It’s no big secret that most Broadway musicals these days are adaptations of popular movies and shows. As both a film and theatre critic it can be fascinating to see the way the 2 artforms work together and create different art (and sometimes it goes from movie to Broadway to movie again like in The Color Purple in theaters this month.) This dynamic of screen to stage adaptations is fresh on my mind because last night I saw the new adaptation of Christmas in Connecticut at Pioneer Theatre Company. I love the 1945 film starring Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan, and had been looking forward to seeing this stage adaptation all year. My friend theatre critic Tim Leininger gave it a rave review on his channel last year and so I was thrilled to see that PTC was going to be only the 2nd company to mount the adaptation. I even had the chance to see the movie on the big screen at the new Maven Cinemas in American Fork (which I am super excited about) on Friday to get ready for this musical on Saturday (this seemed like a great idea at the time but in retrospect it might have been better to have some distance from the movie but oh well.)

Anyway, I saw the musical and to say it is a loose adaptation would be an understatement but if judged on its own merits it is a charming rom-com musical and something we need in the holiday Broadway landscape. Currently there are 4 stories that make up almost all of the Christmas shows done by companies (A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, Elf: The Musical, and White Christmas.) I love all of these 4 but if Christmas in Connecticut became a 5th option I wouldn’t complain!

QUICK TAKE

To give the analysis I would like I have to share some spoilers to both the movie and the show so I thought I’d just give a quick take and then a deeper dive below. Basically Christmas in Connecticut is a bubbly rom-com that particularly in the 2nd act becomes a relationship farce with multiple couples all stuck in a big house interacting with all kinds of miscommunications. The highlight of the show is a sequence called “Chemistry” where the power has gone out and the back and forth between the various couples had serious Noises Off vibes. The cast at PTC is uniformly strong with Alyse Alan Louis and Eric William Morris making convincing ‘enemies to lovers’ leads. Like I said, once it gets to that second act the script is witty and the holiday shenanigans are a ton of fun. Shelley Butler does an excellent job directing the actors using the whole stage as they go in and out of doors trying to keep track of all their lies. I also thought the scenic and costume design by Lex Liang was strong with period-accurate hair by Cynthia Johnson. If you love Hallmark movies or other holiday rom-coms you’ll love this show! I hope you find time during this busy holiday season to see Christmas in Connecticut at PTC. You won’t regret it! You can purchase tickets here.

DEEP DIVE

So the biggest change they make from the movie in Christmas in Connecticut is they change the love interest for Liz so she doesn’t fall for the soldier Jefferson Jones any more. Instead she falls for a new character named Victor who is a socialist and activist who meets Liz earlier in the story when she is still an idealistic writer. Now that she has to create a facade of the happy homemaker he is disgusted with her and they have an enemies to lovers type arc instead of the surprise of the film with her unexpectedly falling for the wholesome soldier (they provide a love interest for the soldier in a character named Gladys who is the fact checker who doesn’t believe Liz’s story.)

I really liked both the leads at PTC and in particular Morris playing Victor had a snark to him that was charming and very attractive. And like I said the “Chemistry” number was excellent as was “The Ornament Song” that ends Act 1. I guess my only gripe is I do think in making Liz an activist and a modern woman who actively hates all the homemaking articles she’s writing she becomes a bit of a feminist cliche. Surprisingly it can actually feel less nuanced than the original character from the film. There’s something about the snark of Barbara Stanwyck in the movie that’s refreshing. She doesn’t have any real problems deluding thousands of readers as long as she doesn’t get caught. I watched the movie and thought ‘she’s remarkably modern for a woman from 1945.’ After all, she doesn’t have the slightest clue how to change a diaper or flip a pancake and her greatest desire is to own a fur coat not to have a family or run a barn. If she has to fool gullible readers then she has no problem doing so, and in a way isn’t that more modern than someone who has to proclaim how modern they are?

If they were going to ask for my advice I’d suggest they do what they can to get everyone to the house a lot sooner. The strength of the show is the screwball antics of all the couples lying to each other and with each lie it gets more silly and romantic. There’s a very funny scene where Victor is pretending to be the soldier and he and Liz kiss but she doesn’t know it is him because the power is out. That is gold and the kind of scene rom-com fans will love. Also a scene where they eat Christmas dinner is very funny with gags like Victor is a vegetarian but has been portrayed in columns as an expert poultry carver. That’s an amusing juxtaposition for the character as he’s reluctantly trying to play his part.

I also think they could create more jealousy on the part of Victor over the soldier Jefferson. Make the soldier more of a credible threat for Liz’s heart. This could work for Gladys also becoming jealous as she becomes more interested leading to more humor. In any rom-com it’s obvious who the leads are going to end up with but the more tangled you can make the journey the more fun we usually have (like if we think of Pride and Prejudice Lizzie has several options come up in Wickham and Mr Collins as the ‘enemies to lovers’ overall romance develops between her and Darcy.)

Anyway, this deep dive is just meant to be helpful and share my thoughts as a huge fan of the Christmas in Connecticut film. It’s still a very fun night of theater, and I look forward to seeing it grow as a musical going-forward. You can purchase tickets here.

