There are times when I think the non-Utah readers of my site think I am being hyperbolic with the quality of the productions in my state but I just wish they could all experience how good so many of them are and they’d see the truth in my praise. Such an example of an outstanding production is A Tale of Two Cities: Live in Concert that is currently running at the Egyptian Theater in Ogden by Ogden Musical Theatre. This is the second production I have seen from them with Aida being good but not great but this one truly blew me away.
Unlike Aida this is a musical I have never seen before and am largely unfamiliar with. I’d actually heard disparaging things about it and that it’s a ‘copy of Les Miserables‘ but I’d just never had the chance to see it. When I found out this was a concert experience I was concerned I’d struggle to follow along but I have read the book by Charles Dickens and they still acted out most of the scenes just didn’t have sets and costumes like a traditional play (all the actors are in black.) They do have projections in the background to set tone which I liked when it was real paintings better than when it was AI drawings but it was effective.
This production is directed by Maddie Tarbox and the large orchestra is directed by Michael Palumbo, and it’s an amazing experience to be a part of. The orchestra is outstanding and the cast is as good as anything you’d see in New York. The whole night I kept thinking this entire production could be done at Lincoln Center and I wouldn’t find it out of place one bit. You’d never expect to find something on that level in Ogden.
Kyle Olsen leads the cast as Sydney Carton with Jessica Knowles Andrus being the other standout as Madame Defarge but honestly they are all great. Not only do they have professional quality voices but they sold the scenes for someone like myself that is unfamiliar with the work.
While this is my first time seeing this show I didn’t feel like it is Les Miserables-light. I can see some similarities in their revolutionary stories but it’s much more of a romantic love triangle than Les Miserables which really only has that for the secondary characters Marius/Cossette/Eponine. If anything Jill Santoriello in her book, music and lyrics have improved on some characters from the novel like Lucie is less of a damsel in distress and has more of a narrative arc through the musical.
The musical does feel a little bloated but all the performances are so captivating and the music so outstanding that I was entertained throughout. A Tale of Two Cities: Live in Concert is playing in Ogden through March 1st and I can’t recommend it more highly. Tickets can be purchased here.
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. Please take a look here.
I don’t know if I have seen anything quite like the phenomenon that has become the Hadestown: Teen Edition. At least here in Utah it is being performed everywhere. This is my 3rd review in just a few months and there are multiple productions I have not seen. The interesting thing is when I saw Hadestown on Broadway I was in the liked it but didn’t love it camp. I never expected I would become a mini-expert on the teen edition! That said, I am here for it because this show gives so much opportunity for the students to grow and provides ample space for lots of teens to become involved whether it is the large ensemble scenes or the technical and music elements that are a part of the show. Yesterday I had the chance to see the production at Skyridge High School and it was another outstanding trip to the underworld.
Of the 3 teen productions I’ve seen this one at Skyridge is the most simple with minimal props and simple sets but I was fine with that. Director John Brown has clearly worked hard with his team to involve as many students as possible with nearly 50 members of the two-part ensemble alone. The set is also simple but it looked homemade by the students and that’s what I like to see. The electric aspect of Hadestown was featured in stadium lights behind the actors and some of the Workers wearing miner headlights. The ‘tech theatre class’ is credited in the set design and construction and that is awesome and they should all be commended for their hard work. I also really appreciate the live band and the sound work microphoning almost everyone in the ensemble is no small task.
The cast of teens is excellent with AnnaBelle Taylor and Alexander Hsiao standing out as Persephone and Hades respectively. Taylor brings a hopeful spirit to Persephone one doesn’t always see and Hsiao nails all those low notes and the wicked charm needed for Hades. Claire Allen and Daxter Jones are also outstanding as Eurydice and Orpheus respectively. All the Chants and Epic numbers are so well sung and the choreography by Kirsten Richards keeps the action moving, even through some of the slower sections.
I’m not sure what else anyone could ask for from these teens. They did an incredible job and I highly recommend seeing Hadestown: Teen Edition at Skyridge while you have the chance. It is playing through 2/25 and tickets can be purchased here.
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. Please take a look here.
Sometimes being a theatre critic can be tricky. There are so many aspects that go into a successful production that it can be tough to know what to value more than others and how much my personal taste to factor into an overall recommendation. This is why I am starting a new grading icon. Since I don’t have the rotten/fresh requirements my movie reviews must fit into I am now going to have a ‘mixed bag’ rating for a production I feel mixed on. Simple as that. Let me know what you think of this new rating!
