Something Rotten at Hopebox Theatre

I love the musical Something Rotten so much I saw it again last night, this time at Hopebox Theatre. I really admire the mission of this theatre (go here to learn more about Rachel Milne, the Wall of Hope recipient for Something Rotten) and I thoroughly enjoyed this production. Nick Bottom (Ian Fife) and his brother Nigel (Ian Wellisch) are playwrights in London during the Renaissance. Nick will do anything it takes, even stealing the money he and his wife Bea (Brynn Thurston) are saving to consult the soothsayer Nostradamus (Andrew Stone), to become more popular than William Shakespeare (Austin Shipp) while Nigel just wants to be true to himself and use his poetry to woo Portia (Kira Dalby) despite the disapproval of her father Brother Jeremiah (Lee L. Perry). Nostradamus tells Nick that he should write a play with singing and dancing because that will be popular in the future so this is a really fun love letter to musical theatre. I always enjoy looking for all of the references because it seems like every production adds their own interpretation and in this show I noticed the fans made of blue feathers from White Christmas in "A Musical" and Maria from The Sound of Music, the Fiddler from The Fiddler on the Roof, and the chimney sweeps from Mary Poppins make an appearance in "Make an Omelette." I also love finding all of the allusions to Shakespeare and last night I noticed for the first time (because I actually read the program) that the actors in Nick's troupe are named Tom Snout, Robin, Peter Quince, Francis Flute, and Snug which are characters from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Too funny! The entire cast is great but shoutouts go to Stone for his energetic physical performance as Nostradamus, Wellisch for his hilarious facial expressions as Nigel (he portrays Nigel as overwrought which is very different from O'Boyle's characterization in the production at Murray Amphitheater the night before), and Shipp for all of his rock star poses (I laughed out loud every time he mimicked Elvis Presley) and all of his interactions with the audience as Shakespeare. I enjoyed the lively choreography for "Welcome to the Renaissance," "A Musical," "Bottom's Gonna Be on Top," "We See The Light," and "Make an Omelette" because it involves a large ensemble on a small thrust stage very effectively and I always appreciate tap dancing. I was really impressed with the elaborate set that is rotated to become a timbered cottage and an outdoor theatre. Finally, this production tones down the profanity and some of the more suggestive innuendos, especially in a scene when Nigel reads a sonnet to Portia, but I don't think this detracts from the humor. I recommend getting a ticket (go here) to this entertaining show for a fun night out and an opportunity to support a very worthwhile cause. It runs Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (with matinees on Saturdays) through July 12.

Note: I will be seeing two more productions of Something Rotten later this year!

Something Rotten at Murray Park Amphitheater

I love attending outdoor performances during the summer so I had a lot of fun seeing Something Rotten at Murray Park Amphitheater last night.  This show is absolutely hilarious and I was very impressed with this production (it is definitely one of my favorites at this venue).  Nick Bottom (Nathan Holcomb) and his brother Nigel (Patrick O'Boyle) are playwrights in London during the Renaissance but they haven't been very successful.  Their patron, Lord Clapham (Jesse Rogers), is withdrawing his support, Shylock (Jeff Young) wants his loan repaid, Nick's wife Bea (Katherine Frandsen) is pregnant, and Nigel has fallen in love with Portia (Emma Roberts), the daughter of a Puritan named Brother Jeremiah (Dwight Western) who wants to shut down the theaters for debauchery, but, even worse, they are constantly overshadowed by the immensely popular William Shakespeare (Aidan Hughes)!  They need a big hit so Nick decides to consult the soothsayer Nostradamus (Alan LaFleur) to see what will be popular in the future.  Nostradamus suggests writing a play with singing and dancing!  When inspiration fails, he asks Nostradamus to look into the future again to see what Shakespeare's most popular play will be and, instead of Hamlet, he sees omelette (so close!).  As Nick tries to produce Omelette: The Musical, Shakespeare suffers from writer's block and attempts to steal his own play back!  Chaos ensues until Nigel convinces Nick to be true to himself.  What I love most about this show is all of the clever references to musical theatre, especially in the songs "A Musical" and "Make An Omelette," and all of the allusions to Shakespeare's plays in the song "Will Power."  Every time I see a new production I find even more of these references (this time I was able to catch a brief reference to Twelfth Night).  I really enjoyed the performances from everyone in the cast but my favorites are O'Boyle as Nigel because he is so sweet and endearing, especially in the song "To Thine Own Self," and Hughes as Shakespeare because he is really over the top and incredibly funny as he struts around the stage like a rock star with his entourage and groupies.  The choreography is very clever and I particularly loved seeing the iconic dance steps from popular musicals incorporated into "A Musical" (my favorites are from A Chorus Line and Chicago), all of the tap dancing (the dance off between Nick and Shakespeare in "Bottom's Gonna Be on Top" is hilarious), and Shakespeare's epic stage dive in "Will Power."  The Renaissance costumes are absolutely incredible, some of the best I've seen for this show, and the quick costume change during "We See The Light" elicited a lot of laughter from the audience.  I was also very impressed with the amazing painted backdrops featuring thatched and timbered cottages and an outdoor theatre (I laughed out loud at the red velvet ropes placed in front of the theatre for Shakespeare's appearances).  I had a blast at this show (I don't think I stopped laughing all night) and I highly recommend it for a fun evening under the stars.  Go here for tickets to this show (which runs June 13-14, 16, and 19-21) and to all of the fun shows playing at Murray Park Amphitheater this summer.

