Into the Woods at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts

I sometimes get a little bit exasperated because all of the theatre companies near me seem to cycle through the same popular shows (Clue is the current darling) but one show that I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing no matter how often it is performed is Into the Woods. I love it so much because the story is clever, the music is beautiful, and the messages are both incredibly thought-provoking and poignant. I was able to see a production at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts last night and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Several fairy tale characters must go into the woods to make their wishes come true: a Witch (Samantha Frisby) wishes to reverse a curse, a Baker (Marshall Lamm) and his Wife (Rian Gordon) wish to have a child, Cinderella (Lauren Pope) wishes to attend the festival and meet a prince, Jack (Cole Hixson) wishes to save his cow Milky White (Shannon Follette) from being sold at market, and Little Red Riding Hood (Eliza Johnson) wishes to visit her Grandmother (Shannon Follette). However, having a wish come true does not always result in a happily ever after and actions can have unintended consequences. The entire cast is outstanding, especially for a community theatre, and I was so impressed with the execution of every musical number! My favorite was, as always, "Agony" because Cameron Ward, as Cinderella's Prince, and Isaac Moss, as Rapunzel's Prince, are hilariously overwrought with facial expressions and gestures that are completely over the top! I also enjoyed "It Takes Two" because it is an important turning point for the Baker and his Wife and Lamm and Gordon, who have great chemistry, give very spirited performances, "The Last Midnight" because Frisby sings it so powerfully, and "No One Is Alone" because it is such a beautiful moment and Lamm, Pope, Hixson, and Johnson gave me goosebumps with their moving rendition. The staging is really innovative with lots of fun special effects and I particularly liked the use of books to represent the birds that help Cinderella and the flowers that lure Little Red Riding Hood from the path as well as a beanstalk that actually grows. The set is fantastic and looks like an abandoned house that has been overtaken by a forest (an interesting interpretation that I have never seen before) with ivy covered bookcases in the midst of the trees. The lighting design is dramatic, especially the lanterns, and the costumes are straight out of a fairy tale (my favorites were those worn by the Witch both before and after her transformation). I will always love seeing this show and this production put a smile on my face! It runs through October 7 on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and I definitely recommend it (go here for tickets).

Romeo and Juliet at Parker Theatre

My least favorite Shakespeare play is Romeo and Juliet but I decided to see a production at Parker Theatre last night because my friend Karen highly recommended it and I have really come to love this theatre. They did some interesting things with it and I actually liked it! The Montagues and Capulets are two noble families of Verona who have an ancient grudge against one another that escalates when Tybalt (Zachary Ballard), a Capulet, and Benvolio (Brendan Hanks), a Montague, get into a fight on the street. They are warned by the Prince (Lucas Charon) to stop disrupting the peace with their feud or face severe consequences. Soon Romeo (Dallin Suman), a Montague, and Juliet (Isabelle Purdie), a Capulet, fall in love and secretly wed despite the fact that their families are enemies. However, they find themselves in a hopeless situation after Romeo kills Tybalt to avenge the death of his friend Mercutio (Spencer Hohl). Romeo is banished and Juliet's family forces her to marry Paris (Michael Kelly) so Friar Lawrence (Palmer Scott) devises a plan for them to be together but it ends in tragedy which ultimately leads to peace between Montague (Bryson Dumas) and Capulet (Joseph Kyle Rogan). Some creative liberties are taken with the original text and, while I am usually not a fan of doing that, I think the changes make the play more accessible. My audience responded with lots of laughter to many of the anachronistic ad-libs and to the updated character of the Nurse (Madeline Thatcher) who seems more like a sympathetic friend to Juliet rather than a caregiver. I also really liked the update to Tybalt's character because he seems incredibly volatile and irrationally angry at all of the Montagues and this serves to emphasize that the division between the two families is groundless and unreasonable. There is also an interesting twist involving Lady Montague (Missy Stebbing) that adds to the devastation in the final act. I was quite impressed with many members of the cast. Purdie, especially, gives a highly nuanced performance (a highlight of the show for me) that brilliantly showcases Juliet's arc. She is a young and naive girl when the audience first meets her but she visibly matures over the course of the play and her performance in the scenes where she mourns the death of Tybalt and discovers Romeo's dead body in the tomb is truly heartbreaking. As previously mentioned, Thatcher provides a lot of comic relief with her interactions with Juliet but her discovery of Juliet's lifeless body is incredibly affecting. I always think of Romeo as feckless (which is why I find the play to be so problematic) but Suman really leans into his immaturity, especially in the scene where the Nurse demands that a sniveling Romeo go to Juliet after the death of Tybalt (it is so powerful), and this interpretation worked for me. I also liked Hohl's Mercutio because he gives the character a swagger to match his wit. The beautiful set is another highlight of this production and I especially loved the symmetry of the balconies, arches, columns, and staircases on either side of the stage to represent the two houses. The fight choreography uses the various levels very effectively to add visual interest. Speaking of which, I was particularly struck by the lighting design in this show, which is unusual for me, because it creates so many beautiful vignettes (the wedding scene is gorgeous). Even if you are not a fan of this particular play I definitely recommend getting a ticket to this imaginative retelling (go here). It runs through September 2 with performances on Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday matinees.