If you value what I do please support the patreon and get amazing perks for doing it! Sign up here.

Hey everyone! I hope you are doing well. I have been beyond busy attending movie screenings almost every night as well as everything to watch for Hallmarkies Podcast during this time of year. This has obviously limited my theater time but I do have a couple shows to report on (and I should have a few more the next couple of weeks.)

A CHRISTMAS CAROL- PARKER THEATRE, SALT LAKE

Last year I saw A Christmas Carol 4 times including twice at Parker Theatre. It takes a lot to see a show I see so frequently twice but that just goes to show how much I enjoyed this production. You can read my review of last year’s production for UTBA here. Naturally having liked it so much last year I made sure to go opening night this year and once again it was completely outstanding. In fact, it was so good I had Scott Savage on Theatre Tuesdays to talk about it (he reviewed it this year for UTBA) and to talk about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was a great listen:

There are so many things I love about this production of A Christmas Carol but let me share a few of my favorite aspects. First, the script expands on the novel in effective ways like introducing us to Jacob Marley and crafting an authentic moment between Scrooge and Fred at the end of show. The projections and lighting are also outstanding and create atmosphere that keeps the story from feeling stale. I also love that the Parker has themed concessions to go along with all of their shows:

@hallmarkiespodcast

The little details make for a great theatrical experience #theater #utahtheatre

♬ Promosi – Satria Petir

I’ve set a goal to see every iteration of A Christmas Carol in the valley I can this holiday season but suffice it to say the Parker has set the bar high and it will be tough to beat. You can purchase tickets to A Christmas Carol at Parker through Dec 23 here.

ELF: THE MUSICAL- HALE CENTER THEATRE, SANDY

It’s always interesting to see the evolution of shows- how some shows remain popular year in and year out (The Music Man for instance) and others strike hot for a few years and aren’t seen as much after that. Elf: The Musical would be an example of the latter. It seemed like a few years ago everyone was doing this adaptation of the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell and now only one theatre is doing it, Hale Center Theater in Sandy. It’s probably just as well because I think it is a pretty forgettable adaptation with mostly bland set of festive songs to accompany the story.

Fortunately the production at Hale rises above these mundane elements to create something charming for the whole family. The spectacle is where Hale shines and Elf is no exception with wonderful scenic design by Kacey Udy and lighting from Jaron Kent Hermansen (it feels like a winter wonderfland.)

I also really enjoyed David Paul Smith, who is a former teacher of mine, as Buddy and Kelly Coombs as Jovie. They are favorite performers of mine and have worked together in the past so they have lovely chemistry. Josh Richardson also makes for an edgy modern Santa Claus. If you are looking for something festive and jolly to do with the family they will all have a great time with Elf: The Musical at Hale Sandy. You can purchase tickets to Elf: The Musical through Jan 6 here.

SHE LOVES ME- HERITAGE THEATRE, PERRY

Anyone who follows me knows how much I love the story of Parfumerie. This is a play that has been turned into one wonderful iteration after another. I love The Shop Around the Corner, The Good Old Summertime and You’ve Got Mail but probably most of all I love the musical She Loves Me. I like it so much I drove the hour it takes to get to Heritage Theatre to make sure to see their latest production of this wonderful musical.

When you see a production at Heritage one has to keep in mind it is a community theater with amateur performers who are learning and growing. You cannot expect the same level that is anticipated at Hale or even something like Hopebox. In the end the rough nature of the productions become part of the charm of the experience and that is the case with She Loves Me. In fact, I would say it is the best show I’ve ever seen from them but I’m sure that opinion is helped by the fact it’s a musical I just love.

What makes it work so well is the chemistry between the 2 leads with Ashlee Giblette shining as Amalia Balash and Gary Robertson having a swagger that sells the Georg Nowack character (he was obviously less experienced as a performer but the smile and endearing nature made him endearing to watch on stage.) I also thought Hannah Smith was excellent as Ilona Ritter- maybe the best singer of the entire cast.

The sets by W. Derek Hendricks helped set the scene of the Maraczek store and the costumes by Megan Merkley helped immerse the audience in the story and the choreography is a lot of fun. She Loves Me might not be the first musical that comes to mind when we think of the holidays but there are several holiday songs and the entire show ends on Christmas day. It’s a delight and I highly recommend seeing it at Heritage and supporting their charming community theatre whenever you can. You can purchase tickets to She Loves Me through Dec 16 here.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL- HALE CENTER THEATRE OREM, OREM

Finally, I was able to see A Christmas Carol at Hale Center Theatre Orem and review it for UTBA. It is a very unique version done through extensive narration and I am very excited to see them shake things up and try something new with a classic story. You can read my review here. Tickets for A Christmas Carol at HCTO can be purchased through Dec 23 here.

So there you have it. What have you been seeing? I hope you are supporting your local community theaters and other arts programs during this festive time of the year. Merry Christmas!

Hi everyone! It’s been a few weeks since my last post on here and it’s mostly because my work as a film critic gets very intense during this time of year. I have a screening almost every night and I’m very busy covering holiday films for Hallmarkies Podcast. Basically my theater time is more limited in November and December. There will be some. Don’t worry. But just not as much as I usually do. (I have also started judging debate, which is super fun, but does cut into my weekend time to see shows.)