Alice By Heart at West Valley Arts

The show I was most excited about when West Valley Arts announced the 2025 season was Alice By Heart. I really love the music (I listen to the original cast recording all of the time) so it was *ahem* wonderful to finally get to see a live performance with sets, costumes, and choreography last night. It definitely exceeded my high expectations! In London during the Blitz, Alice Spencer (Ivy Dunbar Jones) and her childhood friend Alfred Hallam (Charlie Beytieh) are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. Alfred is quarantined in another area because he is extremely ill with tuberculosis but Alice sneaks into that area to be with him. She decides that they should read their favorite book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, in order to escape their circumstances but the Red Cross Nurse (Rachel Mardis) is angry that she has broken quarantine and rips up her book. Alice continues telling the story because she knows it by heart and takes Alfred down a rabbit hole into Wonderland. He becomes the White Rabbit while the inhabitants of the shelter slowly turn into the other characters from the book. They encounter two Caterpillars smoking a hookah (April Kerr and Olivia Lane), a Cheshire Cat (Makayla Palos Rodriguez), a Duchess (Sam Teuscher), and the Queen of Diamonds (Carly Haberman) and Queen of Hearts (Rachel Mardis) but the White Rabbit, who is late for a very important date, becomes angry when Alice refuses to turn the page to end the story. He is transformed into the March Hare and confronts her at a tea party with the Mad Hatter (Isaac Carrillo) and the Dormouse (Noah Lee) before returning to the shelter. She wants to follow him but the Jabberwock (Monte Garcia) stops her. She is eventually put on trial by the Queen of Hearts and is about to be beheaded when she realizes that she needs to turn the page and accept Alfred's death.  She escapes Wonderland and comes to terms with her grief by telling the inhabitants of the shelter about her curious dream. I think this is incredibly clever (although you probably need a familiarity with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to understand what is happening) and I love the message about the power of a good book to heal. Jones and Beytieh give amazing performances as Alice and Alfred, respectively, and their renditions of "Another Room in Your Head" and "Afternoon" (my favorite songs in the show) are beautiful and heartbreaking. I also enjoyed "Some Things Fall Away" by Rodriguez and "Isn't It a Trial" by Mardis (I loved both of their voices). The choreography is brilliant, especially when the ensemble mimics the movement of a caterpillar in "Chillin' the Regrets," the militaristic formations in "Brillig Braelig," and when a young Alice (Rosie Darling) and young Alfred (Henry Marshall) mirror the actions of their older counterparts in "Afternoon." The stage is configured as an underground tube station with tracks leading into tunnels located in the wings and it is transformed into Wonderland with the addition of crates, trunks, moving platforms, and the clever use of lighting (the checkerboard pattern used in "Isn't It a Trial" is especially effective). The costumes are a lot of fun because the inhabitants of the tube station become the characters in the book with just the addition of a few pieces. I particularly loved the waistcoat Alfred dons to become the White Rabbit and the use of poppies by the ensemble to become the hookah smoking caterpillar. I have wanted to see this show for a long time and I am glad I finally had the chance with such a great production! It runs at the West Valley Performing Arts Center through June 28 with performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (go here for tickets).

Newsies at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre

I love the musical Newsies so very much and I had a lot of fun watching a fantastic production at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre under the stars last night. Jack Kelly (William Madsen) and his fellow "newsies" gather every morning to buy newspapers to sell to New Yorkers, but when Joseph Pultizer (Mike Handy) raises the price of the papers, the newsies decide to go on strike. With help from fledgling reporter Katherine Plummer (Mia Schoebinger), the newsies print their own newspaper about the plight of working children in New York which gets the attention of Governor Theodore Roosevelt (Chuck Archer). The music in this show is incredibly stirring and the large ensemble performs it with enthusiasm and energy. Their dazzling vocal performances in "Carrying the Banner," "Seize the Day," "King of New York," "Once and For All," and "The World Will Know" (which is my favorite song and gave me goosebumps because it was so powerful) are the highlight of this production. The choreography is also a lot of fun and, while there are lots of the iconic leaps, jumps, and spins, I think it is really fresh and innovative. I especially loved the tap dancing in "King of New York," the newsies running through the audience in "Brooklyn's Here," and the way the newspapers are distributed in "Once and For All." I was also very impressed by the leads in this show. Madsen is an incredibly appealing Jack. He gives a heartfelt rendition of "Santa Fe" (all of the young girls sitting around me were very appreciative of his performance) and a touching version of "Something to Believe In" with Schoebinger.  Another one of my favorite songs in this show is "Watch What Happens" and, even though Schoebinger (who has a beautiful voice) was not feeling well last night, she still gave it her all and delivered a plucky performance which I really liked because it fit the character. Gage Gillette, Porter McCormick, and Brayden Phillips are also very strong as Davey, Les, and Crutchie, respectively. The multi-level set featuring a New York neighborhood made of wood, brick, and metal is the biggest and most elaborate one I've seen for this show but the large ensemble use the space very well. The costumes are what you would expect (including the ubiquitous newsie caps) but one of the things I immediately noticed is that Davey and Les are dressed a bit better than the other newsies (denoting their more financially stable background) and I liked that attention to detail. Seeing an outdoor performance is one of my favorite summertime activities (the weather was absolutely perfect last night) and this crowd-pleasing show is one that you don't want to miss! It runs at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre every day but Wednesday and Sunday through June 21 (go here for tickets).

Noises Off at Parker Theatre

Last night I went to Noises Off at Parker Theatre and it is definitely one of the best productions of this play that I have seen! Act I involves a disastrous dress rehearsal for the play Nothing On starring Dotty Otley (Mary Parker Williams), an aging television star, as Mrs. Clackett, Gary Lejeune (Roger Dunbar), a scatterbrained actor who can't finish a sentence, as Roger Tramplemain, Brooke Ashton (Corinne Adair), a young and inexperienced actress involved with the director, as Vicki, Frederick Fellows (Thomas Hohl), an insecure and accident prone actor, as Philip Brent and the Sheikh, Belinda Blair (MacKenzie Pedersen), a reliable actress who knows all of the gossip about the cast, as Flavia Brent, and Selsdon Mowbray (Duane Stephens), an accomplished actor with a drinking problem and a tendency to miss his cues, as the Burglar. Lloyd Dallas (Michael Hohl), the exasperated director, Poppy Norton-Taylor (Nicole Holbrook), the put-upon assistant stage manager, and Tim Algood (Seth Larson), the overworked and sleep deprived stage manager tasked with fixing every problem, are dismayed by how unprepared the cast is for opening night. Act II takes place backstage while the show is on tour and features the deterioration of a relationship between Dotty and Gary causing them do everything they can to sabotage each other's performance as well as Lloyd's ill-fated attempts to keep Poppy and Brooke from finding out that he is having an affair with both of them (and multiple attempts to have Tim buy them flowers). Act III takes place at the end of the run and Dotty has a complete breakdown forcing the other actors to ad-lib the rest of the show while Brooke performs her lines and blocking as normal. The pace of this show is so fast that it is frenetic and the entire cast has brilliant comedic timing because they make the action look spontaneous and effortless. There is an extended sequence involving an axe in the second act that had me, and the entire audience, in hysterics and I have no idea how they were able to pull it off! In fact, I don't think I stopped laughing during the entire second act because the chaos is so well choreographed. I also really enjoyed all of the subtle bits of characterization created to distinguish this production from others, especially having Dunbar point his fingers whenever Gary makes a nonsensical comment, having Williams become emotional whenever Dotty forgets a prop, having Pederson speak all of Belinda's lines with a southern accent, and having Stephens recite all of Selsdon's lines as if he was in a Shakespearean tragedy. This features the largest and most elaborate set I have seen at this theatre and the attention to detail, especially in the backstage area, is impressive. The sixties aesthetic used in the set decoration and costumes works really well but I think that Vicki's babydoll nightgown looks too similar to the dress she wears at the beginning of the show because I didn't immediately notice the costume change. I thoroughly enjoyed this production and I highly recommend seeing this stellar cast forget their lines, miss their cues, and misplace their props (go here for tickets).  It runs on Fridays and Saturdays (with matinees on Saturday) through June 28.

