Everyone knows I love a genre specific musical. For example, some of my favorite recent musicals have been in the horror genre such asEvil Dead: The Musical and Heathers. I also love comedies, mysteries and of course romances. However, I also enjoy musicals that can manage to be mashups of several genres. This keeps me guessing as an audience member and can be a lot of fun to watch. Such is the case with the musical Curtains, which I finally got a chance to see at Heritage Theater this weekend. I love Heritage, and this is another charming night of community theater from them.
The story of Curtains is ostensibly a murder mystery but it becomes more than that because all the crime and detective work occurs behind the scenes of a Broadway musical being put on in Boston. The musical in question is called Robbin’ Hood of the Old West and this gives an old fashioned quality to any of the songs that are part of the show within a show such as “Wide Open Spaces,” “Thataway,” and “In the Same Boat” (the latter which we hear 4 different times throughout the show.) Then we have the songs about the crimes and investigation like “He Did It,” and “The Man is Dead.” Finally we have the songs about the company members themselves such as “Show People” and “It’s a Business.” One of my favorites is “I Miss the Music” sung by the show composer Aaron who misses writing with his wife Georgia.
As you can see Curtains has a lot going on so director Lindy Combe wisely keeps the production as simple as possible. I love that Heritage still uses all handmade where so many companies their size are using projections and AI. I also like that they use the entire space into the audience to help tell the story. I could have used even more of that to be honest. My favorite setpiece (set designer Jess Tarbet) was probably the old west saloon backdrop for “Thataway.” This uniquely captures not just a saloon but a saloon in a Broadway musical like Annie Get Your Gun.
In some ways this musical is ideal for community theaters because it gives so much for both the ensemble and individual soloists to do. The cast at Heritage is led by Spot Beecher as Lt Frank Cioffi and he’s a lot of fun in the role. Other standouts are Ali Arbuckle as Carmen Bernstein and R Henry Bennett IV as the snooty British director Christopher Belling. The nice thing about a show like Curtains is most of the songs are within the grasp of an amateur company and they sing them well here.
I’m not sure what the folks at Heritage could have done because the transitions were pretty fast but the show did feel long. That said, I was also at the end of a 2 day, 5 show, marathon event with my friend Jacks in town, so fatigue in Act 2 may be more on me than them. There are times when the backtrack felt a little loud and overpowered the singers and like I said, they could have come out into the audience even more. In the end, however, I found Curtains to be a charming night of community theater. I’m grateful to Heritage for helping me check this show off of my bucket list. It is playing through September 12th and tickets can be purchased here.
Curtains is a musical with music by John Kander (who also wrote Chicago and Cabaret) and lyrics by Kander, Fred Ebb and Rupert Holmes. Holmes wrote the book based on the original book and concept by playwright Peter Stone. It first premiered on Broadway in 2007 and on the West End in 2019. David Hyde Pierce infamously won the Best Actor Tony for Curtains over Raul Esparza which I will never forgive the Tonys for…
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.
If you follow my theatre criticism you have heard me use the term “learning company.” This is the moniker I give to community theaters that are more places for education than anything else and they often wear their amateur status on their sleeve. I always say there has to be one place where people can try out the theater without needing an MFA here in Utah. For a long time I would have definitely included Beverley’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse in that learning company group. I’m not even saying there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just what it was for a long time. But this is why you always give companies new opportunities because over the last year I’ve seen a real change at Terrace Plaza. It started with Urinetown, then Freaky Friday was solid and this week their production of Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame is so good it may bump them out of the learning company group all together.
In fact, I have a friend who had not the best experience with one of Terrace Plaza’s shows, and I messaged her after seeing this and told her she’d like it. I wouldn’t have done that if I wasn’t confident she’d have a very different experience with this production.
Last year when West Valley Arts did Hunchback I discovered I am a bigger fan of this show in general than a lot of my friends. I admit I do give it a certain amount of credit because it is one of the only of these Disney shows that actually improves upon the animated film it is based on. Most of them are major downgrade especially Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid. I love how they balanced the tone better than the animated film (getting rid of “A Guy Like You” and adding the Saint Aphrodisius element are such smart upgrades) but they also develop the character motivations much better particularly for Count Frollo.
