One of the downsides of going to the theatre alone (OMT had kindly given me 2 tickets, but I don’t know a lot of people up in Northern Utah or have many friends who like horror) is that when I see something great I don’t have anybody to gush about it with or revel in the excitement of our shared experience. Luckily I have my out of theatre reactions on instagram and this site because as much as I believe in critical analysis sometimes I also just want to gush about great art. Such was my experience after seeing Dracula at Ogden Musical Theatre. Truly a stunning night of theatre and one I hope they keep bringing back as an annual October tradition.

There are so many aspects to this production that are outstanding it’s almost hard to know where to start. Director Maddie Tarbox immerses the audience in the experience of Dracula’s castle with a massive set by set designer Wendall Peery and projections that expand out onto the walls and a platform Dracula can walk on out into the audience allowing for some terrific scary moments.

The costuming by Mandy Shaffer is on a professional level with incredible looks like Lucy’s red bridal dress at the end and the many looks of the count. The makeup and wigs by Cindy Johnson allow Dracula to get younger looking as the play continues and Jonathan Harker appear older at the same time. It’s all these little details that combine together to make an impressive statement.

Connor Padilla is mesmerizing as Count Dracula and he truly puts his whole body into the role and delivers the scares with just the right amount of humor to be especially terrifying. He’s definitely in the running for the best lead acting performances I’ve seen this year. Brandon Garside also puts his entire body into the role of Renfield and Valarie Packer is strong yet vulnerable as the gender-swapped Van Helsing (her costumes are stunning as well.)

The only downside to Dracula at Ogden Musical Theatre is tomorrow is the last day to see it. But as I said, hopefully they will put it on again because I know I’d be back to see it again next year. They have A Christmas Carol coming up next and more information can be discovered here.

This adaptation of Dracula is done by Jennifer Westfall based on the novel by Bram Stoker and I believe it is a version unique to this production. Incredible.

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.

Ever since I started reviewing regional theatre here in Utah I’ve heard all about Tuacahn Ampitheatre and the incredible productions they run there. Unfortunately for me I live about 5 hours away from the ampitheatre so I had never had a chance to see a show there… until this week! Despite it being near the end of their season they were kind enough to welcome me as a critic and allow me to review 2 out of 3 of their current shows (I was only in town for 2 nights so was unable to review the 3rd show The Wizard of Oz.) It was kind of amazing because since I saw Little Shop of Horrors at St George Musical Theatre all 3 shows of the weekend including The Little Mermaid and Newsies at Tuacahn feature music by Alan Menken! It was an Alan Menken lovefest! Anyway, I was able to see both of these 2 shows at Tuacahn and aside from weather getting in the way it was a wonderful experience and a great introduction to their company.

Let’s start with The Little Mermaid. Unfortunately I was only able to see the first act of this production because there was a terrific storm that night with thunder and lightning that caused Act 2 to be canceled. Frankly I’m surprised they went on with Act 1 because there was so much lightning all evening. I am sure such choices are difficult but it seemed risky to have an outdoor event that night.

Anyway, I did see Act 1 and it is an impressive spectacle. In such a large professional ampitheatre one expects big visual effects and singing and that’s what we get. Director Scott S Anderson involves many different elements including large sets, aquatic projections (this was especially cool for “Under the Sea” with the projected coral and marine life. Projection designer Brad Peterson) But not only that there are actual water effects for scenes like the storm when Ariel rescues Eric and after she gets her legs from Ursula. They even have flying sequences and use of black light and fluorescent costumes. Basically any way to wow the audience they do (immersive sound design by Josh Liebert.)

I say this admitting this stage adaptation of The Little Mermaid film is not my favorite, so the fact they are able to gush it with so much visual splendor takes something lame and makes it memorable. The cast is all great with the professional performances one expects at a place like Tuacahn. Kelsey Lee Smith is sweet and sincere as Ariel (they are all also very good with the scooters they ride for under water scenes.) Julie Cardia gives her own spin on Ursula not trying to imitate Pat Carroll from the animated film, which I appreciate.

