Wednesday, March 6, 2024
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at HCTO
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse
I saw the hilarious show The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at the Utah Shakespeare Festival years ago and I loved it so I was really looking forward to seeing the Terrace Plaza Playhouse's production last night. It was so much fun! A group of actors (Josh Curtis, Jenni Cooper, and Whitney Cahoon), who portray themselves and break the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience, attempt to perform all of Shakespeare's plays in 90 minutes. Hilarity ensues! They begin with a brief biography of Shakespeare, but they mistake the bard for Adolf Hitler, and then continue with the tragedies (Romeo and Juliet, which features commentary about consent, Titus Andronicus, which is presented as a cooking show, and Macbeth, which is performed with incomprehensible Scottish accents, are the highlights). Next they present the comedies as one long play with interchangeable characters (designated by different hats) because they all have the same plot and then perform all of the history plays as a football game with all of the kings as players and a crown instead of a ball (they call a flag on the play when King Lear tries to divide the kingdom between his daughters). At this point they realize that they have forgotten Hamlet but decide that they need a break. After the intermission, they present the sonnets (with help from the audience using Mad-Libs) and then perform an over the top version of Hamlet with lots of audience participation when they decide to psychoanalyze Ophelia. They finish early so they decide to perform Hamlet again in an attempt to break the record for the fastest production (53 seconds) and, when they do that, they decide to perform it backwards! I could not stop laughing during the entire show because it involves a lot of physical comedy. It also allows for the addition of current pop culture references (I loved the use of Taylor Swift's song "Love Story" at the end of Romeo and Juliet), people and events specific to the area (there were many mentions of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City), interactions with the audience (there was a large group of high school students in attendance which made this really fun), as well as lots of improvisation (especially when props would malfunction). The cast is fantastic with brilliant comedic timing, especially in the scenes where they are portraying multiple characters, and I loved all of their facial expressions. The actors wear white blouses, black pantaloons, white hose, and black Converse high-tops and this allows them to become multiple characters with the addition of different costume pieces (my favorite costume was for the nurse in Romeo and Juliet because the audience howled with laughter at the obviously fake boobs). The stage is very simple with three red curtains, from which the actors make their entrances, and two large trunks on either side containing costumes and props. I had so much fun watching this show and I was really impressed with all of the students in the audience because they definitely picked up on all of the references! I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) during its run with shows Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through April 6.
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Bonnie & Clyde at PTC
I have been looking forward to Bonnie & Clyde at PTC ever since the 2023-2024 season was announced so I braved the wind driving to and the snow driving from the theater to see a matinee yesterday. It was worth it because I really loved this show (I had never seen it before). A young Bonnie Parker (Elisabeth Wilkins) wants to be a star on the big screen just like Clara Bow while Clyde Barrow (Daniel Michael Sorokine) spends his youth yearning for the excitement of being an outlaw like Billy the Kid. When they meet during the height of the Great Depression, Bonnie (Alanna Saunders) is a waitress and Clyde (Michael William Nigro) is an escaped convict but they both want to leave West Dallas. They fall in love and Bonnie is drawn into Clyde's life of crime, first when she helps him escape from prison again and then when they go on the run in her 1931 roadster. They become heroes to those who have suffered during the depression and, as their fame grows, they escalate from robbery to murder which gets the attention of retired Texas Ranger Frank Hamer (Daniel Simons). As they become more and more reckless and involve Clyde's brother Buck (Dan DeLuca) and his wife Blanche (Gina Milo), their adventure comes to an inevitable end when their car is ambushed on a Louisiana road. The story takes a long time to get going in the first act and then seems a bit rushed in the second act but I still found it to be very compelling, particularly the juxtaposition between the relationship between Bonnie and Clyde and that of Buck and Blanche. The music in this show is fantastic with a blues, gospel, and rockabilly sound. I especially loved "Picture Show" as Bonnie dreams of being on the screen, "This World Will Remember Me" as Clyde dreams of being an outlaw, "God's Arms Are Always Open" as a Preacher (Christian Brailsford) and Blanche try to get Buck to give up his life of crime, "You Love Who You Love" as Bonnie and Blanche realize that they can't help loving the Barrow brothers, "Raise A Little Hell" as Clyde plots to break out of prison, "Made in America" as the people express their desperation over their circumstances, and "Dyin' Ain't So Bad" as Bonnie consoles herself with the knowledge that she and Clyde have lived life on their terms. Both Saunders and Nigro have beautiful voices and give incredible performances that just about blow the roof off the theater. They are matched by the performances of DeLuca and Milo, especially when the four of them sing together. I also really liked Ben Jacoby as Ted Hinton, a policeman who is interested in Bonnie, because exhibits so much longing in the song "You Can Do Better Than Him." This show features one of my favorite sets at PTC because it is so unique. The backdrop is a three-story structure made of corrugated metal (it looks like the kind of bleak structure that would exist during the Great Depression) which features the mugshots of Bonnie, Clyde, Buck, and Blanche as well as a giant marquee (it looks like the front of a movie theater) that lights up to show the various locations in the show. The action takes place in front of the backdrop with the addition of a few minimal props (I loved the roadster) as well as within an area inside that represents the couple's hideout. The lighting design is moody and atmospheric with sepia tones that turn into a dramatic splash of red during the scenes involving violence. The period costumes also feature sepia tones but Bonnie's become more colorful the more notorious she becomes. The story itself could have been more cohesive but I loved every aspect of this production and I highly recommend it (the audience at my performance was the largest I've seen at PTC this season). It runs through March 9 and tickets may be purchased here.
