30 Sep 2024 UCA Public Appearances presents ‘Some Enchanted Evening’

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas Public Appearances presents “Some Enchanted Evening” at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.  

Produced and managed by IMG Artists, “Some Enchanted Evening” includes a trio of fast-rising gifted artists, all veterans of the popular musical collective Postmodern Jukebox.

Emmy® nominated trumpeter Benny Benack III, and internet sensation vocalist Stella Cole share top-billing in “Some Enchanted Evening,” a jazz-steeped sojourn exploring a bevy of The Great American Songbook’s most enduring hits from the Golden Age of Broadway to today. The two exceptionally talented artists will be joined by tap dance phenom Jabu Graybeal and a five-piece band. The concert program includes selections from many shows from Broadway and the Silver Screen, including “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Sound of Music,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Hamilton,” “Oliver!” and, of course, “South Pacific.”

“Some Enchanted Evening” celebrates a century of music from Broadway favorites, seamlessly blending timeless music and dance, with jazzy takes on beloved classics (“Over the Rainbow,” “The Sound of Music”) to contemporary hits (“My Shot”). “Some Enchanted Evening” is more than a show. It’s an unforgettable experience that pays homage to the enduring legacy of Broadway, bringing together music and dance in a way that resonates with audiences of all ages. 

Ahead of the anticipated tour, Benack stated, “Our concert is the perfect marriage between the majesty of musical theater with the spontaneity of Swing! So many songs from the Golden Era of Broadway have become part of the jazz canon, so it’s a perfect fusion. Stella Cole is a modern-day starlet of stage and screen, and Jabu is the most exciting and show-stopping tap dancer in the world right now. Combining all of these talents together feels like we just assembled the Avengers of showbiz – get your popcorn ready!”

Cole said, “I’m excited to perform alongside Benny and Jabu because we’re all such different artists, and we’ll all have different takes on this repertoire. It’s going to feel like a night out at an old-school variety show, where they have lots of musicians, singers, and dancers. Seriously, I can’t wait!”

UCA Public Appearances is celebrating 25 years in Reynolds Performances Hall. Highly acclaimed artists such as Ray Charles, Wayne Newton, Common, Amy Grant, Dione Warwick, Ricky Skaggs and more have performed in the 1,200-seat theater. 

UCA Public Appearances has continued to grow each year and now has five unique series offered: Broadway, POPS, Night Out, Speaker, and the Windgate Collection. Reynolds Performance Hall has also welcomed over 65,000 preK-12th grade students from across Arkansas to experience live performing arts through the Main Stage Education Series. This series educates while entertaining and provides arts accessibility to all students. Tickets range from $20-$40 for adults and $10 for children/students. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Reynolds box office or Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts box office Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at uca.edu/publicappearances or by calling UCA Ticket Central at 501.450.3265 or toll-free at 866. 810.0012.