Two University of Arkansas professors — Bret Schulte and Stephanie Schulte — will emcee the 2019 Northwest Arkansas Gridiron Show at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5 at the Arkansas Public Theatre in Rogers. Proceeds from the show benefit journalism scholarships at the university.
Even as people are lamenting the end of “Game of Thrones,” the Gridiron Show promises lots of laughs at its show this year, “Game of Groans.” And you don’t need to have watched the HBO hit to get the jokes.
Tickets are $25 each and are on sale now at the Arkansas Public Theatre website. Tickets will also be available at the door while seats last.
The annual spoof of the year’s news events is written and performed by local journalists. The cast includes journalism students from the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, university staff and faculty members and professional journalists from local media.
Past emcees have included university chancellors, state political columnists and local politicians. This year’s emcees are both professors at the university. Bret Schulte is an associate professor of journalism, and Stephanie Schulte is an associate professor of communication.
Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for general seating. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. There are no reserved seats.
The cast welcomes a new musical director, Kristi Peterson, on keyboard. Dave Bostwick will play guitar, as he has done for the last two years.
The Northwest Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists writes and performs the show for the benefit of its scholarship program.
Of course, with the race for the White House gearing up, the show will spoof both parties. There’s talk of impeachment — past and present — and a song about how it’s impossible. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who left her post as President Trump’s press secretary this year, sings about her possible future pursuits.
The candidates for the Democratic nomination are participating in yet another debate, but this time, they sing. Later, Melania Trump issues an apology in song and “the Squad” does some time traveling.
Some Trump aides look into the purchase of Greenland, and Trump sings a love song to one of his buddies. For the show finale, Mary Poppins pops in at the White House. Other sketches set flame to local politics and state shenanigans.
The program is presented in two 45-minute acts with a 20-minute intermission. There will be a cash bar, and snacks will be for sale.
For more information about the Gridiron, go online to nwagridiron.com.
The Arkansas Public Theatre at the Victory is located at 116 S. Second Street in downtown Rogers. From Interstate 49, take the Walnut Street exit (Highway 71B), exit 85. Go east about 2.6 miles to North Second Street. Turn right on North Second (south). The theater is half a block down on the right (west).
Patrons are invited to park diagonally along the streets adjacent to the building. Nearby public lots are located at Second and Elm streets (half block from the theater), around the corner mid-block on Walnut between Second and Third streets; and in Frisco Park.
Special seating for patrons who use wheelchairs is available. Please inform box office personnel before you come about any needs.