theatre

Utah Theatre Log 7/20-8/8/25 (Daddy Long Legs, Footloose Jr, Freaky Friday, Catch Me if You Can) (Rachel’s Theatre Log 172)

| Rachel's Reviews

Hi theatre friends! I hope you are all doing well. I am currently in Cedar City attending the Utah Shakespeare Festival. I will certainly have more logs of that experience (it’s amazing) but I wanted to share a few quick thoughts on a couple other productions I’ve seen lately as a patron not a critic.

Footloose Jr- Timpanogos Youth Theatre, American Fork

A couple of weeks ago I went and saw Footloose Jr at Timpanogos Youth Theatre. My cousin’s daughter was in it and it was fun to support her. I also found it interesting as I had just seen the full version twice in July to see what they would do with the Jr version. I’d say it does a pretty good job of focusing it and making it teen appropriate (mostly toning down the romance.) It is a great show for teens to do because it is about teenage characters and one that they will likely connect with in their own struggles with their parents and deciding what they want to be in life.

I don’t have my program for this production so I can’t give my normal shoutouts. I will try and add those when I get home. Terrific job by the teens and I hope they enjoyed the experience. To find out more about Timpanogos Youth Theatre click here.

Catch Me if You Can- Centerpoint Legacy Theatre, Centerville

Next I was able to see the MWF cast of Catch Me if You Can at Centerpoint Legacy. This was a comped ticket which is very kind of them. I said most of the details about the production in my first log (see here) so I won’t repeat all that again but this is such a fun show. I love the incredible set design and the bubbly choreography. The costumes are first rate and it’s just a really entertaining musical.

As far as this cast it’s interesting because I think they felt a little less perfect for the roles than the other cast particularly Carl and Frank (maybe I was just biased to the one I saw first) but I do think this cast is slightly better singers than the TThS cast but they are both great. Emily Richman especially crushed it as Brenda. I love this production and highly recommend checking it out and it is running through August 19th. Tickets can be purchased here.

Freaky Friday- Bluffdale Arts, Bluffdale

It was too perfect a combination to see the musical Freaky Friday the day before the new movie Freakier Friday was released. While I don’t think this musical is perfect it really tries to say something and is an ambitious show for teens, which I appreciate. I recently got to see a production by Bluffdale Arts and it was a lot of fun.

Of course, this musical tells the story of a mother and daughter who switch places as one does in Freaky Friday stories. At Bluffdale we had Mindy Eckroth as the Mom Katherine and Grace Woodhouse as the daughter Ellie. They are excellent together and are believable as a pair. The rest of the cast is huge with a large ensemble that were all able to execute any choreography given them.

The sets are simple but do the job as are all the other aspects. My only hesitancy about this play is a couple of the swings it takes don’t land for me. In particular “Parents Lie” and “Biology.” I get what the writers were trying to do with those songs but the former feels to mean for Ellie to do that to her little brother and the latter is very odd for a grown woman to be singing about young men.

Still, they did a good job at Bluffdale with the tricky material and I enjoyed getting a chance to see it before the new movie. (I will add more of the credits when I get home.) Freaky Friday has finished its run but you can find out more about Bluffdale Arts here.

Daddy Long Legs- Centerpoint Legacy, Centerville

If you’ve followed my content for any amount of time you know I’m a huge fan of the musical Daddy Long Legs. I like it so much I even interviewed the composer Paul Gordon:

Daddy Long Legs is a simple show with only 2 people and no scene changes. Fortunately Sydney McAlister and Ben Lowell are both excellent as Jerusha and Jervis and they have terrific chemistry together. I am very curious to see the TThS cast as well as they look like they bring their own charm to the roles.

This production is directed by Liz Christensen and she makes some interesting choices within the parameters of this very simple show. One little thing I noticed is she had Jervis’s back to the audience for most of the first act. In fact, his desk chair was facing back and then at intermission they moved it to the other side of the desk so he was facing forward. This helps us to really feel the growth of the character.

