Arts center to present ‘Completely Hollywood (Abridged)’ at ‘Hooray, It’s Hollywood’
The South Arkansas Arts Center theater committee will present an abridged play, “Completely Hollywood (Abridged)” during the 2017-2018 season announcement party, “Hooray, It’s Hollywood,” to be held at 7 p.m. Aug.
19 in the Price and Merkle Galleries.
“This hilarious, fast paced look back at Hollywood’s Golden Era takes the audience on a whirlwind adventure throughout the years of cinema, from silent era into talkies, and all the way to the more modern films of today,” said Susan Harper at the arts center. Tickets for the performance and party are $10 each.
When asked about “Completely Hollywood (Abridged),” director Justin Howard said, “I have worked on a couple of the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s productions and really enjoy their writing. I expect this one to be just as much fun as the others. It fits in perfectly with the ‘theme’ of our new theatrical season by introducing the audience to many of the films that have made us laugh, cry, love and hate, while also making a few jokes about films to be performed this season.
“The Reduced Shakespeare Company is only scratching the surface of the tip of the iceberg that is American films with their play ‘Completely Hollywood (Abridged).’ With the millions of movies that have been produced, they have only mentioned a handful of our favorite movies. Our production is even less since we have taken a full two act play and cut it down to a one act for our opening gala. It is Completely Hollywood (Abridged)… Abridged, if you will,” he said.
“The adaptions made are for a few reasons: these include the amount of time we actually have available to perform and to let the audience have more time to enjoy their evening. Our performance is to help enhance the evening’s festivities. Everybody is free to eat, drink and be merry before the play and, of course, after. The audience participation section will definitely be the most enjoyable part of the evening. Not giving anything away, but I expect there to be tears of laughter during it,” Howard said.
The cast of “Completely Hollywood (Abridged)” will consist of three actors, all of whom have recently graced the SAAC stage. They will each be playing a myriad of parts in this hilarious Hollywood spoof, the director said.
Howard is an El Dorado native and longtime SAAC devotee. After being a part of productions going back to when he was a kid, Howard said he still finds new and exciting opportunities in this beloved facility to hone his craft.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in speech/ theatre from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, he has been on stage and behind the scenes in many productions at SAAC and El Dorado High School. He was the technical director for “Willy Wonka,” “Chicago” and “Les Miserables” and the assistant director for “White Christmas.”
In addition to working at SAAC, EHS and the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, he has been hired to work at different venues in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and China. He is the stage manager for the Murphy Arts District.
Howard said he is very excited to be directing “Completely Hollywood (Abridged),” to celebrate the announcement of the 54th theatre season at SAAC.
For more information or to purchase tickets for this event, call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit the website at www.saac-arts.org. SAAC is located at 110 E. Main St., El Dorado.