Keeping up with the changes in national, state and local politics and culture has kept the writers for the 2015 Gridiron busy this year. The result will hit the stage Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3.

“Umpteen Candidates & Counting” is the theme of this year’s Northwest Arkansas Gridiron Show, the annual spoof of current events, written and performed by local journalists, former journalists, U of A journalism faculty and students, and a few U of A staff members.

Dan Ferritor, interim chancellor at the University of Arkansas, will serve as emcee — the first person to ever emcee Gridiron twice — although he insists he is only the interim emcee.

The show will be performed at the Arkansas Public Theater at the Victory, formerly the Rogers Little Theater. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for general seating. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. It’s co-produced by the Northwest Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists and the Fayetteville branch of the American Association of University Women.

The cast features 33 local journalists and journalism students who play more than 100 roles in the show. The program is presented in two 45-minute acts with a 20-minute intermission. Local singer, songwriter and multi-instrumental wizard Emily Kaitz continues in her crucial role as musical director.

Tickets are $25 each. There will also be a cash bar and snacks will be for sale there.

The Society of Professional Journalists will fund scholarships with its profits, and the American Association of University Women will contribute its share to the Single Parent Scholarship Fund, the AAUW scholarship at the University of Arkansas, and the AAUW Educational Foundation and Legal Advocacy Fund. The show will also benefit the Arkansas Public Theater building fund. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.

More information about the Gridiron is available online at nwagridiron.com.

The Arkansas Public Theater at the Victory (formerly Rogers Little Theater) is located at 116 S. Second Street in downtown Rogers. From Interstate 540, take the Walnut Street exit (Highway 71B), exit 85. Go east about 2.6 miles to North Second Street. Turn right on North Second (south). The theater is half a block down on the right (west).

Special seating for patrons in wheelchairs is available. Please inform box office personnel before you come about any needs.