At Terrace Plaza director and choreographer Aaron Ford has taken this strong material and gathered a group of actors and technicians capable of pulling off the moving story. Quasimodo played by Cameron Ropp is a little smaller than I sometimes see the character but he is very sweet and endearing. Olivia Lusk-Garibay is captivating as Esmeralda. I especially love the red outfit they give her so that when Frollo sings “Hellfire” she literally looks like fire as she dances. That was a brilliant choice by costume designer Jacci Olsen Florence. Speaking of Frollo he is played by Joshua Elden Egbert who is always excellent and he continues that streak here. He is so commanding in the role that the lady sitting next to me whispered “he’s such a creep!” Of course Josh is no creep in real life but that’s how immersive the performance is.
Sometimes Terrace Plaza can underuse the top parts of their stage (that was a critique for Freaky Friday) but for Hunchback they used those areas a lot. The bells looked very real and they used the trapdoor by the bells basically turning the right part of the stage and that platform into Quasimodo’s tower. I also really liked the stained glass lighting feature they had which changed colors for different scenes (lighting designer Melissa Trenery.) This is a nice break from the projections they have been using lately. I don’t mind a projection but will almost always prefer handmade sets if possible.
One of my favorite aspects of this production is the ensemble work- particularly the choral music throughout. The choreography is also very well executed with a massive cast with dozens of actors all dancing together on the stage for numbers like “Topsy Turvy.” I really enjoyed Dre Hay as Clopin, who can be a confusing character because he is joyous but also judgmental and even harsh but Hay finds the right energy to sell the character. Ricky Dowse has a nerdy energy that works quite well for Captain Phoebus and they all have excellent singing voices.
One point I have been critical of some Hunchbackproductions in the past is when they overplay the afterlife sequence at the end. While it makes sense for Quasimodo to lose his hunch in the after life it can be handled in a cringeworthy way. Not so here. I like that it is just a quick moment, almost like removing a coat, and the focus is quickly on his reunification with Esmeralda and his father. I also like how they handle the ending with the molten ore actually visualizing it with fabric coming out of the caldron. They really think of everything for this production.
There were a few problems particularly with the microphones and sound mix that can be worked on (I saw opening night) but nothing major. I enjoyed this so much I’d consider seeing the MWF cast if I can get up there (it’s an hour from my house.) Recently we had the unfortunate news of OPPA closing up in Layton so we need to support these Northern Utah theatre companies especially when they are putting out such high quality shows as this Hunchback at Terrace Plaza. It’s a must see in Weber County and is playing until 9/29 and tickets can be purchased here. (I had someone ask me about the seats and they are not the most comfortable but they do have cushions available for free which can help.)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is based on the 1996 Disney animated film with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The film is of course based on the novel by Victor Hugo. The book for the musical is from James Lapine and Peter Parnell. It has not been on Broadway but it did recently have a popular concert version in the West End in London. In my opinion it’s one of the only Disney Broadway musicals that actually improves upon the animated films.
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.
Growing up my Dad was a big fan of Sherlock Holmes as a character and particularly the BBC Granada series starring Jeremy Brett (if you haven’t seen it it’s fantastic and available to watch on amazon prime) I also am a big fan of The Great Mouse Detective from Disney and the first season of Sherlock as well as other iterations of the character. For these reasons I’ve been highly looking forward to Hale Center Theatre’s latest production of Moriarty (yes I’m aware the official title is Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty but I’m not writing that every time. Sorry Mr Ludwig.) Fortunately for this Holmes-head it did not disappoint.
The biggest standout to this production is the incredible set (set designer Jenn Taylor & Madeline Ashton) that transforms before our eyes with ease. The main set has exaggerated panels that can be folded in and flipped over to use both sides to create different rooms. They even at one point turn the stage into the Reichenbach Falls which are iconic in the Holmes stories. The set almost has a literary quality as if when they flip the panels over it is turning a page in the classic novels (I especially loved a boat that flips around to become a carriage. Ingenious!) This is mainly an adaptation of A Scandal in Bohemia mixed with The Final Problem and a few others added for fun. With this combination the play combines a lot of action and memorable characters like Irene Adler and the villainous Professor Moriarty (as the title of the play implies.)
