Hi everyone! I can’t believe we are at my 100th theatre log! Where does the time go? Today I have 3 shows to give my quick reports on as most companies are asking for me to do full reviews these days. I am certainly being kept very busy watching theatre (happy problem to have seeing too many plays!)

XANADU- UNIVERSITY OF UTAH THEATRE PROGRAM, SALT LAKE

Last year I was a big fan of Starlight Express put on by the Liahona Academy. It was fresh and exciting and full of movement and fun. It is for this reason that when I saw the advertising for Xanadu at the U of U I made sure to squeeze it into my busy February schedule. I realize the plots are different but the roller skating featured in the marketing made think Xanadu would also be a fun and energetic musical. After seeing it there is fun to be had it’s just not very much with the roller skating so that was disappointing.

In fact, there is really only one character that wears roller skates for most of the show. It’s Kira played by Alexa Shaheen. She is very good and is very skilled at several accents including an Australian one. All the students are excellent in this and it was interesting to see another take on the Greek myths since I have seen Hadestown so much recently (I’m actually seeing it again tonight!)

That said I was underwhelmed by the story and found it quite plodding and dull. I have never seen the 1980 film so maybe that is part of it. If I had nostalgia for the movie maybe I would be more charmed by the experience. I never regret supporting student performers but Xanadu as a show just wasn’t for me. Xanadu is playing through 2/23 and tickets can be purchased here.

This production of Xanadu is directed by David Eggers. Music & lyrics by Jeff Lynne & John Ferrar with a book by Douglas Carter Beane based on the 1980 feature film.

CINDERELLA- THE RUTH THEATRE, PLEASANT GROVE

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big fan of Cinderella. I just love the story of hope and magic so I was very excited when I heard Cinderella is going to be one of The Ruth’s premiere shows in their new theater. This is the “Topher” version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and they did not disappoint. What an enchanting beautiful night of theatre.

I was able to attend the T/Th/Sat cast and I hope to be able to see the other cast before the run ends. Cinderella or Ella is played by Teaira Burge and she is absolutely luminous as our lead. She is warm and kind and everything you could want in a Cinderella. The whole cast is great with Dan Van Ormer as Prince Topher and Bonnie Wilson Whitlock as a deliciously evil stepmother Madame.

Even if you don’t like Cinderella as much as I do this show is worth seeing for the production details alone. Director Rodger Sorensen and his team have seemingly thought of everything. The puppetry throughout is charming, the choreography by Sayoko Knode is dynamic and fun and the costumes are next level outstanding. Costume designer Elizabeth Banks Wertz belongs on Broadway not in Pleasant Grove! I particularly loved a gold dress for the banquet and the wedding dress is unforgettable.

Fortunately there is lots of time to see Cinderella at The Ruth. It is playing until May 3rd and I highly recommend checking this one out. Tickets can be purchased here.

This version of Cinderella is based on the classic story with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Hammerstein and Douglas Carter Beane.

SHE LOVES ME- OPPA THEATRE, LAYTON

Like Cinderella I also love the musical She Loves Me and will go to whomever is putting it on. This includes driving up to Layton to see it at OPPA (On Pitch Performing Arts) this last Monday, and I’m glad I did. What a charming and well performed piece of romantic comedy theatre that I highly recommend.

This production stars Caitlin Olsen as Amalia Balash who secures a job in the opening scenes at a perfumery in Budapest (the original play Perfumerie is Hungarian so must versions are set in Budapest.) Unfortunately for Amalia she doesn’t get along with her boss Georg Nowak played by Cormac Romine but the catch is the 2 enemies are actually writing each other as part of a Lonely Hearts Club. I think someone would have to be pretty cynical to not be charmed by this premise. 2 people falling in love over their words is just an appealing concept and the musical is so well crafted with wonderful songs throughout.

The stage at OPPA is small but I was impressed with how director Mira Jorgensen and set designer Brandon Stauffer created the world of the store and used moveable blocks to create everything from a store counter to a bed depending on the scene. Olsen and Romine have excellent chemistry as our leads but the real standout in the cast is Amanda Murray as Ilona Ritter. She has a lovely singing voice and brought a lot of personality to role with her dynamic acting. The highlight of the night is the “Ice Cream” and “She Loves Me” songs when both of our leads realize they love the person they thought they hated. I also loved hearing Olsen sing “Dear Friend.” OPPA should feel very blessed they have a singer as talented as Olsen in their productions. She elevates everything she is a part of.

OPPA is what I refer to as a learning company so it doesn’t have the polish of something like The Ruth but that’s all part of the charm of a night of community theater. She Loves Me is playing through March 1st and tickets can be purchased here.

She Loves Me has music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and a book by Joe Masteroff.

So there you have it! What have you been watching and have you seen any of these shows? Happy theatre going!

These logged shows I pay for out of pocket and I’d love to do that as much as possible. If you have a show you’d like me to take a look at and write a full review let me know. I also have my patreon which is a great way to support what I do and get some really fun perks. Find out more here.