Hi friends! It’s time to update you on some of the local theatre I’ve been watching. It’s a little different because I actually didn’t pay individually for any of the shows I’m talking about today but I was still in attendance as a patron not a critic so I think a shorter log is appropriate.

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK- LIVE STREAM CNN, BROADWAY

I have not been able to make the New York trip I would have liked to in 2025 so I was thrilled when I heard the George Clooney led play Good Night, and Good Luck was going to be streaming live from the theater on Broadway. This is the first time in history a live Broadway performance has been simultaneously televised.

While I obviously haven’t seen the live performance I wonder if the pro-shot is is the ideal way to watch this play? The set appears to be quite sprawling as it recreates the CBS studios of Edward R Murrow and chronicles his confrontations with Senator Joseph McCarthy. I was also surprised with the little side plot between Shirley and Joe Wershba (Ilana Glazer and Carter Hudson.) It’s been a while since I have seen the movie and I forgot about their inclusion. Clark Gregg also plays the producer Don Hollenbeck and he and Clooney have nice chemistry. These additions help keep the play from feeling preachy and overbearing when especially towards the end it begins to feel heavy-handed. It seems like Clooney is playing a variation on himself but he does a good job with it. Overall I was entertained by this play and am grateful I got the chance to see it. More like this please! You can watch the movie version of Good Night and Good Luck here (ad)

EMMA- BLUFFDALE ARTS, BLUFFDALE

Everyone knows I’m a big Jane Austen person so I will jump at the chance to see any local production of her works- especially when said production is free! Every summer Bluffdale Arts puts on free plays for its community and I think that is a wonderful gift to offer those around you. I love it. This year they have Emma and then Charley’s Aunt coming next at the outdoor stage at Bluffdale City Hall and Park.

My favorite part of this production of Emma is how approachable it is. If you are someone who feels Jane Austen is stuffy and even boring (how dare you!) this staging might change your mind. None of the actors are taking themselves too seriously and they are quick to make a joke or give a wink to the audience. The standout in this regard is Kylee Summer as Miss Bates. Leah Allred is also very funny as the snobby Mrs Elton but the whole cast are charming and easy to find the humor in their scenes.

Elena Arana is a wonderful Emma and has terrific chemistry with Alex Grover’s Mr Knightley. The only real downside to this (did I mention it’s free) is that it is a long sit. The transitions between scenes are very slow and it was almost 3 hours by the time we finished. I love Austen so I was fine with it but it might try the patience of some guests and is something they could work on.

That said, director Melanie Gonzalez and her team have put together an enchanting theatrical gift for their community with Emma and it is playing through June 14th. More information can be found here. This adaptation is done by Michael Bloom.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC- DRAPER AMPITHEATER, DRAPER

Like Jane Austen, everyone also knows I’m a huge fan of The Sound of Music; although, I do think it is one of the rare musicals where the movie actually improves upon the stage version. Still, any time I get a chance to see it I’m a happy woman.

I recently had the chance to see The Sound of Music at the Draper Amphitheater and while it was not as good as I am used to seeing from them it was still a nice way to spend an evening in Draper.

This production is directed by Robin Edwards and contains everything you could want from The Sound of Music– cute kids, charming songs and a brave captain standing up to Nazis. Tyler Oliphant is fantastic as Captain von Trapp and Serena Mackerell has a nice chemistry with the kids as Maria. Speaking of the kids they are all very cute especially in songs like “So Long, Farewell.”

I suppose if there is any disappointment it’s only because the other productions I am used to seeing at Draper Ampitheater have felt more polished and less of a community theater vibe. I was especially impressed with their Hairspray a couple years ago. This The Sound of Music is more of an amateur production but that’s fine. It’s still a cute enjoyable piece of theatre. It is playing through June 14th and tickets can be purchased here.

Good Night and Good Luck is written by George Clooney and Grant Heslov based on their film of the same name. Emma is based on the novel by Jane Austen and adapted by Michael Bloom. The Sound of Music has music by Richard Rogers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.

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.