Hey everyone! In addition, to my formal review of The Rocky Horror Show at Pioneer Theatre Company I wanted to log my thoughts on 2 other recent shows I had the privilege to see. These were both purchased by me and not a formal requested review but as I strive to promote local theatre here are my thoughts:

THE MUSIC MAN- HALE CENTER THEATRE OREM, OREM

It can be a bit of a mixed blessing when you’ve seen a show as many times as I’ve seen The Music Man. Just since July I’ve seen it 3 times and over the years I’ve seen it countless times including 2 productions on Broadway. It’s a favorite but I also probably notice things someone seeing it for the first time or more rarely wouldn’t ever care about. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the production at HCTO. I did but it wasn’t a favorite staging for a few reasons.

First the strengths of the show are how well it is crafted with books, music and lyrics by Meredith Wilson. It’s story of redemption for the con-man Harold Hill is a classic for a reason. Harold’s story of finding love in the midst of his con which inspires him to change is beautiful and it accompanies some of the greatest songs ever written for the stage or otherwise. Again, it’s a classic for a reason.

Director Jennifer Hill Barlow has done a tremendous job (as is always the case) using the small stage at HCTO to its full capacity. They don’t have the luxury of changing out sets much there but they do a lot with props and costumes to create different settings like the library or the gymnasium. The whole production has an energy and community spirit you love to see and I think is another reason why companies keep turning to the The Music Man. It’s just a fun show to be part of. The costumes by Elizabeth Banks Wertz were also very strong.

I guess my only gripes with this production is how theatrical the portrayals of Harold Hill by Ryan Shepherd and Marian Paroo by Cecily Ellis-Bills. He especially is really hamming it up to the audience and after a while it felt like I was seeing a comedian more than a slick confident salesman. Marian wasn’t as much but there were moments when I felt she was a little over-dramatic to counteract Harold’s goofiness. The performances didn’t match up with how I see the characters but maybe that’s just me. (Also there must have been something wrong with Winthrop because they didn’t do “Gary Indiana Reprise” like the program noted.)

But like I said, most people won’t notice this problem as they haven’t seen the show dozens of times. It’s got a lot to offer and if you are in the Orem area I will always recommend seeing The Music Man whenever you get the chance (I may try and see the other cast as Bronson Dameron is a favorite of mine and if I do I will update here.) The Music Man is playing until Nov 18th and you can get tickets here.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN- ZIEGFELD THEATER, OGDEN

As a big fan of the 1974 Mel Brooks’ film, Young Frankenstein, I have been interested in seeing the stage adaptation for some time but it is a challenging show to put on so it isn’t done often. Fortunately they mounted it in an ambitious new production at The Ziegfeld Theatre in Ogden and I had a great time watching it despite it’s somewhat daunting runtime.

If you are a fan of the film you definitely want to see the musical as they basically include every scene and joke. I particularly love the scene with the blind man serving soup and he sings “Please Send Me Someone.” I also really enjoyed any song from Elizabeth (Samantha Wursten) who channels Madeline Kahn effectively (as the funniest actress of all time that’s no small accomplishment.) I particularly like her and Victor Frankenstein (Caleb Parry) singing “Please Don’t Touch Me” in her introductory scene.

The combination of projections and set design by Parry are extremely impressive and they effectively capture the feeling of the film and its homage to the universal monster movies. There were also some very funny lines particularly for Inga (Karaline Taylor) and Frau Blucher (Joel Bennett.) The Ziegfeld bills themselves as a professional theatre and they earned it with this one. All the production details and performances are outstanding.

All that said, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel the runtime on this one. It was close to 3 hours long and the intermission doesn’t come for a full 90 minutes. I honestly don’t know how the actors had the stamina with so many scenes and choreography. Maybe I was just tired but I think this is a show that could use a major edit? You don’t need to include every last detail from the movie (maybe having Mel Brooks do the book on this one was a mistake and they should have had someone with a little more space from the film?) I don’t know. They did an amazing job at the Ziegfeld but I don’t know I would jump at the chance to see this one again. It was just too exhausting but that’s just me. Young Frankenstein is playing until October 28th and you can purchase tickets here.