ARTS & CULTURE

By Kaydith Maddox | Photos courtesy of Walton Arts Center

Have a Laugh at Walton Arts Center

Make this a holiday break to remember when you relive the magic of and introduce your family to The Music Man. This is a classic musical so “grand and glorious!...it will give you new life,” according to Variety.

Meredith Willson’s musical comedy, winner of six Tony Awards, follows traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize — despite the fact he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. But will he get his heart stolen by Marian the librarian before he can skip town with the cash?

There are four chances in January to catch this, with its toe-tapping tunes including “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Trouble,” “Till There Was You,” “Pickalittle” and “Gary, Indiana.” The Music Man is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation. It is “a joyous, blissful Broadway event,” according to The Telegraph.

The Music Man will sweep away any holiday blues, and you’ll leave the theater with a song (or two) in your heart.

Show Dates & Times

Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 17 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 18 at 2 p.m.

Tickets Make Great Gifts

Needing a last-minute gift idea? Tickets make the perfect gift! There are lots of ways to give and save. If you purchase tickets to three or more shows at the same time — for yourself or as gifts — you can save with a Create Your Own Subscription offer. Gift certificates are also available and totally customizable. Don’t forget to reserve and pay for parking ahead of time too! Find the perfect show for your loved ones below:

For the Dance Lovers

German Cornejo’s Tango After Dark – Jan. 21, 2026

BODYTRAFFIC – March 5, 2026

Some Like it Hot – March 17-22, 2026

Riverdance 30: The New Generation – June 9-11, 2026

For the Music Enthusiasts

Michael Mayo – Feb. 21, 2026

Sunny Sweeney – March 6, 2026

African Rhythms Alumni Quintet – March 13, 2026

Solas – April 8, 2026

For the Broadway Buff

Mandy Patinkin in Concert: JUKEBOX with Adam Ben-David on Piano – Jan. 29, 2026

Norbert Leo Butz: Broadway or Busk – Feb. 21, 2026

Water for Elephants – Feb. 24-March 1, 2026

& Juliet – May 26-31, 2026

For the Whole Family

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – Feb. 3-8, 2026

Cahoots NI: Secrets of Space – March 10, 2026

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia: Billy Goats of Gruff and Other Tales – March 31, 2026

Blue Man Group – April 14-15, 2026

For the Laugh Seeker

The Comedy Zone: Aida Rodriguez – Jan. 31, 2026

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern – March 13-15, 2026

John Crist Live! – March 28, 2026 | 2 performances

MAMMA MIA! – April 21-26, 2026

Shake It Up

Need a gift for someone who loves to shake up date night, girls’ night out or a pre-show theater experience? Our hands-on cocktail classes are the perfect gift to stir up your holiday season and toast to a night of delightful discovery!

Add something delicious to your evening and purchase a cocktail class for $45. Our experts will teach you to make two specialty drinks while you enjoy light appetizers and learn about each drink and its ingredients. Your mixologist will provide everything you need to create eye-catching craft cocktails. It’s a night of great memories and new friends!

Classes are available for Mrs. Doubtfire, Water for Elephants, Some Like it Hot, MAMMA MIA!, & Juliet and Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Purchase tickets to three or more classes and save.

Purchase tickets at www.waltonartscenter.org, by calling (479) 443-5600 weekdays 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. or in person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.