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.
Hi theater friends! I hope you are doing well and enjoying lots of local theatre wherever you might be. Over the last month I’ve reviewed a lot of theatre and been to a number of shows as a patron. For those shows I post a log with a few brief thoughts of my experience. So here goes:
Bright Star- On Pitch Performing Arts, Layton
The OPPA organization in Layton is what I refer to as a learning company. This means it is a place for people to try their hand at community theatre without the pressure of many of the other companies in Utah, which often have professional quality standards (most of the performers having BFAs in musical theatre or similar credentials.) I appreciate there are places like OPPA that are true homes for amateurs to fall in love with theatre.
Recently I saw their production of Bright Star and it was far from perfect, but I still enjoyed it. As you all know I love this show, but I actually hadn’t seen it since last August so I was happy to be back in this world. I saw the MF cast and the highlight was Silas Hagelberg as Billy. I also thought director Claire Phillips used the ensemble well creating as much movement and dance as possible on the small stage. Bright Star is playing through April 25th and tickets can be purchased here.
Hallmarked- Hale Center Theatre, Sandy
I was able to see Hallmarked again at Hale Center Theatre to get ready for my interview with the creators Michael D Fox and Cameron, Dawn and Quinn Dietlein. I’ve reviewed it 2 other times on this site so I’ll just link to those reviews. It’s delightful and playing through June 5th. Tickets can be purchased here.
I first saw Finding Neverland at Hale Center Theatre last year and enjoyed it much more than I was expecting. As a result, I was looking forward to seeing it at Centerpoint this year, and I liked it maybe even more so than the Hale production. This is definitely an underrated little musical with heart and some beautiful music.
The most impressive aspect of the Centerpoint production was the use of projections to create the imaginative world of JM Barrie. I am normally not a projection girl because it is often a substitute for artistic vision- most of the time using AI, and I much prefer real hand made sets. In the case of this Finding Neverland, however, it’s lighting and painted backdrops projected to expand the stage and make a visual statement. I was so taken with it I am seeing the show again this week with the other cast (it’s been a few weeks since I saw this production so I will write about it again this week.)
The cast I saw (MWF) is all excellent with Ben Lowell putting in great work as JM Barrie and Sylvia Davies. The only thing I wasn’t a fan of is they have Barrie and Davies actually kiss in the “What You Mean to Me” sequence when he is still technically married. This doesn’t feel true to the characters nor their journeys (Sylvia would never want to be seen as a homewrecker.) Other than that I loved it. “When Your Feet Don’t Touch the Ground” and “We’re All Made of Stars” are other highlights.
Centerpoint is one of the most outstanding community theaters in the country in my opinion and Finding Neverland is no exception. It is playing through April 23rd and tickets can be purchased here.
Father of the Bride- Parker Theater, Salt Lake
I’m a big fan of every film version of Father of the Bride including the much maligned recent 2022 version with Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan. I talk about that one here with my friend Marisa. Before that film we ranked all 4 franchise films on my podcast.
Anyway, when I heard Parker Theater was putting on the Father of the Bride play I got excited assuming I’d love it as much as the films. Well, it might have been a victim of high expectations because I left feeling a little disappointed. They are all very talented at the Parker so I can’t really fault them in their execution. I just found this play to be rather dry and not nearly as funny as I hoped- particularly the first act.
This production is directed by David Weekes, and he has created a beautiful 1950s home for the Banks home with little details like the hallways and outside being decorated despite not being the main focus of very much action. The attention to detail at the Parker is always great. It was just a little dry for me particularly Act 1 but that’s simply my experience. You might have more laughs from it. I did love that they have wedding cake you can get at concessions- I love how they have on theme snacks at all of their shows. Michael Hohl is good as Mr Banks and Emma Widfelt and Brock Harris have nice chemistry as our engaged couple planning their wedding.
A lot of it comes down to personal humor taste so your mileage may vary. It is playing at the Parker until May 2nd and tickets can be purchased here.
So there you have it! What have you been watching and have you seen any of these shows? Let me know! Happy theatre watching
Bright Star has music by Edie Brickell and Steve Martin with a book by Martin and lyrics by Brickell. It first premiered on Broadway in 2016. Hallmarked is written and composed by Michael Fox with Cameron, Dawn and Quinn Dietlein. This is the world premiere and Sally Dietlein is the producer with Alex Marshall and Quinn as the music directors.Finding Neverland features music by Scott Frankel, Gary Barlow, Eliot Kennedy with lyrics by Michael Korie, Barlow and Kennedy and a book by Knee and Graham. Father of the Bride is written by Caroline Francke based on the novel by Edward Streeter. It was made into a film in 1950, 1991, and 2022 with the first 2 getting sequels.