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Clue at HCT
Yesterday afternoon I went to see a matinee of Clue on the Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage at HCT. At this point I have seen several productions of this play based on a movie based on a board game and, while I did enjoy some of the elements, this is probably my least favorite (the best one I've seen was at the Utah Shakespeare Festival). Six guests, including Colonel Mustard (Sanford Porter), Mrs. Peacock (Jayne Luke), Professor Plum (Taylor Seth Hall), Mrs. White (Stephanie Breinholt), Mr. Green (Jeffrey Whitlock), and Miss Scarlet (Kristi Curtis), are invited by Mr. Boddy (Jacob Thomason) to his manor under unusual circumstances on a dark and stormy evening. Mr. Boddy has been blackmailing each of them and, after providing them with weapons, he tells them that he will return the evidence he has against them if they kill his butler Wadsworth (Bryan Dayley). Murder and mayhem ensue! This show is one of the funniest that I have ever seen but this production felt really flat to me and I rarely heard the audience laughing. Dayley, who is one of my favorite comedic actors at HCT, gives an incredibly physical performance (which I loved) as Wadsworth that is completely over the top and at a fever pitch but all of the other actors play it straight as if they are appearing in a traditional murder mystery and I thought this sometimes caused some pacing issues (this performance featured a mix of actors from both the MWF and THS casts who are not used to performing together so that may have added to the low energy). In one particular scene, for example, Dayley reenacts every murder in great detail (so much so that he is completely out of breath at the end of it) while the rest of the cast stands inert around him (there are quite a few scenes where the cast just stands in a straight line). In most productions that I have seen, the guests use elaborate, and often hilarious, choreography to move from room to room but in this show Dayley is the only one who does this while the others just follow him around. Mr. Green is usually one of my favorite characters because he is so flamboyant but in this production Whitlock plays him as more of a nerd (so his final line really falls flat). Speaking of dialogue, it is incredibly witty and is usually performed at a rapid-fire speed. The delivery from this cast was almost sluggish (it involved a lot of empty silences) and many of the jokes didn't seem to land. I am not sure if these choices were made consciously by the production team to distinguish it from other versions but I found it a bit disappointing in comparison. I did not, however, find the elaborate two-story set to be disappointing! There are two doors on either side of the stage used by the actors to travel from room to room and a turntable that rotates to reveal the entry hall, the lounge, the study, the kitchen, and the billiards room at various times with set pieces for the library coming down from above and projections for the conservatory (located on the upper level). I also really enjoyed the dramatic lighting, especially the spotlight on each guest as he or she arrives at the manor, and the costumes which feature just a bit of each character's signature color are a lot of fun. Finally, an organist (Kevin Self) located on the upper level plays melodramatic music throughout the proceedings and this really adds to the murder-mystery atmosphere. Maybe I am being too hard on this production (or maybe I have seen this show too many times) but the tickets are really expensive so I can't in good conscience recommend this simply because the production design is good. Go see Fiddler on the Roof instead! It is fantastic and runs on the Young Living Centre Stage through March 30 (go here for tickets).