Director Ryan Simmons has gathered a terrific cast that are just over the top enough to be fun without leaning too far into the camp. It never feels silly or like a comedy but it has a playful energy to it. Adam Packard is endearing as Sherlock and he banters well with Morgan Gunter as his sidekick Dr Watson. Packard also has delightful chemistry with Amber Dodge’s Adler. The Concord Theatricals page for this show says it has 5 actors playing 40 roles but here at Hale they have 7. The ensemble includes Bryan Dayley, Claire Kenny, Danny Kenny, and Bryson Smellie. Dayley is particularly impressive with his elaborate costume changes playing 6 roles including Mycroft Holmes, Inspector Lestrade, and Professor Moriarty all with different accents and personas. I saw him playing the D’Ysquith family in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder years ago. He’s incredible at playing different roles in the same show.
Even though the program says it is 2 hours I was in my car recording my reaction by 8:30 so it is under 90 minutes. While sometimes I feel cheated by a show with a brief runtime I didn’t mind it here. Where something like Six feels like I’m only getting half a show here it is full experience and nothing feels truncated or not fleshed out enough. Ken Ludwig knows how to put together a crowd-pleasing show and that’s what he does here. I think this is a lot better than his other take on Sherlock Holmes called The Game’s Afoot which is too meta for its own good (I felt cheated out of a Sherlock story with that one.)
The rest of the technical team behind Moriarty at Hale are first rate with costumes that can handle quick changes by Joy Zhu, lighting by Marianne Ohran, and sound by Kristin Tenney to name a few (by the way I love how many women are working on this production at Hale.) Because there is a little bit of romance along with the mystery and adventure Moriarty is also a play that should appeal to both men and women equally making it a great choice for date night.
Because I love musicals so much it might be a surprise to hear that of the 3 shows currently at Hale Ken Ludwig’sMoriarty is my favorite (My reviews for Our Town and Joseph.) It’s a super fun night at the theater that you and your family will love. While it is playing through November 14th I’d get your tickets now as it is sure to sell out. Tickets can be purchased here.
Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty is written by of course Ken Ludwig based on the classic detective short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It first premiered at the Cleveland Playhouse in 2023.
I need your help!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.
Hey theatre friends! I have a few shows to report to you all quickly that I attended as a patron not a critic. These are not full reviews but just a few quick thoughts on the productions. Make sure you are following me on instagram to get my out of theater reactions to everything, film and theatre, that I see. If any of these companies or others would like me to do full reviews DM or email me at rachelsreviews65@gmail.com. Here goes
Romeo & Juliet- Millcreek Community Theater, Millcreek, Utah
I love all levels of community theater but I especially love when a company leans into the community aspect. There’s no better example of this than the recent production of Romeo & Julietat Millcreek Community Theater. Not only was this classic well performed and directed but it was a free gift to the community. I hope that the community used this free gift as a way to introduce your kids to Shakespeare and this classic play or just enjoy it at no cost to yourself.
Of course, the show still has to be good even if it is free and this was. Director Traci Nelson got quality performances out of her large cast and Russell Jordan and Paige Sutherland had good chemistry as our leads. They could have done a little more with the 1950s setting update to the play but the way they used scaffolding and the outdoor amphitheater at Canyon Rim Park was effective. My only critique would be to give more directions next time because I parked on the wrong side of the park and I wish I’d brought my folding chair. Still, I really enjoyed this classic story well told. This production of Romeo & Juliet has finished its run but keep an eye on Millcreek’s facebook page for more information here.
Cyrano de Bergerac- Parker Theater, Salt Lake City
When Parker Theater announced their 2026 season we were all very surprised to not see a Shakespeare play on their roster. Along with Jane Austen they always do a play from the Bard but it all made sense when they had Cyrano de Bergerac instead. Even though it is a play written hundreds of years after Shakespeare it has much in common with one of his dramas and as an audience member it scratches a similar itch.
While the prose is good by Edmond Rostand it is a play that lives an dies on its main leads and you couldn’t ask for better actors than they have at the Parker. Roger Dunbar is commanding and devastating as Cyrano and Russ Maxfield (who I have loved for years since seeing him as Harold Hill in The Music Man at Centerpoint Legacy) as Christian. Sometimes I can leave this play feeling frustrated with Christian in his lack of honesty with Roxane but Maxfield creates empathy for the character. When he delivers his final plea to Cyrano that he wants to be loved for who he is it’s quite devastating. Roxane can also be a frustrating character because one can’t help wonder why she can’t see that Cyrano is the one who wrote those letters especially after 15 years! Kristi Curtis is convincing in the role and one can’t really blame her when everyone is lying to her for those years.