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.
Recently I did a podcast episode with my friend Jacks about community theater and in it I gave recommendations of 5 plays I said are ‘surefire hits for community theater.’
One of those 5 plays I mentioned in the episode is Arsenic and Old Lace. It’s such a funny play and one I never tire of seeing especially if the 2 aunts are well cast it’s hard to not have a good time with it. And fortunately the production at The Empress does cast well and continues this tradition of being a fun time at the theater.
I saw the Arsenic Cast (they did 2 shows the Saturday I attended which is very impressive for a volunteer cast. Well done!) which features Rose Lagos as Abby and Diana Sorensen as Martha Brewster. At first I was a little concerned that these actors didn’t seem much older than Marc Reading who plays Mortimer. I might have gone with white haired wigs for them just to make them look a little older but I grew used to it quite quickly and both actresses pull off the naivete of the characters quite well. They are convincing as completely believing they are in the right to be murdering which is hilarious and crazy (of course.)
Reading dials up the manic-nature of Mortimer to an 11 and his comic timing is very funny. I particularly enjoyed his expressions when Adrian Young as Officer O’Hara drowns on and on about his play. One of my favorite parts of Arsenic and Old Lace is all of the jabs at critics the playwright Joseph Kesselring throws in. “Mortimer hates the theatre,” says one of the aunts. “He was so happy writing about real estate and then they just made him take this terrible night position.” It’s ironic now because most anyone would do anything to be a theatre critic in New York City as a full time career but my things have changed since this was written back in 1939.
I do find the Jonathan Brewster/Dr Einstein element of this play to be the less funny/compelling part of the story. Although, when Mortimer finds the additional body in the window sill it is very humorous indeed. Mike Brown and Ryan Munsey do what they can with the characters respectively and it is still an enjoyable comedy.
The production at The Empress is directed by Carleigh-Jo Naylor who I’ve usually seen at MadKing Productions and she brings some of that indie spirit over. Like I said, particularly with Mortimer the madcap antics are dialed up to 11 in a true screwball comedy that’s a lot of fun.
The set by James Naylor is simple but effective with the unique 2nd story at the Empress being the perfect place for JD Robison’s Teddy to blow his bugle horn. Arsenic and Old Lace does have 2 intermissions which can make it feel on the long side but I don’t mind it since I’m laughing throughout. It is playing at The Empress until April 18th and tickets can be purchased here.
Arsenic and Old Lace was written by Joseph Kesselring in 1939 and first premiered in 1941. The popular Frank Capra directed film with Cary Grant and stars Josephine Hull and Jean Adair as Abby and Martha respectivelypremiered in 1944.
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.
It might seem like an odd comparison but I feel the same way about the national tour of Hadestown that is currently at the Eccles downtown as I did about Les Miserables national tour last year. Both have very strong material (obviously) that is executed in the most meh way possible. If you see Hadestown you’ll probably have a good time because the music, lyrics and book are great but not from the bland uninspired choices of this production. You can honestly find better executed stagings at the myriads of high schools doing the Hadestown Teen Edition all over the state of Utah.
The biggest problem with the production is one of scope. Everything feels small and simple. This is a show that relies a lot on spectacle. The lights alone on the Broadway show are stunning and bold and that’s not the case here. I know there are only 5 workers on Broadway but the more intimate staging there makes it still feel grand where at the large Eccles theater the afterlife looked rather sparse. Also the director Keenan Tyler Oliphant slows down certain segments like “Why We Build the Wall” so that my mind began to wander about the smallness of the cast.
The musicians are on the stage in the tradition of Hadestown, but they don’t blend as well as I would like. The brass really sticks out in sections as did the violins which I’ve never noticed in this show before. They really go for a Mardi Gras New Orleans feel which I get but seems a little celebratory in tone for the events of Hadestown. It is also strange the way they have Persephone open act 2 with “Our Lady of the Underground” like she is a lounge singer at a club. I know she’s supposed to be boozy but it is handled like a cabaret performance not a key moment in the story.