Friday, March 1, 2024
MJ The Musical at the Eccles
Sunday, February 25, 2024
A Tale of Two Cities at West Valley Arts
I really love the musical A Tale of Two Cities (it is my favorite novel by Charles Dickens). I saw both HCT's productions, in 2011 and 2021 (multiple times), and I count them as some of the best I've seen there. When I learned that the same production team (John Sweeney, Anne Puzey, and Marilyn Montgomery) responsible for the 2011 production was back (on the same stage) for the first show at West Valley Arts this season, I immediately bought a ticket for last night's performance. It was amazing! Lucie Manette (Brittany Andam), a young woman in London who believes that she is an orphan, learns that her father, Dr. Alexander Manette (Jared Haddock), is alive after having been wrongly imprisoned in the Bastille by the Marquise St. Evremonde (John Philpott). She travels to Paris to bring him home to London and meets Charles Darnay (Landon Horton), the nephew of Evremonde who has renounced his ties to the aristocracy, on the journey and they fall in love. Darnay is wrongfully accused of treason upon arrival in London but the dissolute lawyer Sydney Carton (Preston Yates) clears his name. Carton is also secretly in love with Lucie but, when she marries Darnay, he remains a friend of the family and becomes attached to her daughter Lucie (Jane Bonner). In Paris, Evremonde is responsible for the death of a child when his carriage recklessly runs him over in front of the Defarge's wine shop. Madame Defarge (Adrien Swenson), who has a grudge against Evremonde, encourages the boy's father, Gaspard (Ricky Dowse), to murder him which ultimately leads to revolution. Darnay feels responsible for Evremonde's household and secretly returns Paris where he is immediately arrested as an aristocrat, denounced by Madame Defarge who wants to wipe out all descendants of Evremonde, and sentenced to the guillotine. This prompts Carton to make the ultimate sacrifice to save Darnay and show his love for Lucie and her daughter. The music in this show is incredibly beautiful and stirring and I especially love "The Way It Ought to Be" by the men and women of Paris, "You'll Never Be Alone" by Dr. Manette and Lucie, "If Dreams Came True" and its reprise by Sydney and Charles, and "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" by Madame Defarge. The entire cast is outstanding but I was blown away by Yates' portrayal of Carton. His versions of "If Dreams Came True" in the second act and "I Can't Recall" as he slowly walks up the steps to the guillotine in the final scene moved me to tears. I also really loved Swenson, who has portrayed Madame Defarge in all three productions I've seen, because she sings "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" and "The Tale" with so much passion! Linda Jean Stephenson, as Miss Pross, Daniel Radford, as John Barsad, and Mason Gates, as Jerry Cruncher, provide a lot of comic relief with their hilarious performances (the novels of Dickens are very dense and filled with a lot of side characters so I appreciate how they are incorporated into the main story in this adaptation). The set, featuring several multi-level wooden platforms which are reconfigured into many different locations seamlessly by the ensemble, is simple but incredibly dramatic. My favorite set piece is the staircase leading to the guillotine, which slowly comes down from the rafters, because it is incredibly powerful! I also loved the bold lighting design, particularly the use of red hand prints projected on the floor during the scenes inciting revolution and the single spotlight on the stairs to the guillotine. I was very moved by this production and would highly recommend it but, unfortunately, the run ended last night. West Valley Arts will also be producing Shakespeare in Love, The Lightning Thief, Legally Blonde, and Jekyll & Hyde this season (go here for information and tickets).
Note: Jill Santoriello, who wrote the book, music, and lyrics for this show, was in the audience last night. She sat a few rows ahead of me and I noticed that she was mouthing the words to the songs!
Sunday, February 18, 2024
The Hunchback of Notre Dame at OPPA
I really love the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame so I decided to see a production at On Pitch Performing Arts last night. This was my first show at OPPA and I was very impressed! Quasimodo (Jared Daley) has been hidden by his master Frollo (Chris Morgan) in the bell tower of Notre Dame Cathedral all of his life because of his deformity. He wonders what it would be like to leave the cathedral and decides that he will be safe on the streets of Paris during the Feast of Fools. He is eventually crowned the King of the Fools but when the crowd turns on him the gypsy Esmeralda (Megan Mariano) rescues him. She catches the eye of the captain of the cathedral guard, Phoebus de Martin (Nate Kemp), who falls in love with her but she also bewitches Frollo who becomes obsessed with possessing her. When Esmeralda rejects Frollo, he orders Phoebus to arrest her. Phoebus refuses and they both become fugitives who are aided by Quasimodo until the final confrontation in the bell tower. This is a complicated show and most productions that I have seen have had large and elaborate sets but, because OPPA's space is small and intimate, the set is very minimal. It features a runway that extends into the space from a narrow stage with a manually operated turntable at the end of it. A large LED screen is located behind the stage, with projections depicting the inside of the cathedral and the town square, and curtained doors with stairs are located on either side. The stairs are moved to either side of the runway to depict the bell tower. At first I wondered if this would detract from the storytelling, especially since the set did not include any bells, but the innovative staging and clever lighting kept me completely engaged. I was especially impressed by the staging of "God Help the Outcasts" (my favorite song from the show), because the end of the runway becomes an altar when several storytellers place candles on the edge and kneel in front of it, "Hellfire," because Frollo stands on the turntable while the storytellers manually turn him and shine handheld red spotlights on him, and "Kyrie Eleison," because Esmeralda stands on the turntable with the handheld red spotlights as Quasimodo weaves in and out of the storytellers to mimic swinging down from the tower to save her. The choreography in "Topsy Turvy," "Rhythm of the Tambourine," "Tavern Song," and "The Court of Miracles" is straightforward but fun and energetic and the ensemble, which features dancers of various abilities, does a great job executing it. The storytellers, who narrate the show, are costumed as townspeople but they are transformed, often right on stage, into gypsies, soldiers, clergy members, and gargoyles with the addition of simple pieces and props and this is incredibly effective. The stripped-down set, choreography, and costumes allow the performances, which are outstanding, to shine! All four leads have beautiful voices and their renditions of "God Help the Outcasts," "Hellfire," "Heaven's Light," and "Someday" gave me goosebumps! I especially enjoyed Daley's performance because he imbues Quasimodo with a childlike wonder in "Out There" and "Top of the World" but you can also feel his torment during "Made of Stone." I am so happy to have found OPPA (I will definitely be back) because I loved this show and I highly recommend it. It runs through March 2 with performances on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (go here for tickets).
