noises-off

Hi theatre friends! I hope you are doing well. I have some of my logs to update you on. For those new to my site the logs are shorter reviews of performances (mostly theatre) that I have seen as a patron not a critic. If a company is interested in a full review (as well as my social media posts) just let me know at rachelsreviews65@gmail.com.) If you would like to support what I’m doing and get some cool perks check out my patreon.

Meanwhile I have 4 shows to log for you today so let’s get started:

TUCK EVERLASTING- CENTERPOINT LEGACY, CENTERVILLE

Occasionally an incident from my life will impact how a work effects me. Such was the case at Tuck Everlasting at Centerpoint. On the drive up to the theater I witnessed a traffic accident, which is a sobering experience. And of course, a musical about life and death like Tuck Everlasting is going to hit home even more than it might otherwise do after such an experience.

If you didn’t know this musical tells the story of Winnie Foster (Penny Hodson) who one day running away from home meets the Tuck family who have been blessed (or cursed?) with eternal life. She is particularly taken with Jesse (Maxwell Sperry) and they form a strong bond with each other. The whole cast is fantastic at Centerpoint, and I was impressed with not only their various singing abilities but the amount of dance required including a beautiful Act 2 ballet called “The Story of Winnie Foster.” It is worth seeing this show for that ballet alone (and I’m normally not someone who is wowed by dance.)

The choreography by Aaron Ford is outstanding as is the direction by Danny Inkley and the stunning sets with a rotating stage and forest-painted fabric that stretches all the way up the ceiling by scenic designer Joshua Roberts. I do think Tuck Everlasting drags a bit, and I can see why it didn’t last long on Broadway (aside from the ballet does it need to be a musical?) However, this production at Centerpoint is worth your time- especially given their low price-points. It is playing until June 17th and tickets can be purchased here.

ELVIS CONCERT- TRAVIS ALLEN AT IDEAL PLAYHOUSE, HEBER

I don’t often review concerts on here as I am not a music critic, but I wanted to let you all know about what they are doing up at Ideal Playhouse in Heber. In addition to quarterly productions they have musical acts on a regular basis. They seem to specialize in cover bands of classic acts and other vintage performers. I was able to see Travis Allen there last week and it was a lot of fun. He is one of the top Elvis impersonators in the country, and he puts on a good show. I was very impressed with how long the set of songs is and how personal and entertaining he is. It was a little warm in the theater but other than that I had a great time. Definitely check out Ideal Playhouse for their upcoming shows.

NOISES OFF!- PARKER THEATRE, SALT LAKE CITY

I was a little nervous going into Noises Off! at Parker. Not because I didn’t think they would do a good job. I knew they would, but I had just seen it at Centerpoint and sometimes comedies don’t bear the same repetition as other genres. I shouldn’t have been worried because even though I loved what they did at Centerpoint this was equally entertaining at Parker if not more so. I have rarely laughed more than at this hilarious production.

It’s hard to know who to praise more for this success but director Jennifer Hohl has to be top of the list. There are so many moving targets to keep track of including little details like where a plate of sardines are left, or if a bag is hung or not hung on a hook. The whole setting is a play-within-a-play so they need both the set facing the audience and the back which is not to work. Not only that, but when they are behind the set we need to hear them and make it sound differently than those performing directly in front of us on the stage. The sound design is always top tier at Parker and that’s no exception for Noises Off! (sound designer Spencer Hohl.)

My favorite of the performers is Corinne Adair Myers as Brooke/Vicki. She nails every bit of comedic potential in that dumb blonde type character. But they are all really funny. It’s one of the best shows I’ve seen at Parker and that’s saying something. If you like The Play that Goes Wrong I bet you’ll like Noises Off! It is playing through June 28th and ticket can be purchased here.

THE WEDDING SINGER- DRAPER HISTORIC, DRAPER

I have actually already reviewed DHT’s production of The Wedding Singer. The full review can be found here. But I wanted to see the MWF “Poser” cast, so I went with my friend to the Memorial Day show and it was super fun. The big standout of this cast was the supporting performers. Tanner Larsen actually plays George in both casts, and he’s such a talented comedic performer. I also really enjoyed Spencer Bushman as Sammy and Ashlee Howell as Holly. I hope both of them will be considered for leads in future productions. They deserve it. Alyssa Edwards is also really funny as Grandma Rosie. I do feel the other cast is a little more unique and not trying to duplicate the performances in the movie, but this is still a charming show and would make for a great date night. The Wedding Singer is playing at DHT until May 31st and tickets can be purchased here.