I mention this new rating because it is exactly how I felt about Hale Center Theatre’s new production of The Prince of Egypt. This is an adaptation of the popular animated film (a movie I adore) and this is only the 7th worldwide production of this musical just after a 2020 staging in the West End that was filmed for a pro-shot released in 2023. I saw the pro-shot and felt it was a mixed bag but was excited to see it in person at Hale. In the end I left feeling once again mixed about the whole experience.
Let’s start out with the good. Pretty much everything that is within Hale’s control they excelled at. The singing and choreography is Broadway level quality as is expected at Hale with Zack Wilson and Ren Cottam having terrific chemistry as Moses and Ramses respectively. The spectacle by director Dave Tinney is also very impressive with “The Plagues” being the highlight of the night. They use a giant metallic fabric with surrealist projections on it to symbolize the darkness and chaos. It is a breathtaking effect. I was also impressed with how grounded the production was with the stage staying put almost the entire night with only a few small movements. I loved the spectacle of Beauty and the Beast, but I know the stage mechanizations hurt the sight lines for many patrons. This is a welcome change of pace for anyone who has those concerns.
All that said, this is a terrible adaptation of this movie. I left thinking what on earth was music and lyricist Stephen Schwartz thinking? I understand that an animated film needs to be puffed out in order to fit the length of a Broadway musical but this show only has 5 songs from the original film and all the new songs are weak and the changes they make to the characters is honestly baffling. What shocked me most is how much Schwartz and team have secularized the piece. I understand the animated film focuses on Ramses and Moses as brothers but not at the expense of a religious transformation by Moses and a clear weakness on the part of Ramses to recognize the power of the Hebrew God.
In this version the burning bush sequence is treated as an after-thought and the Egyptian Gods are mentioned more than the Hebrew. It feels like Moses is the villain of Act II not Ramses the enslaver and dictator who lets his pride get in the way. Believe it or not they give the 2 brothers a happy ending embracing in the middle of the Red Sea. It’s completely ridiculous and underwhelming (I could go on and on with loads of nitpicky changes I didn’t like but I’ll spare you!)
I will definitely be curious what others think of this one. Perhaps I am too attached to the animated film. I don’t know. Like I said, the Hale aspects are outstanding. It looks great. All the talent is impressive, so I can’t say don’t see it. It’s worth seeing for all they accomplished. I just wish it was a better adaptation. If it ever makes it to Broadway I hope they make significant changes.
This mixed experience makes it the perfect time to use my new rating! Let me know what you think if you get to see The Prince of Egypt at Hale Center Theatre. It is playing through April 12 and selling out fast. Tickets can be purchased here.
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. Please take a look here.
Hi everyone! I can’t believe we are at my 100th theatre log! Where does the time go? Today I have 3 shows to give my quick reports on as most companies are asking for me to do full reviews these days. I am certainly being kept very busy watching theatre (happy problem to have seeing too many plays!)
XANADU- UNIVERSITY OF UTAH THEATRE PROGRAM, SALT LAKE
Last year I was a big fan of Starlight Express put on by the Liahona Academy. It was fresh and exciting and full of movement and fun. It is for this reason that when I saw the advertising for Xanadu at the U of U I made sure to squeeze it into my busy February schedule. I realize the plots are different but the roller skating featured in the marketing made think Xanadu would also be a fun and energetic musical. After seeing it there is fun to be had it’s just not very much with the roller skating so that was disappointing.
In fact, there is really only one character that wears roller skates for most of the show. It’s Kira played by Alexa Shaheen. She is very good and is very skilled at several accents including an Australian one. All the students are excellent in this and it was interesting to see another take on the Greek myths since I have seen Hadestown so much recently (I’m actually seeing it again tonight!)
That said I was underwhelmed by the story and found it quite plodding and dull. I have never seen the 1980 film so maybe that is part of it. If I had nostalgia for the movie maybe I would be more charmed by the experience. I never regret supporting student performers but Xanadu as a show just wasn’t for me. Xanadu is playing through 2/23 and tickets can be purchased here.
This production of Xanadu is directed by David Eggers. Music & lyrics by Jeff Lynne & John Ferrar with a book by Douglas Carter Beane based on the 1980 feature film.
CINDERELLA- THE RUTH THEATRE, PLEASANT GROVE
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big fan of Cinderella. I just love the story of hope and magic so I was very excited when I heard Cinderella is going to be one of The Ruth’s premiere shows in their new theater. This is the “Topher” version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and they did not disappoint. What an enchanting beautiful night of theatre.