Like I said, I only got to see Act 1 of The Little Mermaid but I enjoyed what I did see and would recommend the production if you get down to Tuacahn before it closes on Oct 25th.

Fortunately the next day the weather was better (still some wind but nothing that stopped the production) and I was able to see all of Newsies at Tuacahn. While this does not have the visual spectacle of The Little Mermaid it’s a perfectly enjoyable night of theatre.

After all the pizazz on stage I had seen the night before I was surprised Newsies has basically one set (an impressive 3 story scaffolding set but still one set) that is only changed out with props and projections (projections which are hard to see because of the scaffolding.) They also keep the choreography simple opting out of iconic numbers like the “Seize the Day” newspaper tap dance typically included in the show (also there is no typewriter in “Watch What Happens” which is an odd choice.) This is fine as it’s a sweet and entertaining show with a charismatic cast. It just surprised me with the previous evenings spectacle

The key to any production of Newsies comes down to that charismatic cast, and they have that in spades at Tuacahn. I love James Everts as Jack Kelly (he’s also Prince Eric in Mermaid) and he has great chemistry with the entire cast but especially with Abby Linderman as Katherine. I honestly think “Something to Believe in” is a pretty bland romantic ballad but their chemistry made it a fun scene. I also really enjoyed Ameena McKenzie as Medda and her spirited take on “That’s Rich.”

My favorite moment of the night, as directed by Sara Hartmann, is during “Santa Fe” when they lit up the red rock on the sides and behind the stage. It brought something to the production only Tuacahn could provide making it feel special and unique. Newsies is always worth a watch and a great learning experience for kids. It is playing through October 24th and tickets to it and The Little Mermaid can be purchased here.

The Little Mermaid has music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater with a book by Doug Wright based on the 1989 film and the classic story by Hans Christian Andersen. It premiered on Broadway in 2008. Newsies has music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman and a book by Harvey Fierstein based on the 1992 film which is losely based on the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. It premiered on Broadway in 2012.

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.

I have only seen the play Peter and the Starcatcher one time before but I was not impressed with the material so I was a little anxious when I was invited to review it again for The Empress Theatre’s latest production. Fortunately, while I still do have issues with the play itself they did all they could to bring a playful energy to their staging that I do appreciate.

The cast is all solid with them embracing the playful nature of the production. Alexander Richardson gets the most juicy part as Stache but I really enjoyed Gwen Jonsson as Smee especially her puppetry work with the parrot. Koda Smith and Camille Bassett are both sweet and endearing as Peter and Molly respectively.

Directed by Beth Bruner I love how everything felt like it was part of a children’s imagination. Most of the props are things made from other things- a brush made into a microphone, a twister wheel used to steer a ship etc. If you think about it that’s how kids play- combining lores, playing dress-up and imagining items are different than they are. It’s charming and helps forgive problems in the script.

Speaking of those issues particularly in Act 1 with 2 separate narrations going on it can be very confusing what is happening and even who the characters are. I wish I had a paper program that might provide a little insight into what is happening but alas we are left to seemingly pure randomness. In Act 2 things start to coalesce a little better with the pirate Stache and Peter Pan after the same trunk of treasure. We also get the Easter eggs to Peter Pan with Stache losing his hand, introduction of The Lost Boys and the discovery of Neverland.

All that said, the production at The Empress did all they could to make this unwieldly play work. If you are looking for something to take your kids to that might inspire some creativity from them it is a good choice. Unfortunately the run ends tonight but they have Murdered to Death murder mystery coming soon. Information on tickets can be found here.

Peter and the Starcatcher is a play by Rick Elice based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. It provides backstory to the characters of J.M. Barrie’s Peter and Wendy which is both a play and novel. It first opened on Broadway in 2012 and then an Off-Broadway run in 2013.

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.

Review by Jen Edwards

If you haven’t seen the musical Bright Star yet, you should. Written by Steve Martin (yes, that  Steve Martin) and Edie Brickell, this bluegrass-infused gem is set in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge  Mountains between the 1920s and 1940s. It tells a moving story of love, loss, redemption, and  reunion, anchored by the “Bright Star” of hope and second chances. 

