Sense and Sensibility at Parker Theatre

Last night I spent a delightful evening in Regency England with Parker Theatre's original adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. The death of their father leaves Elinor and Marianne Dashwood (Jasmine Hohl and Isabelle Purdie, respectively) in reduced circumstances so they have no other option but to seek advantageous marriages. The sensible and reserved Elinor silently pines for Edward Ferrars (Truman Schipper), who is expected to marry well by his mother, while the passionate Marianne is swept up, literally, in a romance with the dashing John Willoughby (Spencer Hohl), who needs a wealthy wife after he is cut off by his family for his indiscretions. Both sisters ultimately find happiness when they balance reason with emotion. Elinor finally reveals her feelings to Edward when he is free to propose and Marianne finds the value in real love, rather than impetuous infatuation, with Colonel Brandon (Jordan Palmer). I didn't especially like the adaptation I saw at the Utah Shakespeare Festival several years ago because it made too many changes to the source material but, even though this version also takes a few liberties, I think it remains true to the spirit of the novel and I really enjoyed it. I especially loved the addition of several scenes that show the juxtaposition between Colonel Brandon and Willoughby. I was impressed with the entire cast but the standout for me was Hohl because her Elinor has a very dramatic transformation and the scene where she finally reveals her heartbreak over Edward's engagement to Lucy Steele (Maryn Tueller) is incredibly charged and gave me goosebumps. A lot of the performances are informed by the characterizations in 1995 movie and I laughed out loud at Brian Douros as the overly exuberant Sir John Middleton, Rowena Greenwood as the busybody Mrs. Jennings, Nick Mathews as the disdainful Mr. Palmer, Daniel Summerstay as the clueless John Dashwood (the way the servants continually ignore him is a funny running bit), and Josh Augenstein as the obnoxious Robert Ferrars (his dancing at the ball is absolutely hilarious). I love the way this show is staged with large moving panels that are configured and reconfigured to become various locations and set pieces that are brought on and off stage very efficiently by the ensemble who are costumed as servants. The projections are atmospheric and immersive but they are very muted and I wish that they had been more vibrant. Finally, the period costumes are beautiful (I love the Regency silhouette) with lots of embellished fabrics (my favorite was a gown worn by Elinor with with a row of embroidered flowers down the front of the skirt). Jane Austen is always a good idea so I highly recommend getting a ticket to this show (go here). It runs on Fridays and Saturdays through March 7.

Beetlejuice Jr. at the Empress Theatre

I went to see Beetlejuice Jr. at the Empress Theatre last night and I was so impressed by this clever and energetic production. Beetlejuice (Brittain Heywood) is a lonely demon who is tired of being invisible but, in order to be seen, he needs someone who is alive to say his name three times. He enlists the help of Barbara and Adam Maitland (Mary Layton and Donnie Hankammer), a recently deceased but very mild-mannered couple, and convinces them to haunt their former house which is now owned by Charles Deetz (Carson Hardle) and his daughter Lydia (Gweny Adams). However, Lydia, who is still mourning the recent loss of her mother, is herself quite strange and unusual so she is able to see the Maitlands and Beetlejuice. Chaos ensues when Lydia uses the Maitlands to stop her father from replacing her mother with her life coach Delia (Alice Lopez), when she tricks Beetlejuice in order to get to the Netherworld to find her mother, and when Beetlejuice uses her to bring him back to life. What I loved most about seeing the Broadway touring production of this show is the dazzling special effects and the elaborate sets. I was not expecting the same over-the-top production design at a small community theatre but I was very pleasantly surprised by how well the staging, choreography, costumes, and lighting design enhance the minimal set and immerse the audience is this quirky world. The lighting is particularly effective in the Netherworld scenes and all of the iconic costumes are fantastic. There are even a few fun effects used in the show (I loved the appearance of a sandworm and a shrinker). The talented young cast is also a highlight. The leads are all incredibly confident with tremendous stage presence and this really sells all of their performances, especially Heywood's spirited and entertaining renditions of "The Whole 'Being Dead' Thing," "Say My Name," and "That Beautiful Sound" as well as Adams's emotional versions of "Dead Mom" and "Home" (my favorite songs in the show). The members of the large ensemble do a great job with the dynamic choreography and they are so much fun to watch because they all have wide smiles on their faces and are clearly having a great time performing! Their energy is infectious and I thoroughly enjoyed all of the big musical numbers! This is a great show for the whole family with a surprisingly poignant message about self-acceptance and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here). It runs at the Empress Theatre on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through February 7.

Note:  The Empress Theatre very graciously provided me with tickets so I was once again able to bring my sister to this show. She loved it and is becoming more and more impressed with this theatre!

See How They Run at CPT

I played Miss Skillon in See How They Run when I was in high school so I always love seeing a performance of this hilarious play. I went to a production at CPT last night with my sisters and it was so much fun and incredibly nostalgic. The action takes place in the vicarage of a village called Merton-cum-Middlewick during World War II. Clive (Dylan Padilla), an American soldier stationed in England, visits his old friend Penelope (Jordan Clark) who is now married to the Rev. Lionel Toop (Scott Butler). Ida (Jenni Cooper), her cockney maid who loves American movies, is flustered by his arrival but Miss Skillon (Holly Reid), a meddling spinster who is in love with Rev. Toop, is convinced that Penelope is having an affair with him.  Penelope suggests that Clive wear the Rev. Toop's second best suit and clerical collar so that they can dodge army regulations and see a play together.  Mayhem ensues when Miss Skillon sees something that she shouldn't and imbibes too much cooking sherry, when Penelope's sedate uncle the Bishop of Lax (Randon Jensen) arrives unexpectedly, when the mild-mannered Rev. Arthur Humphries  (David Johnson) arrives early for the service on Sunday, and when an escaped German POW (Blake London) attacks Rev. Toop in order to steal his clothes. The action is incredibly fast-paced and you almost can't catch your breath in between fits of laughter at the absurd goings-on! At one point, there are five men in clerical garb chasing each other through the garden and into the house and it is so funny when they jump over a prostrate Miss Skillon but it is even funnier when they continue to jump over her even when she is no longer there (I was always afraid that they wouldn't jump in time when I was the one laying on the floor). There are also some amusing scenes involving several characters who hide in a cupboard, including an inebriated Miss Skillon (these were my favorite scenes to play because I always tried to come up with funny poses to get the other actors to break character), multiple cases of mistaken identity, a misplaced uniform, and a bumbling inspector (Zar Hayes) who accidentally apprehends the German POW. The entire cast is outstanding and they do a great job with all of the madcap physical comedy.  Butler, Jensen, and Reid are especially fun to watch as their characters become more and more exasperated, outraged, and outrageous, respectively. I loved the elaborate set, especially the doors leading out to the garden with views of the church and the aforementioned cupboard, as well as the period costumes.  Seeing this show brought back so many wonderful memories (I am surprised by how many of Miss Skillon's lines I remembered) and I loved every minute! I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) to a performance on the Mountain America Main Stage through February 26.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts

Last night I went to see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the SCERA Center for the Arts and now I can say that I have seen just about every Christmas-themed show this holiday season (A Christmas Story, A Christmas Carol, White Christmas, and Elf The Musical). I had never seen this musical before and I thought it was really cute with great performances from its young cast! The Herdman kids, including Ralph (Symon Livingston), Imogene (Summer Olenik), Leroy (Tristan Bush), Claude (Jackson Seaver), Ollie (Desmond Tolman), and Gladys (Scout Olenik), have the reputation of being the worst kids in the world. Their father left them and their mother works several jobs so they are on their own most of the time and lie, swear, smoke, steal, and bully the other kids at school. The one place the other kids feel safe is at church because the Herdmans never attend. This changes when Charlie Bradley (Lewis Anderson) tells them that they serve snacks during Sunday School. The Herdmans show up looking for food on the day of auditions for the annual Christmas Pageant and Grace Bradley (Natalie Merrill), who has reluctantly taken over as director for the injured Helen Armstrong (Angela Bradford), allows them to participate. The Herdmans force the other kids to let them take the lead roles but, when they disrupt the rehearsals, Reverend Hopkins (Steve Winters) decides to cancel the pageant. Grace has a change of heart when she and her family deliver a Christmas basket from the church members to the Herdmans and she sees how much they appreciate it so the pageant goes forward. Ralph, as Joseph, and Imogene, as Mary, treat the baby Jesus with love and tenderness, Gladys, as the Angel, announces the birth with real fanfare, and Leroy, Claude, and Ollie, as the Wise Men, bring the baby Jesus real gifts of food from their Christmas basket instead of useless gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The church members are very moved by the more realistic portrayal of the Christmas story and declare it to be the best Christmas Pageant ever! I really loved the messages about acceptance, charity, and the true meaning of Christmas and the songs are a lot of fun, especially "Take My Lunch" as Charlie finally stands up to the Herdmans at school,"Problem" when Helen tells Grace that she is ruining her show, "My Mother Said" (to the tune of "Carol of the Bells") as Beth (Zoe Morris), Alice (Virginia Seaver), and Ivy (Olivia Bradford) argue over which of their mothers has the correct opinion about the way the pageant should be run, and "Die Herod Die!" when the Herdmans react with compassion to the harsh realities faced by the Holy Family. Everyone in the cast does an outstanding job, especially the young actors who play the Herdmans, but I really loved Anderson because he has a lovely voice as Charlie and Bradford because she is hilarious as the overbearing Helen. The stage is configured as a church with beautiful stained glass windows and simple set pieces for the lunchroom, the Bradley home, and the hospital are brought on and off stage by the ensemble. My favorite costumes are those worn by the kids during the pageant (the Wise Men are especially fun). This is absolutely delightful and I definitely recommend it but there are only two more opportunities to see it and tickets are going fast (go here).

Note:  This was my final show of 2025.  This year I was able to see 85 theatre productions and my favorites were the Broadway touring productions of Suffs and Life of Pi at the Eccles Theatre, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, Macbeth at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Twelve Angry Men at HCT.

Elf The Musical at Draper Historic Theatre

When my nephew was really young he absolutely loved the movie Elf so my sister and I decided to take him and our niece to see Elf The Musical at PTC. He was really fidgety before the show and we were prepared to leave if he got too disruptive but, once it started, he was completely enthralled. It was so much fun to watch him react to what was happening on stage and it is one of my favorite memories of him when he was little. He still really loves the movie so I thought it would be fun to take him to see the musical at the Draper Historic Theatre last night. I was really impressed with their version of The Addams Family so I thought we would both enjoy this. We did not. It seems harsh to be critical of a production at a community theatre because everyone involved is doing their best but I was really disappointed since I had talked it up to my nephew after my previous experience. I actually really loved the costumes, especially the ones worn by Santa and by the elves at the North Pole in the opening number, as well as the projections used for the backdrops, particularly those for Buddy's journey from the North Pole to NYC and for Santa's sleigh lifting off from Central Park. I also really liked Sebastian Long, as Michael, because he is the best actor in the whole show and his performances of "I'd Believe In You" and "There Is a Santa Claus" with Kellie Seiler, as Emily, were the highlights for me. My favorite numbers were "Happy All The Time" and "Sparklejollytwinklejingley" because the choreography is fun but many in the ensemble are either very expressionless and mechanical or so over the top that they pull focus from the scene (more on that later). My biggest issue was with the two leads, Gabriel Velez as Buddy and Sydney Trauba as Jovie. In every production I have seen of this musical, Buddy has always been portrayed with an innocent wide-eyed wonder and exuberance that is very heartwarming. Velez is obnoxious and I really disliked all of his screaming (so did my nephew who immediately commented on it during the drive home). He is supposed to be a naive fish out of water in NYC so the six-seven reference is out of character and used for a cheap laugh.  Trauba is extremely lifeless as Jovie (I found it difficult to distinguish her from the ensemble in many numbers) and she is not a strong singer (she struggled in "Never Fall in Love (With an Elf)"). Finally, a member of the ensemble had his fly down during "The Story of Buddy" and it was really noticeable (I heard lots of laughter from the audience). There were multiple opportunities for him to discreetly deal with this wardrobe malfunction as he was only a background character in the scene but he didn't and it is too bad because it distracted from the number. Sigh! I feel like a cotton-headed ninny muggins for my response to this production but I always try to be honest and would definitely not recommend it.

Note:  I have now seen a really good production and a bad one at this theatre. Clearly, I need to see one more for the tie-breaker!