I also appreciated McAlister’s feisty performance. One critique I’ve heard of the musical is that Jervis is too controlling but I felt in this production Jerusha was quick with a response or defense of herself and her independence. It is interesting that they didn’t have Jervis pinning the letters to his office as I have usually seen. Maybe they felt that was too obsessive compulsive but it does make the big reveal at the end a little more subdued in tone.

The only thing I thought was a miss was the strange backgrounds they had on screens which looked like oil painting in greens and purples. Jerusha isn’t a painter but a writer so pages from a book or other literary inspiration would have made more sense. But I loved this production and can’t wait to see it again. Highly recommend. It runs through Dec 2nd and tickets can be purchased here.

Footloose has music by Tom Snow, lyrics by Dean Pitchford with book by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie based on the film Footloose. Catch Me if You Can has music by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Whitman with a book by Terrence McNally based on the books by Jeff Nathanson and Frank Abagnale Jr and Stan Redding and the film. Freaky Friday: The Musical has music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Bryan Yorkey and a book by Bridget Carpenter based on the books by Mary Rodgers, Stu Krieger, Heather Hach and Leslie Dixon. Daddy Long Legs has music and lyrics by Paul Gordon with a book by John Caird based on the novel by Jean Webster.

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.

Utah Theatre Log 7/1/25-7/20/25 (Mean Girls Jr, Catch Me if You Can) (Rachel’s Theatre Log 166)

| Rachel's Reviews

Hi friends! I hope you are doing well and enjoying local theatre wherever you might be. July has certainly proven to be a busy month for me as both a film and theatre critic. No rest for the weary here (I figure if my main problem is seeing too many movies and plays I’m doing things right in life 🙂 ). Anyway we’ve had some really fun episodes of OnStage Blog Podcast including Ranking the 11 Most Produced High School Musicals. We had my friend Tanner Tate on who is the music director for Mean Girls Jr that I am going to talk about in this very post!

If you are new to my site I have 2 forms of reactions to theatre. One is a traditional detailed review that I provide for companies that request it of me. These are comped tickets and I usually try and post them within a couple of days of my seeing the show. Then there are what I call logs like this post where I am attending as a patron and they are just a few quick thoughts of the production but not the detailed review I would give as an actual theatre critic. I’m very gratified that more companies are requesting me to do full reviews, which is a complete honor and privilege. So much that I may have to come up with a different system for the patron logs but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Either way make sure you are following me on instagram because I post my out of theater reactions to both movies and theatre I see there.

Mean Girls Jr – Draper Historic Theatre, Draper

It was kind of perfect the week I had a podcast on teen musicals I would see a wonderful teen musical. I always especially like teen productions where they get to play teenage characters. It just adds to the authenticity and it seems like the teens have more fun with it. This was my first time seeing Mean Girls Jr but these teens did an incredible job with it (my thoughts on the national tour of Mean Girls here.) In fact I am just amazed that they have enough teens to double cast over 30 roles and for them all to be so outstanding! Sometimes I think there’s something in the water here in Utah because the high school theatre is so excellent.

I was able to attend the Grool cast and was particularly impressed with Lily Henstrom as Cady Heron in our lead. She has the appropriate awkwardness mixed with sarcasm that works for the role. I also really liked Elle Stotts and Paige Hillstead as Karen Smith and Gretchen Wieners respectively. Stotts in particular has a wonderful comedic timing as the ditzy Karen that repeatedly made me laugh.

This production is directed by Laura Lewis and the real feat is how her and choreographer Ariel Grace Tegan involves so many youth on that small DHT stage. They use a lot of projections at DHT but they do a good job with them and it doesn’t feel like a substitution for creativity from the teens. All the other technical aspects are well done and the afternoon matinee I went to went off without any major problems. Mean Girls Jr is playing through July 26th but many showings are sold out. Get your tickets while you still can here.

Catch Me if You Can- Centerpoint Legacy Theatre, Centerville

Next up we have one of my favorite companies Centerpoint Legacy with their production of the underrated Catch Me if You Can. I love this show and to be honest I’m not even that big a fan of the feature film. It’s mid-tier Spielberg if you ask me. This musical takes all the good of the movie and adds to it with catchy tunes, great spaces for choreography and a wonderful friendship story that warms the heart. It’s fantastic and they do an excellent job with it at Centerpoint.

