2’s West Theatre.

The production is in collaboration with the University of Arkansas theater department, with members of the class of 2026 taking on central roles in the production. Student performers include Bellah Crawford as Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet; Gabriela “Gabbay” Madu as her older sister, Jane; Marjorie Gast as Mary, Charlotte and Georgiana; Selena Mykenzie Gordon as Kitty and Caroline; Harrison Baxley as Charles Bingley; Sean Patrick Ryan as Mr. Darcy; and Connor Johnson as Lt. Denny and Col. Fitzwilliam.

Courtneay Sanders Irish plays Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Reynolds; Ryan Vincent Anderson plays Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner; Eden Wilson plays Lydia; Julie Cardia plays Lady Lucas, Mrs. Gardiner and Lady Catherine de Bourgh; and Sam Marzella plays Mr. Wickham.

Tickets are $25-$60; $15 for students and patrons under 30; $1 for recipients of SNAP benefits rhrough T2’s Lights Up! For Access program, supported by the Walmart Foundation. Call (479) 777-7477 or visit theatre2.org.

‘Stranger Sings’

The Arkansas premiere of “Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical” (music, book, and lyrics by Jonathan Hogue) is onstage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. April 19 in the Haislip Theatre, Center for Performing Arts, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock. As with “Stranger Things,” the TV show it spoofs, it’s set in 1983 in Hawkins, Ind., “when times were simpler, hair was bigger and unsupervised kids were getting snatched by inter-dimensional creatures,” according to a news release. The theater is rating the show PG-13. Admission is free but reservations are required, via ualr.edu/theatre.

ATLR ‘Fences’

Actors Theatre of Little Rock stages August Wilson’s Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Fences,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday through May 2 at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, 1601 Louisiana St., Little Rock. The theater is rating the show PG-13. Tickets are $30, $25 for senior citizens, military and students, in advance, via actorstheatrelr.org/tickets; $5 more at the door.

‘Cat’ for kids

A touring company brings “The Cat in the Hat — Live on Stage!” to North Little Rock, onstage at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Center for Humanities and Arts Theater, University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College, 3000 W. Scenic Drive. The 50-minute performance is designed for children 3 and older, as well as adults nostalgic for Theodor “Seuss” Geisel’s 1957 classic, which the National Theatre of Great Britain adapted in 2009. Tickets are $45 and $60. Visit uaptc.edu/charts. Dinner or light concessions will be available for purchase at the venue.

WAC looking Blue

Three bald and blue characters share music, comedy and surprises as Blue Man Group takes the stage, 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Fayetteville’s Walton Arts Center. Tickets are $46-$103.50 (prices subject to change based on scarcity). Call (479) 443-5600 or visit waltonartscenter.org.

AT THE PODIUM

‘Founding Friends, Foes’

Historian Nicole Brown of the International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello; Kurt Graham, president of the Adams Presidential Center; and Kathleen Pate, director of education and public programs for the Clinton Presidential Library & Museum, will take part in the inaugural session of “Founding Friends, Founding Foes: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson,” 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Clinton Presidential Center, 1200 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock. Admission is free but registration is required. Visit clintonpresidentialcenter.org/events.

The program, which kicks off a national series celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, explores the complex relationship between former presidents Adams and Jefferson, who were at various times friends, allies and bitter, partisan rivals during their 51-year acquaintanceship.

It’s a joint project of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and the Adams Presidential Center and part of the ongoing Clinton Presidential Center Presents series. It draws on Monticello’s successful “Founding Friends, Founding Foes” tour.

Following the panel program, attendees can continue the conversation, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Little Rock’s Lost Forty Brewing, 501 Byrd St., within walking distance of the Clinton Presidential Center. Guests will connect using Monticello’s specially designed Feast of Reason conversation cards; the first 42 people will receive a complimentary Monticello 250th pint glass.

The program is in conjunction with the Clinton Presidential Library & Museum’s exhibition, “Making Amends,” which explores the history of the 27 amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Architecture lecture

Heather Davis and Kate East, principals at AMR Architects in Little Rock, will be the speakers for Preserve Arkansas’ “Women in Preservation” virtual speaker series, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday via Zoom or live on YouTube. “Admission” is free.