White Christmas at Hopebox Theatre

Last night I went to see White Christmas at Hopebox Theatre and it was really nostalgic for me because the movie was one of my mom's favorites and we would always watch it this time of year! It is very heartwarming and I had a big smile on my face the whole time! Former soldiers Bob Wallace (Justin Lee) and Phil Davis (Jeff Erickson) have become popular Broadway stars after serving in World War II. When they meet the Haynes Sisters, Betty (Katherine Tietjen) and Judy (Sidney Brown), Phil tricks Bob into following them to Vermont, where they will be performing at the Columbia Inn over the Christmas holiday, because he and Judy want Bob and Betty to get together. When they arrive, they discover that their former commanding officer, General Waverly (Roland Tietjen), owns the Columbia Inn and that he is having financial difficulties due to the lack of snow. Wallace and Davis decide to bring their show to the Columbia Inn and invite the soldiers from their company to a performance on Christmas Eve. A busybody receptionist (Donna Bell) and a precocious granddaughter (Brooklyn Head) think they should be in show business, an overwrought stage manager (Scott Ostermiller) feuds with a taciturn employee (Daniel Pittam) of the inn, and misunderstandings cause love to go awry but the show and both couples eventually come together for a finale featuring the song "White Christmas." This is full of lots of big song and dance numbers and I was so impressed with the cast because they do a wonderful job! I especially loved the spectacular tap dancing in "Happy Holiday/ Let Yourself Go" and "I Love a Piano," the hilarious choreography in "Blue Skies" as the stage manager interrupts the rehearsal multiple times, and the lovely performance from Erickson and Brown in "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing" (this was especially impressive because Brown had a major wardrobe malfunction and she didn't miss a beat even during the lifts). I also loved the number "Sisters," both when Tietjen and Brown perform it in Act I and when Lee and Erickson reprise it in Act II (they are hilarious), "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy," both when Bell belts it out in Act I and when Head steals the show with it in Act II, and "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me/ How Deep Is the Ocean?" because it is such a tender moment between Tietjen and Lee (who sing it beautifully). Of course, the big moment comes when the cast (with help from the audience) sings a stirring rendition of "White Christmas" and the falling snow (on stage and in the audience) makes it absolutely magical! The set features a large curtain, used for scenes in various nightclubs, as well as backdrops for the barn, where the show is rehearsed and performed, and the lobby of the Columbia Inn. I was impressed with how quickly various set pieces are moved on and off stage by the ensemble and I loved the winter wonderland painted on the walls surrounding the theater. Finally, the costumes are fantastic! My favorites were the iconic blue dresses (and fans) and red velvet dresses worn by the Haynes sisters during "Sisters" and "White Christmas," respectively. This show is sure to put a smile on your face but it is also an incredibly worthwhile cause because, as part of the mission of the Hopebox Theatre,  all of the proceeds of every production go to support someone in the community who is battling cancer (go here to meet Julie Newton, the recipient for this show). I highly encourage everyone to get tickets (go here) for this touching show which continues through December 27.

A Christmas Carol at Parker Theatre 2025

Last year I saw five productions of A Christmas Carol and, honestly, it turned into a chore to get through all of them. This year I decided that I only wanted to see one so that I could really enjoy it (I also wanted to have more time to spend with my family) and I picked Parker Theatre's version because it is my favorite (it is so atmospheric and dramatic). I had the chance to see it last night and I think I made the right decision because I loved every minute of it! This tells the familiar story of how Ebenezer Scrooge (Mark Knowles) is redeemed after the ghost of his partner Jacob Marley (Stuart Mitchell) arranges for him to be visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Helene Parker), Present (David Hansen), and Future (Helene Parker). However, there are many original elements specific to this particular production that make it my favorite. I love that Marley is shown haunting Scrooge at their counting house and other locations before he appears to him in his bed chamber because it is so foreboding. I love that many of the characters Scrooge interacts with in the present, such as a poor child singing carols (Eloise Hohl), his nephew Fred (Truman Schipper), and his clerk Bob Cratchit (Chris Last), appear to him as if in a dream when he interacts with characters from his past, including his younger self (Tristan Curtis), his sister Fan (Samara Douros), and his employer Mr. Fezziwig (Jim Dale), respectively, to soften his heart because it gives depth and meaning to his eventual redemption. I love the romantic dance between the young Ebenezer (Spencer Hohl) and Belle (Isabelle Purdie) because it provides a sharp contrast to the later scene when she releases him from their betrothal. I also love how Scrooge learns the truth by opening his coffin in the cemetery because it is incredibly dramatic (especially when chains emerge from the coffin to claim him). The sets are much more minimal than other productions I've seen (Scrooge's counting house and bed chamber are the most elaborate) but I love the use of scrims, projections, fog, and atmospheric lighting and sound design to create an otherworldly mood. It was fun to see many in the cast reprise the same roles from previous productions and, while I loved every performance, I was most impressed by Knowles, because his gradual transformation from the bitter old miser at the beginning of the show to the more lighthearted character we see at the end is brilliantly conveyed through facial expressions and body language, and by Hansen, because I found his sudden change from a jolly spirit who brings the joy of the season to Scrooge to one who accuses him of ignoring his fellow man to be absolutely devastating (especially since his delivery is very quiet). Seeing A Christmas Carol has always been an important tradition for me and I am so glad that I picked this production to celebrate the season this year! I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) for one of the performances on Fridays and Saturdays (or on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the final week) through December 24.

Pride and Prejudice at CPT

Last night I went with both of my sisters to see Pride and Prejudice on the second stage at CPT and we absolutely loved it! The novel by Jane Austen is one of my all-time favorites and I love this particular adaptation by Melissa Leilani Larson so I was already looking forward to it and this production exceeded my expectations! When Mr. Bingley (Austinn Le), a single man in possession of a fortune, lets Netherfield Hall, Mrs. Bennett (Marinda Maxfield) immediately sets her sights on him as a possible husband for one of her five daughters. Bingley falls in love with the beautiful Jane (Kassandra Torres) but her sister Elizabeth (Elizabeth Moulton) takes an immediate dislike to his friend Mr. Darcy (Garrett Stephenson) 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. One of the things I love most about the novel is that the characters are so well delineated and everyone in the cast is incredibly well-suited to their role. I especially enjoyed how uptight Rylan Benson is as Mary (her facial expressions are hilarious), how overwrought Maxfield is as Mrs. Bennett, how smitten Le is as Bingley, and how imperious Hazel Rowe is as Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Moulton and Stephenson have tremendous chemistry (which is interesting because Stephenson is usually in the THS cast), especially in the proposal scene when they are sparring back and forth because it is very emotionally charged and during their kiss at the end because it is definitely swoon-worthy. However, Tyler Roberts steals the show as Mr. Collins and I don't think I stopped laughing during the scene when he dances with Elizabeth at the Netherfield Ball. This adaptation is so good because, while it doesn't include everything from the novel, it captures its essence without sacrificing key moments and the use of letters between characters to advance the narrative is particularly effective. I love how the letters are staged in this show because the sender pantomimes what is happening as the recipient reads it aloud (this is especially well done with the letter Mr. Darcy sends Elizabeth after the proposal). The Regency costumes are beautiful (I loved all of the embellished fabrics and trims used in the gowns) and the way the characters add layers to differentiate their looks for different events is very clever. Finally, the set is incredible with lots of elaborate details. It includes a fireplace flanked by book shelves with a spiral staircase leading to a balcony on one side and marble pillars with large windows in between and a nook with a piano forte on the other. Large screens behind the set and on either side of the thrust stage show images that change to denote the various locations (I especially loved the ones used for Pemberley) and period furniture pieces are reconfigured for different scenes. I had so much fun seeing this with my sisters (who are also big fans of Jane Austen) and I would highly recommend it but, unfortunately, the entire run is sold out (with good reason). 