This production of Cyrano de Bergerac is directed by Spencer Hohl and he also does the fight choreography and sound which are all superb and help keep the play from feeling stodgy. The lighting by James B Parker is always the best in the state. They did a pretty good job paring down the play to just over 2 hours and it does include 5 acts but only 1 intermission is long. Cyrano is playing at the Parker through August 29th and tickets can be purchased here.
Frozen- Sandy Arts Guild, Sandy
I’m not sure why but nothing is being performed more this year than Frozen here in Utah. I could spend my entire theatre year going to just Frozen but one can only take so much Norwegian Disney delight. Suffice it to say I’m being picky with the Frozen productions I do see but when I heard about the cast at Sandy Arts Guild I had to see it and it did not disappoint.
To begin with I am always amazed at what SAG is able to pull off in a high school auditorium, which are so big and echoey- a tough venue to perform in but they don’t let that stop them. The team there led by director Mindy Eckroth has seemingly thought of everything with impressive visual effects using projections and lighting by Rick Marston, professional-looking sets by Tavnir Carey (Oaken’s Trading Post was a standout) and gorgeous costumes by Karen Chatterton (I like the unique design of Elsa’s “Let it Go” dress. Sometimes companies feel like they have to make things exactly like the movie or show but this had its own flare to it with the sparkles and sheer overlay.) I also like how they made the “Hygee” number their own (even though I can’t stand that song) with the cast in satin bathrobes and hair coverings.
The cast is across-the-board outstanding with Sydney Dameron and Makayla Conner Marriott leading the way as Anna and Elsa respectively. You couldn’t ask for better singing or acting for either role. I also really liked Gabe Velez as Olaf. He not only operated the puppet well but broke the fourth wall on occasion with winks to the audience. It is charming.
There are some challenges to performing in the auditorium but I still highly recommend this production of Frozen. Take the whole family. They will love it. There are 2 more performances and tickets can be purchased here.
The Scarlet Pimpernel- The Ruth, Pleasant Grove
I already reviewed the MWF cast of The Scarlet Pimpernel at The Ruth, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, I wanted to see the TThS cast with my Dad because he is a big fan of this musical. Fortunately I was able to do both, and we had a great time with this cast. I particularly loved the men in this cast with Scott Hendrickson delivering every emotional moment as Percy and Bronson Dameron a commanding villain as Chauvelin.
I love how director David Morgan has transformed the stage into whatever the story calls for. He creates ships sailing, guillotines slicing, carriages riding and more. The fight choreography is so much fun (I even like that Marguerite gets in on the sword-fighting action at one point.) Even though The Scarlet Pimpernel is on the forgettable side it’s so well performed at The Ruth that it becomes memorable. I’m glad I saw it a second time. It’s playing through August 22 and tickets can be purchased here.
Newsies- West Valley Arts, West Valley
While Frozen is a show that taps into younger Disney fans Newsies is one that triggers my nostalgia quite strongly. The movie came out when I was 11, and I loved it then and still love it today. Fortunately the new production at West Valley Arts doesn’t even need that nostalgia to make for a good time. It’s honestly one of the best shows I’ve seen from them in some time.
My favorite part of this musical is how immersive it felt. Director Kate Rufener did a great job using the entire theater to tell the story including all of the platforms. I particularly liked how Pulitzer is up in his office looking down on scenes he’s not in but being impacted by like “Seize the Day.” Jerdyn Akeripa has huge charisma as Jack and the rest of the cast is great surrounding him. One of my favorite touches is having all of the Brooklyn newsies be girls (not girls playing boys but just girls.) The costumes throughout by Alicia Kondrick are excellent. If you like Newsies you should definitely give this production a try. It is playing through August 29th and tickets can be purchased here.
Waiting for Godot- Good Company, Ogden
There are certain plays that I feel are important for any theatre fan to eventually cross off their bucket list. One such play is Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. I am not much into absudrism or modernism but again I feel this is a play I needed to see at least once. This is why I was excited when I found out Good Company was staging a production. Even though the style of the play isn’t really my favorite I’m still glad I got to see a very good version of it this year.
This play is about 2 main characters Vladamir (Michael Scott Johnson) and Estragon (Arie Allred) who are waiting for a mysterious Godot in some kind of barren wasteland with only a plastic tree in the middle of the stage. Along the way they come in contact with a man who I think is the devil called Pozzo (Alvaro Cortez) and a couple other characters. Both Johnson and Allred are excellent in these roles and the play definitely gives the viewer something to chew on. It would be a fun play to see and then go to dinner with friends and talk about the different interpretations.
