Daddy Long Legs at CPT

I fell in love with the musical Daddy Long Legs when I saw a production at HCT several years ago so I was thrilled to see that it was part of the 2025 season at CPT on the second stage. I tried to convince my sisters to get tickets with me to no avail (although they did get tickets to Pride and Prejudice on the second stage later this year) so I went on my own last night. CPT's production is absolutely enchanting and I loved it! At the turn of the century, Jervis Pendleton (Jacob Coates) is a young and wealthy trustee of the John Grier Home. An essay written by Jerusha Abbott (Mackenzie Turner), the oldest orphan at the home, impresses him and he decides to send her to college so she can achieve her dream of becoming a writer. He will pay her tuition and all of her living expenses on the condition that he remain anonymous and that she writes him a letter once a month informing him of her progress. Since she doesn't know his name, she refers to him as Daddy Long Legs because of the tall shadow she saw when he left the orphanage and he finds her letters to be charming. Against his better judgement he meets her without revealing that he is her benefactor and then falls in love with her. Jerusha also falls in love with him but, when she pours her heart out about her feelings for Jervis Pendleton in her letters to Daddy Long Legs, it creates confusion as he struggles to decide whether to reveal himself to her. I really love Jerusha as a character because she has such a thirst for knowledge and for new experiences so I definitely relate to her. I also love her growth and development as a character because, by the end of the show, she proves herself to be her benefactor's equal and he ultimately feels like she has given him far more than he gave her. Both Turner and and Coates, who have beautiful voices, give incredibly dynamic performances because they, quite literally, carry the show by themselves. Turner is so much fun to watch because of her wide-eyed wonder and her palpable yearning for more, especially in the songs "Like Other Girls" (my favorite in the show) and "Things I Didn't Know." Coates is also fun to watch because of his facial expressions, particularly his smitten awkwardness when Jervis and Jerusha first meet, his exasperation when he attempts to write to Jerusha only to throw the letters in the trash, and his jealousy every time Jerusha mentions her roommate's brother. The set features a large curving bookcase and window seat upstage and this creates an elaborate study for Jervis on one side as well as a location for the live band (Jason Anderson on guitar, Risa Bean on cello, and Jackie Ward on piano) on the other side. There are a series of platforms downstage with trunks and suitcases that are configured and reconfigured to become multiple locations for Jerusha. I think this is very clever because it shows Jerusha's transformation throughout the show. Jerusha's costumes and hairstyles are also very effective at showing her growth because they become more and more embellished and elaborate as the show progresses (I loved the attention to detail because her first costume at the orphanage has frayed hems and is too big for her). I had a smile on my face the whole time while watching this delightful show and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here). It runs on the second stage through September 2.

Gentri Sings Broadway at HCT

Bradley Quinn Lever, Brad Robbins, and Casey Elliott met each other in 2014 when they were cast as Enjolras, Marius, and Jean Valjean, respectively, in a production of Les Miserables at HCT (I don't remember if I saw them then but I definitely remember seeing them reprise their roles in HCT's 2021 production). The three of them have beautiful tenor voices and, when they realized how well they harmonized together, they formed The Gentlemen's Trio (or Gentri as they now refer to themselves). I love them (especially when they sing Christmas music) so, when I heard that they were performing a series of concerts at HCT in honor of their 10 year anniversary as a group, I immediately got a ticket! I had just enough time to get cleaned up from my camping trip for the concert last night and I enjoyed every minute, especially since the program featured all of the songs from their latest album, Broadway. They began with their original song "Dare" and then continued with "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha. Their Music Director, Stephen Nelson, writes beautiful arrangements for them and I especially loved their version of "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music because the harmonies gave me goosebumps! They dedicated their song "Lullaby" to all of their children and then performed an incredible cover of "Let It Be" by The Beatles (sigh). They performed an emotional rendition of "Home" and then the crowd went crazy when they sang "A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman. One of my favorite moments came next when they sang a medley from The Phantom of the Opera including "Think of Me," "The Music of the Night," and "The Phantom of the Opera" and then they blew the roof off the theater with a powerful version of "Defying Gravity" from Wicked to close out their first set. After the intermission, they performed stirring renditions of their original songs "Soldier" and "On the Outside" and then they let the audience vote on the next song ("Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts won but I really wanted to hear "Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan).  Next came "Out There" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame and a moving version of "Somewhere" from West Side Story. To finish the set, Lever sang "Do You Hear the People Sing?" as Enjolras, Robbins sang "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" as Marius (this brought a tear to my eye), and Elliott sang "Bring Him Home" as Valjean. I absolutely loved hearing these songs from Les Miserables and this was definitely the highlight of the show for me (and the rest of the audience judging from the reaction). For the encore, they sang "Make You Feel My Love" and I think it is because I screamed so loud for it when the audience was voting for the next song! They were so charming and had some hilarious interactions with the audience. The Jewel Box Stage is very intimate (I was sitting on the front row) and Lever, my favorite, actually did look at me several times and smile (sigh) but during "Think of Me" he gave a rose to the woman sitting two seats down from me (so close!). They all spoke about the power of theatre to connect people and I loved seeing photos of them from various shows they have been in (even from high school). I really had to rush to get to the show on time (I even left all of my camping gear in my car) but it was worth the effort because it was an amazing concert! They will be in residence on the Jewel Box Stage until August 23 and, if you want to see them, you need to act quickly because most shows are sold out (go here). I also highly recommend getting a ticket for one of their Christmas shows at the Eccles Theater on November 28 & 29 (go here).

A Week of Solo Camping

I spent the last five days solo camping at my very favorite campsite and it was so much fun!  Kristine and Trent bought a new springbar tent and they let me field test it before they use it this weekend.  I was really impressed with it because it has a lot of room inside (I am very tall and I could stand upright in it) and it is very sturdy.

The temperature was very pleasant during the day but it cooled down at night so I built a fire every evening and every morning to keep myself warm.  I really love sitting by a campfire because it is so mesmerizing!

I spent some time exploring the area.  The North fork of the Duschesne River runs in between the Aspen campground (where I was staying) and the Iron Mine campground and there are some beautiful views.  I also had to take yet another picture of "Old Stoneface" because I think it is so cool.  The campground was so quiet at night and I could hear the river as I went to sleep which was very relaxing (I slept really well because I went to bed when it got dark and woke up naturally when it got light).

I took a day trip to Moon Lake (it is a beautiful drive) and I had the beach all to myself for several hours!

It was so wonderful to have nothing to do and nowhere to be (with limited wi-fi).  I loved making and eating every meal outside because I think everything tastes so much better outside and I also loved reading (I finished two books) in my camp chair under a large pine tree while chipmunks and hummingbirds entertained me (I didn't see any deer which I sometimes do at this campground).  This was an incredible experience in so many ways and I am kind of proud of myself (Trent called me a bad ass and I like the sound of that).  I have camped this long by myself before but it was always in the trailer and now I know that I can rough it!