THE SECRET GARDEN- BYU, PROVO

I did review the impressive production of The Secret Garden at BYU for UTBA and you can find my review here.

SLEEPY HOLLOW- WVPAC, WEST VALLEY

There are times when I purposefully wait for the run of a show to end before sharing my thoughts particularly when I have an especially negative response. It is not my desire to tear down the efforts of small regional theater companies that are often short-staffed and cast by volunteers. That said, I’m a human being with tastes and a critic and am not going to like everything that I see. Such is the case with the production of Sleepy Hollow at WVPAC. While the cast was talented and did their best with the material there’s not much else positive I can say about this show.

It’s been a while since I read the Washington Irving story or seen Disney adaptation but the main problem with this adaptation is it saps all the fun out of the story. It’s like if they made Brigadoon but only focused on the one guy who hates Brigadoon. Ichabod Crane isn’t superstitious or amusing in any way. He moralizes and disciplines the children and tries to start a choir for a long section. I intensely disliked all the music, finding it repetitive and uninspired. There just was nothing here outside of the talent of the cast. It felt so long and I almost left at intermission. And honestly I probably should have. I guess you could say this one just isn’t for me. I can confidently say this is a show I will never watch again but I do love WVPAC and you can find out more about their shows here.

SWEENEY TODD- EMPRESS THEATRE, MAGNA

I do feel genuinely badly I didn’t get my thoughts on Sweeney Todd at The Empress out sooner as it is closing this weekend. Hopefully my promotion on social media helped them in some small way because it is a production worth much praise. I actually saw it opening night and there were some hiccups in the technicals of the production I preferred it over the more glossy professional staging I saw at The Grand (although that one was good too.) Sweeney Todd at The Empress had an intimacy and passion that went a long way in covering any flaws.

Director Andrew Jefferies deserves great praise for his use of the unusual stage at The Empress and taking advantage of all the different levels it provides. Sometimes Sweeney Todd productions can stay too much in the barbershop chair leaving the character at a distance from us as an audience. That isn’t the case here. We get up and close with Sweeney sometimes with him looking at us straight in the eyes and singing right to us. They also have a tremendous cast with Todd Christensen owning Sweeney and bringing out the increased mania of the character.

There were hiccups in the show the night I went but I’d highly recommend if you can get out to Magna this weekend watching Sweeney Todd at The Empress and you can purchase tickets here.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY- CORNER CANYON HIGH SCHOOL, DRAPER

I honestly don’t see many high school productions even though there are many outstanding programs in my area. The main reason is because often the shows can be a frustrating experience for non-familial audience members. Usually the students are doing their best in large auditoriums with less-than-ideal sound equipment. This can make it difficult to appreciate the wonderful performances when we can’t hear what was going on. However, a friend invited me to see The Addams Family at my local high school, Corner Canyon, and in the end I’m glad I did. They managed to not only put on an outstanding show but also to avoid the high school audio and other technical problem issues.

If you’ve read my reviews of other The Addams Family productions you know I have my issues with the book particularly the “Full Disclosure” section that ends Act 1 but it has some delightful songs and it can be saved by a good Morticia and Gomez. Fortunately this production has terrific casting with Jo Rose and Alyssa Miller in those iconic roles. They have great chemistry together and especially Miller doesn’t shy away form the campy sex appeal of Morticia. It’s super fun.

The rest of the cast is all strong with the large ensemble impressing particularly in the singing and dancing segments like “When You’re an Addams” and “Tango De Amor.” The costumes and set design are also very well done and it all makes for a very enjoyable night of theatre. The Addams Family is playing until Nov 13th and you can get tickets here.

So there you have it! What theatre have you been enjoying? I’d love to hear about it and what you think of these 3 shows if you’ve seen them!

If you value what I do please support the patreon and get amazing perks for doing it! Sign up here.

Hey everyone! In addition, to my formal review of The Rocky Horror Show at Pioneer Theatre Company I wanted to log my thoughts on 2 other recent shows I had the privilege to see. These were both purchased by me and not a formal requested review but as I strive to promote local theatre here are my thoughts:

THE MUSIC MAN- HALE CENTER THEATRE OREM, OREM

It can be a bit of a mixed blessing when you’ve seen a show as many times as I’ve seen The Music Man. Just since July I’ve seen it 3 times and over the years I’ve seen it countless times including 2 productions on Broadway. It’s a favorite but I also probably notice things someone seeing it for the first time or more rarely wouldn’t ever care about. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the production at HCTO. I did but it wasn’t a favorite staging for a few reasons.

First the strengths of the show are how well it is crafted with books, music and lyrics by Meredith Wilson. It’s story of redemption for the con-man Harold Hill is a classic for a reason. Harold’s story of finding love in the midst of his con which inspires him to change is beautiful and it accompanies some of the greatest songs ever written for the stage or otherwise. Again, it’s a classic for a reason.

