I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it on this site but I am going to be assistant directing my first play next year for Empress Theatre and it is one of my favorites, See How They Run. With this in the future I am trying to see the play as much as possible this year and try to get some inspiration for what I might want to do next year. I saw it at Utah Shakespeare Festival (they didn’t ask me to review it unfortunately) last week and then I saw it is being performed at the newly renovated Westgate Theatre in West Yellowstone and decided to take a little 2 day trip up North and see what this cute little theatre has to offer. Not only was it a the beginning of a pleasant little getaway but I really enjoyed the evening of madcap community theatre with this classic play.

Currently at Westgate they have 3 shows playing on their thrust stage that feels very similar in setup to Hopebox theatre or even Terrace Plaza. It’s small and intimate with comfortable seats. A perfect setting for a single-set simple show like this. Plus the intimacy adds to the chaos of the comedy. This production is directed by Amelia Bahr and Lisa Burton-Carter and I can tell they focused on having a cast with chemistry and that played off of each other effectively. I really enjoyed the production I saw at Utah Shakespeare Festival of See How They Run but it was dominated by Caitlin Wise as Miss Skillon where this felt like more of an ensemble project.

I do think Miss Skillon is a key element in this show because she is the straight character that is shocked by everything that is going on. Without her shocked expressions nothing else would read quite as funny as they do. In this production. Burton-Carter told me later she has played Miss Skillon over 100 times in her career, which is absolutely incredible. She takes this experience and brings lots of laughs but also helps make all of the other actors better.

My favorite performance of the night actually came from Cam Carter (Burton-Carter’s daughter) who is playing Ida. I just loved her accent and expressions especially with how flirty she is with with Clive played by Sean Gariety. Parker Smith is also a lot of fun as Lionel Toop. He knows how to holler and scream very well! Burton-Carter also told me that the man playing the Bishop (Jackson Shackelford) was a substitute and that the Sargent is a swing which is very impressive particularly with the chemistry and comedic timing they all had together. I’m not sure the name of the swing but well done.

In looking at the crew things at Westgate appear to be a family affair with a Jeff Carter in charge of set design and a Jill Carter, Amelia Bahr on sound design. That family atmosphere is what makes theaters like Westgate special. It’s why I love community theater. And I love discovering new spots like this and any chance I have to see See How They Run. It’s hilarious, and I recommend this version. Unfortunately there are only 3 more chances to see this very funny play through August 1st. Tickets can be purchased here.

See How They Run is by playwright Phillip King and first premiered in England in 1944 and on the West Endin 1945. It’s been revived a ton of times in the UK but never in the US on Broadway which is a real missed opportunity. What a funny play

I would love to be the theatre critic for all of Southern and Northern Utah but these areas require travel which can be very expensive. I know many of you really appreciate those reviews but I can’t do them alone. I need your help! If you enjoy my writing and would like me to review your production I’d love to. I also have a patreon which is a great way to support my shorter logs for shows I don’t get to review. I have some really fun perks like bonus episodes, patron polls and monthly Q&As with actors, directors and writers. Please take a look here.