Hi theatre friends! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. The time has come for me to celebrate the best of theatre I saw in 2025 July-December in Utah (the only travel I did during that time was to TIFF but only saw movies there.) But I managed to see over 100 shows. Some of them I did full reviews for and others my shorter logs as only a patron. Make sure you take a look at my best of the first part of the year in local theatre. Still some of my favorites for the year in that post here.

Most Memorable Experience

Most Memorable Experience goes to Meanwhile Park. I saw 2 single act plays at this delightful theatre space on the patio behind the house of the owner. We were given drinks and the whole experience was special and unique.

Another memorable experience was at the Creekside Theatre Fest. For their production of Henry V a wind storm came in and was intense but the performers pushed forward. By the time we get to the famous “St Crispin’s Day Speech” we all felt like we had overcome something special together. It was a true victory!

Best National Tour

My favorite professional show I saw tour through Utah was without a doubt Some Like It Hot. This surprised me because I’m fairly lukewarm on the movie but loved this show. It reminded me of a Cole Porter type musical and I really liked the updates they made for the story.

Best Local Professional Theatre

There was so much great local professional theatre but if I had to pick one favorite I will go with Noises Off at Pioneer Theatre Company. In fairness I loved all 3 productions of Noises Off I saw this year so I think I just love this play but it is extremely funny and PTC did a great job with it. Their Dear Evan Hanson was also outstanding.

Best Semi-Professional Play

The best semi-professional play I saw is maybe a bit of a cheat but it was Dracula at Ogden Musical Theatre. Technically this is the same production they did last year so they’ve had a year to get things right but I truly was blown away by every aspect of this show. Everything from the makeup, to the wigs, the sets were incredible and I can see why they brought it back. I hope they make it an annual tradition. Honestly everything at OMT was outstanding including their Annie, which I also loved.

Best Semi-Professional Musical

Honestly everything I saw at Centerpoint Legacy was great including on their main and second stage. I saw most of the productions twice to see both casts I enjoyed them so much (and the prices are so reasonable I can afford to do so.) I wish they would let me do full reviews but maybe some day. I certainly will continue to have high praise if they keep up such wonderful shows. I think my favorite was Catch Me if You Can. I loved pretty much everything about this production. The cast, sets, choreography, costumes were all so well done.

I also saw their Daddy Long Legs 3 times I enjoyed it so much. It’s one of those shows I could never tire of and they did a great version of it.

Best Community Theatre Play

When I review a show at Heritage Theatre it’s almost an hours drive for me to get up there. Luckily they are always worth the effort for me to see what they have to offer. Such was the case with their wonderful production of The Play that Goes Wrong– a play I have seen many times before so it’s tough to impress me with it. However, I loved all of the choices they made in the small space. In fact, they made the space an asset for the production not a problem. The female actors were also all very good. If you are in the Perry area I highly recommend getting a season pass to Heritage.

Best Community Theatre Musical

There are so many amazing musicals I was blessed to attend at community theaters this year but the one that stands out the most was Little Shop of Horrors at St George Musical Theatre. Like at Heritage, SGMT has a limited space to work with but they made every inch count for Horrors. They truly thought of everything for this show including designing their own puppets for Audrey II. The cast was top tier and everything was directed well. You really could not ask for more from a production like this. Outstanding.

Other Accolades

Some other productions I loved. She Loves Me was perfection at BYU. Hunchback of Notre Dame was one of the best I’ve ever seen at West Valley Arts. Frozen and Sister Act were triumphs at Hale Center Theatre. The Phantom of the Opera at The Ruth was an outstanding production for youth and I loved The Scarlet Pimpernel at Hopebox.

So there you have it. The best of the second half of 2025 at the theatre I saw this year. Thanks to the incredible companies and talented individuals who gave me these great experiences. I love you all

These logged shows I usually 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.