Director Jennifer Hill Barlow has done a tremendous job (as is always the case) using the small stage at HCTO to its full capacity. They don’t have the luxury of changing out sets much there but they do a lot with props and costumes to create different settings like the library or the gymnasium. The whole production has an energy and community spirit you love to see and I think is another reason why companies keep turning to the The Music Man. It’s just a fun show to be part of. The costumes by Elizabeth Banks Wertz were also very strong.

I guess my only gripes with this production is how theatrical the portrayals of Harold Hill by Ryan Shepherd and Marian Paroo by Cecily Ellis-Bills. He especially is really hamming it up to the audience and after a while it felt like I was seeing a comedian more than a slick confident salesman. Marian wasn’t as much but there were moments when I felt she was a little over-dramatic to counteract Harold’s goofiness. The performances didn’t match up with how I see the characters but maybe that’s just me. (Also there must have been something wrong with Winthrop because they didn’t do “Gary Indiana Reprise” like the program noted.)

But like I said, most people won’t notice this problem as they haven’t seen the show dozens of times. It’s got a lot to offer and if you are in the Orem area I will always recommend seeing The Music Man whenever you get the chance (I may try and see the other cast as Bronson Dameron is a favorite of mine and if I do I will update here.) The Music Man is playing until Nov 18th and you can get tickets here.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN- ZIEGFELD THEATER, OGDEN

As a big fan of the 1974 Mel Brooks’ film, Young Frankenstein, I have been interested in seeing the stage adaptation for some time but it is a challenging show to put on so it isn’t done often. Fortunately they mounted it in an ambitious new production at The Ziegfeld Theatre in Ogden and I had a great time watching it despite it’s somewhat daunting runtime.

If you are a fan of the film you definitely want to see the musical as they basically include every scene and joke. I particularly love the scene with the blind man serving soup and he sings “Please Send Me Someone.” I also really enjoyed any song from Elizabeth (Samantha Wursten) who channels Madeline Kahn effectively (as the funniest actress of all time that’s no small accomplishment.) I particularly like her and Victor Frankenstein (Caleb Parry) singing “Please Don’t Touch Me” in her introductory scene.

The combination of projections and set design by Parry are extremely impressive and they effectively capture the feeling of the film and its homage to the universal monster movies. There were also some very funny lines particularly for Inga (Karaline Taylor) and Frau Blucher (Joel Bennett.) The Ziegfeld bills themselves as a professional theatre and they earned it with this one. All the production details and performances are outstanding.

All that said, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel the runtime on this one. It was close to 3 hours long and the intermission doesn’t come for a full 90 minutes. I honestly don’t know how the actors had the stamina with so many scenes and choreography. Maybe I was just tired but I think this is a show that could use a major edit? You don’t need to include every last detail from the movie (maybe having Mel Brooks do the book on this one was a mistake and they should have had someone with a little more space from the film?) I don’t know. They did an amazing job at the Ziegfeld but I don’t know I would jump at the chance to see this one again. It was just too exhausting but that’s just me. Young Frankenstein is playing until October 28th and you can purchase tickets here.

Living and reviewing theatre out of Utah there are certain shows I have come to accept I may never get a chance to see as a patron or critic. It’s such a risk in this area to do a more mature-themed show but every once in a while a company takes such a risk and I gleefully check an R rated show off of my musical theatre bucket list. Such is the case with the new production of The Rocky Horror Show opening at Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake (they perform at the University of Utah.)

While I have seen the 1975 feature film adaptation entitled The Rocky Horror Picture Show I have never participated in any of the screenings or midnight showings it is famous for. So one might say this production at PTC is my first communal experience with the property and it turned out to be a great way to lose my Rocky Horror virginity. I think readers should know enough about the reputation of the material to know if it is something they will enjoy but if they are up for it get ready for a sexy, bawdy silly good time.

Rocky Horror actually started out as a bit of a flop on Broadway in 1975 with music, lyrics and book by Richard O’Brien. The film was also released in 1975 and it has the longest running release in film history with it still running in limited release in 2023, 48 years after its premiere (now that is a true cult classic!) Part of the reason for this legacy of both film and stage is the way both engage with the audience. At PTC prop kits are available for purchase with items like newspapers to wear on your heads, glow sticks to light up and bubbles to blow at the appropriate time. I forgot to order my kit (can be done here) but enough people were doing the tasks around me that I still felt like a part of the whole experience.

I think that’s what makes Rocky Horror such a satisfying night of theatre is the community abandon it encourages. It’s not often we get to just let loose and have a great time with our fellowmen and women here in Utah and that’s what you get to do here. It’s not heavy on plot but the songs are fun, the spectacle is big and the performers loaded with charisma to make for a great evening.

If you didn’t know the story centers on yuppie couple Brad and Janet who become lost at an old castle (“Over at the Frankenstein Place.”) Here they meet Dr Frank-N-Furter who becomes obsessed with the couple and brings out a whole new side they never anticipated!

Director Karen Azenberg has taken her energetic cast and done all she can to keep the action moving and using the entire stage to tell the story. Most of the memorable songs are in the first act including “Time Warp,” “Charles Atlas Song,” and “Hot Patootie.” The sets by George Maxwell are brightly painted but easy for the characters to move about in and transform within, which help keep the jokes coming. For instance, one set piece is Dr Frank-N-Furter’s pink bed that stands upright and allows for some really funny moments between our couple and Frank. The costumes by Aaron Swenson are also just the right amount of camp sex-appeal without pushing this audience too far off the ledge.

