2 Free Performances of Helaine & the Little War in Little Rock

Two free performances of the original musical “Helaine & the Little War” will take place at the Old State House Museum on November 21 and November 22, 2026.

The production, which Arkansas Radio reported, aims to bring a turbulent chapter of Arkansas history to life through song and drama. Set against the 1874 Brooks-Baxter War, the musical explores the social upheaval and political instability that defined the Reconstruction era in the state.

The story centers on Helaine, a formerly enslaved woman whose Little Rock tavern serves as a crossroads for individuals facing questions of identity, equality, and opportunity. As the fight for the Arkansas governorship intensifies, the personal lives of those in her tavern collide with late 19th-century politics.

The production is the result of years of creative development and local collaboration. The script was written by David J. Eshelman, a playwright, professor at Arkansas Tech University, and the founder of Arkansas Radio Theatre. The music and lyrics were composed by Charley Sandage and the late Charlie T. Crow.

Sandage is a local musician and historian who received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arkansas Arts Council. Crow, a former cabinet member under two Arkansas governors, was a songwriter and the founder of the Central Arkansas Chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

2 Free Performances of Helaine & the Little War in Little Rock

This project has undergone several iterations since its early stages. It was featured during a workshop at TheatreSquared’s New Play Festival in Fayetteville in 2016. Later, in 2018, the production held public readings at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff and the Old State House Museum in Little Rock.

The historical backdrop of the musical is the Brooks-Baxter War, a violent political conflict involving competing claims to the Arkansas governorship. This confrontation reflected the deep-seated political and social divisions present in Arkansas following the Civil War.

By staging the performance at the Old State House Museum, the production utilizes a venue that played a central role during the actual conflict in 1874. The musical attempts to bridge the gap between large-scale political maneuvering and the everyday human experiences of those living through the era.

Arkansas little rock old state house museum

Acclaimed Arkansas mezzo-soprano Satia Spencer will perform the title role of Helaine. The two-act production will feature period costumes and live musical accompaniment to recreate the atmosphere of Reconstruction-era Little Rock.

Both performances are scheduled for 3 PM on Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22, 2026. While admission to the musical is free, the Old State House Museum requires advance reservations for all attendees.

Interested guests can reserve their tickets through the following link: https://tinyurl.com/HelainePlay.

The performances will be held at the Old State House Museum, located at 300 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas.