Hi everyone! Since I started reviewing theatre back in 2021 I have given my own ‘awards’ twice a year- in June and December- and it is time to do so again for 2023. As with every year, I have to add the disclaimer that while I have seen 45 shows I have not seen every show nor have I seen every cast of the shows I’ve seen so this is in no way comprehensive of all of Utah Theatre- just my experience and favorites.

Bright Star Rules

First, let’s pile all the praise on both productions of Bright Star I saw at Hopebox and Lehi Arts Council. They were outstanding (saw both casts at Hopebox.) However, I have given Bright Star best musical every year, so I think my bias is starting to show but they both did phenomenal jobs and should be very proud of their efforts. A side of me wishes these were like Broadway shows and I could just keep going to them for weeks and weeks. So good!

Best Musical- Fiddler on the Roof (Regalo Theatre Vompany, lehi)

I have seen so many wonderful musicals in 2023 including Jekyll and Hyde at Draper Historic, In the Heights at The Grand, Fun Home at Wasatch Theatre, Godspell at BYU and Cabaret at UofU but my favorite has to go to Fiddler on the Roof at the Regalo Theatre in Lehi. It was absolutely outstanding, and I had very few flaws with it in my write-up for UTBA (read here.) It really seems hard to believe we can get this quality of production at a high school stage in Lehi. The costumes and production design paid great attention to detail, the singing and choreography were first rate and I loved how they used lighting for sequences like the “Chavalah ballet.” If you haven’t heard of Regalo definitely put them on your radar.

Best play- Pride & Prejudice (Hale Center Theatre Orem, Orem)

It is possible I am biased because over the years I’ve become friends with playwright Melissa Leilani Larson who adapted this version of Pride & Prejudice and have interviewed her twice but I’m also a big P&P nut so if it was bad I wouldn’t praise it unnecessarily. I do have to say that Emma at Parker Theatre was also excellent but this adaptation of P&P is perfection. Larson finds just the right touches to make the story her own while still remaining true to the text. I saw both casts and they were all tremendous. It just goes to show sometimes all you need are a classic story well told and that’s what I got in this production.

Best Performance in a Musical- Tanner Tate (Jekyll & Hyde, Draper Historic Theatre, Draper)

I went into seeing DHT’s production of Jekyll & Hyde with hesitancy. I knew the theatre mostly for doing parody plays which aren’t really my thing and so I’d heard mixed things about this adaptation. Fortunately I was very surprised by the entire production but especially the performance of Jekyll/Hyde by Tanner Tate (I didn’t get to see the other casting unfortunately.) Not only is his voice very strong but his acting was stellar especially in the second act when he transforms repeatedly into Hyde. The mania and desperation was top-level and I wish I could have seen it again. Well done

Best performance in a play- Matthew DelaFuente (Over the River and Through the Woods- Covey Center- Provo)

My favorite performance in a play came from Matthew DelaFuente as Nick in the family comedy Over the River and Through the Woods at the Covey Center in Provo. He brought depth to what otherwise might have been a cliched role and I felt like he really was the only grandson of the older members of the cast. In his performance he paid attention to the small details like when he is moving at the end he cries convincingly and wipes his tears away with his tie- which since it is business that is taking him away it was a moving choice for his character. I’d see anything DelaFuente is in going forward because I was so impressed with him in this play.

Best Ensemble- Entire cast (Company- Empress Theatre, Magna)

My last award goes to the best overall ensemble and while I saw many great productions nothing impressed me more than Company at the Empress Theatre in Magna. This is not an easy show for local companies to put on because it has so many demanding roles but Empress was up for the challenge. I loved David Nichols as the lead Robert. He had just enough sarcasm with a genuine warmth that it felt like he was legitimately friends with all these people. All the couples were excellent especially Sara Murphy as Joanne (her “Ladies who Lunch” nailed it) and Katelyn Johnson as Amy (her rendition of “Getting Married Today” has stayed with me.) Honestly this production of Company is the best you can ask for in regional theatre and if you aren’t going to the Empress you are missing out! I promise it’s worth the drive to Magna.

Outstanding Achievement- Into the Woods (Kensington Theatre, South Jordan)

I have to give one last shout-out to the extremely impressive production of Into the Woods I saw at Kensington Theatre. Into the Woods is not a show I love (unpopular opinion) but I can’t deny how well done this version was done. Not only did they have a full orchestra pit but the sets, lighting and effects were all top notch. The performances were outstanding especially given the fact this was their ABC team (Adult Boot Camp) with a special group of adult who help mentor teens in their educational programs. Kensington is a hidden gem and I will be first in line to see more from them especially the ABC shows.

So there you have it. What have you seen in 2023 that you’ve loved? I’d love to hear as there are constantly new venues and shows I’m introduced to.