Macbeth at Parker Theatre

When Parker Theatre announced their 2025 season, Macbeth was the show that I was most excited to see and I had the opportunity last night. The production I recently saw at the Utah Shakespeare Festival was absolutely amazing but this was so different that I was able to enjoy it on its own merits and I loved it! When Macbeth (Lucas Charon), the Thane of Glamis, is victorious in battle, he is met by Three Witches (Kathryn Atwood, Madeline Thatcher, and Isabelle Purdie) who prophesy that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and then the King of Scotland. When King Duncan (Stuart Mitchell) bestows the title of Cawdor on him, he starts to believe the prophecy will eventually come true. However, the ambitious Lady Macbeth (McKenna Walwyn) is not content to wait and spurs him on to take matters into his own hands. After the brutal murder of Duncan, his sons Malcolm (Spencer Hohl) and Donalbain (David Oliphant) flee and Macbeth takes the throne but he is forced to kill again and again to keep it. Both he and Lady Macbeth come undone because of their guilt and paranoia over their bloody deeds until another prophecy comes true and Macbeth is defeated by Macduff (Anthony Lovato). What I particularly loved about this production is its emphasis on the time and place, medieval Scotland, with the set and costumes. The stage features imposing stone pillars with wooden tables and benches, a stone fireplace, and arched windows moved on and off stage by the ensemble. A cyclorama upstage is used for atmospheric projections of the rugged Scottish landscape and the castle of Dunsinane shrouded in mist. Most characters wear simple wool tunics draped in tartan (which is very accurate for the period) and the witches are portrayed as old crones rather than supernatural beings. The sound design is incredibly menacing (although I loved the use of bagpipes) and the fight choreography incorporates medieval warfare (an early scene involves a command from the king for Macbeth and his feudal lords to fight for him). This attention to detail really sets the mood for the unnatural deeds that follow and I loved it! I also really loved the choices that Charon and Walwyn make with their performances. Macbeth is extremely tentative and Lady Macbeth is the aggressor (she even slaps him) in their decision to murder the king but then their roles reverse once they begin to regret their actions.  The scene when Macbeth is tormented by the ghost of Banquo (David Hanson) is unbelievably powerful because he dominates her (at one point I gasped out loud).  After her death, he becomes gentle with her again and almost whispers his lines as he cradles her body. He then seems resigned to his fate and meets the invaders while sitting on his throne. I had chills in many of these scenes. I was also struck by the use of the witches because they are a dominant presence (I really liked seeing their shadows), especially in Lady Macbeth's "sleepwalking" scene because they appear to her with the ghost of her child and in the final battle because they appear to Macbeth as if to confirm their final prophecy.  The way that Macbeth is crowned is also staged in a very powerful way. I am thrilled that I have been able to see two brilliant productions of one of my favorite Shakespeare plays this summer and I highly recommend getting a ticket to this one at the Parker (go here). It runs on Fridays and Saturdays (including a Saturday matinee) through August 30.

Hairspray at Murray Park Amphitheater

Last night I saw the musical Hairspray under the stars at the Murray Park Amphitheater (one of my favorite summer activities).  I love this show for its positive message about loving who you are, following your dreams, and standing up for what you believe is right and this production is so much fun!  Plus-sized Tracy Turnblad (Hannah Fellows) dreams of being one of the dancers on the Corny Collins (John "Bobby Jay" Haraden) Show, of having teen heartthrob Link Larkin (Porter Beesley) notice her, of integrating the show so Seaweed (Colton Kraus) and all of her Back friends from detention can dance with her, and winning the Miss Teenage Hairspray crown.  Velma Von Tussle (Julie Blatter), the former Miss Baltimore Crabs who now produces the show, and her daughter Amber (Makayla Conner Marriott) do everything they can to stop her from making her dreams come true but you can't stop the beat!  The cast is really exuberant and their excitement at being a part of this show is palpable and infectious!  Hannah Fellows is an incredibly charismatic Tracy and I particularly loved her hilarious rendition of "I Can Hear the Bells." I also laughed out loud at the antics of Jerrod Dew and Mark Fellows as Tracy's parents Edna and Wilbur Turnblad, respectively, especially when Edna dips Wilbur in "Timeless to Me."  Kraus is a fabulous dancer and I really enjoyed his dynamic version of "Run and Tell That" and Blatter performs "(The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs" with a glint in her eye but, in my opinion, the highlight of the show comes from Fantasia Burgess as Motormouth Maybelle because she brings the house down with "I Know Where I've Been."  The 1960s inspired choreography in "The Nicest Kids in Town," "The Madison," "Welcome to the '60s," "The Big Dollhouse," "Hairspray," and "You Can't Stop the Beat" is an absolute blast to watch and the ensemble does a great job with it (I was especially impressed with Jezuz Gomez-Villalobos, Jessica Pierce, and Anna Kaitlyn Burningham as the Dynamites).  The staging is quite minimal but I really liked the backdrops, which feature bold colors and geometric patterns, and the period costumes.  There are five more opportunities to see this cute show (go here for tickets) and I highly recommend it because I loved it!

Note:  I love that there is always a live orchestra for every production at Murray Amphitheater and the one for this show, under the baton of Robert Bedont, is fantastic!  Their performance was another highlight for me!