I saw the TThS cast and they are all top-tier community theater performers. Derek Marsden and Colton Ward command the stage as Frank Abagnale Jr and Carl Hanratty respectively with the rest of the cast living up to their example. I especially loved all of the group choreography musical numbers like “Doctor’s Orders” and “Jet Set” (choreography by Jessica Merrill.) I also loved the 1960s style to the set and the combination of video projections from the time and real handmade sets (scenic and projection designer Joshua Roberts.) The costumes for the very large cast are outstanding as is always the case at Centerpoint from costume designer Tammis Robbins Boam. I defy anyone to find better costumes at any community theatre in the country. Catch Me if You Can is directed by Jim Christian and it simply makes for a great night of theatre and nobody can beat Centerpoint’s low ticket prices. It’s a no-brainer. It plays through August 19th and tickets can be purchased here.

Mean Girls Jr has music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin with a book by Tina Fey based on the film script by Fey and the book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman. Catch Me if You Can has music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman with a book by Terrence McNally based on the books Catch Me If You Can by Jeff Nathanson and Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan Redding

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.

CHAC’s The Lightning Thief is as Electrifying a Production as Possible (Review)

| Rachel's Reviews

This last weekend I had the chance to see a new production of The Lightning Thief by the incredible Cottonwood Heights Arts Council and even though I find the material they had to work with weak they put on a very strong piece of community theatre.

Of course, The Lightning Thief is a musical based on the books by Rick Riordan and it tells the story of Percy Jackson the teen kid who much like Harry Potter finds out he is special and even goes to a special school (or camp) that helps instruct the half-blood children of the Greek Gods.

The biggest problem with this show is the book of the musical is very weak. The narrative is choppy without a clear focus and characters are introduced and then forgotten about and then brought back out of nowhere. The scenes have little cohesive flow to them and aside from Percy the character development is confusing and poor.

All that said, the team at CHAC did everything they could to make this flawed show engaging and artistically interesting. It was a big step up from the last production of this show I saw in basically every aspect- from the acting, to the directing, to the singing. If you are a fan of this musical (which I know especially young people and fans of the books are out there) then you will love this production.

What impressed me the most is the control of the story director Lauri Baird is able to bring to an ungainly script. I love how she makes every scene visually interesting with elements like puppetry, action and dance (members of the Aerobatics Circus Center perform.) This helps so much because even if I’m a bit lost on what is happening with poor Percy I can still be entertained with what is occurring on stage.

I also found Garrett Stephenson to be a strong lead as Percy with Kat Tietjen and Austinn Le relishing the chance to take on many over-the-top roles. They also have a live orchestra at CHAC (director Robert Bedont) so one really could not ask for more from a piece of community theatre. The choreography by Karllen Johnson is visually interesting and helped me understand the mythical characters that had previously been confusing.

Much like Footloose which I just reviewed at Hale Center Theatre, The Lightning Thief provides a lot of points of conversation for parents to talk with their teens. Plus like I said, this production is a way to introduce them to so many aspects of musical theatre including dance, instrumental music, puppetry and more. All this for under $15? It’s a no-brainer! It is playing through July 19th and tickets can be purchased here.

The Lightning Thief has music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki with a book by Joe Tracz based on the The Lightning Thief novel by Rick Riordan.

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.

Go Under the Sea at Ideal’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ (Review)

| Rachel's Reviews

I love seeing new theatre companies grow and develop over the years and through various productions. I hope as a critic and influencer I can be a tool for these companies to get the word out and build loyal audiences. One of my favorite new companies is The Ideal Playhouse in Heber. The owners Steve and Karyn Anderson (director and music director respectively) are attempting to make a difference in their community renovating both the Ideal and The Avon theaters into special gathering places all of Heber can enjoy. Their latest production is Disney’s The Little Mermaid and it’s a fun experience or the whole family even if the adaptation by Disney isn’t my favorite.