Note: You can still see CPT's production of A Christmas Story on the main stage through December 16 (go here for tickets).

A Christmas Story at CPT

I think the musical A Christmas Story is really fun and the new production at CPT, which I was able to see last night, is so good it deserves a major award! It is one month to Christmas and Ralphie Parker (Sam Akerlow) desperately wants an official Red Ryder carbine action 200-shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time. However, his Mother (Lindsey Stephens), his teacher Miss Shields (Abigail June Mathews), and even Santa Claus (Micah Young) all tell him that he will shoot his eye out despite all of his elaborate schemes to convince them. What I love most about this show is that all of the iconic scenes from the movie (which I love) are brought to life on stage, including when Randy (Danny Gallagher) eats like a piggy, when Schwartz (Atticus Bronson) triple dog dares Flick (Jack Stephens) to stick his tongue to the flag pole, when the Old Man (Andy Leger) wins a major award, when Ralphie says the F-dash-dash-dash world while helping the Old Man change a tire, when Ralphie gets into a fight with Scut Farkus (John Nelson Wakley), when Ralphie gets a bunny costume from Aunt Clara, and when one of the Bumpus Hounds (played by Annie, making her stage debut) eats the turkey. I looked forward to all of these scenes and I often found myself mouthing all of the dialogue as it was spoken (I watch the movie several times every year). What I loved most about this specific production is the incredible talent of the young cast! Akerlow is a very endearing Ralphie and I loved his heartfelt performances of "It All Comes Down to Christmas," "Red Ryder Carbine-Action BB Gun," "Ralphie to the Rescue," and "Before the Old Man Comes Home." The kids in the ensemble are also outstanding, especially with the choreography in "It All Comes Down to Christmas (Reprise)," "When You're a Wimp," "Ralphie to the Rescue," "Sticky Situation," "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out" (I loved seeing the kids tap dance!), "Up On Santa's Lap," and "Somewhere Over Indiana" because they are so energetic. I particularly enjoyed Luciana Foster (the youngest member of the ensemble) because she is in character the whole time (her facial expressions are absolutely hilarious) and her tap dancing is incredible! The adults in the cast also do a great job and I really liked Rick Murdock, who narrates the show as radio personality Jean Shepherd, Mathews, who does a great job with the tap dancing in "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out," and Leger, who gives a spirited performance in "A Major Award" (I loved the kick-line with the lamps) and ad-libs a steady stream of made up expletives (my favorite was Fahrvergnugen).  Finally, this production features one of the best, and most elaborate, sets I've ever seen for this show (including the Broadway touring production and the one at PTC). I was really impressed by the Parker house, which features three large set pieces that rotate to show different views, and the Santa display at Higbee's Department Store, which includes a large slide. I had a huge smile on my face during the entire show and I recommend getting a ticket (go here) for a big dose of Christmas cheer! It runs on the Mountain America Main Stage through December 16.

Murdered to Death at the Empress Theatre

I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie (I made a goal of reading all of her books one summer when I was a teenager) so I had a great time at the Empress Theatre's production of Murdered to Death last night because it is a hilarious spoof of the popular British author's murder mysteries. It features a 1930s setting in the drawing room of an isolated English country manor owned by a wealthy dowager and a cast of eccentric characters who all seem to have a motive for the murder that inevitably happens.  I absolutely loved being able to recognize all of the stereotypical characters and formulaic plot devices that I have come to love from all of Christie's whodunits and I don't think I stopped laughing all night. The aforementioned wealthy dowager is Mildred Bagshot (Diana Sorensen) and the suspects in her murder include her quintessentially stuffy butler Bunting (J.D. Robison), her young niece (and heir to her fortune) Dorothy Foxton (Addy Coates), and her guests for the weekend including the blustering Colonel Craddock (Scott Sorensen), his long-suffering wife Margaret (Catherine Bohman), French painter Pierre Marceau (Carina Dillon), and socialite Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington (Cathryn Guzzwell). On hand to help solve the murder is the busybody spinster Miss Maple (Chalese Craig), the bumbling Inspector Pratt (Paul Gibbs), and his put-upon assistant Constable Thompkins (Jiji Dillon). Hijinks ensue, including another murder right under everyone's noses, until the mystery is inadvertently solved after multiple twists and turns! The physical comedy and witty dialogue are very entertaining and you really have to pay attention to get all of the references (I was the only one in the audience who laughed at a quick allusion to Hercule Poirot). The entire cast does a fantastic job with all of the chaos but my favorite performance was that of Gibbs because his committed physicality and lightning-fast delivery of all of Pratt's malapropisms steal the show (when he uses nasturtiums instead of aspersions I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe). I also loved his interactions with the exasperated Dillon, particularly a running bit where he calls her Thompson instead of Thompkins (one of the funniest moments in the show is when he gets it right). Finally, I loved the set (one of the most elaborate I've seen at the Empress) with period furnishings that do much to evoke the time and place and two doors opposite each other which add to the mayhem as characters make quick entrances and exists. This is the perfect show for a fun night out and I definitely recommend getting a ticket for one of the remaining performances next weekend (go here).

Note:  The Empress Theatre very graciously provided me with tickets so I was able to bring my sister with me. It was her first visit to this theatre and she absolutely loved the show (she even correctly guessed the murderer during intermission).