Tuck Everlasting has music by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen and a book by Claudie Shear and Tim Federle based on the novel by Natalie Babbitt. Noises Off is a play by Michael Frayn. The Wedding Singer has music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin with a book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy based on the film with script by Herlihy.

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.

Hi everyone! I hope you are doing well and enjoying some great local theatre wherever you might live. You might notice this is my first log in January. That is partly because I haven’t seen as many shows with Sundance keeping me busy but also because I am being asked to do full reviews by more companies, which makes me very happy. Not only do I admittedly love getting to see more theatre for less cost (I’m super poor!) but I get to write full reviews for some of my favorite companies. Thank you to anyone who supports what I’m trying to do here.

As things continue to evolve I may have to come up with a different strategy for my patron shows vs attending as a critic but I suppose a monthly log isn’t without value. Let me know if you have any ideas for what you would like to see from me.

RAGTIME- the ruth and nathan hale theater, pleasant Grove

First up I saw the new production of Ragtime at the new theater called The Ruth in Pleasant Grove. This used to be my beloved Hale Center Theater Orem but has now expanded into a massive new structure away from Orem. I was honestly a little hesitant to share this log because after posting what I thought was a relatively benign even positive reaction I received some pretty awful trolling. It is not my desire to hurt castmembers or companies with my logs even if I try to be constructive as any critic would do.

Anyway, here are my thoughts. First about the new complex. It is very grand and beautiful and I really appreciate they kept the intimacy of the HCTO stage as much as they could. It is not a spectacle theater like Hale Sandy (which I love but don’t need a duplicate.) I’m excited to see Cinderella in upcoming weeks to see what they can do with the space with something more fantastical of a setting. My main complaint with the new space is the chairs are very packed in and not as comfortable as I would hope for a new space.

As far as Ragtime, this was a bold show for them to pick as their first production and I admire them greatly for choosing it. I do have some issues with Ragtime in general. It feels a little overstuffed as a musical and some of the plots like everything with Evelyn Nesbit feel like a distraction from our core story of Coalhouse, Mother and Sarah. That said, The Ruth should be very proud of their production. The singing is excellent throughout with Brittany Sanders giving a commanding performance as Mother and Aria Love Jackson a moving portrayal of Sarah.

I appreciate the production didn’t rely on projections as is becoming so common these days. Everything felt real and lived in. The costumes by Dennis Wright are outstanding and the choreography by Joshua Whitehead for a large cast is terrific. The show is directed by Jennifer Hill Barlow and she makes some interesting choices. For example, “Till We Reach That Day” is more of an ensemble song than I have sometimes seen. Usually it is more of an anthem for Sarah’s Friend but making it more of a group number is an effective way to close out act 1.

Ragtime is double cast and playing until Feb 22nd, and it is definitely worthy of your time (if you take families it would be worthwhile to prepare kids for some intense scenes and themes but it could be very instructional and moving for them.) Tickets can be purchased for Ragtime here.

NOISES OFF- CENTERPOINT LEGACY THEATRE, CENTERVILLE

Next up, I saw the new production of Noises Off at Centerpoint Legacy. I am a huge fan of Centerpoint and think it is one of the biggest bang for your buck for theater in Northern Utah. Noises Off is a show I have seen the movie version but never the play so I was delighted to see it last night. (I actually interviewed Marilu Henner who played Belinda in the film here.) I know some people have to be convinced to see non-musicals but this Noises Off is honestly one of the best shows I’ve seen at Centerpoint and one of the funniest plays I’ve ever seen period. I was dying throughout and may even see it again to catch the other cast. That’s how much I enjoyed it.

I saw the MWF cast and they are all absolutely brilliant with Amelia Joan Bowles stealing the show as Vicki/Brooke. She is so good in that ditzy silly dual-role. I also loved Michael Reis as Garry/Roger but they are all great. I truly would put up this cast with any professional cast out there.

For Noises Off to work there has to be a brilliant set and they have one here by scenic designer Truxton Moulton. Not only does it have to work as a 2-story home with lots of doors that are constantly being open and shut but it also has to be flipped around to be a convincing back-side of the stage for act 2 (there are 3 acts for this show.) Director Jennifer Westfall keeps the manic pacing going and every aspect is coordinated perfectly to bring ultimate laughs.

I can’t recommend Noises Off at Centerpoint more completely. It does have some more adult themes but certainly should be fine for teens and up. Noises Off is playing until Feb 25th and tickets can be purchased here.