Beauty and the Beast at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I now have a new favorite production at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse! Last night I saw Beauty and the Beast and words cannot express how much I loved this show! I loved everything about it starting with the stellar cast. Everyone is very well suited to their particular role and I enjoyed every single performance. Olivia Lusk-Garibay is an absolutely beautiful Belle and she has a beautiful voice to match. Her versions of "Home" and "A Change In Me" are incredibly moving (the latter gave me goosebumps). Daniel Sessions is a gruff but sympathetic Beast and his rendition of "If I Can't Love Her" is a highlight of the show (I loved the staging of this because all of the enchanted objects comfort him throughout). Stefan Kurzius brings a lot of physicality to the role of Gaston and I laughed out loud every time he manhandled Belle in "Me." Quacee Dorby is hilarious as LeFou and I loved the energy he brings to "Gaston." David J. Madsen is so endearing as Maurice and the Silly Girls (Ginny Waldron, Janelle Wiser, and Maura Gardner) are a lot of fun to watch because of their facial expressions. The actors portraying the enchanted objects, including Cody Eisenbarth as Cogsworth, Jacob Draper as Lumiere, Kellie Chapman as Babette, Kim Tolman as Mrs. Potts, Parker Tolman as Chip, and Lorinda Griffiths as Madame de la Grande Bouche, each perfectly embody their object's characteristics. Another highlight of this production is the choreography because the big song and dance numbers are spectacular and integrate a large cast into the intimate space very effectively, particularly all of the townspeople in "Belle," "Gaston," and "The Mob Song," the dancing dishes in "Be Our Guest" (I loved the tap dancing plates), and all of the enchanted objects in "Human Again." The waltz during "Beauty and the Beast" is so romantic! All of the costumes are simply amazing, the best I've seen at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse! The attention to detail in the costumes for the enchanted objects is incredible and I loved that Lumiere's candles light up, Mrs. Pott's spout has steam coming out of it, and Madeame de la Grande Bouche's doors open. Belle's iconic yellow dress is lovely (I loved the roses sewn on the top skirt) and the cape worn by the Enchantress is dazzling. Finally, I was so impressed with the set! It features four large, beautifully painted, three-sided panels on casters that are turned to become the village, the castle, the hunting lodge, and the library and there are set pieces on either side of the stage for the west wing of the castle (watch the rose petals carefully) and Belle's chamber. I have seen much bigger and more elaborate versions of this musical (including the Broadway touring production and one at Tuacahn) but I was absolutely charmed by what the Terrace Plaza Playhouse did with it and I think everyone should go see it!  Go here for tickets.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Empress

I was able to see the final performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Empress last night and I was absolutely enchanted by it.  Not only is this one of my favorite productions at the Empress it is one of my favorite productions of this show (and I've seen quite a few of them, including one last month).  This is a more contemporary version of the classic fairy tale and, while I didn't like the first production I saw, it is definitely growing on me.  Cinderella (Joy Austin) rescues Prince Topher (Aaron Allred) from the Lord Protector Sebastian (Brandon Walton) who is deceiving him about the conditions of his kingdom.  Her Fairy Godmother is a crazy beggar woman named Marie (Cassie Hurt-McLarty) who shows her that she has the power to make her own dreams come true and her stepsister Gabrielle (Chelsea West) becomes a sympathetic co-conspirator against the machinations of her stepmother Madame (Jenn George) and her stepsister Charlotte (Bridges Eatchel) as she pursues her own romance with the revolutionary Jean-Michel (Robert Campbell).  She eventually brings about a happily ever after for everyone by convincing Topher to form a constitutional monarchy.  This features a really strong cast and I was particularly impressed with Austin and Allred because they have lovely voices and I loved their romantic renditions of "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"  I also loved George (a regular at the Empress and one of my favorites) because her Madame is so imperious and Eatchel because her rendition of "Stepsister's Lament" made me laugh out loud!  However, my favorite was Hurt-McLarty because I loved her vocal performances of "Impossible/ It's Possible" and "There Is Music In You" and her characterization is hilarious (she is always in character with crazy facial expressions and bits of business whenever she is on stage even when the focus is not on her).  The choreography is a lot of fun, especially in "The Prince Is Giving a Ball/ Now Is The Time" and "Ten Minutes Ago" (it is so magical).  I really liked the staging of "Me, Who Am I?" because it involves a child's rocking horse (every production I've seen has portrayed Prince Topher's horse Buttercup differently) and the "Transformation" because the mice who become the horses for Cinderella's coach are portrayed by four adorable little girls.  The costumes are beautiful, particularly the sparkling white gown Cinderella wears to the ball and the elaborate gold frogging on Prince Topher's many uniforms, and I loved the giant clock overlooking the stage and Cinderella's coach.  As I mentioned, last night was the final performance of the run but tickets are available for the upcoming shows Bright Star and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (go here) and you don't want to miss them.

Singin' in the Rain at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre

Last night I had a great time at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre watching a really fun production of Singin' in the Rain (my second one of the summer).  It tells the well-known story of how a silent film star of the 1920s dubs the voice of his obnoxious partner with that of an aspiring actress with whom he is in love after the studio transitions to talking movies. What I love most about this show is all of the big song and dance numbers and they are absolutely spectacular in SCERA's version.  I especially enjoyed the choreography in "Moses Supposes" and "Broadway Melody" because they feature fantastic tapping and that always impresses me. "Make 'Em Laugh" and "Good Mornin'" are also a lot of fun because they integrate set pieces and props into the dancing and I was enchanted by "You Were Meant for Me" because it is so romantic with some cool lighting and special effects. However, the highlight of the show is, of course, the iconic number "Singin' in the Rain" because it actually rains on stage! It was thrilling to watch all of the exuberant high energy dancing and splashing in the puddles! Both TJ Thomas, as Don Lockwood, and Heidi Hughes, as Kathy Seldon, are great singers and dancers and have tremendous chemistry, particularly in "You Were Meant for Me" and "You Are My Lucky Star."  Tia Trimble, as Lina Lamont, is an absolute hoot and I laughed out loud during her rendition of "What's Wrong With Me?"  I also really enjoyed Tanner Frederickson's brilliant comedic timing and physicality as Don's sidekick Cosmo Brown. The set is amazing (one of the major highlights of the show) with the logo for Monumental Pictures above a red curtain, that opens and closes to reveal a giant screen, and stairs that light up.  This becomes a sound stage where the movies are filmed and a theater where they are viewed (the movie footage is incredibly well done) with the addition of a few props (which are cleverly brought on and off stage by members of the ensemble acting as the crew for a large film production). On one side of the stage there is an elaborate entrance to the theater and on the other is a street corner including the famous lamp post! Finally, the 1920s period costumes are impressive with lots of sequined flapper dresses and argyle sweaters! This is the perfect show to see outside on a summer evening and I highly recommend it (go here for tickets). It runs through August 22 with performances every night but Wednesday and Sunday.

