Platte River Bard Podcast

We talked with Lance Nielsen, Executive Director at the Nebraskans for the Arts.  The DOGE cuts to the arts, humanities and culture are an important topic making deep and permanent problems for our local Theatres and Creatives.  If you aren't aware of what has been happening, or if you want to hear more about it because there is a lot to read out there, we have put it into podcast format for you to listen and easily t...

Though tickets are limited and a waiting list is already in place, now is the time to sign up for an unforgettable experience!

Opera Omaha’s new production of "Fantastic Mr. Fox",  based on Roald Dahl’s beloved tale and brought to life by composer Tobias Picker — is the perfect opera for the whole family. Filled with charm, adventure, and clever woodland creatures, it’s a delightful introduction to opera for all ages!

Performed out...

Get ready for a whirlwind of mystery, mayhem, and masterful disguises as Bellevue Little Theatre opens Ken Ludwig's "Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure" on June 6th!

We spoke with four of the five incredible cast members who take on over 40 characters in this fast-paced and thrilling production!

The story begins with a royal scandal — the Bohemian king’s stolen letters spark an international crisis involving spies, blackmail...

We sat down with Denise Putnum, Jae Starling, Michelle Batzer, and Caroline Kelly to talk about their roles in Steel Magnolias, opening May 9th at the Hoff Center at PACE!

This heartwarming and humorous comedy-drama is an unforgettable celebration of friendship, resilience, and Southern charm. Don’t miss the sharp one-liners, heartfelt moments, and hilarious female bonding that make this show a "must-see."

CHANTICLEER COMMUNITY THE...

The Omaha Community Playhouse has their 101st Season lined up -  and we were fortunate to have the chance to hear all about it.  You'll not want to miss this interview with Becky Noble, Executive Director and Mary Carrick, Director of Marketing and Public Relations. We hear a little about their backgrounds and also all the things they have planned for the remaining 100th Season as well as next season!   

There's lots of exciting sh...

We had the distinct pleasure to talk to three very talented Omaha Creatives involved in the upcoming production "Scissoring" written by C. Quintana at VIA Omaha! 

We spoke with Asia Nared, Delaney Jackson, and TammyRa who are part of this small cast about the experience of a Catholic schoolteacher who is also in a relationship with another woman and is forced to step back into the closet.  This is a fairly new play that has also w...

The Platte River Bard attended the 2025 Omaha Fringe Festival Lottery and was able to talk to Board President Nic Jansen, Artistic Director Lara Marsh, Board Member Carrie Nash and Button Contest Sponsor Paul Pape of Paul Pape Designs.  There are cash prizes for the button contest this year that is due April 20th! 

There is a lot of excitement about this year's many applicants, opportunities to volunteer and sponsor - so hear all a...

Once again, we speak with Nia Karmann about her upcoming art show at the Mahoney State Park!  This year, the vendors will span both the 1st and 2nd floor of the Peter Kiewitt building at the Mahoney State Park.  She has 21 artists of all kinds:  photography, paintings, sculptures, pottery, fiber arts and more!  

Join the kick off event on Friday, April 4th from 6pm - 9pm for wine, cheese and music, and visit the show Saturday from ...

We spoke to Leo Adam Biga, local freelance cultural journalist and non-fiction book author.  His works have spanned many years and subjects.  Many times he has traveled for his story, including when he accompanied a group of local students to President Obama's Inauguration, and when he went on the set of well-known writer, director, screenwriter, and Oscar winner,  Alexander Payne.  This experience resulted in two books:  "Alexande...

Marie Schuette, local Playwright and Creative, premieres her play "Stuck with Lemons" at the Shelterbelt Theatre February 13th-March 2nd.  We talked with Marie Schuette and the Director of this play, Amy Lane about the origins and development of this play that was created and brought to life here in Omaha!  

This play is a collaboration with Great Plains Theatre Commons and Shelterbelt Theatre!

The ASL Performance will be February ...

"Misery" adapted by William Goldman (who also wrote "Princess Bride") is based on the novel by Stephen King. SNAP! Productions will open this production on February 7th and it will run through February 23rd.  This three-person show will entertain you with it's wacky and dark plot, as well as it's well-done fight scenes. 

We talked to Kaitlyn Rudeen who plays Annie Wilkes, Jeremy Earl who plays Paul Sheldon, and our own Chris Berger...

We talk with Actor Hannah Post and Director Mackenzie Zielke about their production, "The Girl on the Train" which opens January 31st at Bellevue Little Theatre. This is a suspenseful thriller was originally a book by Paula Hawkins and a New York Times Best Seller before it was a movie, and then a play adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel. If you like a suspenseful story, you'll enjoy this show!  Find out more on our podcast,...

The 19th Annual Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards (OEAA) Awards are here!  On February 16, 2025, the awards will be held at The Admiral Theater (admiralomaha.com/).  We have the scoop here for you about this prestigious Omaha tradition!

Find out why the OEAA puts on their awards, how the voting works, how the venue dictates the award show, and learn more about the theme for this year.  We talked with Board President, Doug Meigs, ...

It’s January 20th, 2025!  And we have the scoop of the year!  Opera Omaha has announced their 2025-2026 season effective today, January 20th, and we have all the information here to share it with you!

We talk with Allison Swenson, General Director and Katrina Thurman the Director of Artistic Administration about all of the exciting line-up of productions! Their new season has subscriptions beginning at $...

The Lied Center for Performing Arts and the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating the music of "RENT" with their performance of "RENT In Concert" on January 18th, 2025!  We had learned there are incredibly talented young Nebraska performers that will be part of this fun production and we wanted to share a few of those with you! 

We spoke to Elise Anderson, Will Hastreiter, and Samara Follette, who are local performers invo...

We talked with Director Sara Scheidies about her upcoming production "She Kills Monsters" by Qui Nguyen which opens January 20th at the Chanticleer Community Theatre at the Hoff Center at PACE.  "She Kills Monsters" was published in 2011 and was nominated for the Drama Desk Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, and ITBA Patrick Lee Awards in 2012.  In 2013 it won the AATE Distinguished Play Award.

Even if you are not a Dungeons and Dragons f...

With the addition of the technological age, bullying has become even more apparent as a big problem that our kids and even adults face.  We spoke with Dr. Patricia Newman, Founder and Executive Director of RESPECT.  RESPECT is a not-for-profit organization formed of professional actor-educators, led by a child psychologist, advised by community organizations. Their Educators and Actors visit schools and communities – in person or v...

What is Christmas without music, friendship and snow?  The 1954 movie "White Christmas" was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2008, and will give you all the great feelings of the famous Hollywood movie.  While we were at PACE, visiting Chanticleer's production of this play, we heard lots of dancing and singing and spoke with Music DirectorJennifer Orvis and Actor, Christine Reiners.  This cast is ready to bring us back to the pos...