If you want to hear more of my thoughts on The Little Mermaid in all its forms check out this episode of Talking Disney Classics Podcast I do with my friend Stanford:

Suffice it to say this adaptation doesn’t add much to the 1989 animated masterpiece. Still the stuff from the original film is good so there’s a lot to recommend in The Little Mermaid.

As far as Ideal’s production goes, they do all they can in a small space to help make it feel immersive and entertaining. I particularly like how they bring the bubbles and ocean into the audience with actual bubbles and projections all along the walls. Costume designer Kara Charlesworth does a great job making every piece feel special and eye-catching (especially Ursula’s dress who she is playing!)

I had Marissa Haines as my Ariel (the only part double cast with Lizzy Ricks) and she gives a polished but sweet performance that is excellent. Charlesworth has the swagger one needs for Ursula but the real scene stealing of the night is Caden Tomlinson as Chef Louis/Jetsam. He is hilarious as Louis and brought some much needed energy to a rather dry part of that musical.

The stage is small at Ideal so this limits them in some areas of the show. For example, they only have 3 daughters of Triton and the actors are not on the wheelies I have always seen in productions of The Little Mermaid. Also they should be careful that the actors aren’t poking out of the wings on the stage. Particularly Ursula and her dress could sometimes be seen when she’s supposed to be off stage.

My favorite part production-wise is during the final conflict Ursula appears in video on the screen and we see her get taken down in big bold fashion. That was a fun touch that makes the stage not feel so small. If you are looking for a nice way to introduce your family to musical theater The Little Mermaid at Ideal Playhouse is a great option. Especially your little girls will walk away singing like Ariel and wanting to be part of the grown up world as soon as possible! It is playing through July 26th and tickets can be purchased here. I give mixed to the musical but go and see it to the production.

The Little Mermaid has music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater with a book by Doug Wright based on the classic story by Hans Christian Andersen and the 1989 animated film

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.

‘An American in Paris’ is a triumph of dance and artistry at The Ruth (Review)

| Rachel's Reviews

Of all the performance arts dance is probably my least favorite. I think it’s an incredible skill and the dancers are unbelievable athletes but if I had to pick between a concert, ballet, opera, or play I would definitely pick ballet last. That’s why I was a little hesitant to see An American in Paris which just opened at The Ruth this weekend. I know this is a dance-heavy show because I actually saw it back in 2015 on a quick trip to New York I took that year. Fortunately my worries were put to rest as this new production of An American in Paris at The Ruth is as good as anything I saw on Broadway and a special event in this year’s Utah theatre landscape.

With An American in Paris being so dance-centric it is essential the choreography be compelling and executed well and it is at The Ruth. Director Jennifer Hill Barlow and choreographer Penny Saunders make every scene a stunning work of art where the movement of the human bodies transfixes the audience with its beauty and storytelling abilities. And it’s not just ballet but we see contemporary, ballroom and tap numbers throughout (I am not a dance critic but they all looked incredible to my eye.) The lighting by Ryan Fallis is also stunning with bold red backgrounds and mood lighting particularly standing out. The costumes were made with the assistance of Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute are incredibly well done and almost another character in the dance sequences.

The story is pretty simple with a love triangle between artist Jerry Mulligan (Jonathan Tanner), composer Adam Hochberg (Jordan Briggs), dancer Henri Baurel (Thomas Wood) and the young Lise Dassin (Ella Bleu Bradford.) They go back and forth between who Lise is going to pick and who ‘deserves’ the girl. It’s all perfectly serviceable because it’s all just a setup or framework for the dance.

The only downside I can see with An American in Paris at The Ruth is it is a long show at nearly 3 hours and might try the patience of some who aren’t as impressed by the dancing and want more story. Sometimes I might include myself in that group but when it’s so well executed as it is here I couldn’t help but be impressed. I really wish they had a live orchestra for such an incredible production but I get it. That’s not what they do. It would just add the perfect finishing touch to hear live musicians playing those classic Gershwin tunes.

Many people will be aware of the classic film starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. That is also a movie that is all about the dance. Tanner has Kelly vibes in his performance. Same with Bradford and Caron. Teaira Burge is also stunning as the rich Milo Davenport. My favorite numbers are the longer ballet dance sequences like “Concerto in F” at the beginning, “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise” and the final “An American in Paris” ballet.

