Iphigenia in Tauris Is a Theatrical Experience Not To Be Missed

Although I am familiar with Greek mythology and have read some of the Greek tragedies, until this past Friday (September 16, 2011) the only time I could remember seeing Greek drama performed was during the closing credits of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode where Principle Snyder had forced Buffy, Willow and Xander to participate in Sunnydale High’s talent show as a punishment for their “delinquent” attitudes. Buffy and friends picked acting for their talent because they had no known performance talents and thought acting a scene from Greek drama would be easy. They were of course wrong with hilarious consequences. Acting, as they learned through great embarrassment, is not as easy as it looks when done by untalented actors. Fortunately for us Utah theatre goers, the actors appearing in the Classical Greek Theatre Festival’s (CGTF) latest production of Iphigenia in Tauris are all talented actors. Continue reading

Surely, You Jest

Parable Productions performs its shows at Calvary Chapel located in Murray. Upon entering the performance space, the audience is treated to sound bytes of real answering machine messages, Amy’s Answering Machine, instead of music before the show, as well as during intermission; I found it a rather inventive and delightful alternative as the sound bytes worked well, in my opinion, to set the tone of the show and keep the audience invested during intermission. There is ample seating here, but the stage is very small. All the more reason why I am always impressed with the typical set and lighting design by Annie Fields, and by how well it makes use of the limited space; this time was no exception. Set in 1990 and spanning the course of roughly four weeks, the entirety of the show takes place in the homey, and just-a-titch kitschy, Chicago apartment of one Miss Sarah Goldman (delightfully portrayed by Marissa Poole); an unmarried, 30-year-old Jewish woman who teaches Kindergarten. Continue reading

Mama’s li’l baby loves Grey Gardens

Wasatch Theatre Company’s latest production, the musical Grey Gardens should not be missed! First off, it’s the Utah premiere of this award-winning musical that first performed on Broadway in 2006. Secondly, it’s based on the true story of Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis’ aunt and cousin. Two women, whom after an all-too brief life of privilege and fortune, find themselves living in a dilapidated mansion that is the home of hundreds of cats, and in conditions that were deemed, in 1972, “unfit for human living.” Finally, you need to see it because it’s GREAT, and a true tour-de-force for leading lady, Jennifer Perry Hughes. Continue reading

Coriolanus Hits and Misses

As is the case with most community theatre, there were strong performers and some weak performers. All in all, I would suggest you venture out to Canyon Rim park this week to support this group of young and budding actors, as well as the charity all the proceeds are going to: Letters to Soldiers. I would also give my support to what Such Stuff Productions is trying to do, by bringing Shakespeare back into our society. Flaws and difficulties aside, I applaud them for putting on an entertaining production of one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. Continue reading

Hairspray puts the Community in Community Theater!

I think I’ve been to Spanish Fork twice in my life. The first time was about a year ago to review Wizard of Oz with the Spanish Fork Youtheater. Tonight, I returned to the same high school to review Hairspray with the Spanish Fork Community Theater (SFCT).

Above anything else, these people know how to put the “Community” in Community Theater. In both cases, I was surprised that they not only nearly sold out a several hundred-seat theater, but it feels like everyone in the community is actually involved. From the ticket takers, to the snack sellers, to the older gentleman sitting by himself across the isle having the time of his life – this community theater production embodies community. Continue reading

“The Tempest” – Not so much a storm as a light breeze

While the Around the Globe Theatre Company’s performance of Shakespeare’s last great play stays incredibly true to the original text, the performance itself leaves something to be desired. Though it is clear that the director, Beth Bruner, has a solid understanding of the intricacies of Shakespeare’s writing (especially the stage directions cleverly written into the lines), and that all the actors have impressive command of the language, the performance sagged with a lack of energy and an incredibly slow pace. Uncut Shakespeare is an ambitious goal for any modern theatre company, and Around the Globe’s production did not move at a pace quick enough to hold the audience’s attention through the entirety. Continue reading

Gypsy Bares All

Presenting a musical like Gypsy is no mean feat. Its subject matter is difficult (a mother who drives her two children to stardom, eventually driving one away from her and another into a career as a burlesque stripper). It’s been through four Broadway revivals. It’s been made into a film twice. It’s starred stage greats like Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone, and Ethel Merman. It’s been touted as musical theatre’s answer to Shakespeare’s King Lear.

No pressure. Continue reading

Under the Spell of Godspell

What does Domino’s Pizza, Judge Judy, Lady Gaga, Robert J. Debry and Sarah Palin all have in common? They (or at least references of) can all be found in Parable Productions’ charming version of Godspell. One might expect to be mired down with scripture and preaching during a religious show. It was an absolute treat to be drawn into a show through the use of off-the-cuff humor and modern comedic references. Continue reading

Gutenberg! Darn-tootin-berg!

The stellar reputation of Park City Theatre continues with a revival production of their 2007 hit musical, Gutenberg! The Musical! Presented by Plan-B Theatre Company and the Egyptian Theatre, “Gutenberg!” chronicles the literary journey of Bud Davenport (Jay Perry) and Doug Simon (Kirt Bateman) who, inspired by their love of musical theatre, have written a musical which details the life of Johann Gutenberg – inventor of the the printing press. Or…what Bud and Doug imagined his life would have been. Continue reading

DHT’s production of Charlotte’s Web is … Some Play

Watching this scene I remembered my first grade teacher Mrs. Williamson reading to me and my classmates from the classic book by E.B. White; upon which this musical is of course based. It was twenty years ago that I first had Charlotte’s Web read to me and then saw the animated film version, and despite all the time that has passed, I still felt the nostalgia of childhood return to me as the show began to unfold before my eyes. Continue reading

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