On Friday, March 23rd, I had the pleasure of attending Parable Productions’ newest endeavor It Is Well with My Soul: The Joni Eareckson Tada Story. Adapted, written, and directed by Annie Fields, It Is Well is based on the autobiography Joni, and focuses on the difficult journey that one woman faces after a tragic accident leaves her a quadriplegic. Continue reading
You have to admire a play that starts out with a gunshot. After you learn that the gunshot happens at the start of a 10th wedding anniversary party to be populated by the happy couples’ closest friends, you have to wonder what on earth is going on. This how the Westminster Players’ production of Rumors by Neil Simon, a frantic farce-like comedy set in the late 1980’s, begins. Continue reading
Admittedly, I was thrilled when I found out that Midvale Main Street Theater had made the brave choice to produce this show. Next to Normal is one of my all time favorites. I have seen several productions from SLC to NYC. However, I was also worried because this is a Pulitzer Prize winning piece of a theatrical genius (in my opinion). I didn’t expect perfection but I hoped that it would be treated with the respect that it deserved. Continue reading
I didn’t know what to expect from this production. I knew it had Johnny Cash music, and . . . . that’s about all I knew. I had never been to the Egyptian Theatre before, but the space is lovely, parking was easy-peasy, staff was friendly, and the plethora of local sponsors made me feel like I had joined a very cool club. Continue reading
Saturday night, Backstage Utah was invited to review 12 Angry Men, presented by West Jordan Theatre Arts and the Sugar Factory Playhouse, and directed by JC Carter. Normally, I don’t attend community theatre, especially to review a production. It is my personal belief that most of the value in community theatre lies within the personal enrichment of the actors, and their continued growth as actors. There isn’t a ton of fulfillment for the audience. Upon discovering this would be directed by JC Carter, I felt it would be worth a look. Continue reading
Through numerous revivals and television adaptations, Arthur Miller’s allegorical play The Crucible has taken on new and important meaning, traveling through sixty years of American history and serving as a bastion of American theater. Though the story of the play is concerned with the Salem Witch Trials, its original intent was to hold a mirror up to the McCarthy-era fear of Communism, and the work has remained relevant through its portrayal of intolerance, prejudice and suspicion. Continue reading
The show opens and proceeds for the first few minutes in complete darkness. A companionable male voice begins speaking. “I hate theater,” the voice says. “Well, it’s so disappointing, isn’t it?” This voice, which belongs to a lonely, and musical-loving divorcee called Man in Chair (rendered with an affable believability by Doug Caldwell), offers up a prayer as he always does before a play, “…let it be short… keep the actors out of the aisles… I just want to be entertained. I mean, isn’t that the point?” It so happens, I say pretty much this same prayer before any show too, and I can gladly report, that The Drowsy Chaperone at Center Point Legacy Theatre answers that prayer. Continue reading
Upon being asked to review the Importance of Being Earnest, I was hesitant. I have seen this show done more times than maybe only The Scarlet Pimpernel or Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I am TIRED of this show. I am tired of odd interpretations and the latest “new” way of presenting material that, to me, has seen its time. However, my fellow reviewer shared quite a different view… her experience with this show has held more positive memories and is less exhausted than my own. Armed with opinions that ranged from the best to the worst, we each took our seats, not knowing what to expect. Continue reading
This past Friday night (February 10, 2012) reminded me why I love live theatre. It reminded me of the importance of great writing and experienced acting. Pinnacle Acting Company’s current production of Educating Rita by English playwright Willy Russell has both of those important qualities in spades. It is a play that I will no doubt still be thinking about for a long time to come. Continue reading
In a Dark Dark House produced by Wasatch Theater Company is just that – dark! In a play with so many twists and turns, a reviewer is hard pressed to give an in-depth reflection without people crying “spoiler.” Thus, it makes it very difficult for me to truly express my enjoyment and love of this production – which I highly recommend seeing! Continue reading
