Big Fish at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts

I have seen the musical Big Fish many times (it is very popular in Utah) but my favorite production just might be the one I saw last night at the SCERA Center for Performing Arts because it is so heartwarming! Now that Will Bloom (Bryson Smellie) is about to become a father he laments the fact that he doesn't know his own father Edward (Mark Gordon) because of all the outlandish stories he has always told him about his life. These include having his fortune told by a witch (Adrienne Hansen) in a swamp, learning how to swim from a mermaid (Shelby Horton), going on the road with a giant named Karl (Rob Crockett), joining a circus owned by a werewolf named Amos (Samuel Benson), wooing his future wife Sandra (Christie Gardiner) with daffodils, and thwarting an assassination of a general (Drew Christensen) during the war. When Will learns that Edward is dying of cancer he returns home to attempt a reconciliation with him and, after a Wild West confrontation between the two of them, he discovers that the truth about his father is more extraordinary than the stories. Gordon is the best Edward that I have ever seen because he portrays his zest for life with an exuberance that is palpable but he is also incredibly affecting in his scenes with Smellie as a father who desperately wants his son to be proud of him and in his scenes as a dying old man hoping that he is leaving a lasting legacy behind. He made me laugh and cry and think about all of the stories my own dad used to tell. Smellie is also outstanding because he plays Will's journey from exasperation with his father to understanding him with so much emotion, especially in the scene with Jenny Hill (Anya Young Wilson) and in the song "What's Next." Gardiner has a beautiful voice and her renditions of "Two Men In My Life" and "I Don't Need a Roof" were also highlights for me. I really love the songs that bring Edward's imaginative stories to life and the costumes and choreography in this production are so fun and whimsical, particularly in "I Know What You Want" with the witch, "Favorite Son" with the townspeople of Ashton, "Closer to Her" with the circus (I laughed out loud at the elephant and the firing of the cannon is so fun), and "Red, White, and True" with the USO (the tap dancing by the ensemble is impressive). The set is very simple with various pieces used to create vignettes (Will's bedroom, Edward's bedroom, hospital rooms, the front porch, etc.) brought on and off the stage by the ensemble but the backdrop used for "Daffodils" is a show-stopper (literally). The use of projections is very effective, especially the different images introducing all of the characters in "Be The Hero" and recapping them in "What's Next." This production reignited my love for this show (which was starting to wane after seeing it so many times) and I would definitely recommend getting a ticket (go here). It runs at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through May 4.

Shakespeare in Love at West Valley Arts

Last night I went to see the stage adaptation of the movie Shakespeare in Love at the West Valley Performing Arts Center and I absolutely loved it! William Shakespeare (Josh Egbert) has writer's block and the deadline for his new play, which he has promised to both Philip Henslow (Stephen Kerr) and Richard Burbage (Joseph Spear), is fast approaching. He desperately needs inspiration and he finds it when a wealthy merchant's daughter named Viola de Lesseps (Jillian Joy) disguises herself as Thomas Kent in order to fulfill her dream of performing on the stage, which is illegal for women in Elizabethan England, and wins the role of Romeo in his unfinished play. When Will discovers that his talented leading man is really the woman he wooed on a balcony with the help of fellow playwright Kit Marlowe (Colton Ward) and when Viola discovers that Will is really her favorite playwright, they begin a passionate affair which is complicated by the marriage her father has arranged with Lord Wessex (Tyler Roberts). Art imitates life as their doomed love inspires Romeo and Juliet. I think this story is incredibly witty and clever (even if it takes liberties with historical accuracy) and I loved all of the references to Romeo and Juliet and other Shakespeare plays as well as the antics surrounding multiple mistaken identities and the backstage shenanigans at competing theatre companies. Egbert and Joy are outstanding as the leads and have tremendous chemistry with each other. Their performance of the final scene in Romeo and Juliet is absolutely heartbreaking and I had a tear in my eye (especially since it has a double meaning because of their imminent separation). I also really enjoyed the hilarious ensemble cast who portray the actors in Shakespeare's theatre company, especially Eliyah Ghaeini as the over-the-top actor Ned Alleyn who plays Mercutio, Angel Martinez as the actor Nol who plays Benvolio and takes every opportunity to display his prowess for fight choreography, and Sofia Paredes-Kenrick as the actor John Webster who is jealous when Thomas Kent is cast as Romeo. Speaking of choreography, this production features an intricate dance sequence at Viola's ball that is very well done as well as some fast-paced and highly entertaining stage combat. The use of original music, performed by various cast members, adds a lot to the Elizabethan setting as do the elaborate period costumes, particularly Queen Elizabeth's (Sonia Inoa-Rosado Maughan) gown. Finally, I was really impressed with the set, which is comprised of an elevated wooden platform made to look like a theatre, and the lighting design, consisting of a large rose projected on the stage and the outline of Shakespeare's writing projected during key moments. I really loved every aspect of this production and I highly recommend it (go here for tickets). It runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through May 4.

Of Mice and Men at Parker Theatre

Last night I went to a stage adaptation of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men at the Parker Theatre and I loved seeing this American classic come to life in the very capable hands of this theatre (I have yet to see a performance here that I haven't enjoyed). George Milton (Lucas Charon) and Lennie Small (Brinton M. Wilkins) are migrant workers trying to save money for their own piece of land with a cow, pigs, chickens, and, most importantly, rabbits which George has promised Lennie he can tend. However, Lennie, who is very big and strong but mentally challenged, keeps getting into trouble because of his naive love of everything small and soft. After being run out of their last job, they find work on another ranch near the Salinas River in California and soon discover that many of the inhabitants, including and old-timer named Candy (Brook Robertson) who is forced to part with his dog, Curley's wife (Ashley Slater) who is unhappy in her marriage, and Crooks (Kiirt Banks) who is segregated from the other workers because he is Black, are suffering from a crushing loneliness. Even though George laments the fact that his life would be so much easier without Lennie, he knows that it is this friendship and their dream that keeps him from the same loneliness. Events eventually conspire against them when Lennie is once more tempted by something soft and George loses both his friend and his dream. It is an incredibly tragic story because it is a realistic portrayal of the plight faced by many during the Great Depression and I always find it to be very thought-provoking because the American Dream is still often unattainable for those who are marginalized. This production provides a very sensitive and moving portrayal of these dark themes. Wilkins gives a brilliant performance as Lennie because he is always believable as the character with many subtle bits of business that allude to his diminished capacity, such as looking off in the distance, never making eye contact, and stimming with his fingers. His interactions with Charon are also believable and incredibly touching (I had tears in my eyes during the final scene). I was also very impressed with Robertson, because his response to the death of his dog (which foreshadows future events) is another poignant moment which brought tears to my eyes, and with Slater, because her characterization as Curley's wife is much more sympathetic than I have seen before (she is usually portrayed more coquettishly). I also have to give a shoutout to Apollo, making his stage debut as Candy's dog, because he is very well-behaved and so adorable. I loved the use of Aaron Copland's music, because it is very beautiful and evocative, and I also loved the use of corrugated tin and wood in the sets for the bunkhouse and the barn, because it feels so authentic to the time and place. The entire production is outstanding and I highly recommend taking advantage of this rare opportunity to see one of the great novels of American literature performed on stage. It runs on Fridays and Saturdays through April 27 (go here for tickets).