The Sandy Arts Guild’s production, now playing at the Theater at Mount Jordan, delivers an  emotionally rich and musically incredible performance that rivals any professional staging. I’ve  seen several versions of Bright Star, including one with much of the original Broadway cast, and  this local production really holds its own – especially in the storytelling.  

Leading the charge is Ashley Shamy as Alice Murphy, who brings both emotional depth and  vocal brilliance to the role. Her vocal performance is a perfect blend of strength and  vulnerability, capturing the distinct twang and soul of bluegrass with authenticity. Shamy  doesn’t just sing; she tells a story with every note. The Billy (Joel Peterson) and Margo (Eden  Rhodes) are also standouts, but the entire ensemble is great – providing tight harmonies,  vocally, comedically and dramatically. Director David Hanson clearly understands the emotional  core of this musical. Hanson balances humor and heartbreak seamlessly, and grounds the story  with clarity and heart.  

The live performance of the on-stage bluegrass band energizes every scene, adding a genuine  rhythm to the storytelling. The banjo-led instrumental number at the top of Act II is foot stomping fun. The sets/moving set pieces and lighting worked well to transform the middle  school theater into a true Broadway stage. A few minor microphone and sound balancing issues  were the only distractions from the magic of it.  

I laughed, I teared up, and I left the theater humming. I was captivated. Sandy Arts Guild’s  Bright Star is just so good. As Alice says, “if you knew my story, you’d have a good story to tell”.  And this is a story well-told. 

Don’t miss it. Only 5 shows left. Tickets can be purchased here.

Bright Star has music by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell with lyrics by Brickell and a book by Martin. It premiered on Broadway in 2016 and was nominated for 5 Tony Awards.

I’d be interested in having more friends reviews shows I can’t get to especially in Northern and Southern Utah. If you are interested please message me on social media or email me at rachelsreviews65@gmail.com. Thanks Jen for doing this one!

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.

Any seasoned theatre-goer will tell you that sometimes the talent elevates the material they are given. Whether it is the actors chemistry together or the direction they are given by the director a quality production can take something that’s weak and make it entertaining to watch. Such is the case with Salt Lake Acting Company’s new play, The Roommate, which is a show I still recommend but because of the leading ladies more than what playwright Jen Silverman has given them to perform.

The play focuses on Sharon (Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin,) a recently divorced woman in Iowa who invites Robyn (Annette Wright) a transplanted New Yorker to become her roommate. 2 women from different backgrounds that share some life experiences (for example, they are both estranged from their children) is enough to tell a compelling story. Sharon could begin dating again, as she does in the play. They could both work to reconcile with their children or any number of relatable and understandable life situations. Instead Silverman decides Robyn being ‘quirky’ means she’s into credit card fraud and smoking pot. I suppose I can understand a sheltered woman like Sharon being tempted by illicit activities but she would at least have some reservations when it actually comes down to swindling her neighbors and associates. Either way, it took me out of the play making the whole experience less effective than it could have been.

All that said, both Darby-Duffin and Wright are excellent in their performances giving as much heart to the story as they possibly can, and I believed they are genuine friends. In the talk-back after Wright said it is fun for them because they are cast against type as she usually plays more naive roles like Sharon. In many ways that sense of awkwardness works for these characters who are both stepping outside their comfort zone taking on a new roommate.

I do want to say I really appreciate the warm and friendly atmosphere over at SLAC. They not only welcome each group to their shows but gave me a personalized thank you card for covering/attending their upcoming season. It might seem like a small detail but it helps endear a patron to the company even if the play isn’t perfect (I absolutely adored their Bat Boy earlier this year.) This production of The Roommate is directed by Teresa Sanderson, and she has gotten the most out of her actors. The set by Spencer Potter is a believable Iowa kitchen (although there are some conveniences in Silverman’s script that have to be ignored like Robyn never unpacking her kitchen supplies or even moving them from the porch but oh well.) They also actually drink coffee and pour actual almond milk from a carton on the fridge and little details like that help add to authenticity in a play like this.

If any of my readers have seen a production of The Roommate I’d love to know what you think. It is playing through October 26th with a matinee on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Roommate is a play written by Jen Silverman in 2015 and it first premiered on Broadway in 2024.

