Platte River Bard Podcast

What do you get when you get cast in a show and figure out the show makes no sense because it was written by AI?  The Florentine Players are going to show you!  Written by a real human the old-fashioned human way, Kirk Adams, brings the play "Control + Alt + Script" to life.  A play within a play, this production will show you what hilarious twists and turns the cast experiences! 

You'll want to hear all about this show!  Premiering in Nebraska, written by a Nebraska Playwright, The Florentine Players are bringing a home grown comedy to us and supporting local artists.  Listen here and catch all the details!

Show Dates: August 6-8 & 13-15, 2026

We were able to meet with the whole cast for this new show by Voices in Alliance Omaha opening at Shelterbelt Theatre July 15th!  

This is a thoughtful drama, described as a "memory play", about a family with their complex relationships.  At the center is the character, Nut, played by Randall Johanningsmeier and the relationship with their father, a Vietnam Veteran who is struggling with being exposed to Agent Orange and dealing with his experiences during the Vietnam War.  Nut's mother "France" as played by Kerri Forrester, and sister "Crimp" as played by Aisha Lomax, and his father "Julius" as played by Kevin Barratt also are part of this story.  Can this family who want to understand and care for each other strengthen their relationships before it's too late? 

Dates: July 15– August 1, 2026 (Wednesdays through Saturdays)

@Shelterbelt Theatre

For tickets:  https://viaomaha.org.

Opening weekend is pay what you wish!

We sat down with leading ladies Kerri Forrester, Lydia Edmonds, and stage manager Krista Freimuth, and Director Gordon Cantiello about their musical "Beehive" that opens July 10th and runs only until July 12th.  This is a limited engagement!  This isn't just a jukebox musical, but it carries stories of the times throughout the late 1950's into 1960's as well as into the 1970's.  Kerri Forrester has three songs that are Aretha Franklin's that sounds like it is a "not to miss" performance! 

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT, so get your tickets now at: 402-706-0778!

July 10 & 11 at 7pm, and two shows on Sunday, July 12th at 2pm and 6pm.

Performing Artists Repertory Theatre (PART) is located at the Duschne Academy Campus at 3636 California Street, Omaha.

Music Direction by Kyle Ross Thomas

Choreography by Sue Gillespie Valker

Ever After Productions presents Julian Adair's talented choreography in "A Suite for Small Spaces III" a New Dance Work by Julian Adair. This will be a beautiful and innovative production that you will want to get your tickets NOW for! We talked with Julian Adair, President/Director/Instructor of Adair Dance Academy and Artistic Director of Ever After Productions. Julian has spent 40 years of her life dedicated to teaching students of all ages about the benefits and beauty of dance, and this production is another installment - and a celebration - of her amazing career!

Dates: Thursday, July 2 at 7pm and Friday July 3 at 6:30 and 8:30.  Tickets are $15.

Tickets and Website: https://shelterbelt.org

Shelterbelt Theatre, 4383 Nicholas Street, Ste 204, Omaha, NE

"Omigod You Guys!" The Elkhorn Community Theatre presets "Legally Blonde The Musical" as their summer musical at the Elkhorn High School, beginning June 19th until June 28th!  We spoke with Noelani Howland, who plays the confident, queen of comebacks and forever positive, Elle Wood, along with her antagonist character Professor Callahan, played by Keaton Kreikemeier.  We had a delightful conversation about making this fun production - the cast, music, dancing, costumes, and even the dogs are something you'll not want to miss hearing about.  Find out all about it here!

"Legally Blonde The Musical" is based on the 2001 hit film, and opened at the Palace Theatre on Broadway on April 29, 2007.  It ran until October 19, 2008.  Though it didn't win any awards, it was celebrated with seven Tony Nominations and a Drama Desk Award Nomination.