My only complaint with the show is the door was hard to find so I walked around in the blistering heat trying to find it with every door being locked, so I was overheated by the time I was watching everything. Perhaps a better sign might be helpful? I don’t know I’d want to see Waiting for Godot again but I’m glad I saw it with this strong version of it directed by Mark Fossen. It is playing through August 16th and tickets can be purchased here.
So that’s my update! Have you seen any of these shows? Let me know in the comments. What have you been watching on the stage lately?
Romeo and Juliet is a play by William Shakespeare originally debuting in 1597 and it was his 10th play. Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand was first published in 1897 in France. Frozen is based on the animated film and has music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. It was first performed in 2018. The Scarlet Pimpernel has music by Frank Wildhorn with lyrics and book by Nan Knighton. It is based on the novels by Baroness Orczy. Newsies is based on the film with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman and a book by Harvey Fierstein. It premiered on Broadway in 2012. Waiting for Godot is a play by Samuel Beckett which was first published in 1952.
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 know many theatre lovers grumble and complain about the various Disney family based musicals, and I understand the concerns. However, the Disney musicals are not all the same and one of the biggest outliers in their catalog is the musical adaptation ofFreaky Friday. Not every choice the musical makes works, but it at least makes bold choices and has something to say to families. It is definitely worth seeing and right now Northern Utah audiences have the chance to see a wonderful production of Freaky Fridayat Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse up near Ogden. It’s about an hour drive for me to get up there but well worth it for this wonderful night of community theatre.
There are some shows that live and die on its lead performances and Freaky Friday is totally one of those shows. The production is double casted but the night I attended had Isabelle Page as daughter Ellie and Lindy Combe as the mother Katherine. They not only both have a challenging group of songs but have the acting task of believably playing they are inhabited by another character- mom inside daughter, daughter inside mom. Fortunately both Combe and Page are up for the challenge and excel at the physical comedy and reacting the way the other would react when they are touched or spoken to in a particular way. It leads to a lot of laughs and effective scenes. It’s also impressive that Page can climb the rope in “Watch Your Back.” It’s really hard to do literal exercise while singing, but she and the whole cast do an excellent job during that sequence (it’s a PE testing day at Ellie’s school.) I also really enjoyed the supporting cast including the nerdy take on Adam by Trey Montgomery Cornell. He is very endearing particularly in the “Women and Sandwiches” number.
The other standout element of this production at Terrace Plaza is the lighting and use of projections. I mentioned this in my log about their recent Urinetown which used the projections so well to add setting and context to the story. While some of these in both musicals are definitely made with AI they aren’t lazy substitutes for hand-crafted sets but a way to enhance the story, which I love to see (projection design by Tyler Cahoon). For example, in Freaky Friday they use the projection to create the magic of the hourglass adding a layer to the storytelling that’s a lot of fun. I also really enjoyed the lighting that surrounds the stage and the way the lights were used in the hourglass to once again create the magic (lighting design Danielle Loveland and Emily Crow.)
While it’s always good to go to musical theatre to be entertained (and this show is entertaining) what director Whitney Cahoon and her team have put together could be even more powerful than just entertainment. This is a show that tackles a lot (arguably too much at times) and it would make a great family night activity and lesson where one could see it with children and talk about themes of loss, grief, forgiveness, and just the humanity of our family members. We think we understand what they are going through but do we really? Probably not and maybe walking around in their shoes metaphorically speaking would do all our families a whole lot of good.
As far as room for improvement at Terrace Plaza some of the choreography feels a little uninspired particularly in the “Biology” sequence, which in fairness, is my least favorite song of the show. Also they have the entire stage decorated including 2 platforms above the chairs but barely use most of the space, which feels like a bit of a missed opportunity.
Terrace Plaza is a company I often classify as a ‘learning company’ meaning it’s a place for people to go and try out theatre- where you don’t need to have an MFA to participate. I love that these companies exist but it can be a bit of a rough time for the audience as people are learning and growing as performers. However, with Freaky Friday andUrinetown I really didn’t have to make those learning company excuses. They have really stepped up their game, and I’m definitely more motivated to make the one hour drive than I might have been previously. I think you will also find it is well worth your time to see Freaky Friday. It is playing through August 1st and then they have another Disney musical Hunchback of Notre Dame coming next. More information can be found here.