I was able to attend the T/Th/Sat cast and I hope to be able to see the other cast before the run ends. Cinderella or Ella is played by Teaira Burge and she is absolutely luminous as our lead. She is warm and kind and everything you could want in a Cinderella. The whole cast is great with Dan Van Ormer as Prince Topher and Bonnie Wilson Whitlock as a deliciously evil stepmother Madame.
Even if you don’t like Cinderella as much as I do this show is worth seeing for the production details alone. Director Rodger Sorensen and his team have seemingly thought of everything. The puppetry throughout is charming, the choreography by Sayoko Knode is dynamic and fun and the costumes are next level outstanding. Costume designer Elizabeth Banks Wertz belongs on Broadway not in Pleasant Grove! I particularly loved a gold dress for the banquet and the wedding dress is unforgettable.
Fortunately there is lots of time to see Cinderella at The Ruth. It is playing until May 3rd and I highly recommend checking this one out. Tickets can be purchased here.
This version of Cinderella is based on the classic story with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Hammerstein and Douglas Carter Beane.
SHE LOVES ME- OPPA THEATRE, LAYTON
Like Cinderella I also love the musical She Loves Me and will go to whomever is putting it on. This includes driving up to Layton to see it at OPPA (On Pitch Performing Arts) this last Monday, and I’m glad I did. What a charming and well performed piece of romantic comedy theatre that I highly recommend.
This production stars Caitlin Olsen as Amalia Balash who secures a job in the opening scenes at a perfumery in Budapest (the original play Perfumerie is Hungarian so must versions are set in Budapest.) Unfortunately for Amalia she doesn’t get along with her boss Georg Nowak played by Cormac Romine but the catch is the 2 enemies are actually writing each other as part of a Lonely Hearts Club. I think someone would have to be pretty cynical to not be charmed by this premise. 2 people falling in love over their words is just an appealing concept and the musical is so well crafted with wonderful songs throughout.
The stage at OPPA is small but I was impressed with how director Mira Jorgensen and set designer Brandon Stauffer created the world of the store and used moveable blocks to create everything from a store counter to a bed depending on the scene. Olsen and Romine have excellent chemistry as our leads but the real standout in the cast is Amanda Murray as Ilona Ritter. She has a lovely singing voice and brought a lot of personality to role with her dynamic acting. The highlight of the night is the “Ice Cream” and “She Loves Me” songs when both of our leads realize they love the person they thought they hated. I also loved hearing Olsen sing “Dear Friend.” OPPA should feel very blessed they have a singer as talented as Olsen in their productions. She elevates everything she is a part of.
OPPA is what I refer to as a learning company so it doesn’t have the polish of something like The Ruth but that’s all part of the charm of a night of community theater. She Loves Me is playing through March 1st and tickets can be purchased here.
She Loves Me has music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and a book by Joe Masteroff.
So there you have it! What have you been watching and have you seen any of these shows? Happy theatre going!
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 theatre friends! I have 3 shows to update you with logs on. This weekend I have 4 shows I am doing full reviews on so that will be intense but it’s a happy problem to have so much to review! If you are new to my site the logs are shorter reactions to shows I have paid for myself where the reviews are comped tickets from the company with a requested detailed review. More and more companies are asking me for full reviews which must mean I’m doing something right but I still will have logs from time-to-time.
EMMA- SANDY ARTS GUILD, SANDY
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big Jane Austen fan. In fact, right now on my youtube channel I am doing Jane Austen Month where I am reviewing more of the movies based on Jane Austen’s wonderful novels. That said, I went into seeing Emma at Sandy Arts Guild with moderate expectations because I thought it was the musical adaptation. Despite my love for composer Paul Gordon I’m not a big fan of that adaptation despite having seen it from several strong companies including Utah Shakespeare Festival. Fortunately when I sat down in Theatre on the Mount in Sandy I discovered this isn’t the musical adaptation but a brand new version written by writer and director Laura Bedore Lerwill. Adapting Austen is no easy task and Lerwill has done a masterful job with this script and basically every other element was incredible in this production. I LOVED it! I kind of wish I wasn’t so scheduled because I’d go see it again I enjoyed it so much.
I could go on for weeks about Lerwill’s adaptation but one of my favorite elements is using letters as a narrative device throughout. Whether it is Robert Martin (Aidan Hughes) writing to Harriet (Rachel Johnson) or Emma (EmmaLee MacKay) writing to her sister Isabelle. The whole cast is absolutely excellent with terrific chemistry between MacKay’s Emma and Jim Dixon’s Mr Knightley.