Shrek the Musical at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts

Last night I went to see a production of Shrek the Musical at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts featuring an incredibly talented group of high school students belonging to the award-winning acting troupe called Acting Up! I figured that, if they could produce an enjoyable version of a show that I dislike, they would definitely do a phenomenal job with a show I actually do like and I was right! It was so much fun! Shrek (Finn Parks) is an ogre just minding his own business when his swamp is invaded after Lord Farquaad (Mark Triplett) banishes all of the Fairytale Creatures from Duloc. After some encouragement from Pinocchio (Al Sorensen), he decides to visit Farquaad himself to get his swamp back and, along the way, he saves Donkey (Noah Hinckley) from Farquaad's guards and they end up traveling to Duloc together. Farquaad, who wants to be King, agrees to give Shrek back his swamp if he rescues Princess Fiona (Tanya Cespedes) from a tower guarded by a fire-breathing Dragon (Kaisa Judd) so he can marry her. Donkey distracts Dragon so Shrek can rescue Fiona but chaos ensues on the way back to Duloc when Shrek develops feelings for her. Parks is great in the title role because he shows a vulnerability behind the gruff exterior and he displays a lot of charisma in his performance (but I sometimes couldn't hear him during his songs, especially in "Who I'd Be" and "When Words Fail"). Hinckley is a lot of fun because he is fast-talking and frenetic in his physical performance and I loved his version of "Forever" with Judd. Cespedes has a beautiful voice, particularly in the song "I Know It's Today" with Claire Moreira as Young Fiona and Rachel Paz as Teen Fiona (they harmonize so well), but I also enjoyed her physicality, especially in "I Think I Got You Beat" with Parks (the children in the audience absolutely loved the *ahem* sound effects in this number). However, it is Triplett who steals the show! As is often the case in this musical, he portrays Farquaad's short stature by appearing on his knees with tiny fake legs dangling in front of him and a large cape hiding his real legs, but Triplett adds another layer of hilarity with lots of big gestures with his arms and exaggerated facial expressions. I laughed non-stop whenever he was on stage and his songs "What's Up Duloc" and "Ballad of Farquaad" were highlights for me! I was also very impressed by Judd because she gives a fantastic performance while effortlessly manipulating an amazing dragon puppet (with the help of another puppeteer). The outstanding ensemble provided some more of my favorite moments, including "The Story of My Life" and "Freak Flag," with colorful costumes and dazzling choreography. Honorable mentions go to Sorensen as Pinocchio, Sabrina Barker as the Fairy Godmother, Alyssa Abildskov as the Wicked Witch, and Macey South as Gingy. The fabulous stage features a series of steps configured to look like a forest with fun set pieces for Shrek's swamp, Farquaad's castle, the Dragon's keep, and Fiona's tower. I was so impressed with these young actors and I cannot recommend this production enough! Definitely let your freak flag fly and get a ticket (go here) for one of the remaining performances through March 30.

Seussical the Musical at CPT

I am not a fan of Seussical the Musical but Utah audiences seem to love it so local theatre companies program it a lot. Because I am a subscriber, I saw CPT's production last night and, while the sets, projections, costumes, and performances are outstanding, nothing can compensate for the fact that the story is nonsensical, convoluted, and loses focus in the second act. This musical shoehorns the children's stories of Dr. Seuss, including Horton Hears a Who, Gertrude McFuzz, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, Yertle the Turtle, Horton Hatches the Egg, I Had Trouble Getting to Solla Sollew, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, McElligot's Pool, Oh Say Can You Say?, Hunches in Bunches, If I Ran the Circus, Dr. Seuss's ABC, The Butter Battle Book, Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!, Fox in Socks, The Cat in the Hat, The Sneetches and Other Stories, Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?, and Oh, The Places You'll Go!, into an incomprehensible story about an imaginative boy named Jojo, who sometimes gets in trouble for all of the thinks that he thinks, and the adventures he goes on with The Cat in the Hat. The positive message at the end is that anything is possible and that you can go anywhere you want just by thinking your thinks but it is all just so overstuffed with too many characters and ideas. I even find the music to be very repetitive. There are endless reprises of "Oh, The Things You Can Think" and "How Lucky You Are" and, even though the songs feature lots of different genres, they all blur together. The best thing about this show is the unbelievably talented cast, especially Emily Henwood as Gertrude McFuzz because she is so awkward and endearing, Dan Call as Horton the Elephant because he is incredibly sympathetic (his versions of "Alone in the Universe" and "Solla Sollew" were definitely the highlights for me), Meish Roundy as The Cat in the Hat because he makes for a boisterous and entertaining emcee, and Lelini Iongi as Jojo because he is absolutely adorable. The sets and projections mimic the bold, colorful, and fantastical world of Dr. Seuss's books and the costumes are a lot of fun, especially the fanciful feathered costumes worn by Gertrude, Mayzie (Janae Klumpp Gibb) and the Bird Girls (Katherine Frandsen, Brookelynn Alapa, and Cassie Dibbins) and the leather vests worn by Wickersham Brothers (Dylan Floyd Panter, Joshua David Lee, and Sterling Shane Allen).  The staging and choreography are imaginative and dynamic, particularly in "Here on Who," "It's Possible," "Monkey Around," "Circus McGurkus," "A Message From the Front," and "Havin' a Hunch." I really cannot find anything to fault with this production but I think this show just isn't for me and I have given myself permission to never see it again. Seussical the Musical runs on the Barlow Main Stage at CPT through April 13 and I recommend it because others seem to enjoy it much more than I do (go here for tickets).

Note:  Does anyone want my ticket to HCTO's production in June?