I really can’t recommend this show more highly. I will be seeing the TTHS cast which has Rylee Rogers from Ballet West as Lise, so I’ll be back! All involved in this An American in Paris should be very proud. It is playing at The Ruth through July 19th and tickets can be purchased here.

An American in Paris features music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and a book by Craig Lucas based on the 1951 film.

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.

UTAH THEATRE LOG 6/4/25-6/10/25 (Emma, The Sound of Music, Good Night and Good Luck) (RACHEL’S THEATRE LOG 144)

| Rachel's Reviews

Hi friends! It’s time to update you on some of the local theatre I’ve been watching. It’s a little different because I actually didn’t pay individually for any of the shows I’m talking about today but I was still in attendance as a patron not a critic so I think a shorter log is appropriate.

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK- LIVE STREAM CNN, BROADWAY

I have not been able to make the New York trip I would have liked to in 2025 so I was thrilled when I heard the George Clooney led play Good Night, and Good Luck was going to be streaming live from the theater on Broadway. This is the first time in history a live Broadway performance has been simultaneously televised.

While I obviously haven’t seen the live performance I wonder if the pro-shot is is the ideal way to watch this play? The set appears to be quite sprawling as it recreates the CBS studios of Edward R Murrow and chronicles his confrontations with Senator Joseph McCarthy. I was also surprised with the little side plot between Shirley and Joe Wershba (Ilana Glazer and Carter Hudson.) It’s been a while since I have seen the movie and I forgot about their inclusion. Clark Gregg also plays the producer Don Hollenbeck and he and Clooney have nice chemistry. These additions help keep the play from feeling preachy and overbearing when especially towards the end it begins to feel heavy-handed. It seems like Clooney is playing a variation on himself but he does a good job with it. Overall I was entertained by this play and am grateful I got the chance to see it. More like this please! You can watch the movie version of Good Night and Good Luck here (ad)

EMMA- BLUFFDALE ARTS, BLUFFDALE

Everyone knows I’m a big Jane Austen person so I will jump at the chance to see any local production of her works- especially when said production is free! Every summer Bluffdale Arts puts on free plays for its community and I think that is a wonderful gift to offer those around you. I love it. This year they have Emma and then Charley’s Aunt coming next at the outdoor stage at Bluffdale City Hall and Park.

My favorite part of this production of Emma is how approachable it is. If you are someone who feels Jane Austen is stuffy and even boring (how dare you!) this staging might change your mind. None of the actors are taking themselves too seriously and they are quick to make a joke or give a wink to the audience. The standout in this regard is Kylee Summer as Miss Bates. Leah Allred is also very funny as the snobby Mrs Elton but the whole cast are charming and easy to find the humor in their scenes.

Elena Arana is a wonderful Emma and has terrific chemistry with Alex Grover’s Mr Knightley. The only real downside to this (did I mention it’s free) is that it is a long sit. The transitions between scenes are very slow and it was almost 3 hours by the time we finished. I love Austen so I was fine with it but it might try the patience of some guests and is something they could work on.

That said, director Melanie Gonzalez and her team have put together an enchanting theatrical gift for their community with Emma and it is playing through June 14th. More information can be found here. This adaptation is done by Michael Bloom.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC- DRAPER AMPITHEATER, DRAPER

Like Jane Austen, everyone also knows I’m a huge fan of The Sound of Music; although, I do think it is one of the rare musicals where the movie actually improves upon the stage version. Still, any time I get a chance to see it I’m a happy woman.

I recently had the chance to see The Sound of Music at the Draper Amphitheater and while it was not as good as I am used to seeing from them it was still a nice way to spend an evening in Draper.

This production is directed by Robin Edwards and contains everything you could want from The Sound of Music– cute kids, charming songs and a brave captain standing up to Nazis. Tyler Oliphant is fantastic as Captain von Trapp and Serena Mackerell has a nice chemistry with the kids as Maria. Speaking of the kids they are all very cute especially in songs like “So Long, Farewell.”