The other production elements are very impressive with period accurate costumes from Chad McBride, millinery (hats/hairpieces) by Karen Chatterton, and a smart set that is easily changed from Emma’s home at Hartfield, to the Bates house to the Weston’s homes with ease. The old-fashioned dancing is a lot of fun (especially in the iconic scene where Emma and Mr Knightley dance for the first time.)
Sandy Arts Guild has been consistently outstanding with their productions (their Mamma Mia was one of my favorites of 2024) and they continue that trend with Emma. I can’t recommend it more highly. Emma is only playing until 2/15 so not much time to see it but tickets can be purchased here.
LITTLE WOMEN- HALE CENTER THEATRE, SANDY
I have already written my full review of Hale Center Theatre’s current production of Little Women but I wanted to see the MWF cast so I purchased a ticket to see it again (I love Little Women in almost any format including this musical.) Given I’ve already reviewed it this log will be brief. The biggest difference between this viewing and the previous one is that I was in the first row this time where last I was near the back. Being close up it helped me notice more details in the performances and especially in the background projections behind the actors. I could read the text better and it added a layer to my enjoyment.
It was also fun for me to see Josh Egbert as Professor Bhaer. We’ve had Josh on my podcast, and he is very talented. They really play up the nerdy aspects of the men in this production which I really enjoy. Of course that makes sense for Profressor Bhaer being he is a professor but I like the more nerdy takes on Laurie (Joshua Hyrum Smith), John Brooke (Alex DeBirk) and even Mr Laurence (Daniel Hess.)
Another treat for me in this cast is Amanda Crabb as Marmee. She was a voice teacher of mine for many years, and I appreciate the warmth she brought to the role and she nailed “Days of Plenty” which is one of my favorite songs of the show.
Little Women is playing at Hale Center Theatre until April 23 and either cast is excellent. Tickets can be purchased here.
THE MUPPET SCRIPT- DYNASTY TYPEWRITER, LIVE STREAM, LOS ANGELES
Now I just want to close out this log with a quick livestream recommendation. I don’t know about you but I’m a huge Muppets fan. I love the mix of humor, heart, and music the franchise has always provided. In fact, every year on my channel I have Muppet May which I will continue this year. Well any Muppets fans will love an event called The Muppet Script put on by a company called Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. This is a cool opportunity to have the script from The Muppet Movie read and performed by a variety of actors including Nina West, Marc Evan Jackson and Bobby Moynihan.
I absolutely love The Muppet Movie but I have never heard the screenplay and it is very interesting to hear the direction given by Jerry Juhl and Jack Burns for the scenes. Plus the proceeds of the event go to help the recent LA Wildfire victims particularly those most poverty stricken. Some of the singing isn’t the best but it’s all for a good cause and definitely worth a watch for any Muppet fan.
Tickets to watch the livestream can be purchased here and I definitely recommend it!
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.
I don’t think there is anything better than seeing a classic American musical and it is even better when you get to see said musical from a new company full of energy and life. Recently I had such an opportunity with the chance to see a preview performance of the new production of Guys and Dolls at The Ideal Playhouse. This is the company’s third production, and I can honestly say they keep improving with each musical they put on and Guys and Dolls is the best I’ve seen from them. It’s definitely worth the effort to head up to Heber and see what they are doing there.
My favorite aspect of this production of Guys and Dolls is the casting. I particularly liked the ensemble including a great group of male actors playing our gamblers. Nathaniel Gay is an especial standout as Nicely-Nicely singing my favorite song of the show “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat.”
I also really enjoyed Brittany Smith (double cast with Brittany Boice) as Adelaide and Eddie Ryan is a young but charming Sky Masterson. Their songs “Adelaide’s Lament” and “Luck be a Lady” (respectively) are highlights of the show. Rebekah Helm also brings a lot of humor to Sarah Brown. I particularly enjoyed her tipsy scenes in the Havana section. Not all Utah actors can play drunk well and she does a great job!
This production of Guys and Dolls is directed by Steve Anderson and he has worked with his team to expand the small stage with projections across the back and side walls to make things feel as immersive as possible. I think when they do The Little Mermaid they could do even more of that but it’s fun when it does happen. I particularly enjoyed when Sky and Sarah go to Havana, and we as an audience are surrounded by Cuban imagery. There is also a scene where the actor appears in the projection walking in the background which is a very clever fun touch. I think they could lean into that immersivity even more as it is something their theater offers that nobody else does.