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I saw the hilarious show The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at the Utah Shakespeare Festival years ago and I loved it so I was really looking forward to seeing the Terrace Plaza Playhouse's production last night. It was so much fun! A group of actors (Josh Curtis, Jenni Cooper, and Whitney Cahoon), who portray themselves and break the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience, attempt to perform all of Shakespeare's plays in 90 minutes. Hilarity ensues! They begin with a brief biography of Shakespeare, but they mistake the bard for Adolf Hitler, and then continue with the tragedies (Romeo and Juliet, which features commentary about consent, Titus Andronicus, which is presented as a cooking show, and Macbeth, which is performed with incomprehensible Scottish accents, are the highlights). Next they present the comedies as one long play with interchangeable characters (designated by different hats) because they all have the same plot and then perform all of the history plays as a football game with all of the kings as players and a crown instead of a ball (they call a flag on the play when King Lear tries to divide the kingdom between his daughters). At this point they realize that they have forgotten Hamlet but decide that they need a break. After the intermission, they present the sonnets (with help from the audience using Mad-Libs) and then perform an over the top version of Hamlet with lots of audience participation when they decide to psychoanalyze Ophelia. They finish early so they decide to perform Hamlet again in an attempt to break the record for the fastest production (53 seconds) and, when they do that, they decide to perform it backwards! I could not stop laughing during the entire show because it involves a lot of physical comedy.  It also allows for the addition of current pop culture references (I loved the use of Taylor Swift's song "Love Story" at the end of Romeo and Juliet), people and events specific to the area (there were many mentions of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City), interactions with the audience (there was a large group of high school students in attendance which made this really fun), as well as lots of improvisation (especially when props would malfunction). The cast is fantastic with brilliant comedic timing, especially in the scenes where they are portraying multiple characters, and I loved all of their facial expressions. The actors wear white blouses, black pantaloons, white hose, and black Converse high-tops and this allows them to become multiple characters with the addition of different costume pieces (my favorite costume was for the nurse in Romeo and Juliet because the audience howled with laughter at the obviously fake boobs). The stage is very simple with three red curtains, from which the actors make their entrances, and two large trunks on either side containing costumes and props. I had so much fun watching this show and I was really impressed with all of the students in the audience because they definitely picked up on all of the references! I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) during its run with shows Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through April 6.

A Tale of Two Cities at West Valley Arts

I really love the musical A Tale of Two Cities (it is my favorite novel by Charles Dickens). I saw both HCT's productions, in 2011 and 2021 (multiple times), and I count them as some of the best I've seen there. When I learned that the same production team (John Sweeney, Anne Puzey, and Marilyn Montgomery) responsible for the 2011 production was back (on the same stage) for the first show at West Valley Arts this season, I immediately bought a ticket for last night's performance. It was amazing! Lucie Manette (Brittany Andam), a young woman in London who believes that she is an orphan, learns that her father, Dr. Alexander Manette (Jared Haddock), is alive after having been wrongly imprisoned in the Bastille by the Marquise St. Evremonde (John Philpott). She travels to Paris to bring him home to London and meets Charles Darnay (Landon Horton), the nephew of Evremonde who has renounced his ties to the aristocracy, on the journey and they fall in love. Darnay is wrongfully accused of treason upon arrival in London but the dissolute lawyer Sydney Carton (Preston Yates) clears his name. Carton is also secretly in love with Lucie but, when she marries Darnay, he remains a friend of the family and becomes attached to her daughter Lucie (Jane Bonner). In Paris, Evremonde is responsible for the death of a child when his carriage recklessly runs him over in front of the Defarge's wine shop. Madame Defarge (Adrien Swenson), who has a grudge against Evremonde, encourages the boy's father, Gaspard (Ricky Dowse), to murder him which ultimately leads to revolution. Darnay feels responsible for Evremonde's household and secretly returns Paris where he is immediately arrested as an aristocrat, denounced by Madame Defarge who wants to wipe out all descendants of Evremonde, and sentenced to the guillotine. This prompts Carton to make the ultimate sacrifice to save Darnay and show his love for Lucie and her daughter. The music in this show is incredibly beautiful and stirring and I especially love "The Way It Ought to Be" by the men and women of Paris, "You'll Never Be Alone" by Dr. Manette and Lucie, "If Dreams Came True" and its reprise by Sydney and Charles, and "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" by Madame Defarge. The entire cast is outstanding but I was blown away by Yates' portrayal of Carton. His versions of "If Dreams Came True" in the second act and "I Can't Recall" as he slowly walks up the steps to the guillotine in the final scene moved me to tears. I also really loved Swenson, who has portrayed Madame Defarge in all three productions I've seen, because she sings "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" and "The Tale" with so much passion! Linda Jean Stephenson, as Miss Pross, Daniel Radford, as John Barsad, and Mason Gates, as Jerry Cruncher, provide a lot of comic relief with their hilarious performances (the novels of Dickens are very dense and filled with a lot of side characters so I appreciate how they are incorporated into the main story in this adaptation). The set, featuring several multi-level wooden platforms which are reconfigured into many different locations seamlessly by the ensemble, is simple but incredibly dramatic. My favorite set piece is the staircase leading to the guillotine, which slowly comes down from the rafters, because it is incredibly powerful! I also loved the bold lighting design, particularly the use of red hand prints projected on the floor during the scenes inciting revolution and the single spotlight on the stairs to the guillotine. I was very moved by this production and would highly recommend it but, unfortunately, the run ended last night. West Valley Arts will also be producing Shakespeare in Love, The Lightning Thief, Legally Blonde, and Jekyll & Hyde this season (go here for information and tickets).

Note:  Jill Santoriello, who wrote the book, music, and lyrics for this show, was in the audience last night. She sat a few rows ahead of me and I noticed that she was mouthing the words to the songs!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame at OPPA

I really love the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame so I decided to see a production at On Pitch Performing Arts last night. This was my first show at OPPA and I was very impressed! Quasimodo (Jared Daley) has been hidden by his master Frollo (Chris Morgan) in the bell tower of Notre Dame Cathedral all of his life because of his deformity. He wonders what it would be like to leave the cathedral and decides that he will be safe on the streets of Paris during the Feast of Fools. He is eventually crowned the King of the Fools but when the crowd turns on him the gypsy Esmeralda (Megan Mariano) rescues him. She catches the eye of the captain of the cathedral guard, Phoebus de Martin (Nate Kemp), who falls in love with her but she also bewitches Frollo who becomes obsessed with possessing her. When Esmeralda rejects Frollo, he orders Phoebus to arrest her. Phoebus refuses and they both become fugitives who are aided by Quasimodo until the final confrontation in the bell tower. This is a complicated show and most productions that I have seen have had large and elaborate sets but, because OPPA's space is small and intimate, the set is very minimal. It features a runway that extends into the space from a narrow stage with a manually operated turntable at the end of it. A large LED screen is located behind the stage, with projections depicting the inside of the cathedral and the town square, and curtained doors with stairs are located on either side. The stairs are moved to either side of the runway to depict the bell tower. At first I wondered if this would detract from the storytelling, especially since the set did not include any bells, but the innovative staging and clever lighting kept me completely engaged. I was especially impressed by the staging of "God Help the Outcasts" (my favorite song from the show), because the end of the runway becomes an altar when several storytellers place candles on the edge and kneel in front of it, "Hellfire," because Frollo stands on the turntable while the storytellers manually turn him and shine handheld red spotlights on him, and "Kyrie Eleison," because Esmeralda stands on the turntable with the handheld red spotlights as Quasimodo weaves in and out of the storytellers to mimic swinging down from the tower to save her. The choreography in "Topsy Turvy," "Rhythm of the Tambourine," "Tavern Song," and "The Court of Miracles" is straightforward but fun and energetic and the ensemble, which features dancers of various abilities, does a great job executing it. The storytellers, who narrate the show, are costumed as townspeople but they are transformed, often right on stage, into gypsies, soldiers, clergy members, and gargoyles with the addition of simple pieces and props and this is incredibly effective. The stripped-down set, choreography, and costumes allow the performances, which are outstanding, to shine! All four leads have beautiful voices and their renditions of "God Help the Outcasts," "Hellfire," "Heaven's Light," and "Someday" gave me goosebumps! I especially enjoyed Daley's performance because he imbues Quasimodo with a childlike wonder in "Out There" and "Top of the World" but you can also feel his torment during "Made of Stone." I am so happy to have found OPPA (I will definitely be back) because I loved this show and I highly recommend it.  It runs through March 2 with performances on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (go here for tickets).