Hadestown: Teen Edition at CPT

Yesterday was my birthday and I got to celebrate it by going to two theatre productions! In the afternoon my sisters took me to see Hadestown: Teen Edition at CPT starring students from the CenterPoint Academy. I love this musical so much because I think it is incredibly clever how it uses the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice to provide commentary on what is wrong with the world, including climate change, poverty, exploitation of workers, diminishing resources, and extreme nationalism, along with the hope of how the world could be better through the power of music! I also love that the music is a fusion of folk, rock, and jazz with incredibly stirring musical numbers ("Why We Build the Wall" is one of the most powerful songs I've heard in musical theatre). In the teen version some of the more suggestive content is modified (although none of the songs are cut in this show) and the ensemble is expanded to allow for a larger chorus of workers. I was beyond impressed with this production and I especially loved all of the performances from the main cast (these teens are insanely talented). Ryker Thompson is an incredibly charismatic and entertaining Hermes and he absolutely owns the stage in "Road to Hell" and "Way Down Hadestown." I couldn't take my eyes off him whenever he was on stage! Jocelyn Weeks has a beautiful voice and she gives a heartbreaking performance as Eurydice, particularly in "Any Way the Wind Blows" and "Flowers" (which are my two favorite songs in the show). I think the role of Orpheus is a difficult one because it requires a tremendous vocal range as well as an emotional vulnerability and Xander Ferrin absolutely nails his earnestness and awkwardness, especially in "Come Home With Me." I was also really impressed with his guitar playing in "Epic I," "Epic II," and "Epic III." Tad Sharp, as Hades, has a rich baritone voice and his powerful rendition of "Why We Build the Wall" gave me goosebumps. I also found his performance of "Hey, Little Songbird" to be so compelling. Chloe Davis gives a powerhouse performance as Persephone in the numbers "Livin' it Up on Top" and "Our Lady of the Underground" (she can really sing the blues) but she is also very affecting in "How Long?" I love how the Fates are integrated into the story and Emmalee Larson, Rylee Hunt, and Xanti Cabrera harmonize beautifully in "When the Chips Are Down" and "Word to the Wise." The choreography for the workers, which includes an ensemble of twenty, is very clever and I particularly enjoyed when they utilized the aisles in "Chant" and its reprises and when they joined a circle around Orpheus one by one during "If It's True." I also loved the choreography for "Wait For Me (Reprise)" and "Doubt Comes In" because it is very dramatic (I was practically holding my breath through the whole sequence waiting for Orpheus to turn around). The live band on stage (which also features young performers) is incredible and a shout out goes to Gabe Winter on trombone. All of the other elements in this production (the set, costumes, and lighting) are outstanding but I cannot say enough about the amazing cast and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) to one of the five remaining performances.

Tuck Everlasting at CPT

Last night I went to CPT with both of my sisters to see Tuck Everlasting, a delightful musical adaptation of the book by Natalie Babbitt (you probably read it in elementary school). All three of us really enjoyed this charming production. Winnie Foster (Penny Hodson) feels trapped in a house where her mother Betsy (Amanda Rogers) and her Nana (Meredith Carlson) are in mourning for her dead father and she longs for adventure. One day she sneaks into the woods and meets Jesse Tuck (Maxwell Sperry). He stops her from taking a drink from a stream and inadvertently reveals that the water has made his family immortal. Jesse is happy to have made a friend but the rest of the Tuck family, including Mae (Brooke Liljenquist), Angus (Andy Leger), and Miles (Cameron Ropp), worry that their secret will be revealed. However, the Man in the Yellow Suit (Tyler Hanson) has overheard Jesse and has nefarious plans for the water. Eventually, Jesse asks Winnie to drink the water when she turns seventeen but his family warns that being immortal is not as enchanting as it appears. Hodson is really endearing as Winnie and I was very impressed by her stage presence because she very ably provides the heart of the show. I love that she still has the voice of a child and that she displays a wide-eyed wonder at everything she sees. Her interactions with Sperry, especially, are really sweet and their renditions of "Top of the World" and "Seventeen" are highlights. I was also very touched by Liljenquist's performance of "My Most Beautiful Day" (I also really liked the choreography in this number) and Ropp's emotional performance of "Time." My favorite number in the show is "The Wheel" where Angus tells Winnie that she doesn't need to live forever she just needs to live (this message is so lovely) and both Leger and Hodson sing it beautifully (it is also staged very well). The staging of the scenes at the fair is simple with a minimal cast but it is very effective and I enjoyed the choreography in "Join the Parade" and its reprise as well as in "Partner in Crime." I also liked that the characterization for the Man in the Yellow Suit is more menacing (Hanson actually provides a bit of comic relief) than evil which I've seen in some productions. One of my favorite aspects of this show is how the members of the ensemble seem to shadow Winnie and the revelation of who they are in "The Story of Winnie Foster" is incredibly poignant in this production. Finally, the set is quite spectacular and includes a lush backdrop of trees with sets for Winnie's front porch and garden (I loved the white picket fence covered by flowers), the Tuck's cabin, and Jesse's tree and the stream on a rotating turntable. This is a wonderful show for the whole family and I recommend getting a ticket (go here). It runs on the Mountain America Main Stage through June 17.

Note:  I saw this show on Broadway and then it closed two days later!