It is perhaps helped that Guys and Dolls is just such a likable show. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a production of it I didn’t like. I even like the movie. I did a video on it last year comparing my thoughts with an unfavorable review by Stephen Sondheim that is a pretty fun video:
Guys and Dolls has those romantic comedy roots and the songs are so catchy that it’s an easy crowd pleaser (music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows.) If you haven’t seen it lately and are looking for a fun night out check out the production in Heber. It is playing weekends until March 15th so get your tickets now. You can purchase tickets here.
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. Please take a look here.
Hi theatre lovers! I have 2 quick updates for you. While super busy with the Sundance Film Festival this last weekend I was able to see 2 local shows I’d like to share my thoughts on.
SHREK: THE MUSICAL- KENSINGTON THEATRE, SOUTH JORDAN
One of the big surprises for me as a musical theatre fan and critic was the first time I saw Shrek: The Musical. I am honestly pretty lukewarm on the movie so I did not expect to like the musical interpretation but I saw it back in 2021 for the first time and really enjoyed it. I recently saw it at Kensington Theatre in their black box stage and had a good time with it once again.
This production of Shrek is part of Kensington’s ABC program (Adult Boot Camp) so it is what I like to refer to as a learning company. Being in the black box this was also more stripped down than some of the other ABC productions I’ve seen (they had an Into the Woods that was one of the best versions of that show I’ve seen.) Director Toni Butler is very good at bringing the best out of her cast and helping instill a community spirit that is palpable and makes watching her shows even with flaws a real treat.
Dallin Remund is up to the task of playing Shrek including a consistent accent throughout. He also has nice chemistry with Lydia Butler playing Fiona. Jack Sheehan is a ton of fun as Lord Farquaad never failing to get the most out of his puppet legs which delivers a lot of laughs.
I honestly don’t know how I feel about the casting of a non-POC actor as Donkey. Obviously donkeys do not have a race but I feel the role is so clearly written for a Black actor in mind that it is a bit of a moral grey area. This was also the first time I saw different casting for this role so that might be part of it as well. What do you think?
That said, I still enjoyed this production of Shrek: The Musical and would recommend Kensington to anyone looking for a fun night of local theatre. Next up they have Man of La Mancha which I have never seen so that’s exciting. Tickets can be purchased here.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR- DRAPER HISTORIC THEATRE, DRAPER
It might sound crazy but sometimes I think I prefer the teen editions of popular musicals even more than the grown-up original versions. I like them because they cut away the more bloated elements of a show and leave us with the best the material has to offer. I recently saw Beauty and the Beast Jr at Draper Historic and it was a lot of fun for both teens performing and audience watching.
I saw the Enchanted cast in this double cast show and the teens are all wonderful and putting their best into the experience. When I see a youth production the most important element is the energy and sense of community spirit I sense from the performers. I know it’s not going to be perfect but that’s all part of the fun of it. Director Katie Davis has tapped into that youthful energy here and seems to have brought the best out of her young cast. I particularly enjoyed Tori Piacitelli as Belle and Rowan Morley as Gaston (Gaston is almost always my favorite in this show LOL.)
The ensemble choreography by Makayla Porter is a highlight with them packing as many kids as possible on to the stage and even pulling off a kickline for “Be Our Guest.”
Perhaps it is nostalgia talking but I do think it is a little bit of a shame to rely so much on projections in a production for youth. I have very fond memories building and painting sets in my high school shows and it’s a nice way for young actors with smaller roles to feel valued and included in the production. Nevertheless, it was interesting to see a more stripped down version of Beauty and the Beast with simple costumes and sets especially after I saw the complete opposite massive spectacle over at Hale last Fall. It just shows what a great show it is if it can be entertaining big or small.
Beauty and the Beast Jr is playing at Draper Historic until Feb 22nd and definitely worth your time. They even have audience participation in the transformation with light-up roses that was a fun touch. Draper Historic is a great deal and they have Bright Star coming up so I recommend getting season tickets. More information is available here.
Shrek: The Musical has music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics and book by David Lindsay-Abaire. Beauty and the Beast Jr has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice with book by Linda Woolverton.
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.
I love seeing the classics of musical theatre as much as anyone else. That said, it’s exciting when I get the chance to see a show I am unfamiliar with. Such was the case last Friday when I saw Lucky Stiff at the Heritage Theatre in Perry Utah. This is a favorite company of mine that operates out of a restored church in the middle of nowhere Box Elder County. There’s no better word for the experience they provide but charming. It’s charming and that’s exactly what one wants in a homey community theatre experience. So, I was thrilled to see they were able to install all new chairs (I missed the holiday show unfortunately.) What a wonderful improvement to the theater!