My favorite acting of the night is Nickolaus Colón as Hades. He makes those low notes feel effortless, and I love his slick soulful interpretation of “Hey Little Songbird.” Even though the Fates do not harmonize as well as I’d like I still loved the “Epic” songs especially “Epic III” which is peak musical theatre if you ask me.
I also can’t help but gasp when Orpheus (Jose Contreras) turns around at the end but the way they have it staged is so odd with lights and fog that made it impossible to see Eurydice (Hawa Kamara) behind him. It is like it all of the sudden became a rock concert with strobe lights instead of a journey to the afterlife. It reminded me of the ending of Beetlejuice: The Musical and that’s not at all what I want out of Hadestown.
It might seem like I am being too tough on this production. It is after all still Hadestownand most people who go see it will still enjoy it. However, the tickets are expensive and if I have had better experiences at the local high schools than that’s a problem. I’m sure I will be in the minority because the material is still very strong but when I see a professional production (even non-equity) I expect better than high schools. I even thought some of the costume choices particularly for Persephone were odd. Unfortunately, I’d recommend saving your money on this one and supporting a local high school production instead. Hopebox is putting it on next month and I bet it will be incredible and for a good cause. The Hadestown national tour is playing at the Eccles through 3/29 and tickets can be purchased here.
Hadestown has music, lyrics and a book by Anaïs Mitchell based on the greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice. It first premiered on Broadway in 2019 and it is still currently playing. I saw it in 2021.
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.
Hello theatre lovers. I hope you are having a wonderful December and getting in those wonderful holiday themed shows. Most of what I have seen have been my full detailed reviews as a critic; however, I do have 2 shows I attended as a patron I’d love to catch you all up on. Make sure you are following my instagram for out of show reactions to every show and movie I see (plus other fun content.) I did recently see my 200th show for 2025, which I think is a cool accomplishment for a busy critic like myself. Thanks to all the companies who have let me view their work. It’s something I never take for granted.
She Loves Me- Lehi Arts Council, Lehi
I was thrilled when I found out Lehi Arts Council (one of my favorite arts councils) was putting onShe Loves Mefor the holidays which is one of my favorite shows. I was even more thrilled when I found out Josh Egbert is playing George because he’s a wonderful local actor. Fortunately the production did not disappoint and it’s one I highly recommend seeing in its final week coming up.
Camilla Curtis plays Amalia and they tell the classic Perfumerie story of 2 coworkers who hate each other in real life but are secretly falling in love over their pen pal letters. While their antics play out on stage we are treated to wonderful songs and a delightful cast including Madison Fitzgerald as Illona and Ed Eyestone as Mr Maraczek (the only time I’ve seen Maraczek with an accent, which is perfect because the musical is supposed to be set in Budapest.) I was particularly impressed with how the cast brought out the humor of the piece making me laugh with their comedic timing and chemistry together. It’s not even a show I think of as particularly funny, but they sold every humorous interaction. Curtis and Egbert have terrific chemistry and they make a couple we are rooting for throughout the story.
She Loves Me at Lehi Arts is directed by Brett Jamison and he makes use of every inch of the tiny space at the center making beds work for multiple scenes or having the store be easy to move around and manipulate into other scenes like the restaurant scene. I lovedShe Loves Me at BYU last month but this is wonderful as well and well worth your time. It is playing through December 20th and tickets can be purchased here.
Elf: The Musical- Draper Historic Theatre, Draper
Meanwhile over at Draper Historic they are putting on a different fun bubbly holiday musical- Elf. If you have seen the feature film starring Will Farrell than you will enjoy the musical adaptation. It sticks pretty close to the movie with of course songs added in. The songs I think are fairly uninspired but they get the job done I suppose. (If you want to see a fun take on the material check out the underrated stop-motion animated special based on the musical. It’s really nostalgic.)
Anyway, the production in Draper Historic is everything I could want in a community staging of Elf. Director Derrick Cain gets the most out of the tiny stage and large cast. I saw the Twinkle Jingley cast (although it was labeled incorrectly in the program) and while Nathan Krist Janson is a lot of bubbly energy as Buddy (it didn’t feel like an imitation of Farrell which I always appreciate,) the entire Hobbes family stood out the most with Eric Smith as Walter, Katrina Smith as Emily and Sebastian Long as Michael. I particularly liked Katrina Smith and Long in “There is a Santa Claus” in act 2.