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

There was a time when A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder was the show that I most wanted to see so, even though I have now been to productions at just about every Utah theatre (with another one scheduled this summer), I was still really excited to see it again at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse last night because it is so hilarious. Some shows are better than others at this theatre and this is one of the best I've seen there! I absolutely loved it. After his mother dies, Monty Navarro (Joe Robinson) learns from one of her friends, Miss Shingle (Melissa Trenery), that she was part of the illustrious D'Ysquith Family (Scot D. Struble) and was disinherited for marrying his father. He is really Montague D'Ysquith Navarro and he is in line to inherit the earldom (there are only eight family members ahead of him). When his vain and heartless girlfriend Sibella (Karlie Ady) decides to marry the rich and handsome Lionel Holland, Monty decides to kill every family member ahead of him in the line of succession in order to become the earl and win her back. While in prison awaiting trial for the murder of the only D'Ysquith for which he is not actually guilty, he begins writing his memoirs detailing how the Reverend Lord Ezekial D'Ysquith fell from the tower of his cathedral, how Asquith D'Ysquith, Jr. fell through the ice in a skating accident, how Henry D'Ysquith was stung by a swarm of his own bees, how Lady Hyacinth D'Ysquith was presumed dead on a philanthropic mission to a tribe of cannibals, how Major Lord Bartholomew D'Ysquith was decapitated while lifting weights, how Lady Salome D'Ysquith Pomphrey was killed by real bullets in a prop gun during her debut in Hedda Gabler, how Lord Asquith D'Ysquith, Sr. was driven to a heart attack by all of the family tragedies, and how Lord Adalbert D'Ysquith, the Earl of Highurst, was poisoned. He also details the relationship he began with Phoebe D'Ysquith (Jordyn Tracy) to make Sibella jealous. The charges are dismissed when Phoebe and Sibella each give proof that the other committed the murder but Monty might not live happily every after because Chauncey D'Ysquith, the next in line to the earldom, is lurking! This show features lots of madcap physical comedy and some really fun songs (my favorites are "Better With a Man" by the flamboyant Henry, "Lady Hyacinth Abroad" by the socially conscious Hyacinth, and "I've Decided to Marry You" by the lovestruck Phoebe). Robinson, Ady, and Tracy have beautiful voices but I especially loved Struble's performance because he is brilliant with distinct characterizations for each member of the D'Ysquith Family and I laughed out loud at all of his antics (this theatre is very intimate so I could see all of his facial expressions). Unlike other productions I have seen, this one has a very minimal set with just a few pieces moved on and off stage by the ensemble but this works because the projections and moving panels used as backdrops are fantastic.  The staging is extremely clever, especially when Monty tries to keep Sibella and Phoebe apart in different rooms at his flat and when the portraits at Highurst Castle sing. Finally, the beautiful period costumes are some of the best I've seen at this theatre and I particularly loved the gowns worn by Sibella and Phoebe at Highurst Castle. This is one show that you don't want to miss (go here for tickets). It runs on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through May 31.

The Wizard of Oz at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts

My sisters were really impressed when we saw a preview of The Wizard of Oz at the SCERA gala in February so the three of us went to see it last night. The show is delightful and we had a lot of fun watching it. The stage musical, based on the 1939 movie, tells the story of how Dorothy Gale (Mia Hansen) lands, literally, in the fantastical world of Oz and how she travels with the Scarecrow (Jared Wilkinson), the Tin Man (Bryan Johnson), and the Cowardly Lion (Ambrocio Mireles, Jr.) to see the Wizard (Chad Taylor), hoping that he can get her back to Kansas, while avoiding the Wicked Witch of the West (Kimberly Nearon), who wants the ruby slippers given to her by Glinda the Good Witch (Camilla Curtis). Hansen gives an incredible performance and her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (which is what impressed my sisters so much at the gala) will definitely give you goosebumps.  Wilkinson, Johnson, and Mireles are also outstanding and they each have a moment to shine in "If I Only Had a Brain," "If I Only Had a Heart," and "If I Only Had a Nerve," respectively. I especially enjoyed Wilkinson's acrobatics because it really seems like his body is made of straw (I was also impressed with his consistency in all of the of the choreography in the show). I loved seeing all of the children in the cast, especially Allison Farnsworth, Elsa Parry, and Scout Olenik as the Lullaby League and Ian Evans, Jeb Buffington, and Maxwell Harper as the Lollipop Guild, because they are adorable and very talented and Mia steals every scene she is in as Toto. The costumes are colorful and whimsical and one of the touches I really enjoyed is the change in Dorothy's gingham dress from a muted gray in Kansas to a vivid blue in Oz. I also liked that the costumes for the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion incorporate elements from their counterparts in Kansas. The costumes for Glinda and the Wicked Witch of the West are as gorgeous as you would expect after seeing the movie Wicked. The flying effects are impressive, particularly when Mrs. Gulch flies across the stage on her bicycle and when the Wizard leaves Oz in his balloon, and the projections, especially for the tornado, are pretty spectacular. Finally, the scenic design, including the apparatus used by the Wizard (complete with moving eyes and mouth), the yellow brick road, and the farmhouse with its picket fence, is very effective in transporting the audience to both Kansas and Oz. My only complaint is that the pacing in the second act is a bit sluggish but I highly recommend this show (there were lots of families in the audience last night and the children were mesmerized). It runs at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through May 3 (go here for tickets).

Note:  My sisters are now eager to see more shows at SCERA.