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at CPT

Last night I finally had the chance to see A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at CPT (I had to change my usual ticket with my sisters because of Sundance) and I think it might be my favorite production of this hilarious show! After the death of his mother, Monty Navarro (Christian Johnston) learns that she was a member of the illustrious D'Ysquith family but was disinherited for marrying his father. He is really Montague D'Ysquith Navarro and is in line to inherit an earldom. The catch is that there eight family members in line ahead of him! When his vain and heartless girlfriend Sibela (Claire Glaittli) marries the rich and handsome Lionel Holland, he decides to murder all eight family members ahead of him in the succession to become the Earl of Highhurst and win her back. Standing in his way are the Reverend Lord Ezekiel D'Ysquith (who has an unfortunate fall from the bell tower of his cathedral), Asquith D'Ysquith, Jr. (who has a bizarre ice skating accident), Henry D'Ysquith (who is stung by the bees in his own hive), Lady Hyacinth D'Ysquith (who falls in a volcano on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific and is presumed dead), Major Lord Bartholomew D'Ysquith (who is decapitated while lifting weights), Lady Salome D'Ysquith (who is killed when a prop gun is mistakenly loaded with real bullets during her stage debut), Lord Asquith D'Ysquith, Sr. (who suffers a heart attack from his grief over the deaths in his family), and, finally, Lord Adalbert D'Ysquith, the Earl of Highhurst, (who is mysteriously poisoned). Along the way, Monty marries Phoebe D'Ysquith (Emma Austin) which makes Sibela jealous but, after he becomes the Earl of Highhurst, he is arrested for the murder of Lord Adalbert (the only D'Ysquith death for which he is actually not responsible). The charges are eventually dismissed when Phoebe and Sibela each give proof that the other committed the murder but Monty might not live happily ever after because Chauncey D'Ysquith, the next in line to the earldom, is lurking! I've seen this show many times (it is very popular with Utah audiences) but this is my favorite production because Monty is played by my former student Christian Johnston (my original ticket was for the MWF show and he is in the THS cast so it was exciting to be able to see him) and he gives a fantastic performance showcasing his comedic timing and his amazing voice, especially in the song "Sibela." I also really enjoyed Andrew Bringhurst's performance as every member of the D'Ysquith family. He gives each character a distinct personality with hilarious facial expressions and physicality (and some quick costume changes!). I always anticipate the appearance of every family member but my favorites in this production are the outrageously flamboyant Henry who thinks everything is "Better with a Man" and the over-the-top Lady Hyacinth who just wants to do some good in "Lady Hyacinth Abroad." Glaittli and Austin have beautiful voices, particularly when they harmonize together in "That Horrible Woman," and Brighton Sloan almost steals the show as Countess Eugenia D'Ysquith! The set, featuring an elaborate stage in an old time music hall with footlights and a red velvet curtain, is one of the best I've seen at CPT and I loved all of the projections, especially when Monty and the Reverend Lord Ezekiel climb the tower in the cathedral and when Henry is chased by his bees. The staging of Asquith Jr.'s skating accident is really clever as is the scene where Phoebe visits Monty's flat when he is having an assignation with Sibela. The period costumes are gorgeous and I liked how Monty's suits get more elaborate as the show goes on and I loved all of the gowns worn by Phoebe and Sibela. I enjoyed this production so much (I don't think I stopped laughing the whole time) and I highly recommend it. It runs on the Barlow Main Stage through February 17 and tickets may be purchased here.

Pride and Prejudice at Parker Theatre

Last night I went to see the first of two productions of Pride and Prejudice that I have scheduled this year at Parker Theatre. As a huge fan of the novel by Jane Austen, I absolutely loved this particular adaptation! When Mr. Bingley (Tom Hohl), a single man in possession of a good fortune, lets Netherfield Hall, Mrs. Bennett (Eden Benson) immediately sets her sights on him as a possible husband for one of her five daughters. Bingley falls in love with the beautiful Jane Bennett (Jasmine Hohl) but her sister Elizabeth (Maryn Tueller) takes an immediate dislike to his friend Mr. Darcy (Spencer Hohl) because he is so aloof and disdainful. Elizabeth must overcome her prejudice and Mr. Darcy must overcome his pride for them to realize that they belong together. No adaptation can include everything but this one comes very close and I was really impressed with its faithfulness to the novel. I sat in the audience with great anticipation for all of my favorite quotes ("You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.") and I was not disappointed. One of the things I love most about the novel is that the characters are so well delineated and every member of the cast is perfect for their role, especially Tueller as Elizabeth because she is incredibly quick-witted and does a great job sparring with Darcy, Benson as Mrs. Bennett because she is hilariously overwrought when she insists that Elizabeth marry Mr. Collins and when she faints after learning of Lydia's elopement, Spencer Holl as Darcy because he is arrogant but also displays some vulnerability when he proposes to Elizabeth, and Tom Hohl as Bingley because he is so awkward when he dances with Jane. However, both Megan Heaps, as Caroline Bingley, and Tyler Hanson, as Mr. Collins, steal the show! I loved it every time Caroline tries to get Darcy's attention and I laughed out loud watching Mr. Collins dance at the Netherfield Ball. The set, featuring panels of board and batten walls, arches, and windows that slide on and off stage along with the addition of various Regency furniture pieces, is incredibly effective and I particularly liked how the panels are quickly used to create the different rooms in Pemberley during Elizabeth's tour. I also really liked the staging of scenes involving letters because they include voice-overs as they are written and read while the events described are acted out on stage. The period costumes are gorgeous (I love Empire waists), especially Elizabeth's gown at the Netherfield Ball and Lady Catherine De Bourgh's gown. I enjoyed this production so much and I highly recommend it to fans of the novel. It runs on Fridays and Saturdays through March 9 (go here for tickets).