Freaky Friday has music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey with a book by Bridget Carpenter. It is based on the book by Mary Rodgers and the feature films by Disney (1976 and 2003 being the most popular but I love the underrated 1995 version) There is actually a DCOM of this musical that was made in 2018 starring Heidi Blickenstaff and Cozi Zuehlsdorff. It’s not a perfect adaptation, but I enjoyed it. The musical was written in 2016 where it was first performed in Virginia.
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.
One of my favorite parts of being a theatre patron is the variety of experiences I get to have. I love a big grand musical like I saw on Thursday with Hale Center Theatre’s My Fair Lady, but I also love the experience I had Saturday night at a small black box production of The Seagull put on by New World Shakespeare Company. While a long Anton Checkhov play won’t be for everyone I’d recommend seeking out this production for the insanely high quality acting alone but also for the immersive and memorable experience you will be treated to.
This is my second time seeing The Seagull and I was struck like the last time with the humor it has. One expects a Russian treatise like this to be dark and solemn and it has those moments but it also has quite a bit of humor. This makes the characters feel more real and human.
If you are new to the material, The Seagull follows a group of artists who seemingly have nothing in common but the desire to create things. Irina (Amber Heinrich) is given number one listing on the call sheet but it is a true ensemble piece. She is an actor who prioritizes her career over relationships including her son Konstantin (Jackson Eastmond) who she gives patronizing affection to. Konstantin is in love with a young actress named Nina (Kate Potter) who then is in love with writer Boris (Zach Reynolds.) And that’s only the start. There are a lot of characters in this play and they are all superbly acted at New World. Since they did the adaptation I do wonder why they didn’t trim it down a little bit as every character didn’t feel necessary but they are very well performed.
The production elements are simple in the black box space with a few props and a backdrop for each of the 4 acts (set design by Blayne Wiley.) Director Shea Potter smartly doesn’t complicate things but let’s his strong cast shine.
As far as downsides to The Seagull it is a long sit at 3 hours. Sitting on those office chairs for that long is pretty brutal so I would recommend bringing a cushion if you can remember. Either way you have to be ready for a long, slow moving drama. The characters aren’t super likable and it can be on the depressing side.
Fortunately you have almost a month to see this play so there’s no excuse to miss it. It is playing until June 27th and worthy of your time for the acting alone. Tickets to New World Shakespeare can be purchased here.
The Seagull is a play written by Anton Chekhov. This adaptation was done by Elise C Hansen. It was first performed in 1896 in Russia.
My patrons keep me honest and able to see and review as much as I do. Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. If you value honest criticism check it out. Find out more here.
Hi theatre friends! I hope you are doing well. Those new to my site may not realize the purpose behind these occasional theatre logs. Well, not every show I see is something I am viewing as part of my work as a critic. Some productions I am supporting as a patron for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless, I still like to leave a few paragraphs here on what I saw and how I felt about it but it is nowhere near the detail in my full reviews. This week I had a particularly large amount of patron shows because I was hesitant to commit to a review with unsure travel plans of a friend (that didn’t end up materializing.) In some ways it’s nice to do these logs because I can relax and enjoy. Plus I don’t have to worry about seeing something at the end of the run. In fact, all 6 of the shows I’m talking about in this post have finished their runs. Congrats to all involved. I do always give my out of theater reactions to film and theatre on my instagram unless I’m embargoed so make sure you are following me there.
Also I would be willing to do full reviews of all of these if the companies are interested. Just email me at rachelsreviews65@gmail.com
Barefoot in the Park- Parker Theatre, Salt Lake
I love when my favorite companies stretch themselves and surprise me with unexpected concerts and theatricals. Such was the case with Parker Theatre and their new Directors Studio which they put on in their black box space next door to the main theater and had running for just 2 weekends. Their first production in this new series was the wonderful Barefoot in the Park and I’m so glad I got a chance to see it.
Not only is this play hilarious and easy to relate with (who hasn’t had that rough first apartment whether married or single?) but it also gives lots of great moments for actors to shine. I particularly love the part of Corie’s Mother played here with great humor by April Fossen. They get a ton of mileage off of the many stairs up to this awful apartment but it never fails to make me laugh especially with the mother character. This production was really fun because real like couple Kennedy and Dallin Bradford played the main couple Corie and Paul. They have terrific chemistry together and it’s easy to see why they each get frustrated with each other.
