It’s always fun when I get to check off a few shows off of my bucket list, which is what I was able to do recently with 2 recent local shows. Plus, I was able to see a superb version of a classic so it’s been a fun March in Utah theatre.

MAN OF LA MANCHA- KENSINGTON THEATRE, SOUTH JORDAN

First up, we have Man of La Mancha at Kensington Theatre. I was really looking forward to this as it is a classic show I’d never seen and the team at Kensington did not disappoint.

Director Toni Butler has become a friend of mine and she always does a wonderful job at getting the best out of her community theatre cast and crew. I honestly think the team at Kensington is very underrated in the area. What’s especially impressive for their mainstage shows (not the black box like recent Shrek) is they have a full orchestra that’s actually in a pit in the ground of the stage. Obviously I’ve seen many orchestra pits in my day but never one that is actually in a pit. I always get a kick out of that and it’s just super impressive for a small company like Kensington to have live music for all their shows (orchestra director Michelle Willis)

The music is the big star of Man of La Mancha with many classic songs like “The Impossible Dream” “Dulcinea” and “I’m Only Thinking of Him.” The set at Kensington by art director Logan Bingham is stunning with 1600’s Spain created with adobe-looking buildings with multiple levels for actors to sit on. Gil Murdock is charismatic as Don Quixote/ Miguel de Cervantes and Karllen Johnson is a feisty Aldonza/Dulcinea.

My main critique of this production (aside from it being a little slow moving) is I wish they had worked in more choreography into the piece. There are a lot of scenes where the large ensemble is sitting where some movement might have livened things up a little. Unfortunately Man of La Mancha has finished its run but the teens are doing Little Shop of Horrors which you can find more information about here.

Man of La Mancha has music by Mitch Leigh, lyrics by Joe Darion and a book by Dale Wasserman

THE PAJAMA GAME- TERRACE PLAZA PLAYHOUSE, OGDEN

Next up we have a comedy I had never seen before. It’s The Pajama Game put on by Terrace Plaza Playhouse in Ogden. While there are outdated relationship aspects of this musical it does have some memorable tunes and a story about labor that many people will be able to connect with.

Terrace Plaza is an amateur community theatre so there are plenty of imperfections, but I commend them for picking such a unique choice. They are a company usually known for their family-friendly offerings but this piece has more of an edge to it along with some very catchy tunes. Director Melissa Trenery gets all she can out of her cast and Blaine Hickman was my favorite playing Sid. Jamila Lowe and Jim Tatton also did excellent work with the 50s inspired costumes. The Pajama Game is playing through April 5th and tickets can be purchased here.

The Pajama Game features music and lyrics by Richard Alder and Jerry Ross with a book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell

THE SOUND OF MUSIC- CENTERPOINT LEGACY, CENTERVILLE

Watching The Sound of Music at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre made me wish the company was more open to having critics at their shows so I could write a full detailed review and not just this log. I know it’s a risk for them, but I really do have so much I could say in a longer review. This production was remarkable and I highly recommend it to anyone in the area.

The cast is all excellent in this production with Emily Henwood and Clay Rockwood sporting incredible chemistry as Maria and the Captain. The true star, however, is the set design by Truxton Moulton. I love the choice to have a continual background of the mountains where it would have been much easier to have a projection screen. The characters are constantly surrounded by mountains which makes sense metaphorically and especially triumphant when they literally climb the mountain of the set at the end (brilliant.)

Director Kristin Pettingill Callor also makes the bold choice to show German 1940s film reels throughout including a speech by Adolph Hitler before the big concert sequence. What a ballsy choice for a company to make for a show usually seen as squeaky clean children’s fare. It is an astonishing moment and brings home the gravity of the concert I have never seen before (even the movie isn’t so tense.) Centerpoint once again proves itself to be an incredible company and I highly recommend seeing The Sound of Music while you have the chance. I guarantee this will be on my best of the year list for 2025. It is playing through April 24 and tickets can be purchased here.

The Sound of Music features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.

THE STING- PARKER THEATRE, SALT LAKE

Going into The Sting at Parker Theatre I wasn’t sure what I was going to get. There is a musical by Bob Martin of Drowsy Chaperone fame but this a play (an original adaptation I believe but no adapter is credited in the playbill just the writer of the Oscar winning film David S Ward.) While crime stories aren’t my favorite this is a slick and very well made production at Parker one any fan of the genre will love.

The story of this production did feel a little scattered and all over the place director Joanne Parker keeps the energy from sagging with thrilling fight sequences and loud gunshots that are very exciting. The cast is across the board on a professional level with Spencer Hohl owning every scene he is in as Johnny Hooker (the Robert Redford role in the film.) It says something to the depth of talent in Utah that the Parker was able to get so many talented men for the show. Not a weak link in the bunch.

Hohl does the sound design at Parker and it is always a highlight. I hope for a rain scene in every show I see there because it is so immersive and it is here. The costumes by Rebecca Fenton are also outstanding. No detail in the 1930s aesthetic has been left out from the period accurate hats to the shoes (a small thing but I loved how Hooker put his hat on his foot whenever he was sitting down. It’s that attention to detail I so admire at Parker.)

Like I said this kind of story isn’t really my thing but it’s so well done I heartily recommend checking out The Sting at Parker Theatre. I saw it opening night so there’s still tons of time to see it through May 3rd. Tickets can be purchased here.

So there you have it. Logs for 4 recent shows here in Utah. If you get a chance to see any of them let me know what you think. Enjoy!

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.