Something Rotten at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

Last night I went to the Terrace Plaza Playhouse for my fourth production of Something Rotten this year (it is safe to say that I love this show). As with most community theatres, some productions at the Playhouse are better than others but I would definitely put this one among the best! It is fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Nick and Nigel Bottom (Brock Harris and Bryson Warner, respectively) are playwrights in Renaissance England who are tired of being outshined by William Shakespeare (Nick Balaich). Nick is desperate for a big hit because his patron Lady Clapham (Kassie Winkler) is withdrawing her support, Shylock (Glen Merrell) the moneylender is demanding that his loan be repaid, his wife Bea (Whitney Cahoon) is pregnant, and his brother has fallen in love with the daughter (Julia Green) of a Puritan (Nathan Fawcett) who wants to shut down his theatre for debauchery, so he contacts the soothsayer Thomas Nostradamus (Kaltin Kirby) to see what will be popular in the future. Nostradamus suggests writing a play with singing and dancing. Things go awry, however, when Nick asks Nostradamus to look into the future again to see what Shakespeare's most popular play will be and, instead of Hamlet, Nostradamus sees omelette (so close!). Nick tries to produce Omelette The Musical while Shakespeare, who is suffering from writer's block, tries to steal his own play back! All's well that ends well when Nigel reminds Nick to be true to himself. There are over 60 different musicals referenced in the hilarious numbers "A Musical" and "Make an Omelette" and it is always so much fun when I recognize a new show or line of dialogue. In this production I noticed a line from Ragtime for the first time in "Make an Omelette." I also love all of the allusions to Shakespeare and I was the only one in the audience who laughed when Shakespeare promises that he won't make the judge Falstaff appear foolish in one of his plays. Everyone in the cast is outstanding but I especially loved Balaich (my favorite character in the show is Shakespeare because he is portrayed as a rock star) for his over the top performances in "Will Power" and "Hard to Be The Bard," Cahoon for her spirited rendition of "Right Hand Man," and Kirby for the physicality of all of his antics while trying to see the future and in "A Musical." I also loved the gender swap from a lord to a lady with Winkler as Clapham because it is so funny to see Nick's former patron swoon over Shakespeare. The choreography (especially the tap dancing), costumes, sets, and projections are some of the best I've seen from this theatre and I was very impressed with all of the effort that went into such a great production of one of my favorite shows! Huzzah to everyone involved! It runs Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through November 15 and you definitely want to get a ticket (go here).

The Woman in Black at Parker Theatre

Seeing Parker Theatre's production of The Woman in Black last year was one of the most frightening theatrical experiences I have ever had (at one point I was so scared I nearly jumped out of my seat and there were multiple times when members of the audience screamed out loud). I was, therefore, excited (terrified?) when I learned that they were bringing this show back for a limited run just in time for Halloween! I saw it last night and, while I was more prepared for when the woman in black suddenly appeared in the aisle next to me, I was still quite unnerved by the whole experience. In other words, I loved it! Arthur Kipps (Michael Hohl) is still traumatized by an encounter with an apparition that he had many years ago while settling the estate of Alice Drablow at Eel Marsh House on an isolated island that is only accessible by a causeway at low tide. He believes that he can rid himself of the nightmares that plague him by telling the story publicly on stage so he hires an Actor (Ben Lowell) to help him. The Actor convinces him that it would be better to act out the story rather than recite it from a manuscript so they begin rehearsing in a Victorian theatre using minimal props, realistic sound cues, and imaginative light design. The Actor portrays a younger version of Kipps and Kipps plays all of the other characters and narrates the play. The action on stage depicts Kipps attending Drablow's funeral, traveling to her house in an old-fashioned pony and trap, working alone in the eerie house, and witnessing unsettling events including the appearance of a strange figure dressed in black. They stop in between scenes to discuss their performances and, during one such break, Kipps promises a surprise. The Actor interprets this to mean that Kipps hired the actress who suddenly appeared on stage with them. The action concludes when young Kipps discovers the identity of the mysterious figure and when the Actor makes a startling realization about the actress portraying her. This is a very clever adaptation of the Gothic novel by Susan Hill because it uses imaginative stagecraft to tell the story. I particularly loved the smoke effects when Kipps is trapped in fog on the causeway, the light from a single torch when he gets lost in the marsh, as well as the shadows on a scrim and the creaking of a rocking chair when he discovers a room that seems to be haunted (people in the audience screamed during all three of these scenes) because the suggestion of something is often much more effective than the thing itself (especially the woman in black because she only appears a few times but I thought I saw her in every shadow). Both actors are outstanding! Lowell's performance really adds to the unease because his terror is palpable and Hohl seamlessly inhabits all of his characters with just the addition of an article of clothing or prop. In my opinion, this is the perfect show to see for Halloween (go here for tickets) but act quickly because it is a limited run with only nine more performances through Nov. 1.

The Addams Family at Draper Historic Theatre

I haven't been to the Draper Historic Theatre since I went with my cousins Emily and Julie to see Once Upon a Mattress in 2009! I returned last night for a production of The Addams Family because is it even October if you don't see this show? I had so much fun (even though I thought it started at 7:30 instead of 7:00 and barely made it after having to park two blocks away). The Addams family is not like other families because they are all obsessed with death and the macabre and rely on their dead ancestors to help them through life. Complications ensue when Wednesday (Olivia Lane) falls in love with Lucas Beineke (Elijah Carillo), a normal Midwestern boy, and wants to introduce his uptight parents, Mal (Jonathan Saul) and Alice (Ayssa Powers), to her father Gomez (Brett Lyman), her mother Morticia (Beth Weber), her brother Pugsley (Kai Sanders), her uncle Fester (Keith Nielson), her Grandma (Laura Shipp), and her family's manservant Lurch (Cameron Hess). She arranges a dinner and begs her family for one normal night but, of course, things go wrong when a mishap involving a poisonous potion occurs during a game of Full Disclosure. It is up to Uncle Fester, with the help of the ancestors, to convince everyone that love is the answer! The cast is fantastic because everyone is perfectly suited to their role! Lyman and Weber have some hilarious interactions with each other and I especially loved their version of "Tango de Amor" because Weber is at least a foot taller than Lyman so their lifts and dips are highly amusing! Lane has both the look (I love that she sports Wednesday's signature braids) and the voice for this iconic character and her renditions of "Pulled" and "Crazier Than You" are really powerful and were the highlights of the show for me. Sanders is adorable as Pugsley (he sings "What If" with a lot of emotion) and Hess is an absolute hoot as Lurch (he is so perfect for the role that he doesn't even wear platform shoes). I also really enjoyed Carillo (he reminded me of the actor George MacKay) because he is endearingly awkward. The choreography is a lot of fun and I liked how the ancestors are integrated, especially in "When You're an Addams," "One Normal Night," "But Love," "Secrets," "Full Disclosure," "Just Around the Corner," and "The Moon and Me" (another highlight of the show). I was really impressed with the costumes and I don't know which I liked more: Gomez's burgundy velvet smoking jacket, Morticia's slinky black lace gown, or Wednesday's black jumper and white blouse. The costumes for the ancestors are also quite elaborate with lots of quirky details to enhance the characterization (I loved the hoop skirt for Marie Antoinette). Finally, the set is minimal but very effective. The stage is configured as a spooky graveyard in the woods with simple pieces brought on stage (my favorites were Gomez's collection of Medieval torture devices) and projections for various rooms in the Addams mansion. I recommend this as a fun show to see with the whole family for Halloween (go here for tickets). It runs on various days through Oct. 30.