Something Rotten at CPT

I love the musical Something Rotten!  Because I am a former high school English teacher and a self-professed theatre junkie I feel like this hilarious spoof of Shakespeare and musical theatre was written just for me! I was so excited when I saw that it was part of the 2023 season at CPT and I couldn't wait for my sisters to experience it (I may or may not have been hyping it up to them for months). Needless to say they now love it as much as I do after seeing a performance last night!  Nick and Nigel Bottom (J.R. Moore and Zach Watts, respectively) are playwrights in London during the Renaissance but, unfortunately, they have not been very successful. Their patron, Lord Clapham (Doug Caldwell), is withdrawing his support, Shylock (Doug Caldwell) wants his loan repaid, Nick's wife Bea (Annie Ferrin) is pregnant, and Nigel has fallen in love with Portia (Grace Liljenquist), the daughter of a Puritan (Dan Call) who wants to shut down the theaters for debauchery. To make matters worse, they are constantly overshadowed by the immensely popular William Shakespeare (Isaac Carillo). In desperation, Nick consults with the soothsayer Nostradamus (Scott W. Butler) to see what will be popular in the future. He suggests writing a play with singing and dancing in one of my favorite numbers in the show, "A Musical." When inspiration fails yet again, Nick asks Nostradamus to look into the future to see what Shakespeare's most popular play will be but, instead of Hamlet, he sees omelette (so close!).  As Nick tries to produce Omelette: The Musical, Shakespeare suffers from writer's block in another one of my favorite numbers, "Hard to Be the Bard," and tries to steal his own play back! Chaos ensues until Nigel teaches Nick an important lesson in "To Thine Own Self." This show is hysterically funny and I honestly don't think I stopped laughing from beginning to end! I had so much fun spotting all of the references to musical theatre (my favorite is RENT in "A Musical") and to Shakespeare's plays (my favorite is Richard III in "Will Power"). The entire cast is outstanding! My sisters really liked Butler because of his fully committed physical performance when predicting the future and I loved Carillo because he is so over the top and plays Shakespeare as if he was a rock star strutting across the stage while posing for his adoring fans (his facial expressions when he hears Nigel's play about a Danish prince had me laughing so hard I couldn't breathe). The ensemble is also incredible, especially with the high energy choreography in "A Musical" and "Make an Omelette." Speaking of which, it is absolutely brilliant because it mimics the instantly recognizable choreography of the musicals being parodied (I loved the homage to "Sisters" in White Christmas as well as all of the Fosse-style Jazz hands and the high-kicking chorus lines).  The elaborate set, featuring half-timbered thatched-roof buildings and a replica of the Globe Theatre, and the Renaissance costumes are a lot of fun (although I missed Shakespeare's giant cod piece from the Broadway touring production). This is an incredibly entertaining show that will have you laughing out loud and I highly recommend it!  It runs on the Barlow Main Stage through September 2 (go here for tickets). My sisters and I want to see it again!

West Side Story at West Valley Arts

I have always really loved the musical West Side Story so I was very happy to have the opportunity to see a production at West Valley Arts last night! It is fantastic! The story revolves around the forbidden romance between Tony (Maxx Teuscher) and Maria (Samantha Paredes) and the animosity it stirs up between the Jets and the Sharks, two rival street gangs who are vying for territory. My favorite aspect of this particular show is the dynamic choreography by Ben Roeling! I especially loved the Prologue because it immediately establishes the tension between the two gangs just by using stylized movement, the Dance at the Gym because the way in which the Jets, the Sharks, and their girls part when Tony and Maria first see each other is incredibly dramatic, "America" because Anita (Sophia Morrill Mancilla) and the girls are so athletic and exuberant, the dream sequence during "Somewhere" because it is unbelievably ethereal and heartbreaking, and "Gee, Officer Krupke" with Action (Byerly Nielson) and the rest of the Jets because the physical comedy is hilarious. The performances in this show are outstanding and I particularly loved Teuscher's renditions of "Something's Coming" and "Maria" as well as his versions of "Tonight" and "One Hand, One Heart" with Paredes. Speaking of Paredes, her performance in the final scene is so affecting that it brought tears to my eyes. However, I was most impressed with Mancilla because her rage during "A Boy Like That" and her terror during the scene at the drug store when the Jets attack her are palpable. The minimal set, featuring brick walls and chain link fences surrounding the main stage and fire escapes (where the famous balcony scenes take place) in the areas above the wings, is very effective and so is the lighting design which uses warm reds for the Sharks and cool blues for the Jets. Having said that, I wish the costume design had done more to distinguish between the two gangs (especially at the dance) but I loved all of the period dresses with all of the layers of tulle. This is a beautiful production of a show with a powerful message that it still very relevant today and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here). It runs at the West Valley Performing Arts Center through August 26 with performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella at Murray Park Amphitheater