I also appreciate the work director Shawnda Moss and scenic designer Bradley Moss put into Corie and Paul’s apartment even putting in a skyline area in the back for the scenes on the roof. For a side bonus project it was nice to see. I loved Barefoot in the Park and look forward to their next director’s studio shows of The Frog Prince and The Rats. Tickets can be purchased here.
The Spitfire Grill- Ideal Playhouse, Heber
I already did a full review of The Spitfire Grill at Ideal Playhouse in Heber, but I did see it a second time so I wanted to make note of it. What a beautiful show and production. All the singing was top rate and the story is touching with haunting songs. I just wish I had more reach and could have filled up that theater. Even so, I’m grateful to them for putting it on and so glad I got to see it twice. I hope maybe a few more companies will be inspired to do this very underrated show. Look out for great performances at Ideal. They have lots of concerts and other fun activities going on this summer. Can find out more information here
Pride and Prejudice- Bluffdale Arts, Bluffdale
I love any chance I get to see Pride and Prejudice on film or theatre. This includes the recent production from Bluffdale Arts which not only took place at City Hall (I love theater in non-traditional locations) but it was a new to me adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic story.
This version is by Kate Hamill and it definitely leans into the silly of the story. I’m not sure what is part of the adaptation and what is from director Kelsha Peterson but we had multiple cross dressing characters with antics and other slapstick comedy. This was particularly funny with Brady Fox playing Mr Bingley and Mary Bennet. This take on the classic novel will be too much for some people but I really enjoyed it. Having the same actor play both Mr Collins and Wickham was also brilliant.
Katherine Stople played Lizzy and Nathaniel Noyes as Darcy and they had a fun dynamic together. I was also impressed with Melinda Fox as both Lydia and Miss Bingley. Such different characters to portray! I even got a rose to end off the night. Next up at Bluffdale Arts is The Nerd in June (and I think that’s their free shows in the park so keep an eye out for that annual event)
Much Ado About Nothing- West Valley Arts Academy, West Valley
-Like I said, I love when companies provide an unexpected bonus production, staged reading or concert for us to enjoy. Such was the case with West Valley Arts and their staging ofMuch Ado About Nothing. This is my favorite Shakespeare play and it was so much fun to see it put on by WVA’s Theatre 360 which is their adult theatre students. They all did a great job and it was a riot to watch.
They didn’t have a director listed on the program but whoever it was did a good job keeping the action moving up and down the aisles and throughout the entire stage (which isn’t always the case at WVA.) Particularly in the famous gulling scenes the sets and props move with Beatrice and Benedict amplifying the humor in the scene as their hiding places become more ridiculous.
Beatrice was played with a lot of snark by Madison Archibald and Chad Henwood has a self-deprecating nature for Benedict. Siri Reilly and Koda Smith were also very cute as Hero and Claudio respectively. There were times one could tell we were watching students but that’s all part of the charm of such a night. Next up for WVA is their production of Xanadu. More information is here.
Tuck Everlasting- Lehi Arts Council, Lehi
Over the years I have seen the musical for Tuck Everlasting a few times and never fallen in love with it. While it has nice moments, particularly the ballet in Act 2, I always found it a bit on the dry side. Fortunately a version I saw at Lehi Arts might have finally opened up this show to me and made me a convert to the beautiful storytelling. It was a wonderful experience.
Directed by Kurt Elison used his talented group of performers to tell the story of Winnie and the Tuck family with humanity and heart along with some beautiful set design by Garrett Roblyer. In the small space at Lehi Arts they really surrounded the audience with the Tuck’s forest and carnival. They even had cotton candy to purchase during intermission (I’m such a sucker for a themed concession at a show!)
I didn’t know if they could pull off the ballet in that small space but it somehow worked with a wonderful group of featured dancers. Adaline Strong is dynamic and warm as Winnie with a terrific singing voice and Allison Books is maternal and yet very sad as Mae Tuck. I still think the show is overlong (did we really need to give the yellow suited man his own song for example?) But this time I was quite taken with the show and would see Tuck Everlasting again if given the chance.. They have Frozen coming up next at Lehi Arts and more information can be found here.