Puffs at the Empress Theatre

Last night I went to the Empress Theatre for their production of Puffs, Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic. I think this show is so fun and clever and I had a blast watching it with a large and boisterous crowd who laughed out loud all night! It is a parody of the beloved Harry Potter franchise and all of the well-known characters are alluded to with enough recognizable traits to know exactly who they are without naming them (my favorites are A Certain Potions Teacher, Professor Turban, Professor Locky, A Very Tall Man, and Real Mr. Moody) and all of the memorable events still happen but they are shown from the perspective of secondary characters who are not involved in the action. A Narrator (Jana White) introduces the audience to a brave orphan wizard with a lightning bolt scar named Harry Potter (Lexy Osborne) but then tells us that this story is about another orphan named Wayne Hopkins (Raiden Dwight) who is also sent to the school of female magic and male magic after learning that he is a wizard. When he arrives, there is a ceremony to sort everyone into one of the four houses: Braves, Smarts, Snakes, and Puffs. Wayne is sorted into Puffs and he is soon introduced to the prefect, Cedric Diggory (Brendan Sampsel), and the other outcasts and misfits in this house, including Oliver Rivers (Brady Neilson), Megan Jones (Hannah Stark), Susie Bones (Lexy Osborne), J. Finch Fletchley (Adrian Young), Sally Perks (Lucy Bawden), Ernie Mac (Konor Hafen), and others. On the same fateful night when Harry, Ron, and Hermione become friends while defeating a troll, Wayne becomes friends with Oliver, a math prodigy, and Megan, the daughter of one of the Dark Lord's followers, while hiding from the troll in a forbidden chamber. Over the next seven years, Wayne struggles to learn magic and protect everyone from Mr. Voldy (Brendan Sampsel) but he is constantly overshadowed by Harry who steals all of the attention, including the moment when the Puffs are finally allowed to shine during the Three Wizard Tournament. In the final battle, Mr. Voldy mistakes Wayne for Harry and kills him and, when he meets the Headmaster, he complains that his life was useless. The Headmaster tells him that everyone is a hero to someone and then we see in the Epilogue nineteen years later that Megan and Oliver have named their son Wayne. Fans of the books and movies will find so many hilarious references (but you have to pay attention). I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe when Wayne says that he and Cedric will be like Batman and Robin (a subtle nod to Robert Pattinson's role as the caped crusader) and when Blondo Malfoy tells his son Scorpius to avoid time turning in the Epilogue (an allusion to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). The action is non-stop with most of the actors playing multiple roles (two different actors play the Headmaster and three different actors play Hermione at the same time in a time turning mishap) and I was very impressed with everyone in the cast because the physical comedy is extremely well done. I especially loved Dwight, because Wayne's exasperation every time Harry steals his thunder is so convincing, Osborne, because she is so energetic and over-the-top as Harry (she literally jumps into every scene), and Sampsel, because his facial expressions as Mr. Voldy are hilarious (especially whenever he uses a megaphone). The set is very simple (I loved all of the portraits located around the theater) but the costumes are fun and the props are incredible (particularly the snake and the dragon). You will definitely have a great time at this show (go here for tickets) but there are only two more performances so act quickly!

A Chorus Line at West Valley Arts

Last night I went to a production of A Chorus Line at the West Valley Performing Arts Center and it is outstanding in every way! A large group of dancers are vying for a chance to be part of the ensemble of a new Broadway show. The director Zach (Joseph Spear) observes as his assistant Larry (Madison Valgardson) takes the group through the choreography and all of the dancers express the hope that they will be cast. Eventually, the group is narrowed down to Cassie (Bailee Johnson), Kristine (Annie Jones), Richie (Phil Lewis), Bebe (Sophi Keller), Diana (Celeste Palermo), Connie (Ally Choe), Mark (Alec Foote), Greg (Dylan Panter), Al (Remy Talanoa), Paul (Angel Martinez), Bobby (Michael Avila), Maggie (Summer Sloan Alvey), Mike (Cameron Robbins), Val (Rosalie Wasser), and Sheila (Heather White). Zach wants to learn more than what is listed on their resumes so he asks them to talk about their experiences and what made each of them want to be a dancer and they do so in a series of stirring musical numbers. My favorite songs are "I Can Do That" as Mike talks about accompanying his sister to dance class, "At the Ballet" as Sheila, Bebe, and Maggie recount how they used ballet as an escape from their unhappy childhoods, "Gimme the Ball" as Richie describes how he almost became a kindergarten teacher before becoming a dancer, and "Dance: Ten, Looks: Three" as Val brags about getting more work after having plastic surgery. As the group learns the choreography for a number from the show, Zach confronts Cassie and it is revealed that she was once the star of one of his shows, as well as his former lover, and he doesn't think she will fit in with the chorus and he also has a poignant moment with Paul as he describes the difficulty he has had with his sexuality. The group rehearses "One" and Zach selects the final eight dancers who then perform this number in the show. The entire cast is stellar, one of the strongest I've seen at West Valley Arts, but the standouts for me are Johnson because I loved her mesmerizing performance in "The Music and the Mirror" and Martinez because his delivery of Paul's monologue is incredibly emotional. I wondered about the staging of this show because the theater is in the round but it is very clever. Zach initially observes the group from a platform above one of the wings but then we only hear his disembodied voice coming from various areas of the theater and this allows the dancers to face different parts of the audience as they speak to him. The choreography is also very clever (I have become a huge fan of co-director and co-choreographer Izzy Arrieta) because, while it is recognizable from other versions of this show that I have seen, lots of different patterns are created on stage so there is always something to look at. I also loved the use of the company as the individual characters perform their solo numbers, particularly during "And..."  The set is minimal because the audition takes place on a bare stage but I really liked the use of clear plexiglass panels around the perimeter because they are somewhat reflective and replicate the mirrors one would find in a ballet studio and the way that actual mirrors are incorporated into "The Music and the Mirror" is very effective. The costumes during the audition are also minimal but the sparkly gold ones used in the finale are quite spectacular (as is the dramatic lighting during this number). This stunning show is definitely one that you do not want to miss! It runs at the West Valley Performing Arts Center through May 3 with performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (go here for tickets).

The Sting at Parker Theatre

Last night I went to see Parker Theatre's production of The Sting (based on the 1973 movie starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman) and I really enjoyed it. It is 1936 and Johnny Hooker (Spencer Hohl) and his partner Luther (Brinton Wilkins) are grifters working in Joliet, Illinois who trick a courier out of $11,000 unaware that the money was to have been given to the powerful mobster Doyle Lonnegan (Owen Richardson). Luther wants to retire and tells Hooker that he should go to Chicago and learn from Henry Gondorff (Roger Dunbar) because he is ready for the big time. When Hooker discovers that Luther has been killed by Lonnegan for revenge, he escapes to Chicago and finds Gondorff living with his girlfriend Billie (MacKenzie Pedersen). He agrees to help Hooker run an elaborate con game to ruin Lonnegan and they enlist Billie and various criminals, including Kid Twist (Mike Hohl) and J.J. Singleton (Anthony Lovato), for "The Set-Up," "The Hook," "The Wire," and "The Shut-Out" but, before they can get to "The Sting," they must deal with Snyder (Duane Stephens), a corrupt policeman from Joliet chasing Hooker for counterfeiting, and Polk (James Parker), an FBI agent searching for Gondorff. This features snappy dialogue and the talented cast delivers it brilliantly. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Spencer Hohl and Roger Dunbar because they play off each other so well. Seeing the criminals play their roles in the con is also a lot of fun. The fast-paced action takes place in multiple settings which are portrayed on stage with projections, moving panels, and set pieces that are moved on and off stage by the ensemble (it was opening night and I was really impressed with with how seamless the transitions were). My favorites were the projections denoting each part of the con (they reminded me of title cards in a movie), the metal beams representing the elevated train in Chicago, and the elaborate set pieces used for the betting parlor. The staging is very clever, particularly the poker game on the train and a chase scene between Hooker and Snyder through the aisles. This production kept me very engaged and I highly recommend it (I have seen the movie but it was so long ago that I had forgotten a big twist at the end). It runs on Fridays and Saturdays (with matinees on Saturday) through May 3 and tickets may be purchased here.