The entire cast was charismatic and up for the challenge of show (there’s really no lighter moments in the songlist. It’s go go go from scene one!) Jeremiah James gives a different take on Frank than Tim Curry does in the movie but I liked his sarcasm and more masculine bravado to the role. However, my favorite of the cast is Alex Walton as Brad. He’s the most out of his comfort zone of the characters and never failed to make me laugh. His expressions and reactions to everything presented to him in the house are hilarious. Walton also has a wonderful singing voice that’s especially shown in “Once in a While” and “Damn It, Janet.” Some of the other singers could work on their enunciation as it was sometimes hard to tell what they were singing about in particular scenes. Also there were some microphone issues you don’t typically have with PTC but it was probably just opening night glitches.

Helen Gregory conducts a 4 piece band that’s on the stage with the performers and gives a ton of energy to the whole experience- makes it feel like a concert more than a musical. It all works out to a wonderful time and chance to let loose and enjoy something silly and wild together with your fellow Utahns. The Rocky Horror Show is playing until Halloween night at PTC and you can purchase tickets here.

Hi friends! I hope you are doing well. Just thought I would give a little update on my recent theatre activities. I just got back from a trip to NYC to attend the NYFF (see my film update here.) I also saw 5 shows while I was there and got the chance to write about the experience for my first piece at OnStage Blog. I am super proud of the piece and grateful they let me write something so personal for their site (I am going to be writing a monthly column for them going forward!)

To sum it up it was a great group of 5 shows without a dud in the mix. You can read my brief thoughts on all of them in the OnStage piece above and my longer review of Gutenberg: The Musical for UTBA. I would probably rank the 5 shows as follows:

1. Back to the Future: The Musical- fantastic spectacle, charming cast, brings back all the feels from a favorite movie of mine
2. The Shark is Broken- need to be a Jaws fan to fully appreciate but meticulously recreates the boat of the Jaws shoot and the 3 actors are tremendous.
3. Merrily We Roll Along– these 2 are basically tied. Really enjoyed getting to finally see this “Sondheim flop” with a unforgettable performance by Jonathan Groff
4. Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors– funny parody that actually includes a lot of the Dracula novel. James Daly steals the show as Dracula.
5. Gutenberg: The Musical– a serviceable satire on musical theatre and history that is made engaging by the chemistry of its leads Andrew Rannells and Josh Gadd. (The theatre this one was in is very uncomfortable. I’m not even that tall and my knees were up against the seat in front of me and the seats were tiny.)

So there you have it for New York. Now I have 2 local shows to recap

SWEENEY TODD- THE GRAND THEATRE, SALT LAKE CITY

It was super fun after seeing Merrily on Broadway to see another Sondheim classic Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Utah at The Grand (located in the SLCC Grand Theatre.) I have yet to be disappointed in a show I’ve seen there and while the old theatre is literally grand it does present the company with unique challenges of being such a large cavernous space to fill with performances.

For the most part this production of Sweeney Todd succeeds. It’s strongest qualities are its remarkable cast including a former teacher of mine Dallyn Vail Bayles as the title character. I’ve seen him in a number of roles over the years including Archibald in The Secret Garden and Emile in South Pacific but I have never seen him play such a dark role and he was up for the challenge. He has done national tours but I’m convinced if he wanted to live in New York he could have a leading man Broadway career. Tamara Howell is also strong as Mrs Lovett and Patrick Kintz as Judge Turpin.

My main gripe with the production is the 2-story set, (designed by Halee Rasmussen) while impressive, pushed all the action to the back of the stage, leaving large sections left unused. This is a particular problem at The Grand because it is such a large stage so you feel the wasted space. Also because all the action was pushed to the back of the stage and most on a 2nd story it was harder to see the emotion the actors were working so hard to develop. It just all felt like it was at a distance. I would have much preferred a simple set with the actors moved forward so we could see what was happening more effectively.

The costumes by Shannon McCullock (with wig and makeup by Erin McCullock) were all outstanding and everyone had their British accents down perfectly. If you have never seen Sweeney Todd this is a well done version and worthy of your time and investment. It runs through Oct 28th and you can purchase tickets here.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY- TIMPANOGOS COMMUNITY THEATRE- AMERICAN FORK

I wasn’t going to see The Addams Family at Timpanogos because I wanted an evening to refresh from my trip but when they reached out to me I decided it was worth my time, and I’m glad that I did! I can’t find the program at the moment so I will be brief but I was very impressed with this production. For a community theatre the quality of the sets, costumes, and other production values is oustanding. I also really enjoyed Mackenzie Tolk Houmand and Gregory Rampton as Morticia and Gomez. They have tremendous chemistry and are fantastic singers and actors. I honestly would put their performances up with any professional companies putting on this show.

