Hey everyone! I am back to give you an update on everything I’ve been watching at the theatre over the last couple of weeks. It’s been a fun and eclectic time and I’m excited to tell you about them.

My latest Theatre Tuesdays is up with a fun exercise. Tanner Tate and myself figure out what alternatives could be chosen by theatre companies over the most popular shows we’ve all seen a million times. Check it out

SISTER ACT- DRAPER HISTORIC THEATRE- DRAPER

I’ve said it many times before but sometimes I think I prefer a scrappy flawed community theatre production over the glossy equity level professional shows. Both have their place but there’s something wholesome and satisfying about seeing untrained performers come together and put together the best show they can. Such is the case with Sister Act at Draper Historic Theatre. It was not on the same level as their recent Jekyll and Hyde which blew me away but it still has much to offer.

Some might not know this Sister Act musical is adapted from the movie by Alan Menken with lyrics by Glenn Slater (the team behind Tangled.) Based on the 1992 film with the same name the musical is actually surprisingly full of mature moments. For example, in one scene our bad guy shoots a man point blank with no remorse. This is an important scene because you need compelling motivation for Deloris to go into hiding but I still always find it surprising.

At Draper Historic director Beth Bruner uses the small stage to its maximum capacity bringing in projections and using the aisle to expand the stage. Sophie Manzanares is the vocal standout in the production as the shy diminutive Mary Roberts with Nicole Scoubes also shining as Mother Superior.

Some of the other singing was weak (particularly with the men) but it was all done with such cheerfulness I couldn’t help but leave with a smile. Sister Act is playing through 9/25 and you can purchase tickets here.

BRIGHT STAR- THE EMPRESS- MAGNA, UT

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love Bright Star. I love the story, songs, score, and everything else. Still, I was unsure whether I wanted to support this production at The Empress because of a recent scandal. You can read more about that here.

Believe it or not I think this might be my 10th time seeing Bright Star. I love everything about this musical written and created by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. This version at The Empress had a lot going for it. In particular the large 11 member live band (band conductor Marie Buhler) is outstanding. I honestly wish they had a concert night where I could just enjoy the band.

Of the main cast Bradley Barker stood out the most as Billy with a natural stage charisma and personality and a beautiful singing voice. Heather Shelley is also strong as the lead Alice. In addition, Ashley North and Cheryl Cripps do excellent work as the costume and wig designers respectively. It’s particularly impressive the way they are able to transform Alice from old to young even in her hairstyle so quickly.

Unfortunately the night I attended was one of those nights of theatre where just about everything goes wrong. The sound was giving them all kinds of grief losing the microphones and then pinging loudly at times. But even worse the light panel began malfunctioning so they had to start intermission before the important Act 1 train scene. However, as we all know in theatre ‘the show must go on’ and they powered through it and did the best that they could. I’m sure future performances won’t have such bad luck. Either way, it’s a beautiful show and for a theatre that oculd use a dose of hope it’s just what the doctor ordered. You can see Bright Star at Empress until Sept 30th. Get your tickets here.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS- HALE CENTER THEATRE- SANDY

I was honored and thrilled to get to review the latest extravaganza production over at Hale Center Theatre for UTBA- Around the World in 80 Days. It was a challenging review to write because I am not well-versed in circus acrobatics and dance. However, I asked questions and did the best I could. Enjoy! You can read my review here.

Around the World in 80 Days is playing until Oct 20th and tickets can be purchased here.

A DOLL’S HOUSE- OPPA- LAYTON

As much as I love a musical sometimes I wonder if community theatres would be better off performing more straight plays. I know they usually sell less tickets but there are such fewer moving parts it can be easier to nail than a musical. Anyway, I got to see A Doll’s House at OPPA on Monday and I was very impressed by it.

The play, A Doll’s House, goes all the way back to 1879 when it was first published by Henrik Ibsen. Particularly in the 2nd act, the play expertly explores themes of marriage, honesty, conflict, womanhood and more. There’s a moment where the lead Nora (Katie Plott) realizes her husband isn’t the man she thought he was and the actress completely pulled off that devastating realization but in a subtle way. I still don’t know if I buy the character would actually leave her children like that but was an impressive moment of acting.

The rest of the production is relatively simple but it does the job for this story. If you want to see A Doll’s House it’s at OPPA through Sept 30th. Tickets can be purchased here.

So there you have it! Have you seen any of these shows? I would love to hear your thoughts

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