I suppose if there is any disappointment it’s only because the other productions I am used to seeing at Draper Ampitheater have felt more polished and less of a community theater vibe. I was especially impressed with their Hairspray a couple years ago. This The Sound of Music is more of an amateur production but that’s fine. It’s still a cute enjoyable piece of theatre. It is playing through June 14th and tickets can be purchased here.

Good Night and Good Luck is written by George Clooney and Grant Heslov based on their film of the same name. Emma is based on the novel by Jane Austen and adapted by Michael Bloom. The Sound of Music has music by Richard Rogers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.

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.

‘Alice By Heart’ is a Weird Mixture of War and Wonderland at West Valley Arts (Review)

| Rachel's Reviews

As a patron of the arts even more than a critic I want companies to take risks and try bold and ambitious new productions. That said it doesn’t always mean those risks pay off, and I end up loving the finished product. This is now the second time I have seen the musical Alice by Heart. The first time was at Weber State University last Fall and now West Valley Arts has taken it on and it’s a decidedly mixed bag.

Not to over-compare productions but one thing that made the Weber State piece better is they created the atmosphere and feel of a wartime bunker more effectively. I keep feeling like WVA isn’t picking shows that use the theater-in-the-round set up they have to its advantages. Shows like this, A Chorus Line and A Play That Goes Wrong do not benefit from the immersive nature this stage has to offer. In fact, those shows in particular are actively hurt by this stage.

For Alice by Heart director Brooklyn Pulver Kohler doesn’t use the platforms in the audience at all failing to give much of an atmosphere or tone to a source material that desperately needs it for the mixture of war and nonsense to work. It leaves the audience alone to guess and try to figure out what is happening to the characters or even where the scenes are taking place (and we only have an electronic program so no help there.)

I feel like I am coming across too harshly on this review because there are things to like in this production. The talent is all there, and I appreciate the choreography by Emily Henwood and the creative costumes particularly for the Queen of Hearts (Rachel Mardis) by Tabitha Sublette although I would still say the Weber State team did a better job combining WW2 and Wonderland aesthetics even in the costumes.

The songs are largely forgettable and while Ivy Dunbar Jones has a good belt her performance as Alice feels one-note and shouty without any softness or sense of calibration to what she is facing. It’s all loud, loud, loud and that can be exhausting. The best number of the show is “Isn’t it a Trial” which makes the most of the various pieces all working together as Alice is on trial with the Queen of Hearts.

Still, if you are looking for something different that takes some risks than I’d recommend supporting Alice by Heart. I wish I loved it, but I appreciate the swing and hope they keep on experimenting at WVA. It is playing through June 28th and tickets can be purchased here.

Alice by Heart contains music by Duncan Sheik, lyrics by Steven Sater and a book by Sater and Jesse Nelson.

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.

UTAH THEATRE LOG 5/29/25-6/3/25 (TOOTSIE, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, DREAMGIRLS) (RACHEL’S THEATRE LOG 141)

| Rachel's Reviews

Hi friends! I have a quick log to update with a few of the shows I have been seeing. It’s been a busy time for both theater and film so make sure you are following me on instagram and youtube to get all of the out of theater reactions and updates!

Just a reminder for those new to the site. These logs are quick thoughts of shows I am a patron at not a critic to do a full detailed review. I would love to review any and all of these shows. Just email me at rachelsreviews65@gmail.com. Thanks!

DREAMGIRLS- THE GRAND THEATRE, SALT LAKE

I have to admit if I am going to give a company a pass it is more than likely to be for when I feel they are pushing themselves as a company and when they are presenting me with new and exciting material. While the musical Dreamgirls could in no way be considered a new show it is not performed often in community theatre and so I admire The Grand Theatre for taking it on. Indeed I had never seen this musical previous to their performance and am grateful I had the chance to check it off my musical theatre bucket list. It is also impressive that they had a full live orchestra to back up their performers. One doesn’t expect such a production for under $40.

