It was a walk down memory lane for patrons of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre on Jan. 30 at Saints and Sinners, held at the Statehouse Convention Center. The annual fundraiser's entertainment featured song and dance routines from the last 40 years.
Written and directed by resident director Nicole Capri, "The Rep! A 40-Season Retrospective" included current and former cast members and staff performing music from past shows, including Evita, Ain't Misbehavin', and Five Guys Named Moe. Some of the wording was customized for the occasion.
Former Gov. Mike Beebe helped kick things off during the live auction by being the highest bidder on the first package up for bid, An Insider's View of the Big Apple, which included round-trip airfare to New York, a stay at Rep board member Kirk Bradshaw's Upper East Side apartment and tickets to a Broadway play.
At the beginning of the evening guests enjoyed a signature cocktail at a reception while bidding on silent auction items such as signed show posters, parties at the Rep and season tickets. Dinner was a salad of winter greens served with a lump crabcake, followed by a grilled filet of beef topped with sweet-potato straws. For dessert, guests enjoyed individual birthday cakes decorated with edible flowers followed by a champagne toast.
In the end, a giant birthday cake was wheeled onto the stage, and out came local actress and Rep veteran Candyce Hinkle. She was surrounded by girls wearing costumes covered in balloons and the performing cast. Before the curtain call at midnight guests enjoyed an after party with music by DJ G-Force.
Sonya and Mark Murphy served as co-chairmen for the event, attended by more than 600 guests (and 75 volunteers) who helped raise more than $420,000 for the Rep.
-- Photos and story by Cary Jenkins
High Profile on 02/07/2016