Merry Christmas! I hope you are all enjoying this festive time of the year and supporting the arts all around you in any way you can. Make sure you check out our latest episode of Theater Tuesday to hear more about what me and Maren have been watching

Here are my thoughts on some recent shows I have been lucky enough to see.

WHITE CHRISTMAS- CENTERPOINT LEGACY, CENTERVILLE

I’ve said it before but I think this adaptation of White Christmas is one of the best examples of screen to stage adaptations I’ve seen. It keeps everything we love about the original film, tightens the slow parts and removes the culturally awkward parts such as the Minstrel number. David Ives and Paul Blake did an excellent job with the book and of course the incredible songs by Irving Berlin still entertain in 2023 as much as they did in 1954. While the production I saw at the Regalo in Lehi will always be my favorite this was an entertaining night of theater that should please old and young.

The cast is all strong with Craig Williams being my favorite as Phil Davis. I also really liked Melody L Baugh as Martha who is the busybody manager at the Inn. As is always the case at Centerpoint the choreography (by Jessica Merrill) was the standout with wonderful dancing in numbers like “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing” and “Blue Skies.” The production was not on the scale with the attention to detail they had at the Regalo but it’s still a lot of fun for the holidays. White Christmas is playing until Dec 21st and you can purchase your tickets here.

A CHRISTMAS STORY- SCERA, OREM

Another enjoyable screen to stage adaptation for the holidays is A Christmas Story: The Musical based on the popular 1983 film and I recently had the chance to review a wonderful production at the Scera in Orem for UTBA. You can read my review here. A Christmas Story: The Musical plays until Dec 16 and you can purchase tickets here.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL- HALE CENTER THEATRE, SANDY

Once I decided to review as many versions of A Christmas Carol as I can this season I knew I needed to see the production at Hale Center Theatre in Sandy. It is probably the most famous regional version with them even doing a filmed version for all of us to get through the pandemic in 2020. I couldn’t have been more grateful for that in the year without theater. Now in their 39th year putting on the show they have another strong production. This one doesn’t take any risks like the recent production at Hale Orem or the bolder script at the Parker but it is comforting told and professionally mounted. Especially if you are someone who wants the traditional story than you can’t do better than A Christmas Carol at Hale Sandy.

I particularly enjoyed the watercolor backgrounds they had and the way they integrated traditional carols like “Greensleeves”, “Silent Night” and “Wassail Wassail” into the original score by Barlow Bradford. The Scrooge is always outstanding at Hale and this was no exception with David Weekes in the lead role. Again, if you are looking for a classic retelling of this story you can’t go wrong with Hale Sandy’s version. It plays until Dec 27th and you can purchase tickets here.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER- PG PLAYERS, PLEASANT GROVE

One of my favorite local theaters is the tiny theater in the Pleasant Grove library called The Pleasant Grove Players. I had the privilege to interview its directors Howard and Kathryn Little for Theatre Tuesdays and was so impressed with them as I have been with all their productions. The latest is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever which is a nice break from the Santa and Christmas Carol themed shows that actually focuses on Jesus and the power of His birth.

It’s a one act play about a family of roughians who make it their goal to take over the local church nativity pageant. Everyone starts more than a little judgy but they all learn something along the way. It was very impressive how many cast members they got on the stage with over 30 people, mostly children involved. I particularly enjoyed Julianne Barney as Imogene Herdman who showed a lot of vulnerability as her tough character realizes the value in the baby Jesus.

Unfortunately The Best Christmas Pageant Ever closes Dec 11th and it is sold out (which congrats to them for a sold out run!) but keep PG Players on your radar. They always have great shows

A CHRISTMAS CAROL- ALPINE COMMUNITY THEATRE, PLEASANT GROVE

When I decided to see as many versions of A Christmas Carol as possible this year one of the versions that intrigued me was by famed composer Alan Menken. I had seen the movie adaptation with Kelsey Grammar and thought it was alright but never the show. So I jumped at the chance to review a new to me theater company, Alpine Community Theater’s production staged at the Liahona Theater in Pleasant Grove. Evidently they have bene doing this adaptation for many years and they have the wonderful mantra “where everyone can act.” I adore this mission because as much as I love Utah theater sometimes it can be too competitive where someone who just wants to participate and have a fun community experience is prohibited.

The mission is certainly clear from the get-go with A Christmas Carol and the huge cast they have assembled. Practically every scene is bursting with people and it’s interesting how the entire introduction to Scrooge is staged in the town-square rather than in the office and other settings we normally see. The amount of people that Costume Coordinator Stephanie Russon had to get multiple outfits for is staggering and they were all well done. I particularly liked the design for Past that was just whispy enough with an elaborate crown on her head that lit up. I also liked a song called “Dancing on Your Grave” where Future and Scrooge are surrounded by monks in the graveyard. The choreography by Rebecca Call and Laura Snyder was also very impressive throughout the entire show.

My only criticisms of the production is that oftentimes Scrooge and the ghost was off to the side so we didn’t get his reaction or impression of what was happening. I particularly liked Charles Graves’ Scrooge at the beginning when he is angry Scrooge but I think part of that is we saw him more up close and centered on the stage in those sections.

My other critique of the show would be to the writing team including Alan Menken. Far too often it feels like warmed over versions of what we know and love from Beauty and the Beast. There’s even a baland about Home in both numbers and a boisterous Busby Berkeley style number with elves and a kickline that might as well have been “Be Our Guest.” Obviously this is no fault of ACT but it does make it feel less inspired as a piece of musical theater. Menken has done and can do much better!

Still, this is the kind of production you want to be a part of. It’s welcoming to all and really captures the spirit of the season. I highly recommend it! A Christmas Carol is playing at the Liahona Theater in Pleasant Grove until Dec 18th and you can purchase tickets here.

JACOB MARLEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL- COVEY CENTER, PROVO

I had the chance to review a new take on A Christmas Carol at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo called Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol for UTBA and unfortunately it was a bit of a disappointment. The talent was doing their best but I found the script to be frustrating. You can read my full review here. It is playing until Dec 23rd and ticket scan be purchased here.

There you have it! What have you been seeing lately? I would love to hear all about it