ELKHORN COMMUNITY THEATRE CONTACT INFO

Website and Tickets:  https://elkhorncommunitytheatre.org/

Performance Dates: June 19-21 & 26-28

Elkhorn High School, 1401 Veterans Drive, Elkhorn, NE

"Omigod You Guys!" The Elkhorn Community Theatre presets "Legally Blonde The Musical" as their summer musical at the Elkhorn High School, beginning June 19th until June 28th!  We spoke with Noelani Howland, who plays the confident, queen of comebacks and forever positive, Elle Wood, along with her antagonist character Professor Callahan, played by Keaton Kreikemeier.  We had a delightful conversation about making this fun production - the cast, music, dancing, costumes, and even the dogs are something you'll not want to miss hearing about.  Find out all about it here!

"Legally Blonde The Musical" is based on the 2001 hit film, and opened at the Palace Theatre on Broadway on April 29, 2007.  It ran until October 19, 2008.  Though it didn't win any awards, it was celebrated with seven Tony Nominations and a Drama Desk Award Nomination.

ELKHORN COMMUNITY THEATRE CONTACT INFO

Website and Tickets:  https://elkhorncommunitytheatre.org/

Performance Dates: June 19-21 & 26-28

Elkhorn High School, 1401 Veterans Drive, Elkhorn, NE

We spoke to Jon Flower, Director of the play "The Cottage" by Sandy Ruskin, which is the Omaha Premier of this play by the Bellevue Little Theatre! This play hit Broadway in 2023 so now is your chance to see it!  Similar to the energy of "Noises Off" it is a prop-heavy and fast paced show, set in 1923 Britain.  Great for a date-night show, it is recommended for those 17 and over as it does deal with some adult subject matter, so bring your partner and come out and see his hilarious play!  You may have to see it twice to see things you may have missed the first time!

Tickets and Website:  htttps://thebltorg

Shows:  June 5-21st (Fri & Sat at 7:30 pm and Sun at 2:00 pm)

ASL Performance: June 19th

Pottawattamie Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (PACE Arts Iowa) and Chanticleer Community Theater present this well-known musical, "Oklahoma!".  We spoke to McKenna Cottone and Kevin Bray, who are the love interests, playing Laurey and Curly, and we also spoke with Julian Adair, Choreographer of this production. This memorable musical has one more weekend and tickets are going fast!  You'll want to check out this podcast and get your tickets today!

Break all the legs on the prairie!

Tickets and Website: https://www.paceartsiowa.org/

Chanticleer Theatre: https://www.paceartsiowa.org/theater/chanticleer-community-theater

We spoke to Nia Karmann, Promoter and Organizer of The Platte River Art Show! She has 17 artists showing their one-of-a-kind handmade art of all kinds: painting, hatburning, sculpture, photography and more! 

The Kickoff begins at 6pm at the Wine and Cheese Reception Friday, April 24th, 2026.  Then the Art Show begins Saturday, April 25th from 10am - 7pm and Sunday, April 26th from 10am to 4pm.  

Come into the park, enjoy the nice weather and support these wonderful artists!  People attend from all over the state!  You can also eat at Carl's at Mahoney State Park.  Drive with a friend who has a park pass, or buy a day pass at the gate.  

Don't miss "The Most Prestigious Art Show on the River!"

PLATTE RIVER ART SHOW CONTACT INFO:

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083554623192

Mahoney State Park, 28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE

We spoke with Artistic Director, Vincent J. Orduna, and Associate Artistic Director, Brandon Box-Higdem about Season 102 at the Omaha Community Playhouse for the 2026-2027 Season which was released on March 17th!  Though the current Season 101 is still going strong and there are some fun shows yet to see.  We talked about the upcoming season that is jam packed with show stoppers so you won't want to miss this discussion!  There is something in this season for everyone!

Website and Tickets:  https://omahaplayhouse.com/

Editors Note: We were a little plagued this time with some technical issues that all happened at once, so we do have a slight difference in audio quality partway through the interview.  It doesn't last long and we apologize for the inconvenience!