A Christmas Story at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts 2023

I loved SCERA's production of A Christmas Story so much last year I decided to see it again last night (it might become a new tradition for me because I don't have enough of them). It was just as much fun as I remember! Radio personality Jean Shepherd (Ed Eyestone) narrates a Christmas story from his youth about Ralphie Parker (Mitt Harris) and his quest for an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time. First Ralphie tries to convince his Mother (Emily Hawkes) and the Old Man (Mark Buffington), then he hopes to get Miss Shields (Marisol Peterson) on his side by writing the best theme, and he even turns to Santa Claus (Chad Taylor) as a last resort but they all tell him that he'll shoot his eye out! I am a huge fan of the movie and all of my favorite scenes are brought to life on stage including when Randy (Jackson Seaver) eats like a piggy, when Schwartz (Ty Poulson) triple dog dares Flick (Elijah Colledge) to stick his tongue to the flag pole, when the Old Man wins a Major Award, when Ralphie says the F-dash-dash-dash word while helping the Old Man change a tire, when Ralphie gets into a fight with bully Scut Farkus (Elias Kahler), when Ralphie is forced to wear the bunny costume given to him by Aunt Clara, and when the Bumpus hounds eat the turkey forcing the Parkers to have Christmas dinner at the Chop Suey Palace. The large cast (several of whom are reprising their roles from last year) does a great job and I was especially impressed with all of the children and their singing and dancing in "It All Comes Down to Christmas," "When You're a Wimp," "Ralphie to the Rescue," and "Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana." Harris is incredibly endearing as Ralphie (he was Schwartz last year) and I loved his singing in "Ralphie to the Rescue" and his tap dancing in "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out." I always think that the roles for the adults are not as compelling as those for the children (a flaw with the show not the performances) but I enjoyed having Eyestone as part of the action (while wearing the same costume as Ralphie) and Buffington's rendition of "A Major Award" is absolutely hilarious (the kick line with the leg lamps is a showstopper). This year's production makes clever use of projections but it also features some impressive sets including the two-story Parker house (I loved the smoke that comes out of a vent when the furnace acts up), the Santa display at Higbee's department store complete with a slide, and a working Oldsmobile (the best in any production I've seen of this show including the Broadway touring version)! I had a huge smile on my face from beginning to end and I highly recommend it (especially for families). There are four more performances at the SCERA Center for Performing Arts through December 16 (go here for tickets).

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse 2023

Last night I attended the second of four productions of A Christmas Carol that I have scheduled this holiday season. This version, the musical Scrooge: A Christmas Carol at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse, could not be more different in tone from the dramatic interpretation I saw at Parker Theatre last week because it is very lighthearted and whimsical which makes it perfect for families. Ebeneezer Scrooge (Kim Florence) is still visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Jacci Olsen Florence), Present (Don Wilhelm), and Future (Cougar Spens) for the reclamation of his soul but he is a figure of fun who is ridiculed by those who owe him money rather than a villain who is feared. This version also features original music by Leslie Bricusse and my favorite songs are "Christmas Children" by Bob Cratchit (Jon Talbot), "December the Twenty-Fifth" by Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (Danny Hall and Carla Zarate, respectively), "Happiness" by Young Ebeneezer (Kelby Talbot) and Isabelle (Shae Wright), and "The Beautiful Day" by Tiny Tim (Lincoln Hall). As always, I was very impressed by the way the space on the small and intimate stage is used, especially with the large cast (many of whom are children), and the choreography is really fun and spirited! I really liked how all of the townspeople are featured in "Sing a Christmas Carol," I loved how the children make fun of Scrooge in "Father Christmas" (one of the littlest children was concentrating so hard on the steps and it was absolutely adorable), and I laughed out loud when Tommy Jones (Trey Cornell) dances of Scrooge's coffin in "Thank You Very Much." I also liked how the Ghost of Christmas Present conducts Scrooge all around the theatre to get to the Cratchit house and Fred's house. Victorian London is brought vividly to life with a cobblestone street depicted on a backdrop with Scrooge's Counting House on a platform to the right of the stage and the entrance to Scrooge's house on another one to the left (I loved how Jacob Marley's face appears on the door knocker). Various set pieces are moved on and off stage and my favorites were Fezziwig's factory, Bob Cratchit's house (I loved the fireplace), Fred's house (I loved the Christmas tree), and the white silhouettes used to represent Scrooge's childhood with his sister Fan. The period costumes are beautiful, especially the gowns worn by the female guests at Fred's Christmas party and the robe worn by the Ghost of Christmas Present. Kim Florence's portrayal of Scrooge is more humorous than other productions I've seen (I laughed out loud during his rendition of "I Hate People") but his reactions to Isabelle's parting from Young Ebeneezer and to Tiny Tim's fate are incredibly poignant. Other standouts from the cast are Wilhelm as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Wright as Isabelle, Danny Hall as Mr. Fezziwig, and Lincoln Hall as Tiny Tim (he is adorable). The ensemble gives their all and it is very heartwarming because you can see the love they have for this community tradition. My only complaint with this show is Jacci Olsen Florence's portrayal of the Ghost of Christmas because it is really silly and the shtick goes on far too long (it seems to be a tradition because other members of the audience liked it more than I did). I really enjoyed this production and, as I previously mentioned, I think this would be a great holiday tradition for families. It runs Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through December 23 and tickets may be purchased here.

A Christmas Carol at Parker Theatre

Last night I attended my first of four productions of A Christmas Carol this holiday season at Parker Theatre. I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing the reclamation of Ebeneezer Scrooge's soul by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future because it is such a beautiful story about keeping the spirit of Christmas in your heart all the year long. I really enjoyed seeing a new and different interpretation of this classic story last night. This version begins, rather unusually, with the death of Jacob Marley (Stephen Harmon) and I liked seeing his ghost haunt Scrooge (Mark Knowles) before he appears to him in his chambers because it is so ominous. There are some elaborate special effects used as he and the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Alina Smith), Present (Brinton Wilkins), and Future (Alina Smith) appear to Scrooge (the Ghost of Christmas Future is quite scary) and the lighting design is incredibly effective.  I especially liked the use of a scrim, fog, and atmospheric lighting as Scrooge sees memories from his past and the use of low lighting, shadows, and silhouettes as he is shown a frightening possible future. I liked seeing all of the characters that Scrooge interacts with at the beginning of the show, such as a caroler (Caroline Jensen), a poor woman (Jasmine Hohl) and her child (Oliver Hohl), and his nephew Fred (Tanner Tate), return at key moments as if appearing in a dream to soften Scrooge's heart. I loved the staging of the romance between a young Ebeneezer (Spencer Hohl) and Belle (Isabelle Purdie) because the dance conveys everything they are feeling without saying a word and it is in sharp contrast to the later scene between them when she releases him. I also liked the staging of the scene where Scrooge learns the truth in the cemetery because having him open the coffin to see who is inside is so dramatic (and very different from how I've seen this scene portrayed in other productions). Knowles gives one of the best performances of Scrooge that I've seen because there is such a huge difference between the bitter old miser at the beginning of the show and the lighthearted character he becomes at the end. You can actually see it in his facial expressions and body language as he learns the lessons taught by the spirits. I was especially moved by his interactions with Bob Cratchit (Lucas Charon) who thanks him for his generosity (this almost brought me to tears) and with Fred and his wife Rowena (Jasmine Hohl) as he entreats them to allow him into their lives after his transformation. The sets and costumes are much simpler than those of other productions I've seen but they are still very effective at bringing Victorian London to life (I loved all of the street lamps). I am so happy that I found Parker Theatre, not just for this show but every one I saw this year, and I will be sure to make this production a Christmas tradition from now on. It runs on Fridays and Saturdays through December 23 (go here for tickets).

