Generations Will Enjoy Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation Together
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, Oct. 7, 2022 – A fresh adaptation of the beloved Winnie the Pooh stories is bouncing its way to Walton Arts Center for four performances only Oct. 21-22. If you loved Winnie the Pooh as a child this is the perfect opportunity to relive your childhood or introduce your kids to that silly old bear and all his friends.
Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation, created by renowned family entertainment creator Jonathan Rockefeller, is making a stop in Northwest Arkansas as part of its first national tour following a record-breaking New York premiere in 2021.
Based on the bedtime stories by A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh books, shows and movies, have taught generations of children about friendship, overcoming challenges and caring for others, this new adaptation is no exception. Rockefeller pulled some of the most loved moments from the Hundred Acre Woods when building this new story, creating an adventure that is both nostalgic and fresh.
Fans of all ages are sure to find something to love; children will be excited about the catchy songs and huggable characters, while adults will love seeing familiar childhood friends on stage for a new adventure. You’ll see familiar sights and sounds and a story that spans all four seasons, told with impressive life-size puppets of the beloved characters.
Accompanying the magical, modern narrative is an original score from Nate Edmondson, which features some of the songs written for the animated feature from the Sherman Brothers', including “Winnie the Pooh,” “The Blustery Day,” “The Wonderful Thing About Tigger’s,” “Whoop-De-Dooper Bounce,” and A.A. Milne's “The More It Snows.” The production has been called the “perfect introduction to live theatre,” by Mommy Poppins and “a must see,” by theatrely.
Walton Arts Center has partnered with Once Upon A Time Books in Springdale to host a book drive around these performances. New or gently used books for ages 8 to 17 collected during the drive will be donated to the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter. Donating books to the drive can give parents and grandparents the opportunity to teach their children about sharing and caring for others before they come to see the show together.
Bring gently used books or purchase a new book for 30% off to donate to the drive when you visit Once Upon A Time Books at 462 E. Henri De Tonti Blvd. in Springdale. You can also enter to win tickets to Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation when you drop off your books at the store.
You may also bring your book donations to Walton Arts Center when you come see Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation at 7 pm on Friday, Oct. 21, or at 11 am, 2 or 7 pm on Saturday, Oct. 22, and leave them in the designated donation boxes in the lobby.
Tickets are $20-45 and can be purchased in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.
Show Times:
- Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 pm
- Saturday, Oct. 22 at 11 am, 2 and 7 pm
Support for Walton Arts Center is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Walton Arts Center is Arkansas’ largest and busiest performing arts presenter. Each year more than 215,000 people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and beyond attend more than 300 public events at Walton Arts Center, including performances, rehearsals, community gatherings, receptions, weddings and more. Approximately 35,000 students and teachers participate annually in arts learning programs at Walton Arts Center, and almost 250 volunteers donate 28,000 hours of time each year to its operations. Walton Arts Center presents entertainers and artists from around the world including Broadway musicals, renowned dance companies, international artists, up-and-coming jazz musicians and more. As a non-profit organization, Walton Arts Center enjoys the generous support of public sector funding, corporate sponsorship and private donors, allowing audience members to enjoy world-class performances at a great price. To learn more about Walton Arts Center, visit www.waltonartscenter.org.
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