New chairs!
Even though it has been around since 1988, Lucky Stiff is a show I had never seen or even heard of before this production. I know the writing team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty and to be honest they have mixed results. I really don’t like Anastasia or Suessical but Ragtime is impressive. That said, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a comedic musical by them and especially one so over-the-top and zany like this show.
I saw the Monte Carlo cast at Heritage, and it’s a small group of actors, but very effective and skilled in their comedic timing. I was laughing throughout as was the audience surrounding me. The women of the piece are particularly funny with Nicole Frederick playing Annabel Glick, Ashlee Giblette as Rita La Porta and Kimberly Webb-Zimmerman as Dominique du Monaco. They are all excellent in their roles.
The plot for Lucky Stiff is quite outrageous. It is based on a novel but it feels like something old school comedians would do like the Marx Brothers or Buster Keaton. It has that energy a good farce should have. In the musical, a man named Harry Witherspoon (Quin Geilman) receives word that a long lost uncle has granted him a large inheritance in his will; however, in order to get said money he must treat his uncle to a vacation in Monte Carlo- as a taxidermal dead man! As you can imagine all chaos erupts with such a scheme and it’s quite funny.
I do wonder if this material needs to be a musical but there are some fun songs. Frederick gives just the right energy for “Nice” and Giblette is funny with a strong voice in “Fancy Meeting You Here.” Darin W Draper is also quite brilliant as our dead man never breaking character once. I never thought that playing dead would be difficult but it really was a feat to watch.
The production is directed by Amber and Spot Beecher and it does have some more mature moments but everything is staged with taste and to make the audience laugh. The set design by Spot and Jess Tarbet are simple but help the settings change quickly as the characters zip around Monte Carlo and other locations. The costumes by Amber were also just right for this kind of silly farce.
Lucky Stiff is playing at Heritage until February 1st and it would make a great date night, maybe a pre-valentines activity or a good break from serious films at Sundance to have some laughs. Either way it is definitely worthy of your time. Season tickets are very reasonable at Heritage. If I lived closer I would definitely get them. One can find out more and get tickets here.
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. Please take a look here.
It’s always an interesting thing reviewing high school theatre. While I certainly can be constructive my main goal is to be encouraging and help the programs be the best they can for the students. I must be doing something right because I have received a lot of requests from high schools and I’m always honored to do it (I have 3 more coming up in the next few months.) One of the most popular high school shows right now is Hadestown: Teen Edition. Of course, I reviewed the incredible production at Riverton High last fall, have another one coming up soon and there are at least 2 other locally that I did not see that I’m aware of. Today I am taking a look at the Liahona Theatre at the Liahona Preparatory Academy and their production of Hadestown.
Going into this show my expectations were high as Liahona did one of my favorite productions of 2024 with their Starlight Express and now they have another excellent offering with Hadestown. My favorite part is director Jordan Long clearly encourages a lot of students to participate with huge ensemble scenes covering the stage with choreography by Joleah Long. The Workers numbers were particularly impressive with the students looking appropriately robotic and angry. I believe strongly that high school theatre should be cut-free giving everyone the opportunity to be involved and this is certainly the case with productions like this and Starlight Express.
The stage at the Liahona can sometimes be prone to audio and other technical problems so I was very relieved everything went off without any issues. The set by scenic designers Brian and Canon Hadfield is outstanding with a 2-story subway platform with lighting and sound to give the feel of a subway. It was also interesting that the lighting only had the iconic Hadestown mining lights underneath smaller platforms that they used to move the actors around the set. It was very effective especially in the “Road to Hell (Reprise)” to end the show. The costumes by Melody Hadfield particularly on the 3 Fates are beautifully fit and tailored- perfectly designed for each role.
Compared to the Riverton production this cast did feel younger, which can be a little jarring for the darkness of the content but in some cases it added to the characters. In particular Brigham Ker brings a warmth and tenderness to Orpheus I haven’t always seen. He has a very lovely tenor voice and songs like the “Epic” songs he is a real stand-out. Eurydice, on the other hand, played by Amera Davis can really nail those low notes in songs like “Flowers.” The other leads are all terrific teen performers.
There’s still one more chance to support these wonderful teens in their production of Hadestown: Teen Edition. I think you will definitely find it worthy of your time. You can purchase tickets here.
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. Please take a look here.
Rachel Reviews Theatre 