Note:  Last night was the biggest crowd I've seen at Parker Theatre (there were only a few empty seats) so get your tickets now!

The Sound of Music at CPT

There are a few shows that just put a smile on my face no matter how many times I see them and The Sound of Music is definitely one of them because my mom loved it so much during the final year of her life. Last night my sisters and I went to see a production at CPT and all three of us really loved it! The story of how a prospective nun named Maria Rainer (Emily Henwood) brings music back to the household of Captain von Trapp (Clay Rockwood) when she becomes the governess to his seven children is so heartwarming and I always anticipate all of my favorite songs (although the order is a little bit different from the movie and I always find that a bit disorienting because I've watched the movie so many times). I really have to stop myself from singing along to every one of them! Henwood has a beautiful voice and her performance is lovely. Her interactions with the von Trapp children, Liesl (Kali Garrett), Friedrich (Jack Fillmore), Louisa (Audrie Corbaley), Kurt (Ty Wilson), Brigitta (Malan Poll), Marta (Eleanor Stephens), and Gretl (Kacey Kemp), are endearing in the songs "Do-Re-Mi" and "The Lonely Goatherd" and those with Rockwood when they dance the Landler and in the song "Something Good" are incredibly romantic. I always enjoy watching the young actress who plays Gretl and Kemp is adorable but in this production Poll steals the show as Brigitta because her line deliveries and facial expressions are hilarious (be sure to watch her if you see the show). I also really liked Garrett's performance because her chemistry with Drew Dunshee, who plays Rolf, is really sweet in "Sixteen Going on Seventeen." Other highlights are Valerie Parker's powerful rendition of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" and Rockwood's emotional performance of "Edelweiss." There are some interesting variations in the staging of several numbers, including having Captain von Trapp and the children walk towards Maria during the wedding, having soldiers stationed throughout the theater wearing Nazi armbands during the music festival (it is so ominous), and having the von Trapp family climb to safety through a window in the abbey. The use of archival footage projected on screens around the stage, which I have never seen done before, is also very powerful. Finally, the set is absolutely incredible! It features a large structure that resembles a cathedral with beautiful stained glass windows on top and a snow-capped mountain with a valley filled with flowers below. This structure opens up to become the von Trapp villa with a spectacular double staircase and a terrace while dramatic set pieces are moved on and off stage to become Nonnberg Abbey and other locations (the large eagle and swastika over the stage during the music festival is particularly striking). This show is a classic for a reason and every aspect of CPT's production is outstanding! I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) but they are going fast so don't delay!

Fiddler on the Roof at Hopebox Theatre

I first learned about Hopebox Theatre at the SCERA gala (they were also honored for their contribution to the arts) and I was really impressed by their mission of bringing hope to someone in the community who is battling cancer (they donate a portion of the ticket sales during the run of a show to a nominated recipient) so I knew that I wanted to support them. Their current production is Fiddler on the Roof and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it last night. It tells the well-known story of Tevye (Jacob Draper), a poor Jewish dairyman living in the small Russian village of Anatevka at the turn of the century, and the traditions he clings to in order to guard against the harsh realities of life until his three oldest daughters, Tzeitel (Sidney Brown), Hodel (Abby Rubin), and Chava (Rachel Stephenson), push against them when finding a match. The performances by the talented cast are all outstanding and I had a smile on my face during all of my favorite songs, especially "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" by Brown, Rubin, and Stephenson, "If I Were a Rich Man" by Draper, and "Far From the Home I Love" by Stephenson. The Hopebox Theatre features a small thrust stage and this production has a large cast so I was particularly impressed by the dynamic choreography in "Tradition," "To Life," "Sunrise, Sunset," and "The Bottle Dance" because it makes very good use of the space and I absolutely loved "Tevye's Dream" because Fruma-Sarah (Andrea Whootton) appears very simply by running out on stage but it is still quite dramatic because of the costumes and lighting design (I am always intrigued by how she appears because I once played her and I came up through the bed). I was also impressed by lots of little details that make this production stand out from the many that I've seen before, most notably the extended interactions between Tevye and the Fiddler (Jennifer Ostermiller) during his monologues, the care taken with the authenticity of the religious ceremonies (it is incredibly moving when Tevye removes the mezuzah from the doorpost before leaving Anatevka), and the dance sequence between Chava and Tevye before Fyedka (CJ Rawlins) steps in during "Chavaleh (Little Bird)." The elaborate set features a house and barn made of weathered wood with objects such as benches, blocks, and doors that are cleverly moved and configured to become the village inn, Motel's tailor shop, the railway station, and other locations. This is a great production for an even greater cause (go here to read about Wendy Thurman) and I definitely recommend getting a ticket (go here). It runs Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through March 15.

The Pajama Game at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I had never seen the musical The Pajama Game before so I was really excited to attend a production at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse last night. It is a fun old-fashioned show with lots of songs that I recognized. Romance is in the air at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa but things really heat up when a new Superintendent named Sid Sorokin (Nick Balaich) falls for the leader of the union grievance committee Katherine "Babe" Williams (Clarissa Wykstra). They fall in love but their relationship is tested when Mr. Hasler (Spencer Stevens), the owner of the factory, refuses to give the workers a 7 1/2 cent raise and they find themselves on opposite sides of the dispute. Even though the story takes place in the 1950s, the issues are still just as relevant today and I liked that compromise is used to settle the conflict between management and labor as well as the one between the sexes (although some of the characters behave in ways that are very dated and problematic). I can't decide if it is the dialogue that is stilted or if it is the delivery but sometimes the pacing is very sluggish, particularly a scene that is so awkward it made me think that the actors were ad-libbing in order to stall long enough for a costume change that took longer than usual. However, the actors really shine during the big song and dance numbers. Balaich has a beautiful tenor voice and his performance of "Hey There" (one of the songs I immediately recognized) is incredibly touching and it was the highlight of the show for me, Wykstra is confident and sassy, especially in the song "I'm Not At All in Love," and the two of them are perfect foils to each other in the delightful "Small Talk" and "There Once Was a Man" (the other song I recognized). The ensemble do a fantastic job with the energetic choreography in "Once a Year Day," "Think of the Time I Save," and "7 1/2 Cents" and these numbers are so fun to watch. I also really loved "Racing With the Clock," especially when it is slowed down in the reprise to mimic the slow down in production, the Fosse-inspired "Steam Heat" because it is dazzling, and the sultry "Hernando's Hideaway" because the choreography is so dynamic (the lighting design is very effective in this number). The set and costumes are colorful and nostalgic and I especially loved the retro sewing machines and all of the pajamas during the bows. While there are issues, the cast is enthusiastic and the show is very entertaining. It runs on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through April 5 (go here for tickets).