Note: I will definitely be back for their production of Elf The Musical because is it even December if you don't see this show?

The Scarlet Pimpernel at Hopebox Theatre

One of my favorite novels when I was a teenager was The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy (I also loved the movie starring Jane Seymour and Anthony Andrews) so I am obviously a big fan of the stage adaptation. Last night I got to see it at the Hopebox Theatre and I was very impressed by the elaborate production. English aristocrat Percy Blakeney (Ricky Dowse) disguises himself as the Scarlet Pimpernel and recruits a band of followers to save his counterparts in France from the sinister Chauvelin (Dugan Brunker) and the guillotine during the French Revolution. He keeps his identity secret from his new wife Marguerite St. Just (Chrissy Andreasen), a Parisian actress, because he believes that she is helping Chauvelin, her former lover. He is also keeping his identity a secret from the Prince of Wales (Roger Brunker) by pretending to be a foppish nincompoop. His journeys to France are fraught with danger but he must make his most daring rescue when Marguerite is arrested trying to save her brother Armand (Porter Beesley). All three of the leads are fantastic and I loved their voices. Dowse is really entertaining as Percy and I laughed out loud at all of his dandified antics, especially his rendition of "The Creation of Man," but he is also very stirring in his performance of "Into the Fire" (my favorite song in the show) and quite affecting in "She Was There." Brunker is one of the best Chauvelins I've seen because his versions of "Falcon in the Dive" and "Where's the Girl" are incredibly passionate and his exasperation with Percy is a lot of fun. Andreasen is a lovely Marguerite and she sings "Storybook," "When I Look at You," and "I'll Forget You" beautifully and with a lot of emotion. The three of them also harmonize really well together in "The Riddle." The staging of the big musical numbers on such a small stage is extremely clever, especially "Into the Fire" because the boat used by the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel to travel from England to France appears suddenly from the rafters and the wings (I loved that Percy's boat is renamed Rachel's Resolve in honor of Rachel Rounds, the Wall of Hope recipient for this production, because it is such a touching detail), and the choreography is incredibly dynamic, particularly the integration of props (I loved the butterfly net and the cricket bat) in "Into the Fire" and "The Creation of Man" as well as the intricate patterns created by the dancers in "Ouilles Gavotte." This is a small community theatre but they really went all out with the costumes and set. Marguerite's gowns are gorgeous but the outfits worn by the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel take "frou frou" to the next level! The backdrop consists of marble archways and various set pieces for Marguerite's carousel at the Comédie-Française, Percy's study, the garden at the Bakeney estate, a prison, and the guillotine appear on stage by way of a turntable featuring a scarlet pimpernel. The guillotine is especially dramatic and a shadow effect used to show the drop of the blade is very effective. I had so much fun watching this show and I highly encourage everyone to get a ticket because, not only will you be entertained, you will be supporting a very worthwhile cause! It runs Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (with a Saturday matinee) through Nov. 1. Tickets may be purchased here but act quickly because most shows are either sold out or have limited availability (although there is a possibility that more shows will be added).

Peter and the Starcatcher at the Empress Theatre

I think Peter and the Starcatcher is the perfect production for a small community theatre like the Empress because the show uses imagination to tell the backstory of Peter Pan so the set is usually very minimal and the actors pantomime much of the action and use ordinary objects as props like children do while playing make-believe. I saw the Empress Theatre's version last night and I absolutely love what they did with it because it is, well, very imaginative! Lord Aster (Brad A. Goodman), a "starcatcher," travels with a trunk of "starstuff" on a fast ship called The Wasp in order to destroy it before the pirate Back Stache (Alexander Richardson) and his first mate Smee (Gwen Jonsson) can steal it. His daughter Molly (Camille Bassett), an apprentice "starcatcher," is placed on a slower ship, The Neverland, with another trunk as a decoy and meets three orphan boys, including an unnamed boy (Koda Smith), while on board. When Molly discovers that the trunks have been switched, she convinces the orphans to help her complete her father's task. However, Black Stache also discovers the switch and attacks The Neverland which leads to a confrontation on an island, populated by hostile natives and enchanted by the "starstuff," during which Black Stache is transformed into the villain Captain Hook and the boy is transformed into the hero Peter Pan. I was impressed with some really clever staging and choreography, especially when cast members locate their costumes on stage and become their characters in front of the audience, when Black Stache attacks The Neverland with the Jolly Roger flag and uses it in a duel with the Union Jack, and when the crocodile appears from the balcony (with two red lights as eyes and strings of white bunting as teeth). I also loved all of the ingenious props (the model ships in bottles representing The Wasp and The Neverland and the hairbrush used as a microphone are so fun) and costumes (I laughed out loud at the iridescent fans used as mermaid tails and the woven placements worn by the natives). Everyone in the cast, many of whom play multiple roles, brings a childlike sense of wonder to their characters, especially Smith because he is incredibly vulnerable as Peter, Jonsson because she is so hilariously befuddled as Smee, and Zack Anderson because he (this role is always played by a man to great comedic effect) is very silly as Molly's nanny Mrs. Bumbrake. My favorite character in this show is Black Stache and Richardson definitely did not disappoint with his petulant facial expressions and over the top physicality, particularly in the scene when he loses his hand. I love this show (I think it is because, like Peter Pan, I never grew up) and I love this production because, more than any other version I've seen, it really does feel like a group of people who are using their imaginations to tell a story! I definitely recommend getting a ticket (go here) during its run through October 11.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts

Last night I went to see The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts and, even though I recently saw an outstanding production, I love this musical and I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing it so I really enjoyed this version, too! It tells Victor Hugo's classic story about how a gypsy girl named Esmeralda (Rose Fletcher) inadvertently captivates Claude Frollo (Andrew Lambert), the Archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral, Phoebus de Martin (Adam Moore), the Captain of the Cathedral Guard, and Quasimodo (Benjamin Oldroyd), a deformed boy who has been hidden in the bell tower his whole life, which brings about tragedy and redemption. I love just about every song and the talented cast sings them beautifully! Oldroyd is incredible (he is one of the best Quasimodos I've seen) and his versions of "Out There" and "Heaven's Light" are beautiful and filled with both wonder and longing while his version of "Made of Stone" is incredibly plaintive. Fletcher is alluring in "The Rhythm of the Tambourine" (she is a great dancer) and playful in "Top of the World" with Oldroyd but her emotional performances of "God Help the Outcasts" (my favorite song in the show) and "Someday" with Moore brought tears to my eyes.  Lambert portrays Frollo's torment very well and his powerful rendition of "Hellfire" gave me goosebumps. I also loved the portrayal of the Saints (Stan Peck, Krystal Bigler, Sarah Glancy, Lindsey Lebaron, Tanner Lybbert, Shawna Packer, and Xander Richey) because they have some of the best costumes I have seen and their interactions with Quasimodo are highly amusing in "Out There," "Top of the World," and "Flight into Egypt" but poignant in "Made of Stone" (I love how they turn back to stone when they abandon him). One of my favorite aspects of this production is the choreography because it so exuberant and athletic, especially in "Topsy Turvy," "The Tavern Song," and "The Court of Miracles," and the ensemble does an amazing job with it (I loved all of Keith Allen's flips as Clopin). I was also impressed by the clever staging of "Hellfire," the rescue of Esmeralda from the pyre, and Frollo's fall from the bell tower. The elaborate set features a dramatic multi-level stone cathedral dominated by a stunning rose window which then becomes the bell tower, the town square, and the Court of Miracles with the addition of several pieces moved on and off stage by the ensemble. This is a wonderful production of one of my favorite shows and I am glad that I got to see it again! It runs through October 4 and tickets may be purchased here.

Little Shop of Horrors at CPT

Little Shop of Horrors is such a fun show and I loved seeing a fantastic production at CPT with my sisters and nephew last night. Seymour (Jake Heywood) and Audrey (Janae Klumpp-Gibb) both work in a run-down flower shop on Skid Row but the owner, Mr. Mushnik (Robert Gibbons), decides to close it because there are no customers. Seymour thinks that an unusual plant, which he found during a total eclipse of the sun and named Audrey II after his co-worker, will bring more business. The shop becomes wildly successful but Mr. Mushnik is concerned because Audrey II isn't thriving. Seymour inadvertently discovers that Audrey II likes drinking his blood after he cuts himself on a thorn and, eventually, it grows to a giant size demanding more and more blood. When Seymour can't spare any more of his blood, he feeds it the body of Audrey's abusive boyfriend Orin Scrivello (Brock Dalgleish), a sadistic dentist who has an unfortunate laughing gas accident, which wins him the love of Audrey but makes Audrey II even more insatiable. Seymour enjoys the notoriety Audrey II brings him but soon feels guilty about everyone who has died so he could feed it. He decides to get rid of it but eventually he and Audrey succumb to Audrey II's evil plan for world domination! There is a girl group, including Crystal (Kortney King-Lives), Ronnette (Tory Sandoval), and Chiffon (Alexandria Bird), that narrates the show with music combining rock and roll, doo-wop, and Motown and it sounds amazing. I really loved Klumpp-Gibb's performance because she has a beautiful voice and her versions of "Somewhere That's Green" and "Suddenly Seymour" brought the house down. Heywood is awkwardly adorable in "Grow For Me" and Dalgleish is completely over the top in "Be A Dentist" but Austin Payne steals the show as the voice of Audrey II by singing the blues in "Feed Me (Git It)." All of the puppets used for Audrey II, which get bigger and bigger, are incredible and the way that they are manipulated by puppeteer Mitch Gibb is so much fun to watch! Finally, I loved the set which features a street on Skid Row with lots of really fun details (my favorite is the fire escape where the girls often appear). The exterior of Mushnik's Flower Shop opens up to reveal an interior that gets more elaborate as the show goes on, including more and more of Audrey II's tendrils which eventually reach out into the audience during "Finale Ultimo (Don't Feed the Plants)." The cute couple sitting next to me told me that I had a smile on my face during the whole show and I'm sure that I did because I had such a great time watching it. I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) during its run on the Mountain America Main Stage through October 14.

Silent Sky at Parker Theatre

I have seen two very different productions of the play Silent Sky, an elaborate and stylized one at HCT and a more stripped down version at the Empress Theatre, so I was really eager to see what Parker Theatre would do with it. I had the opportunity last night and I think the staging falls somewhere in between the two and I loved it just as much. It is a beautiful story about the real-life astronomer Henrietta Leavitt (Emma Widtfeldt) and her trailblazing discovery that allowed future astronomers to calculate the distance between galaxies. She begins working in the Observatory at Harvard University in 1900 as a human computer along with Annie Cannon (Emily Parker Holmgren) and Williamina Fleming (Hillary McChesney) and, even though they are not allowed to use the university's refracting telescope because they are women, her questions about the universe compel her to work long hours analyzing the images on the glass photographic plates taken from the telescope. However, her dedication to her work puts her at odds with her sister Margaret (Jalyn Bender) over family obligations and with her supervisor Peter Shaw (William McAllister) over their romantic relationship but her legacy is secured. What I love most about this story, besides seeing a group of strong and determined women defy societal expectations, is the exploration of what a legacy means through the juxtaposition of the two sisters. The play opens with Margaret receiving a marriage proposal and Henrietta receiving a job offer and this is very effective because it establishes that Margaret believes in home and family while Henrietta believes in opportunity and hard work. Then, in the epilogue, we learn about Margaret's children and grandchildren as well as the lasting impact of Henrietta's work (including the Hubble telescope) and that both legacies are equally valuable. Widtfeldt gives a lovely performance that is more subdued in the portrayal of Henrietta's romance with Peter but more passionate in her search for answers than I have seen before. I especially enjoyed her excitement when she makes an important connection while listening to her sister play the piano and her exhilaration at seeing her work published. The rest of the cast is also outstanding and I particularly loved McChesney's imperiousness (I laughed out loud at her sash and pamphlets) and McAllister's awkwardness. The set is simple but effective and includes an academic office with desks and stools (I loved the way the glass photographic plates are displayed) and smaller set pieces for Margaret's home in Wisconsin, Henrietta's apartment in Cambridge, and an ocean liner. There are stunning images from space projected on scrims multiple times throughout the show and the depiction of the telescope is very dramatic. The lighting design is also very dramatic, especially the spotlights on characters as they read letters to Henrietta. While each production that I've seen has been very different, the commonality is a beautiful and inspiring story and I highly recommend getting a ticket Parker's version playing Fridays and Saturdays through October 11. Go here for tickets.

