Hi friends! I hope you are all doing well and enjoying some great community theater wherever you are. I’ve actually been critiquing more than ever but they have almost all been for UTBA but I’m very passionate about those reviews so I will share the links here. I also did a full proper review of Natasha Pierre… at PTC that you will definitely want to check out. If any company wants my full thoughts I am more than happy to do so. Just email me at rachelsreviews65@gmail.com or contact me on social media. Here’s my quick takes on what I’ve seen recently:

EVITA- EMPRESS THEATRE, MAGNA

I was very excited when I heard Empress would be taking on Evita in their 2024 season. It’s not performed very often (the last time I saw it was at the Scera in 2002 so before my mission!) I would say I think it is one of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s more underrated shows and while I can understand some feel uncomfortable aggrandizing someone like Eva Peron I think it paints a pretty complex character for a musical (lyrics by Tim Rice elevate typical Weber material)

The standout in the production at The Empress is the performance of Eva Peron by Sophia Morrill Mancilla. She perfectly embodies the pride and aloofness of the character and her singing voice is rich and beautiful to listen to. She has good chemistry with the Che (Armando Serrano Huerta) and Juan Peron (Ben Tutor) and she makes songs like “I’d Be Surprisingly Good for You” and “You Must Love Me” work.

The men in the cast struggled a bit with their singing throughout but I appreciate the effort and it’s refreshing to have racially correct casting for a show like Evita. There were also quite a few microphone issues the night I watched it but I still enjoyed it and am grateful for a unique and authentic night of musical theater. Evita is playing at the Empress through May 25th and tickets can be purchased here.

SPRING AWAKENING- HART THEATRE CO, SALT LAKE

Spring Awakening is one of those shows I’ve had on my bucket list for some time. It’s not often performed in Utah but Hart Theatre Co is one that takes risks and chances and to open their new venue they decided to do Spring Awakening and I reviewed it for UTBA. It’s definitely an edgier piece so it won’t be for everyone but I really enjoyed it. You can read my review here. Spring Awakening plays through June 2nd and you can purchase tickets here.

THE TIME MACHINE- HALE CENTRE THEATRE, SANDY

Also for UTBA I reviewed the latest play from Hale Centre Theatre, Sandy. This means I will have reviewed both the current Hale productions, which I am very grateful for. Of the 2 current offerings The Time Machine is my favorite. It is inspired by the HG Wells classic novel but stands on its own as a piece of quality entertainment. I especially enjoyed the amazing traveling inspired visual effects. They looked fantastic! My review for UTBA is here. The Time Mancine is playing until July 20th and tickets can be purchased here.

ENCHANTED APRIL- SUGAR FACTORY PLAYHOUSE, WEST JORDAN

The Sugar Factory Playhouse was a new venue for me but I had to try it out when I heard they were doing a play I love called Enchanted April. Some may know this play from the movie adaptation from the 90s but it is a delightful little romp about 4 women in the 1920s who decide to rent an Italian villa together. This production is just the kind of thing I love to find in community theater! It’s small and simple but with a wonderful cast putting their all into a wonderful play (sometimes I think the plays are a smarter way to go for small companies. They are more manageable than the musicals.)

My favorite part of this production was the chemistry between the entire cast but especially between Kassidy Rackham as Lotty and Ann Sharp as Rose. You feel their friendship and how they both love each other and drive each other nuts. Sally Cooper is also really funny as the snobby Mrs Graves. The men also do a great job but it is the women that really steal this show.

The seats are pretty hard but they have cushions you can rent for only $1. Enchanted April plays at Pioneer Hall in West Jordan until May 18th and you can purchase tickets here.

So there you have it. That’s what I have been watching lately on the stage. All of these logged shows I paid for out of pocket. If you would like me to be able to review more shows please consider checking out patreon which has some really fun perks. More information here. Thank you