Join the What’s Up! team as features editor Becca Martin Brown and writer Lara Jo Hightower talk to actors from TheatreSquared’s production of “Shakespeare in Love.” New York-based actors Alison England (Queen Elizabeth and the Nurse) and Kevin Orton (Philip Henslowe) share what’s particularly special about this show — and what it’s like performing in T2’s brand new, 50,000 square-foot building.

Walton Arts Center programming director Jennifer Ross and Scott Galbraith, executive producer and vice president of programming, came by the NWADG to chat about shows coming to the WAC for the 2019-20 season, which officially begins Sept. 10.

Ross and Galbraith talked to What's Up associate editor Jocelyn Murphy about how they populate the different series that make up the season, some of the highlights and can't-miss shows, and exciting new developments for the venue.

Create-your-own subscriptions begin Aug. 6 and individual tickets for most shows go on sale Aug. 9. Visit waltonartscenter.org for more.

Join Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter Mary Jordan as she talks with Al Bell, with Al Bell Presents and Ben Meade, owner of Cosmic Cowboy Studio and Cosmic Cowboy Records, as they talk about the growing music scene in Northwest Arkansas.

Look to Sunday's Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for the full story.

It might be every director’s nightmare, but it’s also every actor’s dream — to be the understudy who steps in to save the day — and the show — when a leading lady can’t perform.

On this What’s Up! podcast with Features Editor Becca Martin-Brown, meet Kailey Miller, who stepped into the role of Miss Hannigan in Arkansas Public Theatre’s production of “Annie" with one night of rehearsal. They're joined by APT veteran Caity Church, who portrays Grace Farrell, Daddy Warbucks’ right-hand woman for some lively chatter.

FAQ

‘Annie’

WHEN — 8 p.m. Aug. 2-3; 2 p.m. Aug. 4; again Aug. 8-11

WHERE — Arkansas Public Theatre in Rogers

COST — $28-$39

INFO — 631-8988 or arkansaspublictheatre.org

Chip Souza, Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports editor, joins Paul Boyd and Henry Apple, NWADG sports writers on this week's episode of The Shop. They talk local sports and interview golfer Lilly Thomas of Bentonville, former Fayetteville volleyball phenom Ella May Powell and Bentonville wrestler Tristan Stafford.

Musician, poet, rapper, activist and documentarian Michael Franti tells the origin story of his self-directed, award-winning documentary "Stay Human," which was released last year and inspired the music for his 10th studio album and January release "Stay Human, Vol. II." Franti performs at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers with Sublime with Rome at 6 p.m. July 31.

Doug Thompson, Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, talks with Sonia Gutierrez, D'Andre Jones, Richard Laraya and LaTricia Hill-Chandler gather to talk about diversity and inclusion in Northwest Arkansas.

Millions of dollars are being spent in Northwest Arkansas to increase diversity and inclusion of all races and ethnic groups. A special report upcoming in Sunday’s edition takes a look at the successes and remaining challenges of those efforts.

Director Ed McClure promises the sun WILL come out tomorrow, despite Miss Hannigan’s best efforts when he and actress Jennifer Armstrong visit with Features Editor Becca Martin-Brown in this What’s Up! podcast. Arkansas Public Theatre in Rogers will present “Annie” for three weekends, opening July 26.

FAQ

‘Annie’

WHEN — 8 p.m. July 26-27; 2 p.m. July 28; again Aug. 1-4 & Aug. 8-11

WHERE — Arkansas Public Theatre in Rogers

COST — $28-$39

INFO — 631-8988 or arkansaspublictheatre.org

Flip Putthoff, outdoors writer, talks about floating the White River near the Beaver Dam. Learn about the ice cold water you can enjoy in the middle of the summer, where to put in, trout fishing and the best spots to fish.

Darynne Dahlem, the 22-year-old daughter of Ron and Traci Lewellen of Greenwood and a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, was crowned Miss Arkansas June 15 in Little Rock. She stopped by during her media tour of Northwest Arkansas to talk about her addiction awareness platform, which she calls “Know Who You Are,” her preparation for the Miss America Pageant and her plan to attend medical school when her reign is over.

Read more about Miss Arkansas in the Our Town section on July 4.