They use a lot of projections at this theatre (also designed by Cain) but they do a good job of using them to add to the immersion not as a cheap substitute for practical sets. For example having a screen of Central Park with Santa’s sleigh along with snow coming down and other practical elements adds to the effectiveness of the closing scene or at least doesn’t detract as projections sometimes can do.
I also really enjoyed the costumes by Brooke Holahan and the choreography by Yunnie Kim. Like I said, it’s amazing how much and how many people they get on to the stage in so many scenes. Elf is playing through December 20th at Draper Historic but you’ll have to try standby because it is sold out. The tickets are very affordable and I highly recommend getting a season pass to this wonderful community theater. You can find more information here.
So there you have it 2 quality shows to see this holiday season! Enjoy!
She Loves Me has music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick with a book by Joe Masteroff. It is based on the Parfumerie play by Miklos Laszlo and first premiered on Broadway in 1963. Elf: The Musical has music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin with a book by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan based on the 2003 feature film. It first premiered on Broadway in 2010 and had a successful revival in 2024
These logged shows I usually 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 a bunch of shows to update you on that I saw as a patron not as a critic. If you are new to my site I do full theatre reviews for shows I am invited to review as a critic and then do these shorter logs for the rest of the shows I see on my own dime. If you are interested in me reviewing your production email me at rachelsreviews65@gmail.com or message me on instagram.
Bright Star- Sandy Arts Guild, Sandy
I wasn’t able to review Bright Star at Sandy Arts Guild opening night but my friend Jen did it for me and she did a great job. Make sure to check out her review here. Everyone knows this is a show I love and I think the Alice Murphy played by Ashley Shamy was strong and both leads worked best as the older versions of the character. I also was intrigued by the fairly sparse set choices Director Dave Hansen used. For example, the train sequence was just Papa Dobbs with projections behind him. Margot’s bookstore was a cash register and a projection of a bookstore. This is unusual of Sandy Arts Guild who usually have such lush sets so I felt it was an intentional minimalist choice. This show finished its run on October 18th but next up for SAG is The Importance of Being Earnest this January. More information here
The Mousetrap- Lehi Arts Council, Lehi
I love the small pocket theater Lehi Arts Council uses during the school year. I much prefer it to the large auditorium they use in the summer, although I certainly understand why they want the larger capacity for those shows. Still, they rarely miss in their small theatre and their recent production of The Mousetrap is no exception. I’m honestly not the biggest mystery person especially Agatha Christie but this play is so legendary and I had fun with its surprises and reveals. It’s nice to check this classic play off of my blind spot list.
This production was directed by Denise Gull and Kassidy Rackham and they have brought the best out of their cast with them leaning into the campy elements of their characters (which is how I prefer mysteries if I’m going to watch them.) The whole cast does a great job with their accents and they work well together as an ensemble. This show has finished its run but look out for She Loves Me (one of my favorites) coming up next.
Ballet Hispanico- Utah Presents at Kingsbury Hall, Salt Lake
I am not a ballet person. Outside of The Nutcracker it’s just not an artform I love even though I appreciate the talent involved. However, I like to shake things up from time-to-time, and I love what they are doing over at Utah Presents. Every couple of weeks they have a special guest with a unique artistic expression or cultural viewpoint. Last month I saw jazz musician Arturo Sandoval and this month I saw the Ballet Hispanico. The latter was more contemporary than I was expecting and they had 3 acts as part of their performance. I must admit it was not my taste but it certainly is well done and if you enjoy modern dance you’d probably love it. More information about Utah Presents can be found here.
Great Expectations- BYU, Provo
When I heard BYU was doing Great Expectations I was immediately intrigued as it is one of my favorite classic novels and it has so many weird aspects it seems perfect for theatrical college students! Unfortunately this production didn’t work for me. I admire much of what they are trying to do. The acting is all on point and the use of the black box space is inventive. The costumes by Dennis Wright are particularly impressive especially Miss Havisham’s wedding dress and her moldy cake (set designers Milinda weeks and Whitney Layton.) Maybe I was just fatigued from a long day/weekend but the adaptation felt laboriously slow and belabored the least interesting aspects of the novel. It takes forever for Pip to even meet Miss Havisham and Isabella. The first Act was close to 90 minutes so I must admit I left at intermission (I never do this if I’m reviewing a show and rarely as a patron.) I felt I had gotten the gist of the show and was worried I’d hit Holy War football traffic if I stayed through Act 2. I am very excited that they also have She Loves Me coming up next which I love! Great Expectations is directed by Alexandra Mackenzie Johns and is playing through November 1st. Tickets can be purchased here.
