Two national touring shows will visit Fort Smith in February as part of the University
of Arkansas - Fort Smith鈥檚 Season of Entertainment 33 -- one featuring an adaptation
of a famous literary work, the other a retelling of a popular cheerleading movie.
鈥淢an of La Mancha鈥� will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center, and Troika Entertainment will present 鈥淏ring It On: The Musical鈥� 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the same venue.
The productions, shown nearly two weeks apart, bring two vastly different stories to the stage. 鈥淢an of La Mancha鈥� retells Miguel Cervantes鈥� classic novel 鈥淒on Quixote,鈥� which recounts the comedic story of a man who has read so many chivalric novels that he becomes delusively convinced he is a knight himself. 鈥淏ring It On: The Musical,鈥� inspired by the movie of the same name, is a light-hearted adaptation chronicling the challenges of competitive cheerleading.
鈥淢an of La Mancha鈥� won five Tony Awards and garnered praise from critics for its catchy songs and enthralling story. The New York Times said the show had 鈥渃harm, gallantry and delicacy of spirit.鈥� The Associated Press called the musical 鈥渁 rare and arresting treat,鈥� and The New Yorker said 鈥淢an of La Mancha鈥� was 鈥済rave and compelling.鈥�
鈥淏ring It On鈥� earned two Tony nominations including Best Musical and features an accomplished set of writers and musicians, including Tony Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer Tom Kitt, and Tony Award-winning choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler.
Stacey Jones of Fort Smith, associate vice chancellor for campus and community events, lauded both musicals.
鈥溾�楳an of La Mancha鈥� is one of the best traditional musicals ever written, and 鈥楾he Impossible Dream鈥� is one of the best musical songs of all time,鈥� he said. 鈥溾�楤ring It On鈥� is a fantastic show also, and it鈥檚 generated more interest in the area than any show we鈥檝e had in a long time. The Broadway version has done a lot better than the original movie.鈥�
Jones said the two shows will attract different audiences.
鈥淚 expect both shows to be sold out, but you will see two different demographics at each show,鈥� he said. 鈥淭raditional theatre lovers will go to both, but we鈥檝e seen a lot of interest from the younger market in 鈥楤ring It On,鈥� while 鈥楳an of La Mancha鈥� will attract a more seasoned audience.鈥�
The shows are part of Season of Entertainment 33, a year-long lineup of entertainment sponsored by the 妻友社区. The season features a slew of musicals, plays, and symphonic performances, including 鈥淭he Addams Family鈥� and 鈥淐rimes of the Heart.鈥�
The Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center is located at the Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S. 7th St. Tickets for 鈥淢an of La Mancha鈥� and 鈥淏ring It On鈥� are, per show, $35 for lower-tier seating and $32 for upper tier. To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 479-788-7300 or visit .