White Christmas at CPT

Last night I got to see CPT's delightful production of White Christmas with both of my sisters and it was so much fun! The three of us grew up watching the movie version because it was our mom's favorite so this show is very nostalgic for us. Broadway stars Bob Wallace (David Simon) and Phil Davis (Craig Williams) meet the Haynes sisters, Judy (Danna Facer) and Betty (Bailee DeYoung), and decide to follow them to Vermont where they have a gig over the Christmas holidays at the Columbia Inn. There they meet their former commanding officer from the war, General Waverly (Eric Millward) , who now owns the inn but is having financial difficulties due to the lack of snow. Wallace and Davis decide to bring their show, with a few numbers featuring the Haynes sisters, to the Columbia Inn and invite the soldiers from their company to a performance on Christmas Eve. Add a busybody receptionist (Melody L. Baugh) and a precocious granddaughter (Scarlett Burt) who want to be in show business, an overwrought stage manager (Ian Wellisch) feuding with a taciturn handyman (Nathan Burt), and love gone awry between both couples and you have a thoroughly enjoyable show full of big old fashioned song and dance numbers! The four incredibly talented leads do a really good job with the singing and dancing in "Sisters" (this is my favorite song in the show and my sisters and I are always ready to perform our version if the actresses playing the Haynes sisters are ever unable to go on), "The Best Things Happen When You're Dancing," "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me," and "How Deep Is the Ocean." The ensemble is fantastic and I loved the staging and the high-energy choreography in "Let Yourself Go," "Snow," "Blue Skies," "I Love a Piano" (I was especially impressed with the tap dancing in this number because it is pretty spectacular), and the iconic "White Christmas" (complete with audience participation and snow falling throughout the theatre). However, Burt absolutely steals the show with her adorable version of "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy" and it brought the house down. The costumes (and there are a lot of them) are really fun and the sets are quite elaborate, especially the lobby and the barn decorated for Christmas at the Columbia Inn and the shimmering curtains in the Regency Room. This show has such a heart-warming message and it is sure to give you a big dose of Christmas cheer! It runs on the Barlow main stage through December 21 (go here for tickets).

Sweeney Todd at the Empress

I was thrilled to see the closing performance of Sweeney Todd at the Empress Theatre last night.  It joins The Sound of Music and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder as one of my favorites from this theatre and I am sad that it has now closed because anyone reading this will not be able to see it!  Benjamin Barker (Todd Christensen), a Victorian-era barber, was unjustly accused and condemned to exile in Australia by the lascivious Judge Turpin (Matthew Davids) who coveted his beautiful wife.  He returns to London 15 years later as Sweeney Todd after being rescued at sea by Anthony Hope (Tyler Rasmussen) and, when learns that his wife has died and that his daughter Johanna (Boston Bean) is now a ward of the judge, he vows revenge.  He returns to his former rooms above the pie shop run by Mrs. Lovett (River Robinson) and, when he discovers that she has kept all of his barbering tools, he decides to set up shop and lures the judge in for a shave so he can slit his throat.  However, the judge eludes him when Anthony rushes in to announce his plans to elope with Johanna and Sweeney vows to take vengeance on the whole human race.  He begins to kill all of his customers and Mrs. Lovett uses the bodies in her meat pies!  Eventually, his quest for revenge turns to madness!  The music in this show always gives me goosebumps because it is operatic in scale (with very macabre themes) and this cast is more than up to the challenge!  I absolutely loved Robinson's performance as Mrs. Lovett because she is hilarious with her over the top facial expressions and uproarious physical comedy!  I especially enjoyed her rendition of "By the Sea" because she really leans into the humor rather than the poignancy of the moment (as some actresses do in this scene) and I laughed out loud at her reaction to kissing Sweeney!  She is also really funny in "The Worst Pies in London" and "Parlor Songs" as well as "A Little Priest" with Christensen.  Speaking of Christensen, he really impressed me with his incredibly powerful version of "Epiphany" and he matched Robinson beat for beat in "By the Sea" by acting resigned (rather than oblivious as most actors do) to her advances.  I love how various citizens of London are used to narrate the tale of Sweeney Todd and the ensemble in this production is outstanding in "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" and its many reprises and I thoroughly enjoyed their choreography in "God, That's Good."  Rasmussen and Bean also have beautiful voices and do a great job with "Johanna" and "Green Finch and Linnet Bird," respectively.  This is a complicated show and I was very impressed with how they staged moving Sweeney's victims from the barber chair to the bakehouse in such a small space.  I also loved the set, especially all of the iron work on Judge Turpin's house because it actually looks like the metaphorical bird cage that Johanna is trapped in.  Finally, the costumes are some of the best I've seen at this theatre, particularly those worn by the ensemble because they bring Victorian London to life, and I laughed out loud as Sweeney's wig becomes more and more disheveled and deranged!  I really loved this production but, as I mentioned previously, the run is now over.  I will, however, recommend getting a ticket for Sherlock (go here) which is the next production.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Parker Theatre