The Shining- Utah Opera, Salt Lake
Like ballet, I haven’t seen many operas in my day. Of the ones I have seen almost all have been Mozart with a couple other classics like Traviata and Carmen. Aside from Phantom of the Opera, to my memory I have never seen a modern opera in English- that is I hadn’t until this Sunday when I saw Utah Opera’s production of The Shining. This is, of course, based on the Stephen King novel which the movie strays far away from as great as it might be.
I don’t know enough about opera to give a nuanced critique but I really enjoyed seeing this different take on the story. The singing all seemed great to my untrained ear and the use of projections is effective in creating an eerie tone with the ghosts. In fact, I don’t think they needed the ensemble scenes, which felt randomly placed and less scary than the projected ghosts. It probably does help having some familiarity with the story, so we can anticipate certain scenes like the busting through the door or the little boys premonitions. Overall, The Shining in operettic form was a fresh and unique experience I’m glad I was able to see. This production had stage directing and concept designer Geoffrey McDonald with projections by David Murakami. It has finished its run but they have Beethoven’s Fidelio next and more information is here.
So there you have it. Have you seen any of these shows? I’d love to hear your thoughts. What have you been watching at the theater? Let me know in the comments. Thanks to all the talented artists who shared their gifts with me.
Bright Star has music by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell with lyrics by Brickell and a book by Martin. It first premiered on Broadway in 2016. The Mousetrap is written by Agatha Christie and first premiered on the West End in 1952 where it has achieved over 30,000 performances and still running. Great Expectations is adapted by Neil Bartlett based on the novel by Charles Dickens. The Shining opera has music by Paul Moravek and a libretto by Mark Campbell based on the novel by Stephen King. It first premiered in 2016.
These logged shows I usually 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.
When I headed down to see Little Shop of Horrors at St George Musical Theatre I was expecting to enjoy it as a piece of community theatre but for whatever reason I did not think I’d love it. Part of it is I had just seen a great version at Centerpoint but I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of what I saw at SGMT and feel it is one of the best pieces of community theatre I’ve seen this year.
I almost don’t know where to begin in my review because they seemingly thought of everything. The space at the St George Opera House is small but they use it well creating an immersive experience (something a lot of theater in the round spaces forget to do!) For most of the show I was sitting right next to Audrey II and having the action literally happen in front of me. This production is so well directed by Brooke Bang. She has gotten the best out of her cast and everything from the puppetry, to the projections works to tell the horror-comedy story.
Speaking of the cast Reed Laudie is perhaps the best Seymour I’ve seen. He’s nerdy and insecure and yet has a terrific belt that works for the songs like “Grow for Me” and “Suddenly Seymour.” Bethany Ure makes for a sweet and endearing Audrey and Greg Belnap is a very good villain playing Orin Scrivello, DDS. The entire ensemble is excellent. Not a weak link in the bunch.
Of course withLittle Shop we have to talk about Audrey II and our puppets. For this production all were made by Logan Long and Laura Papp and even though I was literally next door to the medium-sized version I was blown away by their puppetry. It was all part of the immersive experience. One could almost feel fresh blood on Audrey II’s lips with each kill. It is extremely well done.
The costumes by Staci Martin are also very impressive and particularly with the Skid Row Urchins are changed very quickly. Clothes are really important to Audrey’s character as they are a way that she diminishes herself (a girl who dresses like me can’t get a nice guy like Seymour…) This production seems to understand this and gets her clothes just right.
The only major feedback I’d give is the sound mix is sometimes off with the backtrack overwhelming the singers. They also could have more red dots on the floor when Mushnik (Dean KM Jones) questions Seymour about them. That’d be a nice touch.
I know not everyone enjoys the horror qualities ofLittle Shop of Horrorsbut especially for October it’s a musical theatre classic for a reason. I highly recommend checking out the production at SGMT while you still have the chance. It plays through October 25th and tickets can be purchased here.