There are some problems with the book- particularly the long “Full Disclosure” sequence that ends the first act but there are good moments like “Happy/Sad” and “Live Before We Die” where Morticia and Gomez get to show off their dancing chops! If you are in the area you can still see The Addams Family this weekend and I highly recommend it. You can purchase tickets here.

So there you have it! Let me know what you have been watching and if you have seen any of these shows.

Hey everyone! I hope you are all doing well I am actually typing this post from the Big Apple! I am taking a little trip to the city to attend the NYFF and I will be of course seeing a bunch of Broadway shows (5 to be more specific!) I will update my thoughts on those musicals here, so that should be fun. Before I do that, however, I have 2 theatrical experiences in Utah to update you all on. Here goes:

war of the worlds- covey center, provo

I’ve always been a big fan of old-time radio broadcasts. It’s a nostalgic form of storytelling that I find very engaging. It is for this reason I was intrigued by the new production of War of the Worlds at the Covey Center. I also know the director Adam Cannon and worked with him on the Schmigadoon recaps I did earlier this year. Fortunately it turned out to be a very enjoyable night of theatre and one I recommend checking out if you have the chance.

The play is written by David Hanson and it focuses on the broadcast of H.G. Wells’ novel War of the Worlds that caused large-scale pandemonium because people believed it was a real broadcast. The most compelling part of the play is the dynamic between Orson Welles, his writer Howard and producer John. 2 of these roles Howard and Orson are played by women NaRhea Dawn and Cathleen Metten respectively. At first I was a little nervous about this but they did a good job of creating a successful opposite gender character without it feeling like a caricature. Jacob Baird is excellent as the much put-upon John.

I actually think the play would have been better off focusing on just the 3 main leads and talked about the people reacting rather than showing them. That’s where the piece fell into caricature as most of the believers of the broadcast were depicted as hicks and buffoons. A simple 3 person structure with snippets of the broadcast played would have been more effective but I still enjoyed what we got.

It was also a lot of fun to see the workings of an old-time radio broadcast including the foley set-up creating sound effects for the show. Costume designer Elizabeth Crandall also does excellent work in creating the feel of 1938 and giving the women in opposite gender roles convincing attire and hair.

If you are a fan of old-time radio broadcasts or just want to see some terrific acting check out War of the Worlds at the Covey Center in Provo. It’s a real theatrical treat and is playing until Oct 21. You can get tickets here.

DISNEY ENCANTO; THE SING ALONG FILM CONCERT- ECCLES, SALT LAKE

I really enjoyed Disney’s animated classic Encanto but I actually have never gotten the chance to see it with a crowd of kids. The one time I saw it in the theater was at a critics screening. So I jumped at the chance to attend the sing-along concert done by Disney Concerts. It ended up being a fun night but I don’t know if it is worth the high cost especially for a family. To pay $50 plus for a movie screening with a small band is a lot. Also the new parking situation at the Eccles is a mess. They have closed off Main Street to vehicles making it difficult to access the main parking lots because of construction on neighboring streets. I ended up paying $18 for a parking lot 2 blocks away. The whole experience was frustrating to say the least.

Like I said, the whole concert is a fun experience particularly to hear the kids laughing and singing with the music. It reminded me what an excellent film Encanto is and it’s a shame it got caught up in all the Covid mess because it should have done better in the theaters. I’d probably skip the concert because of the cost but if you get a chance to see Encanto on the big screen and can afford it I’d take it! You can purchase tickets to the Encanto Sing Along here.

So there you have it! What have you seen lately? Next update will be on my big Big Apple trip! Happy theatre friends!

If you like my writing and want to support what I do check out the patreon for some great perks here..

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well and enjoying local theatre in your area. We had another wonderful episode of Theatre Tuesday including a look at 14 local theatres upcoming 2024 slates. Fellow critic Maren Swensen and myself give each slate a grade based on our excitement level:

I just had an unbelievable long weekend of performances and I can’t wait to tell you about all these amazing shows. Here goes!

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD- PARKER THEATRE, SALT LAKE

As much as I love seeing my favorites like Bright Star and Les Miserables it is also neat to check shows off my bucket list. This is what I got to do with The Mystery of Edwin Drood at one of my favorites Parker Theatre. This is a show based on Charles Dickens unfinished novel and it’s biggest strength is its interactivity. Audience members get to decide what happens to the characters in Act II and when you have a particularly boisterous audience like I did it makes for an enjoyable night of theatre.

I must say I was somewhat underwhelmed by the songs considering it won the tony for Best musical, book and score but they were performed well with one exception. Unfortunately the actress for Princess Puffer was injured so director Mary Parker Williams stepped in and it wasn’t the best performance if I’m being blunt. I get it. You make it work but it was challenging to listen to.

I know it’s just a little thing but I love the attention to detail the Parker has. They even have concessions themed to the show you are seeing. It just makes the whole experience more fun and immersive. There are also some of the best lighting (Danna Barney- such good lightning!) and sound design (Anthony Buck) in the entire state. I definitely recommend The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Parker Theatre to have a unique, interactive experience with a show not done very often.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood is playing at the Parker until Oct 28 and you can purchase tickets here.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (1965)- HALE CENTER THEATRE, SANDY

I’ve recently realized something about mysteries- that I almost always find the first act to be boring and the second act to have all of the fun. It makes sense if you think about it because all of the clue building happens in the first act and then all the reveals and problem solving happens in the second. I suppose the success of the mystery then depends on how satisfying that pay-off is and does it make the tedious sections worth sitting through. In the case of Catch Me if You Can at Hale Sandy I’d say it does.