Last night I saw the absolutely hilarious musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Parker Theatre and I had so much fun! I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud so much! This show features a play-within-a-play as a Victorian acting troupe performs The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens at the Music Hall Royale. Will Cartwright (Tyler Oliphant) is the Chairman, who acts as a narrator and master of ceremonies for the show, but he is also called upon to perform the role of Mayor Sapsea in the middle of the show with a script in hand. Leading man Clive Padget (Spencer Hohl) is John Jasper, ingenue Deidre Peregrine (Lisa Zimmerman) is Rosa Bud, London's most famous male impersonator Alice Nutting (Jasmine Hohl) is guest starring as Edwin Drood, the grand dame of the theatre Angela Prysock (Mary Parker Williams) is Princess Puffer, character actors Victor Grinstead (Brandan Ngo) and Janet Conover (Janzell Tutor) are Neville and Helena Landless, respectively, veteran Cedric Moncrieffe (Curt Jensen) is the Rev. Crisparkle, vaudeville duo Nick Cricker, Sr. (John-Tyrus Williams) and Nick Cricker, Jr. (Caleb Ceran) are Durdles and his Deputy, respectively, and bit player Phillip Bax (Jonathan McBride) is Bazzard (although he yearns for a bigger part and is eventually allowed to sing his original song "Never the Luck" as consolation). With lots of amusing commentary to the audience (some of which is ad-libbed), the Chairman introduces the characters as they appear and the narrative establishes that Jasper, Edwin, and Neville are all rivals for Rosa's affections, that Rosa is dismayed by Jasper's advances, that Helena will do whatever it takes to protect her brother, that the Princess Puffer has an unknown connection to one of the characters, and that the Rev. Crisparkle was once in love with Rosa's mother. After Edwin Drood disappears by the river, the Chairman reveals that Charles Dickens died when he got to this point in his novel and, since no one knows the resolution to the story, it is up to the audience to decide who the murderer is by voting. The show ends when the chosen murderer confesses to the crime! I really enjoyed the melodramatic element to the show, as if the audience is really watching a musical revue during the Victorian era, and I especially loved Spencer Hohl's over the top performance as an opium addicted Jekyll-and-Hyde like character (his facial expressions and exaggerated tics are hilarious) and Tyler Oliphant's perfectly delivered wisecracks and double entendres. I was also really impressed with Williams (the director of the show) because she had to step into the role of Princess Puffer at the last minute after the original actress broke her wrist and she hams it up spectacularly! The songs have a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta feel to them and my favorites are "Both Sides of the Coin" by Sapsea and Jasper, because it is performed faster and faster with energetic choreography, "A Man Could Go Quite Mad" by Jasper, because the physicality of this number is incredibly entertaining, and "Moonfall" by Rosa with accompaniment by Jasper, because it is a beautiful song with the added comedy of Jasper's love-struck responses to it. The set resembles an old fashioned music hall with floodlights and stylized backdrops and the costumes are beautiful. What makes this show so much fun is all of the audience participation beginning before the show even begins with the actors of the Music Hall Royale mingling with the audience and lobbying for their character to be chosen as the murderer. The audience is also encouraged to respond to certain elements of the show, such as the waving of hands when the name Edwin Drood is spoken, and, of course, the audience votes for the murderer as the characters stand on stage holding numbers. My audience voted for Rosa Bud but this is not a spoiler because every performance will be different (which makes me want to see it again!). I cannot recommend this show enough! It runs at Parker Theatre on Fridays and Saturdays through October 28 (go here for tickets).

Sleepy Hollow at West Valley Arts

Last night I saw the musical Sleepy Hollow at West Valley Arts and, on the whole, I enjoyed this retelling of the classic story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving. In the isolated village of Sleepy Hollow the townspeople, including a wealthy farmer named Balthus Van Tassel (Bryan Johnson) and his daughter Katrina (Emma Roberts), Van Tassel's farmhand Zander DeGroot (James Duncan), the carpenter Abraham "Brom" Van Bron (Jordan LeBaron), siblings Faas and Rosalie Brinkerhoff (Joseph Branca and Morgan Fenner, respectively), the widow Gusta Tenbrook (Emily Duncan) and her children Dorine (Mersedez Clifford), Willem (Soren Ray), and Anika (Cora Duncan), the stable master Hans Van Ripper (Taylor Smith), his wife Arabella (Caroline Anderson), and children Dirk (Luke Elzey) and Mina (Sofia Paredes-Kenrick), and the town spinster Sabine Vedder (Lauren Slagowski), seem to be living under a supernatural curse. No one is allowed to leave and everyone has suffered unexplained personal tragedies, the worst of which is a bride whose groom was killed and now roams the village headless.  A pompous and arrogant schoolmaster named Ichabod Crane (Ricky Parkinson) comes to the village and is cruel to his students, is a rival to Brom for Katrina's affections, and is openly disdainful of the town's legends and superstitions which causes the townspeople to turn against him. He disappears after he is chased by Brom and then the Headless Horseman (Lio River). Soon after, the tragedies endured by the townspeople seem to be repeating but is it the curse or is it Ichabod Crane exacting revenge? I loved the story, especially how Ichabod Crane is recast as the villain, but it is very convoluted at times and I didn't find the songs to be particularly memorable because they feature so much exposition (my favorites are "Never Spare the Rod," "A Conundrum," "Your Heart with Mine," and "Vanished"). The stage is simple but effective and features paths leading to a bridge that retracts and set pieces for the village green, the schoolhouse (I loved the old-fashioned desks), the church, the Van Tassel estate, the stables, and the woods (I loved the large hollow tree) that are brought on and off stage through the wings. The period costumes are also very well done (the velvet cloaks are gorgeous). There are way too many scenes featuring the townspeople just sitting and standing around but I did really like the choreography for the dances at the Halloween party and the wedding and I loved the way the chase with the Headless Horseman and the final transformation are staged because these scenes are so dramatic. I also found the portrayal of the horses to be a lot of fun. Finally, the best part of this production is the talented cast! They all have beautiful voices (I was especially impressed with Roberts, Duncan, and LeBaron) and Parkinson had me laughing out loud with his characterization of such an unlikable prig. Despite my few criticisms, I think this a great show to see during the spooky month of October and recommend it as a fun night out. It runs at the West Valley Performing Arts Center through October 30 and tickets may be purchased here.