I do have to say now I have seen it I probably won’t be dying to see Dreamgirls again. The story is just so tired and formulaic that it’s hard to get super excited about it. It’s one of those shows that lives and dies by its lead casting and luckily at The Grand they have a terrific Effie in Quesley Soto. I wish Effie was written with more nuance and less like a soap opera character but she does what she can with the role. Darby Mest is also a standout as fellow Dreamette Lorrell. The rest of the cast is a little more mixed but they are all trying their hardest and there is a nice community spirit amongst the cast, which I appreciate.

Technically speaking Dreamgirls at The Grand is directed well by Latoya Cameron with the musical sequences having the cabaret feel needed for the numbers. However, the real standout is the incredible costumes by Shannon McCullock and her team. I wish I could have one of the sparkly dresses that Effie and the other girls are wearing!

Dreamgirls is playing at The Grand through June 14th and tickets can be purchased here.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL- BYU, PROVO

It’s hard to not be charmed by the catchy tunes and energetic nature of High School Musical whether on stage or in the film DCOM. The songs are so much fun and the production at BYU is a great time for the whole family.

What stands out the most is the production elements. The set by Marguerite Morgan looks like something you could find at Disneyland. So bright, colorful and professional. It’s also super cool that they had large screens shaped like cell phones on the side of the stage and had pre-filmed footage commenting on the events (like a Wildcat news update) filmed at the actual East High (advantage of being in Utah I suppose.) The production is directed by Geoffrey Reynolds and he seemingly thought of everything to make this a great show. The only downside is it was very warm in that theatre and some of the singing was weaker than usual for a BYU show.

Still if you are looking for an introductory show for the whole family High School Musical at BYU would be a great pick. I had a great time with it. It plays through June 14th and tickets can be purchased here.

TOOTSIE- EGYPTIAN THEATRE, PARK CITY

Like I said I really appreciate it when companies take chances with new and unique shows here in Utah. This is what got me to go up to Park City to see Tootsie at The Egyptian last week. I had heard mixed reviews of the show when it was on Broadway but I wanted to decide for myself and took the chance to go up there and see it. To my surprise I quite enjoyed the show. I’d even say it’s a little underrated amongst recent Broadway offerings (I liked it better than something highly praised like Kimberly Akimbo so go figure.)

What makes Tootsie work is it’s not afraid to have a genuinely unlikable lead character in Michael Dorsay (Jeremy Gross) and it’s not just a copy and paste from the movie like Mrs Doubtfire. I was surprised how funny I found it and a lot of that goes to the very likable cast including Gross, Caleb Parry as his roommate Jeff and Morgan Parry as Julie. This production is directed by Kyle Esposito and he trusts his talented cast to do their jobs and keeps the staging and choreography simple. I do think this show would have made more sense and been better if it was set in the 80s like the movie. So many of the elements including modern gender roles and communication (social media) do not make sense for 2025. Set it in 1982 it’s immediately funnier and more insightful.

That said, I did enjoy it more than I was expecting. Unfortunately Tootsie has finished its run but you can find out more about The Egyptian here.

Dreamgirls has book and lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger. High School Musical is based on the DCOM written by Peter Barsocchini with book by David Simpatico, music adapted by Bryan Louiselle and songs by a variety of writers. Tootsie has music and lyrics by David Yazbek with a book by Robert Horn.

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.

UTAH THEATRE LOG 5/22-5/28/25 (TUCK EVERLASTING, ELVIS, NOISES OFF, THE WEDDING SINGER) (RACHEL’S THEATRE LOG 139)

| Rachel's Reviews

Hi theatre friends! I hope you are doing well. I have some of my logs to update you on. For those new to my site the logs are shorter reviews of performances (mostly theatre) that I have seen as a patron not a critic. If a company is interested in a full review (as well as my social media posts) just let me know at rachelsreviews65@gmail.com.) If you would like to support what I’m doing and get some cool perks check out my patreon.

Meanwhile I have 4 shows to log for you today so let’s get started:

TUCK EVERLASTING- CENTERPOINT LEGACY, CENTERVILLE

Occasionally an incident from my life will impact how a work effects me. Such was the case at Tuck Everlasting at Centerpoint. On the drive up to the theater I witnessed a traffic accident, which is a sobering experience. And of course, a musical about life and death like Tuck Everlasting is going to hit home even more than it might otherwise do after such an experience.

