Arkansas Public Theatre's production of "Rent" was postponed when tornadoes tore through Northwest Arkansas on Memorial Day weekend. The community theater company announced today that an abbreviated run of four shows only will be on stage Aug. 8-11 at The Medium, formerly the Arts Center of the Ozarks, in Springdale.
"The cast and crew are excited to share this production and its message with audiences across Northwest Arkansas," says Lisa Turpin, director of operations for APT. "We're grateful to the staff of The Medium and our cast and crew for their flexibility in making these arrangements." "We are so grateful for the Executive Committee at Arkansas Public Theatre for working hard 'so our dreams can become a reality,'" Alix Barrett, who will play Mimi, quotes from the show.
"I love these people and this show and cannot wait to share this beautiful story." APT had already abbreviated its Season 38 to just three shows to schedule around the remodeling of its home, the historic Victory Theatre in downtown Rogers. "Into the Woods" went on as planned April 5-7 and April 11-14, and "Rent" was slated to open May 31.
Then the tornadoes hit Rogers -- and the Victory Theatre -- early in the morning of May 26. Ed McClure, the company's artistic director and director of "Rent," had hoped to move "Rent" into the timeslot announced for "Kinky Boots" Aug. 2-4 and 8-11.
"We at this point don't know when we'll be able to return to the Victory Theatre, and the cast of 'Rent' has worked too.