Between the Lines at the Empress Theatre

I had never heard of the musical Between the Lines before but, when I read the description, I knew that it was obviously written for me because I usually prefer fictional characters to real people! I saw it last night at the Empress Theatre and I absolutely loved it! Delilah McPhee (Ashley Bates) is a seventeen year old girl trying to navigate her parents' divorce and a new school where she is bullied by the mean girl Allie McAndrews (Dusti Mulder) and her friends (Connor Alldredge, Talitha Jo Garrison, Tyler Parkin, and Emma Mendisabal). She finds solace in a children's fairy tale called Between the Lines and is drawn to the protagonist Prince Oliver (Alex Parkin). After a particularly stressful argument with her mother Grace (Lisa Shortridge), Oliver appears to Delilah and she tells him that she wishes that she could be part of his world. However, he tells her that things are not necessarily better in a fairy tale because they must live the same story over and over whenever someone reads it. They conspire to be together but Delilah eventually learns that she must write her own story. As someone who spent a lot of time reading during adolescence to escape from reality, I loved this story and I think anyone who has ever felt different will really enjoy it. The songs are a lot of fun and I especially loved "Mr. Darcy and Me" which is sung by the librarian Ms. Winx (Katelyn Johnson) when Delilah asks her if she has ever had a relationship with a fictional character and "Happily Ever After Hour" when the characters in Between the Lines lament the fact that they can never be who they really are because they must perform for the reader. The young cast does a fantastic job and I was really impressed with every performance! Bates is captivating and she sings "Another Chapter," "Between the Lines," and "A Whole New Story" with so much emotion. Parkin is incredibly appealing in the songs "In My Perfect World" with Bates and "Something to Hold On To" and I loved all of his physical comedy. The ensemble, who play characters in both worlds, is really strong and I enjoyed the songs "Inner Thoughts," especially when the dumb jock Ryan steps forward to sing but doesn't have any lines, and "Out of Character" because I always appreciate tap dancing. The set is one of my favorites at the Empress because it focuses on books with bookcases, book covers, and book pages located all around the theatre. Whenever the characters from Between the Lines appear, they enter from a bookcase that rotates to become a page from the book and this is such a clever way to denote which world we are in. This is an enchanting production and I highly recommend it! There were a lot of empty seats last night and I would love for more people to see this (go here for tickets). It runs at the Empress Theatre through March 15.

The Play That Goes Wrong at West Valley Arts

Last night I went to see The Play That Goes Wrong at the West Valley Performing Arts Center and, since I am very familiar with this show, I was really intrigued to see how it would be staged in the round. They actually pulled it off because it is one of the funniest versions I've seen! The titular play is The Murder at Haversham Manor by Susie H. K. Brideswell and it is being performed by the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society. It stars Max (Dan Radford) as Cecil Haversham/ Arthur the Gardner, Chris (Adam Packard) as Inspector Carter, Jonathan (John Valdez) as Charles Haversham, Robert (Bryan Dayley) as Thomas Colleymore, Dennis (Samuel Wright) as Perkins the Butler, and Sandra (Britty Marie) as Florence Colleymore. The Director is Chris, the Stage Manager is Annie (Jillian Joy), and the Sound and Lighting Director is Trevor (Armando Serrano Huerta). The set is slowly falling apart, the props malfunction or go missing, the sound designer accidentally plays Duran Duran instead of the sound cues, a missing dog is not found until bows, one actor cannot stay still while playing the murder victim, one actor cannot remember his lines, one actor is overly dramatic and then milks the audience for applause, and the leading lady is injured halfway through the show and must be replaced by Annie (and then Trevor) with script in hand but the show must go on! The staging (which I won't spoil here) is absolutely brilliant because, since it is in the round, everything happens in front of the audience! I especially loved the visible backstage area and all of the stage crew members (more than are usually used in this show) who are shown running around in a panic. The set is one of the most elaborate I've seen at West Valley Arts and I particularly loved the second floor study, which eventually collapses spectacularly, and the elevator, which is hand-cranked to great comedic effect. The physical comedy is so much fun to watch and my favorite moments are when Florence, Thomas, and Inspector Carter get stuck in a loop which involves drinking paint thinner instead of whiskey because Perkins can't remember his next line, when Cecil and Thomas have to answer the phone (with the help of an audience member) while holding the set together, when Perkins and Thomas walk through the audience because they can't open the door, when Cecil cannot bring himself to kiss Florence, and when Annie and Sandra have a long and drawn out fight over who gets to play Florence. The entire cast is fantastic but the standouts for me are Dayley because he is so hilariously exasperated (he was often standing near me and his facial expressions made me laugh out loud), Radford because his gestures are so over the top, and Joy because she is an absolute hoot once she gets into character while playing Florence. I don't think I stopped laughing all night and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) for a really fun night out!  It runs at the West Valley Center for the Performing Arts through Mar 1.

Note:  If you go (you should!) try to get to your seat as early as you can because there are hijinks before the show even begins!