Last night I had so much fun at another summer outdoor performance.  This time I saw a production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella at Murray Amphitheater and it is enchanting!  In this more contemporary version of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella (Kennady Call) is a social reformer who must rescue Prince Topher (Mark Carter Williams) from the evil Lord Protector Sebastian (Alan Lafleur) who is deceiving him about the conditions in his kingdom.  Her stepmother Madame (Wendy Richhart) and stepsister Charlotte (Emma Thomas) treat her badly but her other stepsister Gabrielle (Katie Revels) becomes a sympathetic co-conspirator in pursuit of her own romance with a revolutionary named Jean-Michel (Remick F. Lafleur).  An old beggar woman named Marie (Katie Hill) becomes her Fairy Godmother after Cinderella shows her some kindness and, while she does help her get to the ball, she tells her that she herself has the power to make her dreams come true.  After falling in love with Cinderella at the ball, Topher takes her advice and turns his kingdom into a constitutional monarchy where everyone can live happily ever after.  I really liked the entire cast but Call and Hill are standouts for me because their roles require an impressive vocal range and they definitely deliver in the songs "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible," "Glass Slipper/ It's Possible," and "There Is Music In You."  Williams also has a lovely voice and he has great chemistry with Call in the songs "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful."  Richhart and Thomas steal the show with all of their antics and I especially loved Richhart's evil laugh and Thomas' hilariously awkward rendition of "Stepsister's Lament."  The choreography is really clever, especially when the dancers mimic the hands of a clock in "Ten Minutes Ago."  I also enjoyed the staging of "Me, Who Am I" because Prince Topher rides his horse out into the audience and "The Pursuit" because members of the ensemble look for Cinderella in the audience with lanterns (the children were giving them lots of directions) and the transformation of the Fox, the Raccoon, and the Owl is ingenious (be sure to watch these puppets during the whole show).  Speaking of transformations, Marie's Fairy Godmother dress and Cinderella's sparkling ball gown are beautiful and the rest of the ball gowns are a lot of fun.  Finally, the set is one of the best I've seen at the Murray Park Amphitheater!  There is an elaborate palace with marble columns and a grand staircase leading to a balcony, a forest area, and the exterior of Cinderella's stone cottage.  Various set pieces are also brought in and my favorites were a water fountain used in "The Prince Is Giving a Ball" and Cinderella's golden carriage.  This is a wonderful show for families to enjoy in an outdoor setting and I highly recommend it!  There are performances on July 10, 13, 14, and 15 (go here for tickets).

Singin' in the Rain at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I left the property early in the afternoon yesterday because I had a ticket to see Singin' in the Rain at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse last night. I thought I would have plenty of time but I heard that Parley's Canyon was at a standstill so I detoured to Provo Canyon which was a bit out of my way but was probably faster than sitting in traffic. I had Sean tuck and roll out of my car as I drove past his house (not really), I dropped all of my camping gear in the middle of my living room, and I took the world's fastest shower but I actually made it to the show with a few minutes to spare! I'm glad I made the effort because I loved this production! Don Lockwood (Jeff Erickson) and Lina Lamont (Whitney Cahoon) are silent film stars in the 1920s working on their latest collaboration. However, when the studio decides to transition to "talkies," Lina's obnoxious voice and terrible acting threatens to ruin the picture. Don decides to dub Lina's voice with that of Kathy Seldon (Stephanie Bruckman), an aspiring actress with whom he has fallen in love, and chaos ensues when Lina finds out! I really love all of the big song and dance numbers in this show and the choreography in "Fit as a Fiddle," "Make 'Em Laugh," "Moses Supposes," "Good Morning," and "Broadway Melody" is fantastic with lots of high energy tap dancing! The highlight is definitely the iconic number "Singin' in the Rain" because it actually rains on stage as Don dances around the lamp post. I was really impressed because this is a community theater that sometimes struggles with complicated technical effects. I also really liked "You Were Meant for Me" because it is incredibly romantic (I loved the stars) with tremendous chemistry between Erickson and Bruckman. The set is simple but effective with the logo for Monumental Pictures above a red velvet curtain and an Art Deco proscenium. This becomes a sound stage where the movies are filmed and a theater where they are screened with the addition of a few set pieces. Even though there were a few technical difficulties to begin with (which were handled in a highly amusing way), I loved seeing the movie footage projected on a large screen and I laughed and laughed when Lina struggles to use a microphone.  The 1920s costumes are a lot of fun and I especially liked all of the flapper dresses and headdresses. Erickson and Bruckman are wonderful singers and dancers and, as previously mentioned, have a lot of chemistry and Cahoon is a hoot but Nick Morris, as Don's sidekick Cosmo Brown, steals the show with his comedic timing and physicality. This is definitely among my favorites from the Terrace Plaza Playhouse and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here). It runs through July 22.

Note:  When my nephew found out what play I was trying to get home to see, he started singing "Good Morning."

High School Musical at Murray Park Amphitheater

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to attend outdoor performances and one of my favorite outdoor venues is the Murray Park Amphitheater.  Last night I went there to see a production of High School Musical and not only was the show a lot of fun but it was a perfect summer night (it was warm but not too hot and, when the sun went down, it got cool enough for a light jacket).  This musical follows the popular movie of the same name and most of the teens in the audience were singing along!  The status quo has been disrupted at East High School when Troy Bolton (covered by the understudy Chase Daynes), the captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella Montez (Brooklyn Tousley), the brainy new student, decide to try out for the winter musical after spending detention with the theater teacher Ms. Darbus (Amber Kacherian).  Troy's best friend Chad Danforth (Chris Bouck), a fellow teammate, and his Dad, Coach Bolton (Kevin Elzey), are worried that his focus won't be on the Championship game and Taylor McKessie (Caroline Drake) wants Gabrielle to participate in the Scholastic Decathlon instead.  Meanwhile, Sharpay Evans (Savana Lowe) and her brother Ryan (Zac Haney), who have starred in every theater production since kindergarten, do not want to be replaced as the leads.  They all conspire to keep Troy and Gabriella from call-backs but then all of the jocks, brainiacs, thespians, and skater dudes realize that they are all in this together!  The young and enthusiastic cast does a really great job and I especially enjoyed the performances in the big song and dance numbers "Get'cha Head in the Game" (the ball handling was great), "What I've Been Looking For" (I loved the jazz squares), "Stick to the Status Quo," "Counting on You," "Bop to the Top," and "We're All in This Together."  Daynes and Tousley have really nice voices and I loved their heartfelt renditions of "Start of Something New," "When There Was Me and You," and "Breaking Free." Kacherian is a hoot as Ms. Darbus and one of the funniest scenes in the show is when she has the students act like animals while in detention (the worm steals the show).  I was particularly impressed with the live band located on stage because they sounded fantastic.  The stage is configured to look like East High School with set pieces for classrooms, the cafeteria, the gym with bleachers, and hallways (Sharpay's locker is awesome) that are moved on and off stage underneath a large red and white "E" that is illuminated after the team wins the Championship game (spoiler alert!).  The red and white costumes, including East High cheerleader uniforms, basketball uniforms, and letterman jackets, are a lot of fun.  I thoroughly enjoyed this show but, unfortunately, last night was the final performance.  However, there are lots of fun shows on the schedule this summer, including Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella in July and Seussical the Musical in August as well as some great concerts (go here for tickets and information).