Little Shop of Horrors has music by Alan Menken with lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman based on the 1960 film of the same name directed by Roger Corman. It first opened Off-Broadway in 1982 and has a current revival there since 2019.
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Hi friends! This month I had the opportunity to attend The Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City. I was attending as a patron not as a critic so I am not reviewing what I saw there but I did cover them on my podcast.
I attended the festival with my friend Jacks and went with the Utah Theatre Lovers group which is a wonderful organization I highly recommend following on facebook and attending their events. We covered the whole experience on the OnStage Blog podcast episode you can see above (and on all the podcast platforms here)
Here’s a few quick thoughts about each of the shows I saw:
The Importance of Being Earnest
First up we had The Importance of Being Earnest written by Oscar Wilde and directed by Rodney Lizcano. The strength of this production is Sarah Shippobotham as Lady Bracknell (I really loved her in Steel Magnolias as well.) The costumes by Bill Black are also outstanding. That said this isn’t my favorite play. I’ve seen it a few times and I just don’t find it that funny and when I’m not laughing at a comedy I find it tedious. This was particularly true for this showing as I was tired after a long drive and struggled to pay attention. (Really the first day was hard for me but that’s on me not the performers.)
Macbeth
Next we had Macbeth and even though I was over-heated and not feeling well this was a really fun take on the classic Scottish drama! What particularly stood out is them including Hecate, the Greek goddess of magic and witchcraft which is usually cut out of the show. Not only is she included but it’s quite the spectacle with a giant bird apparatus that takes up most of the stage. This was so impressive that at times Macbeth and Lady Macbeth felt like a bit of an afterthought but it is still definitely fresh and innovative. Director John DiAntonio.
Steel Magnolias
The following morning I was better rested and we started the day with Steel Magnolias. I love this play and I saw a wonderful version of it earlier this year see review here. This is also an outstanding production and my favorite play I saw at the festival. The play is written by Robert Harling and directed by Melissa Maxwell and it lives and breathes on the chemistry of the women and them being able to play believable friends, which this cast does in spades. I particularly loved Olivia D. Dawson as M’Lynn and her final speech is devastating. If you have a chance to see Steel Magnolias take it. It’s such a good play.
Antony & Cleopatra
Our second Shakespearean play is the rarely performed Antony & Cleopatra. This is directed by Carolyn Howarth and I like that she leaned into the campy elements of the story. This is not a girl power take on Cleopatra, which some in our group were annoyed by but I didn’t mind it. there are times where the narrative can get a little confusing- probably because they had to cut a lot of the play to make it manageable but it still was sold with enough panache to have a good time with. Kathryn Tkel and Geoffrey Kent make for a convincing Harlequin-esque version of our leading couple. It’s campy fun.
Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise
Our final day of the festival started with a black box play called Dear Jack, Dear Louise which is a fictionalized account of how writer Ken Ludwig’s parents met writing letters in World War II. The lead couple are played by couple-in-real-life John DiAntonio and Caitlin Wise which I think helps them to be able to have chemistry despite never meeting until the end of the show. Everything is very cleverly staged by director Michael Perlman so that the 2 never make eye contact despite sharing a small stage together but they still manage to interact together. The only thing I wish I had was a few lines about how they were matched as pen pals to get begin with but this type of romantic play is totally up my alley and I loved it.
As You Like It
The final show of our trip (we didn’t see A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder which I wasn’t too sad about because I’ve seen that show many times and I think it is just ok) was As You Like It. It’s a Shakespeare I think I had seen once before but am not overly familiar with like I am Macbeth or Twelfth Night. Overall I enjoyed it but it is not as funny as I thought it was going to be. In a lot of ways it reminded me of A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Both are about love and magic that happens in a forest and both have about the same level of humor. The only bummer for me about this production is the big wrestling match that everyone was excited about I couldn’t see well because of where the actors are placed. They basically blocked my view of the big spectacle moment of the show! Director Beth Lopes needs to consider the sightlines of the audience especially because those actors could have easily been further back on the stage. Still, the ensemble is very strong led by Kayland Jordan as Rosalind. The Orlando played by Gabriel W Elmore is exactly what you want for a leading man role like Orlando.
So that’s the festival. If you got to attend this year let me know what you got to see and what you enjoyed. They have an incredible line-up planned for next year so hopefully I will be able to get back down there. It’s always a highlight of my theatrical year.
The whole festival gets a Go See 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.
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