Hi everyone! It’s been a few weeks since my last post on here and it’s mostly because my work as a film critic gets very intense during this time of year. I have a screening almost every night and I’m very busy covering holiday films for Hallmarkies Podcast. Basically my theater time is more limited in November and December. There will be some. Don’t worry. But just not as much as I usually do. (I have also started judging debate, which is super fun, but does cut into my weekend time to see shows.)

THE SECRET GARDEN- BYU, PROVO

I did review the impressive production of The Secret Garden at BYU for UTBA and you can find my review here.

SLEEPY HOLLOW- WVPAC, WEST VALLEY

There are times when I purposefully wait for the run of a show to end before sharing my thoughts particularly when I have an especially negative response. It is not my desire to tear down the efforts of small regional theater companies that are often short-staffed and cast by volunteers. That said, I’m a human being with tastes and a critic and am not going to like everything that I see. Such is the case with the production of Sleepy Hollow at WVPAC. While the cast was talented and did their best with the material there’s not much else positive I can say about this show.

It’s been a while since I read the Washington Irving story or seen Disney adaptation but the main problem with this adaptation is it saps all the fun out of the story. It’s like if they made Brigadoon but only focused on the one guy who hates Brigadoon. Ichabod Crane isn’t superstitious or amusing in any way. He moralizes and disciplines the children and tries to start a choir for a long section. I intensely disliked all the music, finding it repetitive and uninspired. There just was nothing here outside of the talent of the cast. It felt so long and I almost left at intermission. And honestly I probably should have. I guess you could say this one just isn’t for me. I can confidently say this is a show I will never watch again but I do love WVPAC and you can find out more about their shows here.

SWEENEY TODD- EMPRESS THEATRE, MAGNA

I do feel genuinely badly I didn’t get my thoughts on Sweeney Todd at The Empress out sooner as it is closing this weekend. Hopefully my promotion on social media helped them in some small way because it is a production worth much praise. I actually saw it opening night and there were some hiccups in the technicals of the production I preferred it over the more glossy professional staging I saw at The Grand (although that one was good too.) Sweeney Todd at The Empress had an intimacy and passion that went a long way in covering any flaws.

Director Andrew Jefferies deserves great praise for his use of the unusual stage at The Empress and taking advantage of all the different levels it provides. Sometimes Sweeney Todd productions can stay too much in the barbershop chair leaving the character at a distance from us as an audience. That isn’t the case here. We get up and close with Sweeney sometimes with him looking at us straight in the eyes and singing right to us. They also have a tremendous cast with Todd Christensen owning Sweeney and bringing out the increased mania of the character.

There were hiccups in the show the night I went but I’d highly recommend if you can get out to Magna this weekend watching Sweeney Todd at The Empress and you can purchase tickets here.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY- CORNER CANYON HIGH SCHOOL, DRAPER

I honestly don’t see many high school productions even though there are many outstanding programs in my area. The main reason is because often the shows can be a frustrating experience for non-familial audience members. Usually the students are doing their best in large auditoriums with less-than-ideal sound equipment. This can make it difficult to appreciate the wonderful performances when we can’t hear what was going on. However, a friend invited me to see The Addams Family at my local high school, Corner Canyon, and in the end I’m glad I did. They managed to not only put on an outstanding show but also to avoid the high school audio and other technical problem issues.

If you’ve read my reviews of other The Addams Family productions you know I have my issues with the book particularly the “Full Disclosure” section that ends Act 1 but it has some delightful songs and it can be saved by a good Morticia and Gomez. Fortunately this production has terrific casting with Jo Rose and Alyssa Miller in those iconic roles. They have great chemistry together and especially Miller doesn’t shy away form the campy sex appeal of Morticia. It’s super fun.

The rest of the cast is all strong with the large ensemble impressing particularly in the singing and dancing segments like “When You’re an Addams” and “Tango De Amor.” The costumes and set design are also very well done and it all makes for a very enjoyable night of theatre. The Addams Family is playing until Nov 13th and you can get tickets here.

So there you have it! What theatre have you been enjoying? I’d love to hear about it and what you think of these 3 shows if you’ve seen them!

If you value what I do please support the patreon and get amazing perks for doing it! Sign up here.