Note:  The Broadway touring production of High School Musical came to the Capitol Theatre many years ago and my friend with whom I had tickets did not want to see it so I got to take my niece Tashena.  She was about six years old and she was thrilled!

The Lion in Winter at CPT

One of the first shows I saw at the Utah Shakespeare Festival was The Lion in Winter and I loved it so much I learned everything I could about the historical figures depicted (Eleanor of Aquitaine is fascinating). I was, therefore, thrilled when I found out that it would be performed in the Leishman Performance Hall at CPT because not only do I love the play but I also love the intimate black box theatre. I saw it last night and it is a brilliant production!  It is Christmas Eve 1183 and King Henry II of England (Nathan Riddle) has summoned his family to spend the holiday together. This includes his sons Richard (Matthew Dickerson), Geoffrey (Mark Andrus), and John (Alex Beck) as well as his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine (Leslie Barrett), who has spent the past ten years as his prisoner for staging a rebellion against him. Since the newly crowned King Philip of France (Ryan Kinville) is pressuring him to honor his alliance by wedding his sister Alais (Isabella Giordano) to the heir to the throne, Henry uses this opportunity to decide the succession. He advocates for John simply because he knows that Eleanor wants her favorite son, Richard, to be the next king. This pits brother against brother as they scheme, manipulate, plot, and form and break alliances and it is so much fun to watch! However, the real fireworks come in the scenes between Henry and Eleanor as they spar with each other. Riddle and Barrett give amazing over the top performances because everything their characters say is a calculated performance for an audience of one! They have great chemistry together and I was riveted whenever they were on stage together! The princes are the ultimate pawns in their parents' battle and I love that the characters revert to their defined childhood roles within the family (Richard is held to a higher standard, Geoffrey is ignored, and John is babied) when they are home for Christmas, much like any other family. Even though they are almost caricatures, Dickerson, Andrus, and Beck imbue the princes with moments of vulnerability, especially in a scene when Henry discovers they have all betrayed him. The intimate black box theatre lends itself very well to this family drama and I really enjoyed sitting so close to the action because I could see every facial expression. The stage is configured as if for a Shakespeare play with an upper and lower level and minimal props. I especially liked the use of long fabric panels as tapestries for the characters to hide behind. The period costumes are absolutely gorgeous and I loved all of the embellished fabrics and textures (particularly the chain mail). Everything about this production is stellar and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) for a performance in the Leishman Performance Hall through July 8. It is better than an episode of Succession!

Note:  Don't forget about the delightful production of 42nd Street also playing at CPT on the Barlow Main Stage through July 11.  Go here for tickets.

42nd Street at CPT

Last night my sisters and I went to see a fun and energetic version of 42nd Street at Centerpoint Theatre. I saw the Broadway touring production several years ago and that was a showy song and dance extravaganza where every number was completely over the top with dazzling choreography and sparkly costumes. I didn't think that a community theatre production could compare to that spectacle but I was really impressed with what CPT did with it! A young dancer named Peggy Sawyer (Kaylee Wheeler) arrives in New York City straight from Allentown, Pennsylvania in order to make her Broadway dreams come true during the Great Depression. She joins the chorus line of a brand new musical produced by Maggie Jones (Amanda Rogers) and Bert Barry (Matt Ford) and directed by Julian Marsh (Brock Harris) called Pretty Lady but when Dorothy Brock (Cynthia Klumpp), the star of the show, has a mishap on stage, she gets the chance of a lifetime! This features lots of well-known Broadway standards, including "You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me," "I Only Have Eyes For You," "We're In the Money," "Sunny Side to Every Situation," "Lullaby of Broadway," "About a Quarter to Nine," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo," and "42nd Street." My sisters were really excited because, even though they weren't familiar with this show, they recognized all of the songs and I suspect fans of Broadway will enjoy hearing them, too! The choreography is a lot of fun and the insanely talented members of the ensemble execute it very well! It is so much fun to watch and I especially enjoyed it when the curtain slowly opened to reveal row upon row of tap-dancing feel at the beginning of the show! Wheeler is absolutely delightful as the ingenue Peggy Sawyer because she has a wide-eyed enthusiasm that really works for the character. She is a great dancer and has a beautiful voice (my sister wished that she had been featured more). Harris is bombastic as the impresario Julian Marsh but he has a few really tender moments with Wheeler and I loved his rendition of "Lullaby of Broadway." Klumpp commands the stage as the quintessential Broadway diva Dorothy Brock but she also shows a lot of vulnerability when a younger and more talented dancer threatens to take her place. The set, featuring the stage, back stage area, and dressing room of an Art Deco theatre, is very impressive and I especially liked the various backdrops for the big production numbers in Pretty Lady.  Finally, costume designer Brianna Taylor is to be commended for the sheer number of elaborate period costumes built for this show (and the cast is to be commended for all of the incredibly quick costume changes, too!). This is a toe-tapping old school musical that will definitely put a smile on your face. It runs on the Barlow Main Stage through July 11 (go here for tickets).