Big Fish at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I am a big fan of the musical Big Fish because it is such a touching story and the new production at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse, which I was able to see last night, is really charming! Will Bloom (Zion Austin) has always been exasperated by all of the wild stories that his father Edward (Tyler O'Bagy) tells him. These include hearing his fortune told by a witch (Kate Rufener) in a swamp, learning how to swim from a mermaid (ShayLee Hunter-Powell), befriending a giant named Karl (Mats Mudrow), running away to a circus owned by Amos Calloway (Brandon Rufener), wooing a young woman named Sandra (Margaret Simon) with daffodils, and thwarting the assassination attempt of a general during the war. As he is about to become a father himself, he learns that his father is dying from cancer and returns home to attempt a reconciliation with him. After a Wild West confrontation between the two of them, Will discovers that the truth about his father is even more extraordinary than the stories. All of the songs in this show are really fun and imaginative because they bring all of Edward's fantastical stories to life and I was quite impressed with how they are staged, especially in such a small and intimate space, and with the whimsical choreography. My favorite numbers are "Favorite Son" with all of the townspeople of Ashton (I loved the cheerleaders), "Closer to Her" with the circus performers (the strongman is adorable and the elephants had me laughing out loud), "Daffodils" (it is really immersive because everyone in the audience is given a daffodil to wave during this scene), and "Red, White and True" with the USO (I am always impressed when the ensemble tap dances). Both O'Bagy and Austin are outstanding as Edward and Will, respectively. O'Bagy portrays Edward's zest for life with an enthusiasm that is palpable, especially in the songs "Be the Hero" and "Fight the Dragons," while Austin is incredibly overwrought until he confronts his father in "Showdown" and then shows heartfelt emotion as he learns to appreciate him in "What's Next." I also really enjoyed Simon's emotional rendition of "I Don't Need a Roof." The set is very minimal with a wooden path across the stage leading to a backdrop featuring a river (the meaning of this symbolism is explored very well in the song "How It Ends" and I found it very moving). There is a large screen used for projections depicting the various rooms in Edward's house and all of the fantastical locations in his stories as well as set pieces that are moved on an off stage by the ensemble (I loved Jenny Hill's house). There are a myriad of elaborate costumes for this show and the ones for the witches, the giant, and the circus performers are highlights. This is a lovely story about a son trying to understand his father and a father trying to make his son proud that is sure to warm your heart and I highly recommend it!  It runs Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through November 11 and tickets may be purchased here.

Bright Star at the Empress

Another show (currently very popular with Utah theatre companies) that I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing no matter how many times it is produced is Bright Star.  I absolutely love it because it is a beautiful and moving story about love and redemption with incredible bluegrass music by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.  I got to see the Empress Theatre's version last night and it is amazing!  The story takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina during the 1920s and just after World War II.  After the war, Billy Cane (Bradley Barker) briefly returns to his hometown of Hayes Creek and reunites with his father (Kaleb Hunt) and childhood friend Margo Crawford (Stephanie Benson) before deciding to try writing for a magazine in Asheville where he meets the uptight editor Alice Murphy (Heather Shelley).  When the magazine staff, Lucy Grant (Makayla Porter) and Daryl Ames (Sam Phillips), tease her about her boring existence, we see Alice (literally) transform into the wild and rebellious girl she once was in the small town of Zebulon where she has a romance with and is cruelly parted from the Mayor's son Jimmy Ray Dobbs (Trevor Noble).  The narrative goes back and forth from one timeline to the other as Alice learns to deal with heartache and loss and Billy learns the importance of home and the one who really loves him.  The best part of this show is the music and this production includes an incredible live band on stage, featuring Ashley Joseph on cello, Isaiah Perez on bass, Spencer Kellogg on banjo and guitar, Natalie Cardon on violin and viola, Stacy Mayren on piano, Joe DeSisto on keyboard, Kim Brown on fiddle, JD Robison on drums, Christian Porter on mandolin, and Brandon Kerby on acoustic guitar.  I have seen this show many times and I am very familiar with all of the twists and turns in the plot but I was still reduced to tears by the emotional performances by Shelley and Noble in the songs "Please, Don't Take Him," "Heartbreaker," and "I Had a Vision."   I also really loved how Shelley is able to differentiate between her uptight persona in Asheville and her rebellious persona in Zebulon, especially during "Way Back in the Day" and "Firmer Hand/ Do Right."  One of my favorite songs is "Asheville" and Benson gives a beautiful performance of it and she has tremendous chemistry with Barker (who is very appealing as Billy) in "Always Will."  The choreography in "Picnic Dance" and "Another Round" is fun and spirited and the staging is very clever with a set that looks like an old and weathered barn with various pieces for Margo's bookstore, Alice's office, the Mayor's office, and various cabins moved on and off seamlessly by the ensemble.  I wondered how a key scene involving a train would be staged, because it is sometimes tricky to pull off and it needs to be an emotional turning point in the show, but I was extremely impressed with how it is done using a platform above the stage and projections.  I cannot recommend this show enough but, unfortunately, the remaining performances today are sold out (with good reason).  However, standby tickets are sometimes available at the door on a first come, first served basis!

Jekyll & Hyde at CPT

When my sister Kristine and I took a theatre trip to New York City in the summer of 1997 we were able to see the original cast of Jekyll & Hyde (featuring Linda Eder as Lucy and including the song "Good 'N' Evil" which was my favorite but is no longer in the show). We saw quite a few shows on that trip but Jekyll & Hyde was definitely our favorite so I was really excited to see it again with both my sisters (and my brother-in-law) last night at CPT. The three of us absolutely loved this production (my brother-in-law was definitely not a fan). This musical is loosely based on the novella by Robert Louis Stevenson and tells the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll (Christian Lackman), a passionate man of science who wants to save his ailing father by finding a chemical formula to separate good from evil in mankind, his alter-ego Mr. Edward Hyde, a terrifying madman created when Jekyll's experiments on himself unleash his inner demons, and the two women, his fiancee Emma Carew (Karllen Johnson) and a prostitute named Lucy Harris (Jessica Knowles Andrus), who love him but are unaware of his dark secret. As Jekyll struggles to control the monster within, he becomes a danger to the citizens of London, to Emma and Lucy, and to himself. I love the music in this show and the three leads do a fantastic job with the rock opera score. Johnson has a beautiful voice and I loved her rendition of "Once Upon a Dream" but the highlight for me was when she and Andrus sing "In His Eyes" because their voices blend together so well. Andrus has an incredibly powerful voice and she just about blows the roof off the theatre with "Bring on the Men" and "A New Life" (although I still think "Good 'N' Evil" makes more narrative sense than "Bring on the Men" because this is the turning point that convinces Jekyll to begin experimenting on himself) and her performance of "A Dangerous Game" with Lackman is incredibly passionate. I really enjoyed Lackman's unique interpretations of Jekyll in the song "This is the Moment" and of Hyde in "Alive" and "Streak of Madness" because each character has a distinct persona but "Confrontation," where both characters battle for control, isn't as dramatic as I've seen it done before. I also really enjoyed the ensemble in "Facade" (the use of mirrors as a motif for hiding who you really are, in this scene and throughout the show, is very well done) but the other big musical number, "Murder, Murder," drags a bit. The incredible set is one of the best aspects of this production and it really brings Victorian London to life. There is a dramatic backdrop featuring buildings with windows that light up and a multi-level area downstage used to create many different vignettes. Jekyll's laboratory comes down from the rafters and features bubbling potions and moving cogs and wheels (it's really cool). The lighting design is dark and atmospheric with spotlights on the aforementioned vignettes and the period costumes are very effective in revealing the ways in which the characters are hiding their true natures, particularly in "Facade." I love this show and this production is so good!  It runs on the Barlow Main Stage through October 21 (go here for tickets).

Note:  In case you couldn't tell, I'm sad that the show no longer includes "Good 'N' Evil"  but I did get to hear Linda Eder sing it again during a concert with the Utah Symphony!