Dave Edmark, a fixture on Northwest Arkansas stages for nearly five decades, will step out of character during The Gridiron Show this weekend. The long-time actor has spent Octobers for 40 years standing behind a podium, turning his back to the audience to deliver local satire. Edmark returns to the Walton Arts Center for performances on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30. The show pits the Northwest Arkansas newsroom against its own absurdities. Produced by veteran comedian Rusty Turner, the event features news anchors, politicians, and officials in costume, mimicking the forces of local journalism. Edmark’s resume with the show is extensive. He joined the cast in 1978 and has portrayed dozens of characters over the years. His most famous recurring role emerged when the event lost a regular cast member following a car accident. Edmark switched gears, taking over the chair and quickly finding the audience accepted him just as readily, playing a stubborn news anchor who refused to look at the crowd. The dynamic is central to the show’s appeal. It attacks the modern news landscape with a blunt object rather than a scalpel. Rusty Turner, who produces the event, said the performance reflects the unique dynamics of our region. He hinted at the humor to come during a preview. “We’ve got a song that’s both a commentary on the issues facing public libraries and a tribute to the late Dolly Parton,” Turner promised. “That can only happen in The Gridiron Show.” The juxtaposition of a library funding debate and a tribute to Tennessee’s most famous native creates a distinct flavor of humor. It targets the local news cycle where high-minded policy debates and regional icons often collide. Turner, who co-writes the script, focuses the script on the goings-on in Northwest Arkansas. The show does not tackle national politics. It targets the local scene. It touches on development projects, school board meetings, and the challenges of public infrastructure. By highlighting these specific issues, the show resonates with local journalists. It allows them to laugh at the daily grind of reporting on Benton County and Washington County. Edmark’s longevity is a selling point for the event. He is one of the few remaining originals from the show’s inception. His character serves as the straight man to the chaos on stage. The presence of established actors like him provides a stability that draws a crowd each year. Tickets for the event are available through the Walton Arts Center box office. More information about the cast and show times is available on their website. The show provides a rare chance for the
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
