What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 3 RIVER VALLEY Love, Marriage And Mayhem FSLT welcomes veteran actress back for 'Philadelphia Story' Among the complications at the wedding of socialite Tracy Lord (Grace Andrews, center) are the arrival of a journalist (played by Eric Wells, left) and Tracy's charming and still devoted ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven (Christian Meurer, right). (Courtesy Photo/FSLT) BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette A couple of personal journeys come full circle in the Fort Smith Little Theatre production of "A Philadelphia Story," opening Sept. 22. For director Tina Dale, it's her main stage directorial debut but also hearkens back to her childhood, when she watched classic movies with her dad. "I can vividly remember sitting beside him watching 'The Philadelphia Story' with Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart," she reminisces. "I had seen Jimmy Stewart in a few movies by then and had a huge crush on him. I think I had seen Cary Grant, too. But it was the first time I saw Katherine Hepburn, and I was in awe. "FSLT is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year," Dale goes on. "When the production committee was deciding on this year's season, they wanted to incorporate some audience favorites from years past. One they suggested was 'The Philadelphia Story,' which happens to be one of my absolute favorites! It's been done twice before at the theater, the last time in the '80s. When I saw it on the list for potential shows, I had to submit it. It's a bit bittersweet because I can't share it with my dad, but I know he'd be super excited that I am directing this classic." For Grace Andrews, playing the leading role of society divorcee Tracy Lord, it's a return to the theater where she played her first "big girl" roles. "I acted in FSLT productions when I was younger — middle school and a little in high school. I grew up in the Young Actors Guild and to me, the FSLT felt like Broadway when I was little because you got to act with adults," she says. Having recently moved back to Fort Smith after a career in TV and film, "I really wanted to do a play, to put it plainly," she says. FAQ 'The Philadelphia Story' WHEN — 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22-24; 2 p.m. Sept. 25; again Sept. 28-Oct. 1 WHERE — Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 N. Sixth St. COST — $20 opening night; $12 other performances INFO — fslt.org or 783-2966 See FSLT Page 4