If you didn’t know this musical tells the story of Winnie Foster (Penny Hodson) who one day running away from home meets the Tuck family who have been blessed (or cursed?) with eternal life. She is particularly taken with Jesse (Maxwell Sperry) and they form a strong bond with each other. The whole cast is fantastic at Centerpoint, and I was impressed with not only their various singing abilities but the amount of dance required including a beautiful Act 2 ballet called “The Story of Winnie Foster.” It is worth seeing this show for that ballet alone (and I’m normally not someone who is wowed by dance.)

The choreography by Aaron Ford is outstanding as is the direction by Danny Inkley and the stunning sets with a rotating stage and forest-painted fabric that stretches all the way up the ceiling by scenic designer Joshua Roberts. I do think Tuck Everlasting drags a bit, and I can see why it didn’t last long on Broadway (aside from the ballet does it need to be a musical?) However, this production at Centerpoint is worth your time- especially given their low price-points. It is playing until June 17th and tickets can be purchased here.

ELVIS CONCERT- TRAVIS ALLEN AT IDEAL PLAYHOUSE, HEBER

I don’t often review concerts on here as I am not a music critic, but I wanted to let you all know about what they are doing up at Ideal Playhouse in Heber. In addition to quarterly productions they have musical acts on a regular basis. They seem to specialize in cover bands of classic acts and other vintage performers. I was able to see Travis Allen there last week and it was a lot of fun. He is one of the top Elvis impersonators in the country, and he puts on a good show. I was very impressed with how long the set of songs is and how personal and entertaining he is. It was a little warm in the theater but other than that I had a great time. Definitely check out Ideal Playhouse for their upcoming shows.

NOISES OFF!- PARKER THEATRE, SALT LAKE CITY

I was a little nervous going into Noises Off! at Parker. Not because I didn’t think they would do a good job. I knew they would, but I had just seen it at Centerpoint and sometimes comedies don’t bear the same repetition as other genres. I shouldn’t have been worried because even though I loved what they did at Centerpoint this was equally entertaining at Parker if not more so. I have rarely laughed more than at this hilarious production.

It’s hard to know who to praise more for this success but director Jennifer Hohl has to be top of the list. There are so many moving targets to keep track of including little details like where a plate of sardines are left, or if a bag is hung or not hung on a hook. The whole setting is a play-within-a-play so they need both the set facing the audience and the back which is not to work. Not only that, but when they are behind the set we need to hear them and make it sound differently than those performing directly in front of us on the stage. The sound design is always top tier at Parker and that’s no exception for Noises Off! (sound designer Spencer Hohl.)

My favorite of the performers is Corinne Adair Myers as Brooke/Vicki. She nails every bit of comedic potential in that dumb blonde type character. But they are all really funny. It’s one of the best shows I’ve seen at Parker and that’s saying something. If you like The Play that Goes Wrong I bet you’ll like Noises Off! It is playing through June 28th and ticket can be purchased here.

THE WEDDING SINGER- DRAPER HISTORIC, DRAPER

I have actually already reviewed DHT’s production of The Wedding Singer. The full review can be found here. But I wanted to see the MWF “Poser” cast, so I went with my friend to the Memorial Day show and it was super fun. The big standout of this cast was the supporting performers. Tanner Larsen actually plays George in both casts, and he’s such a talented comedic performer. I also really enjoyed Spencer Bushman as Sammy and Ashlee Howell as Holly. I hope both of them will be considered for leads in future productions. They deserve it. Alyssa Edwards is also really funny as Grandma Rosie. I do feel the other cast is a little more unique and not trying to duplicate the performances in the movie, but this is still a charming show and would make for a great date night. The Wedding Singer is playing at DHT until May 31st and tickets can be purchased here.

Tuck Everlasting has music by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen and a book by Claudie Shear and Tim Federle based on the novel by Natalie Babbitt. Noises Off is a play by Michael Frayn. The Wedding Singer has music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin with a book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy based on the film with script by Herlihy.

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.