The Wizard of Oz at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I had a lot of fun at Terrace Plaza Playhouse's production of The Wizard of Oz last night! Dorothy Gale (Maren Messerly) is transported from Kansas to the magical land of Oz by a tornado. When she wants to return home, she seeks help from Glinda the Good Witch (Mailee Halpin) who tells her to follow the yellow brick road to get to the Wizard (David Storm) in the Emerald City. Along the way, she encounters the Scarecrow (Autumn Spangler), who wants a brain, the Tin Man (Trey Montgomery Cornell), who wants a heart, and the Cowardly Lion (David Hales), who wants some courage. They must face the Wicked Witch of the West (Jacci Florence) before they learn that they had the power to achieve their desires within themselves all along. Messerly is a very appealing Dorothy and her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is beautiful. I was also very impressed by Spangler, Cornell, and Hales because they are outstanding in "If I Only Had a Brain," "If I Only Had a Heart," and "If I Only Had a Nerve," respectively. I especially enjoyed Spangler's dancing because it really seemed as if her body was made of straw. This does not have the same spectacle as some other productions I've seen but it is extremely clever. I especially loved the way the tornado, the snow on the poppies, the melting of the Wicked Witch, and the lift-off of the Wizard's balloon are staged. I also loved the use of puppets for Toto (Beckett Ronnow), the Crows, and the Flying Monkeys. The costumes are fun and whimsical and I particularly liked seeing Dorothy's gingham dress transform from grey in Kanasas to blue in Oz and then sparkly green when she arrives in the Emerald City (a fun detail), all of the colorful costumes worn by the Munchkins, the sparkly pink ball gown worn by Glinda, and the parasols carried by the poppies. The set, featuring a large and circular yellow brick road in the middle of the stage, is one of the most striking I've seen at this theatre and I loved the use of very muted tones in the set pieces for the door of the farmhouse, the picket fence, and a large windmill before an explosion of color happens once Dorothy gets to Oz. The apparatus used by the Wizard, complete with moving eyes and a moving mouth, is also very impressive. I often feel like the second act of this show gets bogged down but I think the pacing in this production is really tight and my attention never wavered. I now count this among my favorite productions at this theatre and I recommend it to families. It runs on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through September 13 and tickets may be purchased here.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame at West Valley Arts

Last night I was absolutely thrilled that my performance of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the West Valley Performing Arts Center was completely sold out because I have long been a fan of this theatre and they are so deserving of this support, especially for this show! I have seen it many times over the years and I can honestly say that this production is my favorite! It is simply amazing and you should probably stop reading right now and get a ticket (if you can). Quasimodo (Taylor J. Smith) has been hidden by his uncle Frollo (Chase Petersen) in the bell tower of Notre Dame Cathedral all of his life because of a deformity. However, he yearns to leave the cathedral and decides that the Feast of Fools would be the perfect opportunity to do so. He is eventually crowned the King of Fools but, when the crowd turns on him, he is rescued by the gypsy Esmeralda (Beatriz Melo). She also catches the eye of Phoebus de Martin (James Carter), the captain of the cathedral guard, and bewitches Frollo who becomes obsessed with possessing her. When Esmeralda rejects Frollo, he orders Phoebus to arrest her but he refuses and they become fugitives. Quasimodo gives them sanctuary in the cathedral which forces a dramatic confrontation in the bell tower. I was blown away by the staging of certain scenes and by the performances of my favorite songs. The childlike wonder and yearning expressed by Smith in "Out There" and "Heaven's Light" is palpable and I was incredibly moved by his performance of both songs.  I really liked seeing the actual portrayal of the trauma experienced by Phoebus on the battlefield juxtaposed with his desire for a bit of fun in the staging of "Rest and Recreation." Melo's entrance in the song "Rhythm of the Tambourine" is very dramatic and she absolutely commands the stage with her singing and dancing. It is easy to see how Quasimodo, Phoebus, and Frollo would be captivated by Esmeralda and I loved seeing the three of them circling her at the end of this number. She gives another incredible vocal performance of my favorite song, "God Help the Outcasts" (it brought tears to my eyes), and I loved her tender interactions with Smith in "Top of the World." In the staging of "Hellfire," Frollo lies prostrate at a statue of the Virgin Mary (Sophia Morrill Mancilla) and this image is unbelievably powerful. Petersen has rich deep voice and does an outstanding job of portraying Frollo's torment in this scene and in the scene where Frollo expresses his love for Esmeralda (I was actually stunned by the physicality of his advances because it is more aggressive than I have ever seen before). The interactions between Quasimodo and Phoebus when they search for Esmeralda are quite amusing and provide a bit of comic relief before the emotional and heartbreaking performance of "Someday" by Melo and Carter.  I loved the way the gargoyles are portrayed by Emily Duncan, Soren Ray, and Scot Struble because they seem like real people who interact with Quasimodo, especially in the passionate performance of "Made of Stone." The staging of Quasimodo's rescue of Esmeralda from the pyre and Frollo's fall from the bell tower are very striking and I loved seeing Jehan (Roman Curiel) embrace Quasimodo and Florika (Sophia Morrill Mancilla) embrace Esmeralda during the final scene. The costumes and sets, especially the bell tower, the bells, and the rose window that appears in the final scene, are all some of the best I've seen from this theatre. Everything about this production is very special and I loved experiencing it with a large and appreciative crowd! I highly recommend getting a ticket for one of the six remaining performances through August 30 (go here).