theatre-critic

DON’T NEED LUCK TO HAVE A GREAT TIME AT IDEAL’S ‘GUYS AND DOLLS’

| Rachel's Reviews

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.

THOUGHTS ON ‘THE BOOK OF MORMON’ NATIONAL TOUR FROM A RETURNED MISSIONARY CRITIC (REVIEW)

| Rachel's Reviews

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and returned missionary I of course have heard much about the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon. I had heard some of the songs and that it is super raunchy, but I had never had the opportunity to see it until last week. Now having seen it my response is a decided ‘meh.’ I am sure there are some who will dismiss this reaction as a biased member who can’t take a joke. While there might be some of that (we can’t completely separate our lives from our responses to theatre), I honestly I found the whole thing to be quite bland and wish it had gone harder on the unique aspects of my faith.

In 2003 the creators of The Book of Mormon musical, Trey Parker and Matt Stone (with Robert Lopez) did an episode of South Park on Mormonism that in my opinion was a lot more biting and funny than anything we get here. Most of the jokes in this musical are jokes that could be made about any Christians. In fact, it sometimes felt like they wanted to do a show about evangelicals but that’s not financially viable so put a Mormon skin over it and you’re good.

The biggest example of this is the song “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream.” This song made no sense as Mormons don’t believe in Hell. We certainly don’t believe in a Hell with horns and a devil and damnation. In fact, Mormons believe almost everyone will get some kind of glory in the afterlife with most people who lead good and honest lives getting a pretty high degree of glory. You know who does believe in Hell with a devil with horns? Evangelicals.

It also goes without saying that most of what they show about missionary work is completely ridiculous. Missionaries don’t get assigned a companion for their entire mission out of the MTC. They don’t just make up what to teach on their own. They don’t get to request a transfer to another mission because they don’t like it. The list goes on. None of this would matter if I was laughing but like I said most of the jokes felt bland and expected so I wasn’t laughing.

It also doesn’t help with laughs that the portrayal of the Ugandan people is bizarre and dehumanizing. I understand it’s an over-the-top comedy but humor usually comes from painting a contrast. Something stupid with something smart. Something stable with something high strung etc. Here everyone but maybe Elder Price is a simpleton so it feels pretty cringe-worthy. None of that would matter if I was laughing, (I always say funny saves all) but I wasn’t so it just made me uncomfortable.

The highlights of the musical are the sharp “Turn it Off” which brings the biting satire to the Church I was looking for, and Elder Price singing “I Believe.” The talent is all good in the tour with Sam McLellan as Elder Price and Diego Enrico as Elder Cunningham. The choreography throughout (choreography by Jennifer Werner with original choreography by Casey Nicholaw) is bouncy and energetic and the other technical aspects are all excellent.

It goes without saying that a show like The Book of Mormon has lots to offend including frequent uses of profanity, references to raping babies and other vulgarity. If that doesn’t sound like your thing than I would avoid it. If that doesn’t bother you I can’t say I’d recommend it either but it is a musical enjoyed by millions so what do I know? It is playing at Eccles until January 26th and you can purchase a ticket 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.