utah-theatre

UTAH THEATRE LOG 10/9-10/11 (MY FAIR LADY, PERSUASION, CLUE: THE MUSICAL) (RACHEL’S THEATRE LOG 61)

| Rachel's Reviews

I truly had a magical week of theatre this week and will be logging and reviewing more of the productions over the next few days. If you want to read my reviews of the movies I saw click here. Meanwhile here are some logs for 3 local shows:

MY FAIR LADY- HALE CENTER THEATRE OREM, OREM

Seeing My Fair Lady at Hale Center Theatre Orem was a bit of a bittersweet experience because even though it was highly entertaining it is probably the last show I will see at this location. They will have their A Christmas Carol which is not part of the season pass and then will be moving over to their new location in Pleasant Grove called The Ruth. I am very happy for them but I will miss the intimacy and unique nature of the theater in Orem.

Fortunately this production of My Fair Lady is an excellent one for them to go out on. I saw the MWF cast and on pretty much every level it delivers on a wonderful take on this classic material. What impressed me the most is how the humor in the script was highlighted and brought to the forefront. M. Chase Grant in particular as Henry Higgins gives the funniest take I’ve ever seen for the role and helped make the character more endearing and the romance more palatable (an element of this musical I typically don’t enjoy.)

Ashley Gardner Carlson is fantastic as Eliza Doolittle and again she brought out the humor in the role with songs like “Without You” and “Show Me.” This production is directed by Rodger Sorensen with beautiful costumes by Dennis Wright. I particularly loved the Ascot scene using grays and purples in contrast to the usual white and black. My only real critique would be they could have changed out the individual settings a little more. I understand the space makes set changes tough but keeping it the flowered street whether they are inside or outside for even the Embassy Ball was a little underwhelming. But other than that it is a great version of My Fair Lady I highly recommend. It is playing at HCTO until Nov 23rd and you can purchase tickets here.

My Fair Lady is of course the classic musical with lyrics and book by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe.

PERSUASION- SNOW COLLEGE THEATRE, EPHRAIM

As soon as I saw that Snow College was putting on Melissa Leilani Larson’s adaptation of Persuasion I knew I had to see it despite the college being a nearly 2 hour drive in Ephraim. Larson is my favorite local playwright and was one of the first interviews I ever did when I had just started out my channel back in 2016. Even as I was driving down in heavy traffic I began to think ‘is this going to be worth it.’ Well, once seated any doubts I had were put to the side by a wonderful production of one of my favorite Jane Austen novels (I saw a production of this adaptation via a live stream during the pandemic so it was meaningful to see it live on stage this time.)

The art direction of the piece (director Jenn Chandler) is simple with an abstract background that could become everything from Kellynch Hall to the beaches in Lyme. Persuasion is a particularly difficult novel to adapt because much of the action either happens off stage before we meet the lead couple or within their minds. What Larson has done to fix this is the brilliant choice of having 2 couples play Anne and Wentworth. This way we see the couple’s first and second chance at love.

The whole cast of students at Snow College are excellent with Chloe Hannah and Shayla Florence playing Anne, and Joshua Peterson and Landon Bulloch as Wentworth. It may help I am so well versed in the story that I wasn’t confused by two versions of the characters but it is so widely known that most who buy tickets are probably aware of the basic plot. Of all the performers, however, Ruby Bagley really stole the show as Mary Musgrove. She is probably the funniest character in the novel and Bagley has terrific comedic timing.

Some of the other performers could be a little too exuberant and big for the regency setting and relative stillness of the backdrop but Persuasion was still a very entertaining night of theater. It can still be seen until the 15th and tickets can be purchased here.

CLUE: THE MUSICAL- HERITAGE THEATRE, PERRY

When I saw Heritage Theatre in Perry was putting on Clue: The Musical I was intrigued. I have seen the play based on the game/movie but didn’t even know the musical was a thing. So despite the over an hour drive to get to Perry I made my way up to see the show and I’m so glad I did. Heritage Theatre is a community theater in the best sense of the word and this is an ambitious but well executed mystery experience.

What impressed me the most about Clue: The Musical is the interactive elements. I’m normally not the biggest fan of improv but you’d never know there are 216 different outcomes to this musical! It all feels very scripted. The songs aren’t especially memorable but they work as transitions from one scene and clue to the next. Directors Bree and Derek Hendricks have seemingly thought of everything with a game board projected on the wall and a live band to play the musical cues. I also loved the set design by Derek and Jess Tarbet. Each of the rooms of the iconic game are created on a turntable that moves from one setpiece to the next. They even have playing pieces for each character in each of the rooms which I thought was quite clever.

The performers are all having a ton of fun but Sam Bakker is probably my favorite as Mrs White. I think we really lucked out to have her as our murderer (not a spoiler since every performance will be different.) I’m actually not that big of a mystery person but this is just a fun experience. It’s not the polish you’ll find at something like HCTO but that’s part of the charm. If you are anywhere near Perry I’d highly recommend seeing Clue: The Musical. It is playing until Oct 26th and you can purchase tickets here.