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.

Obviously different theatre can entertain in different ways. Some of it is funny. Some dramatic. Some stand out for dancing. Others incredible singing. All that is great but it’s really nice when a piece of theatre delivers all of those attributes in one show. Basically I leave the theater having been thoroughly entertained. Such was my experience seeing Hopebox Theatre’s new production of The Scarlet Pimpernel. It’s a blast that I highly recommend.

I give this recommendation and yet I admit the show itself for The Scarlet Pimpernel I think is pretty mediocre. It’s not bad but it drags out and the songs are mostly forgettable. Fortunately, the team at Hopebox led by directors Becca Rhodes and Spencer Bawden have taken flawed material and made it as fun and energetic as possible. It’s not an easy task they have done and I admire them for it!

I saw the Teal cast and it is uniformly strong. Spencer Ford is charming and sweet as Percy in the lead. Megan Derrick could be more consistent with her accent but she has a beautiful singing voice as Marguerite and our team of fluffy men or ‘Percy’s Bounders’ are all a hoot to watch. Braden Hull also gives just enough irritation at Percy to make Chauvelin entertaining.

The technical aspects of the production are also strong although I have noticed a little more minimalism at Hopebox lately. I’m sure budgets have been cut this year (the priority is to fundraise for their Hopebox recipient so I get that.) It’s just productions like last year’s Oliver! were so rich and layered that a simpler set like we had here stands out. The most impressive aspect was the choreography by Wyatt Welch. Again they have a small space and a large cast but they keep everyone moving and dancing. I particularly admired the party scene where Marguerite is trying to get clues while the ensemble is ballroom dancing. There’s also a really fun sword fight at the end where Marguerite even gets a bit of the action.

Of course, Hopebox is not just a show but a community service project where one can help them fundraise for their recipient fighting cancer. It’s a wonderful mission but I appreciate they don’t lean on that mission to excuse poor shows. They use it as a catalyst to be the best they can be and that’s certainly the case with The Scarlet Pimpernel. It’s a great night of community theatre and worthy of your time. Sink me but it’s a terrific show! It is playing through November 1st and tickets can be purchased here.

The Scarlet Pimpernel has music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics and book by Nan Knighton based on the novel by Baroness Orczy. It debuted on Broadway in 1997 and ran for 772 performances.

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.

Any Broadway fan knows that every hit movie is turned into a musical these days so it was only a matter of time before the massive hit 1990’s Ghost got the musical treatment. In a way I think it’s a bit of a shame because I’ve seen it twice now and both times I wish it was a straight play and not a musical. Alas, we have Ghost: The Musical, and it is currently being put on at Heritage Theatre in Perry. It is not a perfect production but worth supporting a company trying to push themselves and grow beyond safe, expected material.

If you have seen the movie the plot for this adaptation is basically scene-for-scene the same with of course songs added in. It tells the story of a couple, Sam and Molly, who are separated when he is murdered in a violent attack. Being a victim of a crime, however, Sam stays on Earth to try and help his wife and to make sure the murderer is caught and punished. Helping him in this goal is a medium named Oda Mae Brown, who is memorably played by Whoopi Goldberg in the film (she won an Oscar for the role.)

At Heritage Ghost is directed by Breanne and W. Derek Hendricks, and I admire the visual effects they develop throughout the show with lighting designer Chris Ward and projections that helped create the alternate realities needed for a ghost and human interactions (strobe lights are used as well as fog and walls made out of fabric.)

I also really enjoyed the acting with Luke Merkley and Hannah Atkinson having nice chemistry together as Sam and Molly respectively with them both being able to pull off the more emotional sections. Jazmine Peterson steals the show as Oda Mae with all the personality and humor one could bring to the character. Sam Bakker is appropriately skeevy as the villainous Carl.

The downside to the production is the singing. Part of it is probably opening night jitters but the singing wasn’t as accomplished as most of the performances at Heritage are. I know they all did their best, but they can keep on working on that aspect to improve over the run. It doesn’t help that the songs themselves are bland and outside of “Unchained Melody” completely forgettable. Like I said, I wish it was a straight play instead of a musical but that’s just me.

