Being a theatre patron and critic certainly can give one a variety experiences. At no point was that more true than recently with 2 productions I’ve experienced: Pretty Woman: The Musical and Of Mice and Men. Here are some thoughts:

OF MICE AND MEN- PARKER THEATRE, SALT LAKE CITY

We all have those classics of literature that we don’t care for. Often we’ve read them in high school or growing up and for whatever reason they didn’t sit well with us or we didn’t enjoy them. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is such a story. I understand why people like the tragic tale of friendship but I’ve always disliked it especially the ending. There are lots of reason for this but suffice it to say I had very mixed feelings when I saw it was a part of the season at the Parker- a theater I have a season pass with. So then the question is do I see a story I know I dislike to support the theater or pass? Well, I decided to see it and I’m glad I did even though I still hate the story. They did an outstanding job and it was wonderful to watch for the craft on display alone.

Of Mice and Men tells the story of 2 friends, Lennie and George, in the 1930s who have stopped to work at a farm in California. Lennie is mentally handicapped, and childlike in his understanding of the world but he is large and strong. George loves Lennie but also resents the trouble he is constantly getting into by mistake. Lucas Charon plays George with warmth and kindness (almost too much so to buy the ending) and Brinton M Wilkins plays Lennie in a performance that could be demeaning if not as carefully performed as Wilkins does. The chemistry between both actors is palatable and real making everything that happens even more devastating.

The whole cast is strong with the always great Matthew Delafuente as the villain Curly and Brook Robertson in a devastating turn as Candy. (An unforgivable sequence when his dog is killed. ) The production is all outstanding with the incredible lighting and sound work I expect to see at the Parker. If you like this story than I can’t recommend this production more highly. It is a professional quality retelling of this classic of American literature.

I guess the reason why I don’t like the story is because I feel overly manipulated to accept an ending that’s not acceptable. I frankly think George would be more likely to shoot himself rather than Lennie. Why did he leave him alone? Why didn’t they run away? I don’t care what solution there could have been. Anything would be better than the ending we get. It also perpetuates the idea that handicapped individuals are dangerous or scary when in truth they are more likely to be the victims of abuse not the other way around.

Nevertheless, I can see value in a production even if the source material isn’t my favorite and this is an outstanding production of Of Mice and Men at Parker (Director Joanne Parker, set and lighting by James B Parker.) I highly recommend it to anyone that is willing to give it a chance especially if you appreciate the story more than I do. Of Mice and Men is playing at the Parker through April 27th and you can purchase tickets here.

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL- ECCCLES (NATIONAL TOUR) SALT LAKE

Now for the other end of the spectrum we have Pretty Woman: The Musical with the national tour coming through to Eccles in Salt Lake. I actually hadn’t heard good things about this adaptation of the popular film but I figured as the resident rom-com girl I better check it out. In the end, it’s watchable but forgettable and not worthy of the high prices the tour will cost you.

If you know the classic film this production tells the story of a prostitute Vivian who is picked up by businessman Edward and the two have a Cinderella romance where she is treated like a princess, they fall in love and he learns to be a good man of business that builds boats rather than taking apart companies.

All the main moments from the film are there except bizarrely they don’t have the iconic Roy Orbison song in the actual show until the curtain call (they poke fun at this at intermission but its missing is very strange.) Unfortunately the songs they do give by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance are completely forgettable and bland. I also thought Ellie Baker who played Vivian had a shrillness to her belt singing I didn’t enjoy. Chase Wolfe is fine as Edward but pretty bland and the two don’t have any chemistry which is a key element of the film working with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.

I also was expecting the costumes to be stronger with them often feeling like dime-store ripoffs of the costumes from the movie. We particularly didn’t get the brown with white polka dot dress she is so well known for wearing to the big party. They changed it to a black dress for some reason.

There is some nice 80s inspired lighting and set design (director DB Bonds with scenic design Christine Peter) and the supporting cast is energetic Adam du Plessis takes the Hector Elizondo role from the movie and has a fun time being the fairy godmother of the story. I also enjoyed Connor Kabat as the dancing bellhop who comes in and out of the story.

I know many really disliked Pretty Woman: The Musical. I have a good friend who left at intermission, and I can understand why. It’s definitely average at best. It is finished at Eccles but if it’s coming by you I’d only see it if you can get a deal and you love the movie. If not I’d just watch the movie and enjoy the better version of this story.

So there you have it. 2 widely different shows and experiences. The joy of being a theatre fan and critic in Utah!

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