Timpanogos Community Theater's The Secret Garden

Last night I saw Timpanogos Community Theater's production of The Secret Garden and I was blown away by the incredible cast! Mary Lennox (Mia Moore) is orphaned by a cholera outbreak in India and is sent to live with her uncle Archibald Craven (William Gardner) at Misselthwaite Manor in Yorkshire. He has been grieving the death of his wife Lily (Sydney Dameron), who died in childbirth, for the past ten years and has closed off his heart, his house, and Lily's garden. Mary receives a cold welcome from the housekeeper Mrs. Medlock (Kristyan Williams) and an indifferent one from her uncle so she is lonely and unhappy. However, she is encouraged by a maid named Martha (River Robinson) and her brother Dickon (Adam Moore) to play outside and she soon discovers Lily's garden. She also discovers her cousin Colin (Josh Moore) who has been kept an invalid by Archibald's brother Neville (Dustin Parmley). As Mary brings the garden back to life, she also brings Colin and Archibald back to life. The songs in this show all have beautiful melodies and the performances from this talented cast gave me goosebumps. Dameron's versions of "Come to My Garden" and "How Could I Ever Know" are incredibly poignant and you can literally hear the pain in Gardner's voice as he sings "A Girl in the Valley," "Lily's Eyes," and "Race You to the Top of the Morning." Robinson's portrayal of the sassy maid Martha made me laugh out loud and her performance of "Hold On" (one of my favorite songs in the show) just about blew the roof off the theater and also garnered the loudest applause of the evening. I loved Moore's voice and physicality (I also really enjoyed him as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance and Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame) in "Winter's on the Wing" but I especially loved his interactions with his sister Mia in "Wick" (another favorite song from the show) and with her and his cousin Josh in "Come Spirit, Come Charm." I was also really impressed by the staging of this production. The main set features a large house made of stone with two levels and several arches and those arches rotate to become hedges that form a maze leading to the door that opens to the secret garden. These set pieces are moved by the ensemble as Mary and the rest of the children walk through the maze. It is very clever! There are also large moving panels of fabric hanging from the rafters to give the house the impression that it is shrouded and I loved the effect that is created as the ghosts wander around and through them. The whole show is incredibly enchanting and you can't help but leave with a smile on your face! It runs at the Valentine Theater in American Fork through February 22 with performances on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (go here for tickets).

Note:  I have been impressed by the caliber of talent I have seen at every show from TCT!

Persuasion at Parker Theatre

As a huge fan of Jane Austen, I was so excited to see an adaptation of Persuasion at Parker Theatre last night. It is very well done and I really enjoyed it. Anne Elliot (Madeline Thatcher) is persuaded by her aristocratic family and friends to reject the proposal of Captain Frederick Wentworth (Daniel Frederickson) because of his lack of wealth and position. Eight years later, their fortunes have reversed because her father Sir Walter Elliot (David Weekes) has mismanaged his estate and Captain Wentworth has prospered from the war. They meet unexpectedly when Captain Wentworth's brother-in-law and sister, Admiral and Mrs. Croft (Michael Hohl and Cecily Bills, respectively), let Anne's ancestral home, Kellynch Hall. Anne still loves him but she fears that he hasn't forgiven her for breaking his heart when he pursues Louisa and Henrietta Musgrove (Emily States and Isabelle Purdie, respectively). Captain Wentworth eventually realizes that he still loves Anne but will she be persuaded by her father and Lady Russell (Melanie Muranaka) to marry her cousin William Elliot (John Hayes Nielsen)? This adaptation is extremely faithful to the novel which makes it quite long with lots of scene changes and, even though they are handled very quickly, the pacing sometimes gets bogged down. Other than that, I loved everything else about this production. Thatcher and Frederickson are very appealing as the two leads (they reminded me of Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds from the 1995 movie adaptation with their physical appearances even if Thatcher is a bit bolder) but I laughed out loud whenever Mckelle Shaw pretends to cough as the hypochondriac Mary Musgrove, whenever Weekes looks at a handheld mirror as the vain Sir Walter, whenever Nicole Holbrook eats a chocolate bonbon as the spoiled Elizabeth Elliot, and whenever Wyatt Bills and Liam Brown run around in circles as the rambunctious Musgrove boys. The set is really beautiful and I loved the projections used for Kellynch Hall, Uppercross Manor, the seaside at Lyme, and the Assembly Room in Bath as well as all of the elegant period furniture. The staging is really clever, especially when Admiral and Mrs. Cross retrieve Anne in their carriage and when Louisa jumps off the sea wall. The costumes are also beautiful and, as much as I love dresses with empire waists and embellished fabrics, I was very impressed by the naval uniforms and hats.  Seeing this production is a lovely way to spend an evening and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here).  It runs at Parker Theatre on Fridays and Saturdays (evenings and matinees) through March 8.

She Loves Me at OPPA

Last night I went to see She Loves Me at On Pitch Performing Arts and it was a delightful production of one of my favorite shows! The action takes place at Maraczek's Perfumery in Budapest during the 1930s and follows a group of eccentric clerks, including Georg Nowack (Cormac Romine), Ilona Ritter (Amanda Murray), Steven Kodaly (Dylan Marriott), Ladislav Sipos (Gavin Turner), and Arpad Laszlo (Emily Butcher). When Mr. Maraczek (Jeff Duncan) hires Amalia Balash (Caitlin Olsen) as a new clerk, Georg takes an immediate dislike to her and soon they are both bickering constantly. However, both Georg and Amalia have unknown correspondents and it turns out that they are actually writing to each other! Chaos ensues until they eventually realize they love each other. Most of the songs in this show consist of simple every day conversations between co-workers (the clerks even break out into song whenever a customer leaves the shop) and they are all really charming. My favorites are "Tonight at Eight" and "Will He Like Me?" because they give the male and female perspectives on going out on a first date. I also enjoy the big production numbers, including "Good Morning, Good Day," "Days Gone By," "Ilona," "A Romantic Atmosphere," and "Twelve Days to Christmas," and the choreography in this production is simple but a lot of fun. The performances are all wonderful. Olsen has a beautiful voice and her rendition of "Dear Friend" is incredibly poignant. Romine is very appealing (he reminded me a lot of Zachary Levi in the Broadway revival production) and I loved his playful performance of "She Loves Me." Murray steals the show because she is so much fun to watch. Her facial expressions are completely over the top and her version of "A Trip to the Library" made me laugh out loud! The simple period costumes and wigs are very effective in conveying the time and place and, as always, I was very impressed with how well the small space is used. There is a pastel colored set piece which shows the outside of the perfume shop and then opens up to reveal the interior with a large window showing a view of a street in Budapest on a screen behind. Glass display cases filled with lots of bottles and baubles are moved on and off stage and are cleverly configured to become various areas in the store (I loved how they are used in "Twelve Days to Christmas"). I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this show and I highly recommend it as the perfect night out with your valentine this month.  It runs Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, through March 1 (go here for tickets).

Note:  Last night was opening night so there were a lot of different activities going on before the show and during intermission. I tried to slink into the theatre without attracting too much attention but I may or may not have won the romance trivia contest...