Clue: The Musical has a book by Peter Depietro, lyrics by Tom Chiodo, and Music by Galen Blum, Waynde Barker and Vinnie Martucci.

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 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 9/30-10/7 (SOMETHING ROTTEN, ALICE BY HEART, JEKYLL AND HYDE) (RACHEL’S THEATRE LOG 59)

| Rachel's Reviews

Hey everyone! I hope you are having a great week. Its been a fun time for me because I started a new part-time job last week, which is always an exciting if overwhelming experience. Plus, at Hallmarkies Podcast we are gearing up for the start of Christmas season coming up on Oct 18th, so life is as crazy as you’d imagine it being. Fortunately I still have time to see a lot of great theatre. Some I will do full reviews for as a critic and others are just the short logs as a patron. Here’s what’s been happening on the stage:

SOMETHING ROTTEN- EMPRESS THEATRE, MAGNA

First up there’s a new production of Something Rotten over at the Empress Theatre in Magna. This is such a charming little community theatre that almost always knocks the productions out of the park and this is another great example of doing that. Something Rotten may be my favorite comedic musical and even though I’ve seen it many times I haven’t gotten sick of it like I have other shows in the genre. It’s just that funny.

What was interesting about this production directed by Kylee Larsen is how stripped down and simple it is. For example in “A Musical” the musical theatre easter eggs were stripped down to just the music and dance without the visual cues I usually see. In contrast, at the recent production at Music Theatre West they had the entire ensemble wearing different costumes from musicals for the scene. This takes the opposite approach and I found it quite refreshing. It helps also that Caden Terry gave my favorite performance of the night as Nostradamus. He has terrific comic timing and sold the song well.

The rest of the cast is up for the challenge of the piece and there were very few technical gaffes during the matinee that I attended. The only persistent problem is they could turn up the microphone on Shakespeare (Bradley Barker) who was a lot of fun in the role but at times the music was overpowering his vocals. This is probably the only production I’ve ever seen where someone is credited as “Egg Creator.” It’s Ashley Loewer and she did a great job making the costumes for “Make an Omelette.” They have both cracked egg outfits and omlettes and both are very funny. Like I said, it’s just a funny show, and I hope I never get tired of seeing it. Something Rotten is playing at The Empress until Oct 19th and tickets can be purchased here.

ALICE BY HEART- WEBER STATE ARTS, OGDEN

I love seeing college productions especially if they are doing something new and experimental. The energy of the students is just infectious and inspiring. This is why I jumped at the chance to review Alice by Heart for UTBA this month. What I didn’t know then was that this review would end up being my last review for the site as I am moving on to other opportunities. I’m proud of the work I have done for them and grateful for everything I learned along the way.

In a way Alice by Heart was the perfect show for this moment because it’s a show all about saying goodbye to the people and things we love. The creative team (music by Duncan Sheik, lyrics by Steven Sater and a book by Sater and Jessie Nelson) have moved Lewis Carroll’s iconic story to a 1941 bomb shelter and Wonderland is an escape from the horrors of war.

While there are definite problems with this material the creativity of the students was so much fun to watch. I particularly loved the giant Jabberwocky puppet they created. You can read my full review here. Alice by Heart runs until Oct 12th and tickets can be purchased here.

JEKYLL & HYDE- HOPEBOX THEATRE, KAYSVILLE

I honestly think Hopebox Theatre in Kaysville is one of the more underrated company’s in this area. They not only have a wonderful mission of helping support those fighting cancer but they have never missed for me in a production. Even if I don’t love the show I always leave thinking they did a fantastic job with it. Such is the case with their new production of Jekyll & Hyde.

I saw the Silver Cast on Monday 10/7 and they are all really strong. Dugan Brunker is particularly great at the Hyde part of the title character. He could almost be Batman with that low gravely voice. Chelsea Campbell is another standout as Lucy really nailing her signature song “Someone Like You.”

The set is very impressive for the small space. I love how director Sadie Day uses practical effects as opposed to the digital AI projections which are all the rage in community theaters these days. The backgrounds have a charcoal quality to them and the way the set folded out to Jekyll’s lab was brilliant. The costumes by Torrey Woolsey were also stunning with layers to each look, even minor characters.

There are also some really creative choices like when they do “A New Life (Reprise)” different couples dance as Lucy imagines the kind of love and life she could perhaps have some day. It’s also a pretty racy interpretation (for Utah at least.) “Bring on the Men” doesn’t shy away from the sultry elements but that’s true to the story so I really enjoyed it. It’s nice when conservative companies take a little bit of risk and honor the stories they are telling.

I will always recommend seeing a show at Hopebox and Jekyll and Hyde is no different. It’s a sexy, exciting, good time at the theatre playing until Oct 26th. You can purchase tickets here.

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 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.