Puffs at West Valley Arts

I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter franchise (I have read all of the books and seen all of the movies countless times and I even flew to San Francisco just to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) so I was absolutely thrilled to be able to see Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic at West Valley Arts last night! It is a really fun and clever parody of the popular series and I loved it! A Narrator (Brandwynn Michelle) introduces the audience to a brave orphan wizard with a lightning bolt scar named Harry Potter (Sofia Parades-Kenrick) but then tells us that this story is about another orphan named Wayne Hopkins (Grayson Kamel) who is also sent to the school of female magic and male magic after learning that he is a wizard. The story begins with a ceremony that sorts everyone into one of the four houses: Braves, Smarts, Snakes, and Puffs. The sorting hat places Wayne in Puffs and he is soon introduced to the prefect, Cedric Diggory (Adam Packard), and the other outcasts and misfits in this house, including Oliver Rivers (Tanner Larson), Megan Jones (Bryn Campbell), Susie Bones (Natalie Ruthven), J. Finch Fletchley (Oran Marc Di Baritault), Sally Perks (Ally Choe), Ernie Mac (Lucas Stewart), and others. Over the next seven years, Wayne struggles to learn magic and tries to protect everyone from the Dark Lord, Mr. Voldy (Adam Packard). However, 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. Eventually he starts to feel useless but the Headmaster tells him that everyone is a hero to someone and that friendship is the most important magic! What makes this show so much fun (and so clever) is that all of the well-known characters from the books are alluded to with enough recognizable traits to know exactly who they are without naming them (my favorite is a certain potions teacher) 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. Fans will have a blast spotting all of the references! The action is non-stop (it is almost frenetic), with most of the actors playing multiple roles (I laughed out loud when a different actor played the Headmaster in the second act), and the "magic" happens using ingenious costumes, props, and choreography rather than special effects. The ensemble cast does a great job executing all of the physical comedy with Packard as the standout for me, especially as the bumbling Mr. Voldy. The set, which consists of the great hall and the Puffs' common room on the main stage and a variety of classrooms and corridors in the castle located in areas above the wings, is incredibly simple but effective and I especially loved all of the candles floating in the rafters. I enjoyed this so much and I highly recommend it (go here for tickets), especially for fans of the series!

Freaky Friday at the Empress

There are exceptions but I am not a big fan of turning popular movies into stage musicals because, in my opinion, they are incredibly contrived and this is especially true of Freaky Friday.  However, I saw a production of this show last night at the Empress Theatre and, while I didn't especially like the material, I enjoyed the performances.  Katherine Blake (Jen Kroff) is a single mother who owns her own catering business.  She is stressed out because she is catering her own wedding to Mike (Jeremy Jonsson) with the hope that it will be featured in a popular bridal magazine so she wants everything to be perfect.  Her moody and argumentative teenage daughter Ellie (Beck Skeen) doesn't want her to marry Mike and definitely doesn't want to attend the rehearsal dinner because she would rather participate in the school scavenger hunt organized by her crush Adam (Eli Carillo).  Both Katherine and Ellie each wish that the other could see the situation from her perspective and this wish (and a magic hourglass) causes them to switch bodies.  Chaos ensues as Katherine tries to navigate high school while Ellie deals with wedding preparations and a photo shoot.  They think that finding another hourglass will switch them back but Katherine and Ellie must ultimately learn to appreciate each other for who they are before things can return to normal.  Most of the songs are largely forgettable (although I do like "I'm Not Myself Today" because it is an emotional turning point) but the show is elevated by the performances of Kroff and Skeen.  They both have wonderful voices and great comedic timing, especially when they imitate each other (I loved Kroff's wobble while walking in high heels and Skeen's facial expressions when reacting to the goings on at school).  I also really enjoyed the ensemble because they are enthusiastic and give it their all in executing the fun choreography.  When I saw a production of this show at HCT I was really impressed with their elaborate set but I think I actually prefer the minimal set in this production because it put all of the emphasis on the choreography.  This show will never be a favorite but I had a lot of fun watching this heartfelt production and recommend getting a ticket to one of the three remaining performances (go here).

Timpanogos Community Theater's The Sound of Music

Today is the first anniversary of my Mom's passing so my sisters and I decided to see a production of The Sound of Music with Timpanogos Community Theater last night. She suffered from dementia and during the last year of her life she loved the movie (she watched it every day and sometimes even watched it twice) so we thought it would be a great way to remember her. It was a bit emotional for me (I cried a few times just like I did when Marilyn and I saw a production at the Utah Shakespeare Festival last summer) but it was also so much fun to see it with both of my sisters because we would exchange knowing glances during particular scenes that my Mom loved. The production is delightful and we were really impressed with it! When a prospective nun named Maria (Maren Miller) is sent to be the governess to the seven children of Captain von Trapp (Nathaniel Brown), she brings music back to their household. Miller has a really beautiful voice and her version of "The Sound of Music" is incredibly stirring. I also really enjoyed her interactions with the von Trapp children, Liesl (Amalie Strongin), Friedrich (Benjamin Kland), Louisa (Summer Mitchell), Kurt (Lincoln Harper), Brigitta (Madison Hirschi), Marta (Chloe Hirschi), and Gretl (Story Harper), in "Do-Re-Mi" and "The Lonely Goatherd." I usually enjoy watching the young actress playing Gretl but in this production Lincoln Harper steals the show as Kurt! His facial expressions are hilarious! Strongin not only has a beautiful voice but she is also a great dancer and "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" with Trystyn Roberts as Rolf is a lot of fun. I especially liked the choreography in this number because Rolf tries to teach Liesl how to dance but she ends up doing her own steps. Other standouts in the cast are Charity Johansen as the Mother Abbess, because her rendition of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" just about blows the roof off of the theater, and Trevor Williams as Max Dettweiler, because his delivery is very flamboyant. There are some interesting variations in the staging of several numbers, including portraying the funeral of Captain von Trapp's first wife during "Preludium," having the Captain and the children upstage during "Maria" and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" in order to foreshadow Maria's future, and having soldiers wearing Nazi armbands walking through the audience during "Edelweiss," but they are incredibly powerful. The sets are very elaborate for a community theatre production and I especially liked the arches in the Nonnberg Abbey set and the large staircase in the von Trapp Villa set. The costumes are what you would expect from this show but I did like the play clothes made out of Maria's drapes and I loved her wedding dress. My Mom would have loved this show! Tonight is the final performance but it is well worth seeking out (go here).

Note:  It is always disconcerting for me to see the stage version because it differs significantly from the movie (which I am very familiar with).

