Arkansas Repertory Theatre's national tour of Idols of the King will make several stops in Southern California, Mar. 3-13. Arkansas Rep founder and artistic director Cliff Fannin Baker directs. Actors Dale Dickey and Kevin Bartlett portray 20 Elvis obsessives in the play with music, written by Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth Godsey on "The Waltons") and Allen Crowe (writer on "Designing Women," "Evening Shade"). Lance Zitron sings the 16 Elvis hits that separate each scene.
The design team includes Mike Nichols (sets), Margaret L. Whedon (costumes), Sean Roberson (lighting) and Ryan C. Mansfield (sound). Michael Haevner musical directs.
Idols will make several stops throughout Southern California, including:
Mar. 3: Santa Barbara, Lobero Theatre, (805) 963-0761
Mar. 5: San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College, (805) 546-3131
Mar. 7: Lancaster, Lancaster Performing Arts Center (805) 723-5950
Mar. 10: El Cajon, East County PAC (619) 440-2277
Mar. 11: Malibu, Pepperdine University, (310) 456-4522
Mar. 12: Long Beach, Carpenter Center, CSU (562) 985-7000
Mar. 13: Fullerton, Plummer Auditorium, CSU (714) 278-3371.
The Idols of the King national tour began in the fall of 1998. The original production ran in the 1997-98 Arkansas Repertory Theatre season.
--By Christine Ehren