Recently a bunch of friends in my comments sections have been telling me to see the musical Ordinary Days. They said they thought I would like it so I was very excited when I heard that Kismet Productions was putting it on and I’d have a chance to see it. Fortunately I was able to fit it in closing night in the Mad King black box space and my friends are right. I did really enjoy Ordinary Days.
This is a one act musical that tells the story of 4 adults interacting on a seemingly ordinary day in New York City. It was directed by Karen-Christina Jones and she gets the best out of her 4 actors. I was especially impressed with Marina Altschiller-Gannon who plays Claire with a beautiful tamber to her voice. I also enjoyed Sarah Greenwell as Deb who is perhaps the most unlikable character of the piece as she gets more frustrated by the idealistic Warren and his love of the Met museum in New York.
While none of the songs stuck out as super memorable I liked the heart behind the show and the humanity in all the performances. One can’t help but think about the little moments of your own life as you watch this touching little musical. The piano player Emma Swanson is phenomenally talented! It’s a workout getting through this score. I’m not sure what Kismet has coming up next but more information can be found here.
So there you have it. The 6 shows I saw as a patron. Did you get to see any of these shows? Let me know what you thought in the comments. Thanks to all who performed for me!
Barefoot in the Park is a play by Neil Simon and was first performed on Broadway in 1963.The Spitfire Grill has music by James Valcq and lyrics by Fred Alley who also both wrote the book. It is based on the 1996 film of the same name. It had an Off-Broadway run in 2001.Pride and Prejudice as adapted by Kate Hamill is based on the novel by Jane Austen and was first performed in 2017 in upstate New York. Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy written by William Shakespeare around 1598. It was his 12th play after Richard II. Tuck Everlasting has music by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen with a book by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle. It is based on the novel by Natalie Babbitt and was first performed on Broadway in 2016.Ordinary Days has music and lyrics by Adam Gwon and it was performed Off Broadway in 2009.
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.
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I was very curious to see that the national tour of Funny Girl was coming to Eccles this month because I saw this revival on Broadway when it was in previews back in 2022. I know Beanie Feldstein’s take on Fanny Brice was widely criticized and she only lasted a few months but I appreciate she brought something new to the role and it didn’t feel like a Barbra copycat.
Back in 2022
I think part of the reason it took Funny Girl so long to get a revival on Broadway is it is so defined by Barbra Streisand’s performance. She is Fanny Brice to most Broadway fans. She even won an Oscar for her role in the Funny Girl film in 1969.
After seeing Barbra (in film) and Beanie’s take on the role I was excited to see what the national tour could bring to it. Now that I’ve seen it I’m decidedly middle-of-the-road on it. It’s fine and worth seeing to check off a musical theatre bucket list but that’s about it. I probably won’t be itching to ever see it again. Twice is enough.
This touring production has Hannah Shankman playing Fanny and she is good especially on those long notes and delivers “Don’t Rain on My Parade” with gusto which is the most important song to nail. For “People” she is mostly an excellent singer but struggled a bit with the low notes. Her and Stephen Mark Lukas (he is very swoony) playing Nick Arnstein have terrific chemistry together and I bought them as a couple more than I did Beanie and her co-lead on Broadway.
The production also looks great with big marque lights of the Ziegfeld surrounding the stage and some scenes where we looked at the back of Fanny as she performed on stage. This helps immerse us in the story and feel a part of Fanny’s journey as a performer. There is some energetic choreography by Ayodele Casel and Ellenore Scott throughout especially from Izaiah Montague Harris who plays Eddie Ryan (although the script doesn’t really give his character anything to do. What is his point in the narrative?)
Speaking of the script that’s where Funny Girl has problems. Despite the updated book by Harvey Fierstein the story of Fanny and Nick’s love just isn’t that compelling. Particularly in the 2nd act things drag and it’s hard to care about what is happening on stage. I think one could easily cut 20 minutes from this show and it wouldn’t miss a beat (probably be better for it.) There’s only so many times Nick gambling and Fanny bailing him out can be compelling.
The other disappointment in this production is how small the ensemble scenes are. Fanny is a Ziegfeld performer so to only have a handful of dancers on the big Eccles stage for songs like “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat” feels underwhelming. If the story isn’t going to entertain one hopes the spectacle will and it’s not the case here.
Still, I’d recommend seeing Funny Girl at least once for the iconic songs and the place it holds within musical theatre history. It’s far from perfect but worth checking out nonetheless. Funny Girl plays through Oct 13th and you can purchase tickets here.
