Creatures of middle-earth visit Northwest Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas (February 16, 2010) – The Hobbit, a stage adaptation of the prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic trilogy “The Lord of the Rings,” is coming to Walton Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 27. Presented by the celebrated giant puppet company Théâtre Sans Fil, this fantastical tale can be seen in Baum Walker Hall at 2pm and 7pm. The performances are recommended for audiences ages 10 and up. Tickets range from $12.50 to $20.50 and can be purchased by calling the Walton Arts Center Box Office at 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.
Nearly everyone has seen or heard of Tolkien’s literary epic “The Lord of the Rings.” Now, utilizing the ancient art of puppetry, Théâtre Sans Fil has brought to life the story where it all began with a larger-than-life stage production that has received standing ovations throughout the world.
This magical saga chronicles Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, as he embarks on a heroic journey across middle- earth, encountering a great wizard named Gandalf, thirteen thirsty dwarves, beautiful elves, terrible trolls, slimy goblins, a riddle-mad creature called Gollum and, finally, the thieving dragon Smaug. With the help of a mysterious magic ring and his own hobbit sense, Bilbo must suppress his timid nature and overcome all odds in order to restore peace between the inhabitants of middle-earth.
The Hobbit is presented by the award-winning Théâtre Sans Fil. This Canadian-based touring company is internationally recognized for putting together and performing more than 3,000 elaborate productions in more than 20 countries and four continents. Théâtre Sans Fil successfully combines original and modern set designs, lighting, sound effects and music with a classical Japanese technique of puppetry called Bunraku – in which three visible puppeteers manipulate one giant puppet. This unique style of Bunraku gives puppeteers freedom to use the entire stage for magnificent and mystifying effects.
Get an up-close look on stage!
Théâtre Sans Fil is making this presentation of The Hobbit an even more memorable affair by inviting audience members to come on stage after the performance. Theatergoers are allowed to see firsthand the inner workings of this complex production, making for a wholly exclusive interactive theater experience.
The play The Hobbit was adapted from the book entitled “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien under a license from Tolkien Enterprises, a division of The Saul Zaentz Company, Berkeley, CA, USA, and is copyrighted © 2008, The Saul Zaentz Company.
The Hobbit is part of the Pepperidge Farm Family Fun Series. This presentation is supported by Mid-America Arts Alliance with generous underwriting by the National Endowment for the Arts, Arkansas Arts Council and foundations, corporations and individuals throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Media support by Northwest Arkansas Newspapers. For more information about The Hobbit or other performances, contact the Walton Arts Center Box Office by calling 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org <http://www.waltonartscenter.org/> .
Walton Arts Center is Arkansas' premier center for the performing arts and entertainment. Each year more than 140,000 people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and beyond attend over 350 public events at Walton Arts Center, including performances, rehearsals, community gatherings, receptions, graduations and more. Approximately 20,000 students and teachers from 30 school districts participate annually in arts learning programs at Walton Arts Center, and over 300 volunteers donate more than 15,000 hours of time each year to its operations. Walton Arts Center presents entertainers and artists from around the world including Broadway musicals, renowned dance companies, international artists, up-and-coming jazz musicians and more. As a non-profit organization, Walton Arts Center enjoys the generous support of public sector funding, corporate sponsorship and private donors, allowing audience members to pay on average only 50% of the cost of programs offered. To learn more about Walton Arts Center, visit www.waltonartscenter.org.