‘LITTLE WOMEN: THE MUSICAL’ AT IDEAL PLAYHOUSE ASTONISHES (REVIEW)

| Rachel's Reviews

The novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott will always have a special place in my heart. It was the first big book I ever read. The first book I was proud of for finishing at around 8 or 9. I think as the oldest daughter in a family which would come to include 4 girls and having an independent streak like Jo I easily connected with it and have loved almost all adaptations of this material I’ve seen film or stage (we don’t talk about the modern version from 2018…) I’ve seen Little Women: The Musical many times over the years and really enjoyed it each time. The latest version is at the Ideal Playhouse in Heber and it’s a production worth your time and effort.

Little Women: The Musical came to Broadway in 2005 and helped Sutton Foster receive a Tony Award nomination for playing Jo. It has music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and book by Allan Knee. The production at Ideal is directed by Steve Anderson with music direction from Karyn Anderson.

One of the aspects that makes Ideal Playhouse so unique is the screens surrounding the viewer on all sides. I hope to see a concert or event film there soon because it adds a special element I’ve never seen before in a theatrical production. This was particularly neat in operatic tragedy numbers of this musical with the audience being surrounded by action and excitement. It is a cool way to differentiate the space from the many other local theatre companies.

They also have a terrific cast for this production with Ashley Bates as Jo, Lisa Blaser as Marmee and the great Michael McLean as Mr Lawrence. He mentioned on social media this is his first time playing a different character outside of his own material. I’ve seen McLean in The Forgotten Carols several times but it was super fun to see him stretch his acting wings here. I actually got to interview him during the pandemic and he is as friendly as you’d expect.

The highlights of Little Women: The Musical are the beautiful duet between Beth and Jo “Some Thing are Meant to Be.” It’s such a lovely song and performed with skill and chemistry at Ideal. I also love Marmee’s song “Days of Plenty.” The rest of the songs are fairly generic Broadway ballads and bops but certainly pleasant enough and well performed.

The costumes feel a little more Regency than mid-19th century but my favorite of the night was worn by Nicole Cable as Aunt March, and she is the costume designer for the production. All the other sets and transitions worked with the projections to create a warm and comforting atmosphere on stage.

There are times when the music overpowers the performers and there was a problem with the mics not being turned off when actors are off stage. You could hear little whispering off stage which can be distracting to what’s going on on stage.

Other than that, I really enjoyed Little Women: The Musical at Ideal Playhouse. If you are in and around Heber I recommend seeking it out. They also listened to my advise and lowered prices to under $30, which I appreciate. With children at just $14 this could be a great family activity especially young girls will love. Go out and watch something that’s astonishing! This show plays through Oct 12th and 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.

‘THE WOMAN IN BLACK’ AT THE COVEY USES THE BLACK BOX FOR PRIME SCARES (REVIEW)

| Rachel's Reviews

It’s always nice when a company knows their venue and selects material that suit the space well. Such has been the case with the last several selections for the Covey Center for the Arts in their Brinton Black Box Theater. They recently did Wait Until Dark which was ideal for that small confined space and the same can be said for their latest production: The Woman in Black. This was my first time seeing this play and Covey was kind enough to provide me with a ticket and for 2 of my friends who were in town for the Fanx convention. This was above and beyond on their part, and I am sincerely grateful.

This review will probably be on the brief side because I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises for you.

As I said, this was my first time seeing this play although I am going to see it later in October at the Parker and evidently it has been playing on the West End in London for some time. The Woman in Black is a play by Stephen Mallatratt based on the novel by Susan Hill and it tells the story of a young man who travels to help settle the estate of a reclusive widow, Mrs Drablow. What he doesn’t realize is that the home is haunted by the Woman in Black of the title, and she does not plan on going away without a fight.

While the events of the play can be quite thrilling for some reason Mallatratt decides to set them in the construct of a play-within-a-play. This was confusing and rather tedious a set up that I just didn’t enjoy. However, once the actual characters and story starts everything perks up quite a bit. Act II especially is one thrill after another and I left feeling very satisfied with an exciting theatrical experience.

I’m actually surprised The Woman in Black isn’t done more because it has a cast of only 2 people making it very approachable for a community theater to put on. At Covey they have wisely cast Samuel Wright as the Actor and Mathew DelaFuente as Arthur Kipps. DelaFuente is one of the finest actors we have working in Utah today and he carries this production on his back and does so well. Especially as things became more tense and scary he commits fully to the moment which was impressive with so much being left to the imagination (even the dog is imaginary.)

Director Morgan Gunter uses DelaFuente and the simple sheer black curtains of a theater to create atmosphere and tone. Spencer Powell’s lighting, and the Robert Seely/Mark Pitt sound design are also critical in making the scares pop when they need to (and pop they do!)

In the end, The Covey’s The Woman in Black does take a bit to get going but if the audience can have some patience they will be rewarded with a fun night of scares and surprises. It might be too scary for young ones but anyone teenager age should be fine and they’ll have a great time. It is playing until Oct 21st and tickets can be purchased 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.