The Pirates of Penzance at Parker Theatre

I am a big fan of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operetta The Pirates of Penzance so I was really excited to see a production at the Parker Theatre (one of my new favorites) last night. It was so much fun! Frederic (Alan Smith) has reached his 21st birthday and decides to leave the band of pirates to whom he has been mistakenly apprenticed. Soon after, he meets Major-General Stanley (Owen Richardson, Jr.) and his daughters, falls in love with the youngest daughter Mabel (Karllen Johnson), and enlists the Sergeant of Police (Connor Evans) and his constables to arrest the pirates. Chaos ensues when the Pirate King (Tyler Oliphant) and Ruth (Natalie Killpack-Daniel), Frederic's former nursemaid, tell him that he was born during a leap year and, since he has only had five birthdays, he must continue to serve his apprenticeship. I was really impressed with the main cast because they all have beautiful voices! Smith is incredibly engaging with brilliant comedic timing, especially in his interactions with Ruth in "Oh! false one, you have deceiv'd me" when he learns that she is not as beautiful as she has claimed to be and with the Pirate King in "When you had left the pirate fold" when he learns that he must join the pirates once again. Oliphant also has great comedic timing and I loved his melodramatic version of "Oh, better far to live and die." Johnson gives one of the best performances of "Poor wand'ring one" that I've seen and she has tremendous chemistry with Smith in "Stay, Fred'ric, stay," "Ah, leave me not to pine," and "Oh, here is love, and here is truth." Richardson is absolutely hilarious in "I am the very model of a modern Major-General," especially when he marches and clicks his heals together, and I laughed out loud during "I'm telling a terrible story" when he admits that he is not really an orphan. However, Evans steals the show with his exaggerated movements and facial expressions (watch his eyes) during "When a felon's not engaged in his employment." The ensemble, including pirates (Danny Eggers, James Carter, Daniel Pittam, and Matty Boyd), daughters (Alicia Fairbanks, Alice Maphey, Elizabeth Myers, Natalie Sandberg, and Katherine Tietjen), and constables (Doug Hendriksen, Arza Joseph Marsh, Ryan Withers, and Logan B. Stacey), are also outstanding because each of them have distinct personalities which make them fun to watch (especially the daughters when they rebuff the advances of the pirates and the costables when they try to hide in the graveyard).  The costumes are great, particularly the colorful dresses worn by the daughters, the epaulets and medals worn by the Major-General, and the spats worn by the constables. The set is quite simple but effective and consists of a ship, the seaside, and a graveyard, and I loved the use of the Union Jack on the proscenium arch.  Hurrah for this delightful production because I enjoyed everything about it!  It runs through May 13 and tickets may be purchased here.

Bye Bye Birdie at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I have very fond memories of watching a VHS copy of the musical Bye Bye Birdie at my Grandma Anderson's house when I was young but I had never seen the stage version before. I had the opportunity at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse last night and it is definitely one of the best productions I have seen there!  Songwriter Albert Peterson (Tyler O'Bagy) is upset when his biggest client, Conrad Birdie (Boyad Hollingshead), is drafted into the Army because he is heavily in debt. His secretary and on-again off-again love interest, Rosie Alvarez (Natalie Peterson), comes up with a publicity stunt to have Birdie record a song called "One Last Kiss" and sing it to a fan on The Ed Sullivan Show before he leaves for the Army. Rosie hopes that this plan will allow Albert to make enough money to quit show business, become an English teacher, defy his disapproving mother Mae (Meredith Carlson), and finally marry her. Kim MacAfee (Aurora Nelson), the President of the Conrad Birdie Fan Club in Sweet Apple, Ohio, is selected and chaos ensues when Birdie disrupts life in Sweet Apple by driving the teen girls crazy, irritating Kim's father Harry (Steve Peterson), and coming between Kim and her steady boyfriend, Hugo Peabody (JC Wansgard), and when Mae comes to Sweet Apple to separate Albert from Rosie! I loved the young enthusiastic ensemble cast, one of the strongest I've seen at this theatre, because they perform the choreography really well, especially in the big numbers "Telephone Hour," "A Healthy, Normal, American Boy," "Honestly Sincere," and "A Lot of Livin' To Do." O'Bagy is adorably dorky and his version of "Put On a Happy Face" is really fun because it is so awkward, Hollingshead is channeling Elvis Presley with all of his moves (and his slicked back pompadour) in "Honestly Sincere" and "One Last Kiss," Nelson has a beautiful voice and she is sweet and earnest with her renditions of "How Lovely to Be a Woman" and "One Boy" and a bit rebellious in "What Did I Ever See In Him" and "A Lot of Livin' To Do," Steve Peterson is hilariously overwrought in "Kids," and Natalie Peterson absolutely shines in a dynamic performance of "Spanish Rose."  However, Carlson steals the show in a completely over the top performance and I laughed out loud when she flirts with Conrad and when she rolls around on the ground (in her fur coat!) to stop Albert from marrying Rosie! This show is set in the 50s so the costumes, with all of the pedal pushers, skirts, cardigan sweaters, scarfs, jeans, leather jackets, and letterman jackets, are so much fun and I loved the over-sized "I Heart Conrad Birdie" badges. The small space is used very effectively with Kim's bedroom and the Ice House located on platforms on either side of the stage and a train station (with actual train tracks!) located up stage with set pieces brought on for the MacAfee house and Maude's Roadside Retreat. My favorite set piece was a series of boxes lit with colored lights used in "Telephone Hour" because it reminded me of this same scene in the movie.  I had so much fun watching this show because there were so many young people in the audience, presumably to see their friends in the cast, and the energy was electric! This, along with The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Addams Family, is one of my favorites at this theatre and I highly recommend it (go here for tickets).