You might be thinking this is the musical based on the film about the con-man but this far pre-dates it (and I admire Hale for picking such an obscure piece that could be confusing for some audiences.) The mystery revolves around Daniel Corban (Dallin Bradford who I have really enjoyed in a number of local productions) who’s wife is missing while on vacation in the Catskills. Inspector Levine is on the case and played with a ton of charm by Jason Hackney.

For the most part the big reveal really worked in this play but the most impressive aspect was the unbelievable set recreating a mid-century vacation home with 2 stories and a wall of “glass” for background. It is stunning and scenic designer Jenn Taylor deserves huge praise for it. I wasn’t planning on seeing Catch Me if You Can because I’m not the biggest fan of mysteries but I received my ticket as part of an instagram giveaway. In the end, I’m glad I went and I enjoyed an afternoon of mystery in the 60s!

Catch Me if You Can is playing at Hale Sandy until Nov 11 and tickets can be purchased here.

DADDY LONG LEGS- OPPA, LAYTON

There are certain shows that are hard to miss for me (I think every theatre critic and fan feels that way about particular shows.) Well, I feel that way about Daddy Long Legs. I truly feel like Paul Gordon (music and lyrics) with a book by John Caird (based on the novel by Jean Webster) have crafted a perfect show here. I love basically everything about it. What’s interesting though is I had actually never seen it not performed by David Smith and Kelly Coombs at both Hale Theatre Sandy and Orem (and Hale at Home) unless you count the Broadway HD version with the original cast, which I highly recommend.

So I wondered how I would warm up to the production at OPPA with new leads and now after having seen Emily Voorhees as Jerusha and Danny Ketch as Jervis I still loved it and loved their performances. It was a perfect show for the pandemic because it only features 2 actors and it is all about corresponding over letters. Jervis is the mysterious benefactor orphaned Jerusha is writing to as she goes to college on his dime. Her letters are charming and their relationship builds organically bit-by-bit over the course of the musical until the final reveal pays off.

This production at OPPA is on their smaller creators stage and it is directed by Leslie Barrett (who I saw recently at CenterPoint’s The Lion in Winter) and she wisely relies on the strength of the book and the chemistry of the actors to do all the heavy lifting. By the end of the show you are rooting for these two people to get together and be happy. I love all the songs and admire any actor brave enough for taking on such a daunting word-heavy, challenging show. It is an exhilarating love story to watch unfold and I will drive to any local company who puts it on. Perfection!

Daddy Long Legs is playing through Oct 14 and tickets can be purchased here.

AMADEUS- REGALO THEATRE, LEHI

When I heard that one of my favorite local theaters, Regalo in Lehi, was putting on Peter Schaffer’s Amadeus I bought my ticket immediately. I love the feature film by director Milos Forman and think it is one of the most deserving best picture winners of all time. I’ve always wanted to see the play which it was based on and the production at Regalo did not disappoint. What an amazing piece of theatre and one that I wish far more people would take time to see.

If you don’t know Amadeus tells the fictionalized story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the lens of his rival fellow-composer Antonio Salieri. Shaffer weaves the music from both men seamlessly as we the tension between them builds. He also gives Salieri a feud with not only Mozart but with God himself and how God chooses to dole out the talents of men and women.

Director Michael Carrasco uses simple sets and costumes to allow his actors to shine and tell their stories. Patrick Brannelly is nuanced and yet just unhinged enough as Salieri and Morgan Gunter is both irritating and sweet as Mozart. It’s brilliant work I hope you all seek out. I enjoyed it so much I told my parents (big classical music fans) they need to see it and they are going this weekend. Definitely make time in your schedule for this very special experience and let’s reward a company for taking a risk on a play like Amadeus. It’s one I won’t soon forget.

Amadeus runs through October 16th and tickets can be purchased here.

If you like my writing and want to support what I do check out the patreon for some great perks here.

Hi theatre friends! I hope you are doing well and enjoying some good local theatre in this wonderful season of Fall. I am continuing on my Theatre Tuesdays segment and have a really fun new episode with Reagan Fausett where we pick the best and worst songs of our favorite Broadway musicals:

I have 3 shows to catch you up on that I saw in the last week as well as a UTBA review to catch you up on. Please let me know what you have been watching.

RAGTIME- MUSIC THEATRE OF WEST, LOGAN

If I am going to drive all the way up to Logan it has to be for a show worthy of my time. Fortunately Ragtime up at Musical Theatre West in the Eccles Theatre was such a production. I’ve never seen this show before but this was definitely an equity level production with everything from the costumes to, to the sets, to the quality of the singing being top notch.