Even with flaws I’m still glad I saw Ghost: The Musical at Heritage Theatre. It’s a theater that is everything I could ask for in a community theatrical company, and I’m glad they keep challenging themselves with less-performed works like this. With the romantic themes it would make a good date night and the tickets are very affordable. It is playing through Oct 25th and tickets can be purchased here.

Ghost: The Musical has music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard with lyrics and book by Bruce Joel Rubin. It is based on the 1990 film with a script from Rubin who won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his work. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2012

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.

Hi theatre friends! I hope you are doing well and enjoying lots of great local regional theatre wherever you might be. I am as busy as I’ve ever been with a movie or piece of live theatre to review almost every night, sometimes multiple in a day. It can be overwhelming but I’d say it’s a happy problem to have to have too much cool stuff to review.

I am still co-hosting the Onstage Blog Theatre Podcast, and we had a pretty fun episode this week. Jacks and my friend Marc joined me to give our ‘pitches’ for what we think would be good investments for shows on Broadway. Give it a listen and let me know which of our ideas you like best:

If you are new to my site I have my normal reviews which I write for theatre I am requested to critique by the company but then I also have these logs I do periodically for shows I see as a patron. Fortunately most company’s want me to review their shows these days so I may have to come up with a different system in the future but for now this works. Today I have 2 quick shows to log but please make sure to read my longer reviews of the many terrific local productions I have written about recently

The Hunchback of Notre Dame- Scera Center for the arts, Orem

Of all the Disney theatrical productions the one I have surprisingly seen the most times is The Hunchback of Notre Dame (even more than The Little Mermaid which caught me off guard.) This is perhaps even more surprising when if you know I’m not the biggest fan of the animated film which it is based on. I admire the chutzpah of it, but I don’t think it all works as a family film. Anyway, I had the chance to see a production at Scera Center for the Arts in Orem and it was another terrific staging of this classic story.

This show was directed by Michael Carrasco and his 2-story set was the biggest standout of the night. The set felt both rich in details while also allowing them to quickly transition from the cathedral scenes to the pubs and Court of Miracles. The costumes (Kelsy Seaver) and make-up (Becky Cline) particularly with the gargoyles and Saints characters that looked extremely convincing as made of stone.

The cast was all excellent with Benjamin Oldroyd playing Quasimodo with authenticity and relatability that can be missing from some portrayals (the character can feel tokenizing in the wrong hands.) I particularly liked how they worked in the sign language of the character into the portrayal. He was surrounded by a strong ensemble with Andrew Lambert as the villainous Archdeacon Frollo.

Unfortunately The Hunchback of Notre Dame just finished its run at Scera but if you are in Utah County Scera is a good option for musical theatre as their shows are almost always worth watching (both their outdoor shell in the summer and indoor shows the rest of the year.) You can find out more about their company here.

Satisfied- Feature Film Documentary

I normally review films over on my film site but since this documentary has a theatrical component I decided to mention it here. It’s called Satisfied and it is about Broadway singer and actress Renee Elise Goldsberry who originated the role of Angelica in Hamilton on Broadway. But the documentary goes beyond that and focuses on her struggles to balance out motherhood of her 2 small children with such a demanding job and role.

I think a lot of women will relate to what Goldsberry is going through and the documentary does a good job of making this exceptional experience of Hamilton feel grounded and easy to relate with. It’s also fun as a theatre fan to see the early start of such a musical phenomenon and how various aspects were workshopped and changed before premiering on Broadway in 2015.

I’m not sure what streaming service Satisfied will end up on but if you are a Broadway fan or just interested in stories about dynamic women/mothers Satisfied is definitely worth a watch. You can pre-order it on amazon here (ad.)

The Huncback of Notre Dame has music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwarts with a book by James Lapine and Peter Parnell. It is based on the animated film from 1996 and the novel by Victor Hugo.

Satisfied is directed by Chris Bolan and Melissa Haizlip and is a documentary with interviews of Goldsberry, Lin-Manuel Miranda and more

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.