Company at the Empress

While I am very familiar with the music (the songs "Being Alive" and "The Ladies Who Lunch" are staples for vocalists who perform with the Utah Symphony), I have never actually seen a production of Company before!  I was so happy to finally be able to do so last night at the Empress Theater (it has been on my list for so long).  Robert (David Nichols) is facing his 35th birthday and the prospect of living the rest of his life alone when he reflects on the relationships of his friends, including Susan (Sara Murphy) and Peter (Nate Kemp), Sarah (Merilee Adams) and Harry (Michael Ricks), Jenny (Jessica Benson) and David (Matthew Davids), Amy (Alyssa Powers) and Paige (Jenn George), and Joanne (Fawna Jones) and Larry (Jim Dale), and the relationships he has with three of his girlfriends, April (Cassie Hurt-McLarty), Kathy (Emily Jameson), and Marta (Brandwynn Michelle).  Every relationship has problems but he ultimately realizes that life is better lived with someone else rather than alone.  I really appreciated being able to hear all of the brilliant songs that I've loved for so long in the context of the story and I found them to be even more meaningful.  I particularly enjoyed Powers' rendition of "Getting Married Today" because the panic she feels at the thought of having to commit to someone else is palpable, Jones' version of "The Ladies Who Lunch" because her delivery is intense without being overpowering, and Nichols' interpretation of "Being Alive" because the turning point when his arguments against a relationship suddenly become the desire for one is so powerful.  I also liked the staging of "The Little Things You Do Together," "You Could Drive a Person Crazy," "Side By Side By Side," and "What Would We Do Without You?" because the choreography is really dynamic and fun.  The set is very simple but effective with modern furniture that is moved and reconfigured into the various apartments of the characters and the use of large screens with images of New York City do much to add context (smaller screens that show text messages between characters are highly amusing).  I sometimes found the pacing to be a little slow but I'm sure this was a deliberate decision to create a more reflective mood and it didn't detract from my enjoyment.  I loved this production and I am so happy that I finally had the opportunity to cross this show off my list!  Unfortunately the run ended last night but the rest of the season looks really good (go here for tickets and information).

The Play That Goes Wrong at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts

I have seen several different productions of The Play That Goes Wrong (PTC, HCT, and CPT) and it has become one of my favorite shows because it is absolutely hilarious! I had the chance to see SCERA's version last night and I don't think I stopped laughing from the first missed cue to the crash of the chandelier at the end! The play-within-a-play is the Cornley University Drama Society's production of The Murder at Haversham Manor by Susie H. K. Bridewell. The cast includes Max (Scott Hendrickson) as Cecil Haversham/ Arthur the Gardener, Chris (Dylan Burningham) as Inspector Carter, Jonathan (David Peterson) as Charles Haversham, Robert (Bryson Smellie) as Thomas Colleymore, Dennis (Samuel Wright) as Perkins the Butler, and Sandra (Eden Bostrom) as Florence Colleymore. The show is directed by Chris with Annie (Shannon Follette) as the Stage Manager and Trevor (Ethan Devey) as the Sound and Lighting Director. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong with this show, including a set that is slowly falling apart, props that either malfunction or go missing, a sound designer who accidentally plays Harry Styles instead of the sound cues, an actor who cannot stay still while playing the murder victim, an actor who cannot remember his lines, an actor who uses flamboyant gestures and then breaks the fourth wall to milk the audience for applause every time he does it, and a leading lady who is injured halfway through the show and must be replaced with two different understudies (with scripts in hand), but the show must go on with hysterical results. The physical comedy in this show is brilliant and my favorite moments were when Thomas must repeatedly drink paint thinner when whiskey cannot be found, when Cecil and Florence have an incredibly awkward kiss, when Cecil and Thomas have to answer the phone while holding the set together, when Cecil and Thomas break the swords they are using during a duel and then pretend to use light sabers (complete with sound effects), when Perkins must finish the show handcuffed to the chaise longue because the prop keys are misplaced, and when Sandra and Annie have a long and drawn out fight over who gets to play Florence. The entire cast is fantastic but the standouts for me are Smellie because he is so completely overwrought and Hendrickson because everything he does made me laugh (particularly whenever he would flash his megawatt smile at the audience). The set is simply amazing because not only does it fall apart spectacularly but it does so on cue (the technical aspects of this show are also quite impressive). The collapse of the second floor study is ingenious! I cannot recommend this show enough because it is so much fun (I was definitely not the only one laughing out loud). It runs through May 6 and tickets may be purchased here.

Into the Woods at West Valley Arts

I really love the musical Into the Woods and the production I saw last night at West Valley Arts is the best one I've seen there!  A Baker (Jared Lesa) and his Wife (Annie Ferrin), a Witch (Dianna Graham), Cinderella (Chloe Victoria), Jack and the Beanstock (Ren Cottam), and Little Red Riding Hood (Sibley Snowden) must go into the woods in order to make all of their wishes come true but they eventually learn that actions sometimes have unintended consequences and that wishes do not always turn out happily ever after. The entire cast is absolutely stellar and it is hard for me to single out just a few performances because every actor is so well-suited to his or her role and every musical number gave me goosebumps. However, the highlights for me were "Agony" because Chase Peterson as Cinderella's Prince and Woody Brook as Rapunzel's Prince are so hilariously overwrought with over the top facial expressions and gestures, "It Takes Two" because it is such a turning point and both Lesa and Ferrin give spirited performances, "Last Midnight" because Graham's rendition is incredibly powerful, and "No One Is Alone" because it is such a poignant moment between the Baker, Jack, Cinderella, and Red and Lesa, Cottam, Victoria, and Snowden sing it beautifully (I may or may not have had a tear in my eye). Another performance that I really enjoyed was Dan Radford's as the puppeteer for Milky White because he is very humorous during his interactions with Cottam (and the design for Milky White is fantastic). The choreography is innovative and perfectly suited to the small and intimate space. I was particularly impressed with "Into the Woods," "So Happy," "Ever After," and "Children Will Listen" because of the sheer number of people on the stage and the intricate patterns they are able to create. I also loved the staging of "First Midnight" and "Second Midnight" because all of the actors enter the stage carrying illuminated lanterns and it is quite dramatic. There are a lot of really fun special effects and I especially liked when the Baker saves Red and her Grandmother (Natalie Peterson) from the Wolf (Chase Peterson) and when the Stepmother (Kerilyn Johnson) mutilates the Stepsisters' (Sydney Claire and Jaymie Lambson) feet to fit into the gold slipper. The set is absolutely magical with giant moss-covered tree stumps on the main stage, groups of trees located in the areas above the wings, and trees that come down from the rafters. The costumes are some of the best I've seen at WVCArts and I was really impressed with the attention to detail. My favorites were the Witch's gown after her transformation and Cinderella's ball gown. I truly loved everything about this production and it is definitely one that you don't want to miss (go here for tickets).