Ragtime opened on Broadway in 1998 but it has the feel of an older show with the big brassy numbers but it has the messaging and brave themes of a modern show. The combination really makes it hold up nicely. It is a long show and it takes on a lot with 3 main characters interacting with a variety of other characters in turn-of-the-century New York. The main focus, however, is on the immigrant experience and the outsiders looking in on white elite citizens of the time.

The most impactful story of Ragtime revolves around Coalhouse Walker who was played very well by Conlon Bonner. His love Sarah (Brittany Andam) and him are separated at first but come back together through the help of a kindly woman just named Mother. Unfortunately not many share in this kindness and that’s how we see it all play out.

The timeline for the book of Ragtime feels a little confusing. There are multiple storylines including the family moving to Atlantic City and Coalhouse courting Sarah and finally winning her over, and yet the baby remains a babe in arms the whole time. It felt like at least a year had gone by but I guess it was just weeks? Regardless, the events feel authentic and true and the songs including “Wheels of a Dream,” “Make Them Hear You,” and “Back to Before” are stunners.

My favorite moment of the show is the end of Act 1 when Sarah’s Friend (Nneka Barcelona) sings “Till We Reach That Day.” I can’t recall a show leaving the audience into intermission on a more moving note. Wow! (They also have a full live orchestra for this incredibly professional show.)

Unfortunately Ragtime has finished its run but if you are in the Logan area Music Theatre West is worth checking out for wonderful theatrical experiences. You can find out more information here.

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE- PG PLAYERS, PLEASANT GROVE

I love any chance I get to see a show over at PG Players in Pleasant Grove. It is an adorable little theatre in the Pleasant Grove Library and their latest Arsenic and Old Lace was hilarious. I went with my friend Rachel and she enjoyed it as well. I wrote up my review for UTBA you can read here. Arsenic and Old Lace is playing until Oct 16 and you can purchase tickets here.

THE LITTLE MERMAID- HOPEBOX THEATRE, KAYSVILLE

If you’ve followed my content for a while you know I’m not the biggest fan of this Broadway adaptation of The Little Mermaid. I love the Disney classic film (of course) but they made some weird choices when adapting it as a Broadway musical that I don’t love (such as making Flounder in love with Ariel…what?) However, my friend and fellow theatre critic Amber Kacherian was playing Ursula, and I love supporting Hopebox and their mission, so I decided to give it a watch. While I still have issues with the adaptation it’s a fun jubilant community production and one most families will enjoy.

I saw the Silver Cast and Julia Bradford is strong as Ariel. She has a beautiful belt voice and a nice chemistry with Jayden Barrera as Eric. Most of the time I have seen The Little Mermaid on stage Ursula has been played by a man in drag but Amber has a big enough personality that I didn’t mind the change (I still think it is stupid to make Triton and Ursula related in this version but oh well…)

The ensemble scenes like “Under the Sea” are a ton of fun in this production, and I appreciate the diversity in the cast including an ensemble member in a wheelchair. Integrating her seamlessly into the choreography is awesome. The production values including the sets and costumers were good but a little more muted than I expect from Hopebox. It felt like they ran out of money and couldn’t make it as elaborate as most of their other productions.

But that’s really my only flaw. The singing and performances were all wonderful and the cast seemed to be having a great time together. Especially with their hopeful mission I love being a part of Hopebox and recommend supporting them whenever you can. The Little Mermaid plays until Oct 7th and tickets can be purchased here.

JEKYLL & HYDE- CENTERPOINT LEGACY THEATRE, CENTERVILLE

It’s funny as a theatre critic I often see shows in waves. Sometimes a trend is obvious like seeing A Christmas Carol in December or The Addams Family in October but then other times it’s totally random. Like, for instance, this summer I went from never having seen Jekyll & Hyde to seeing it 3 times since May. The experience at Draper Historic is unlikely to be topped any time soon especially having Tanner Tate as my Jekyll/Hyde (he has since guested on my Theatre Tuesdays segment.) Now I have seen it at CenterPoint Legacy and it’s another quality production from a theatre that almost always delivers.

There are problems with the book by Leslie Bricusse. It takes so long for the Jekyll/Hyde transformation to come, which is really when the plot starts to get interesting. It needs to come way sooner but they did the best they could at CenterPoint. The cast is all uniformly strong. In particular Jessica Knowles Andrus is outstanding as Lucy. She has a Broadway-worthy voice and her acting and stage presence really stands out. Christian Lackman is good as Jekyll/Hyde but I didn’t get the rawness of the transformations or as invested in his character as I did with Tanner’s performance at Draper.

I also found the fight choreography by Justin Lee to be excellent. It really feels like characters are fighting and hitting each other. The violence and kills feel real and are staged convincingly. The rest of the production lives up to the quality I expect from CenterPoint. The only critique I’d give is they had big screens on top of the stage that mostly played images of windows. Since I was in the balcony these don’t add much to the experience and are distracting. Also some of the costumes, particularly the corset fits, are a little sloppy and needed work.

All that said, this is a quality production of Jekyll & Hyde and it’s worth attending for the amazing performance by Jessica Knowles Andrus as Lucy. Jekyll & Hyde is playing at CenterPoint until Oct 21. You can purchase tickets here.

If you like my writing and want to support what I do check out the patreon for some great perks here.