Friday, February 16, 2024
Balthazar at Plan-B Theatre
Last night I went to see Plan-B Theatre's production of Balthazar, a new play by Debora Threedy which reimagines the story of Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice from the perspective of Portia. Since The Merchant of Venice is one of my favorite plays (I wrote my senior thesis in college on it), I was really excited to see this and I enjoyed it very much! Portia (Lily Hye Soo Dixon), a noblewoman in Venice, consults with her cousin Bellario (Jason Bowcutt), a lawyer in Padua, after the reading of her father's will because she objects to the stipulation that she must marry the suitor who correctly chooses from three caskets, made of gold, silver, and lead, respectively. She finds it unfair and wishes to challenge the will but he argues that is it valid in the eyes of the law. This piques her interest in studying the law but Bellario refuses to teach her because she is a woman. Some time later a young man named Balthazar (Portia in disguise) visits Bellario in order to study the law with him and, even though he is angry when he realizes that it is Portia, he reluctantly agrees to teach her if she promises not to dress as a man again. However, she finds it necessary to become Balthazar to investigate the relationship between her suitor Bassanio and his close friend Antonio and then once again after her marriage to Bassanio to defend Antonio when he is unable to pay back a loan to Shylock taken out for Bassanio's benefit. After the trial, she confesses to Bellario that she has continued to appear in public as Balthazar, with the blessing of Bassanio, not just out of necessity but because she enjoys the freedom she feels as a man. She concludes that she is equally at home as both Portia and Balthazar. This is a quick 70 minutes, performed without an intermission, and I found it riveting. I especially enjoyed all of Bellario and Portia's spirited discussions about the letter of the law vs. the spirit of the law and I also loved their discussions about gender fluidity. The most powerful scene for me is when Bellario initially refuses to break the law by recommending a woman as a lawyer but realizes that Portia is the best lawyer he has ever trained and that he would be recommending a person rather than a man or woman. Both Dixon and Bowcutt give compelling performances that showcase the journey to understanding their characters take. Even though the Studio Theatre is a small and intimate space, the set featuring Bellario's study is very elaborate and striking with a black and white checkerboard floor, red velvet curtains, a wall of Renaissance paintings, candle wall sconces, and a large wooden desk with benches. I was also impressed with the beautiful costumes featuring gorgeous fabrics and lots of embellishments. This is an interesting and thought-provoking production with an important message and it is definitely worth seeing. It runs through March 3 with evening performances on Thursdays and Fridays and matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at the Studio Theatre at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (go here for tickets).
Friday, February 9, 2024
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at CPT
Last night I finally had the chance to see A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at CPT (I had to change my usual ticket with my sisters because of Sundance) and I think it might be my favorite production of this hilarious show! After the death of his mother, Monty Navarro (Christian Johnston) learns that she was a member of the illustrious D'Ysquith family but was disinherited for marrying his father. He is really Montague D'Ysquith Navarro and is in line to inherit an earldom. The catch is that there eight family members in line ahead of him! When his vain and heartless girlfriend Sibela (Claire Glaittli) marries the rich and handsome Lionel Holland, he decides to murder all eight family members ahead of him in the succession to become the Earl of Highhurst and win her back. Standing in his way are the Reverend Lord Ezekiel D'Ysquith (who has an unfortunate fall from the bell tower of his cathedral), Asquith D'Ysquith, Jr. (who has a bizarre ice skating accident), Henry D'Ysquith (who is stung by the bees in his own hive), Lady Hyacinth D'Ysquith (who falls in a volcano on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific and is presumed dead), Major Lord Bartholomew D'Ysquith (who is decapitated while lifting weights), Lady Salome D'Ysquith (who is killed when a prop gun is mistakenly loaded with real bullets during her stage debut), Lord Asquith D'Ysquith, Sr. (who suffers a heart attack from his grief over the deaths in his family), and, finally, Lord Adalbert D'Ysquith, the Earl of Highhurst, (who is mysteriously poisoned). Along the way, Monty marries Phoebe D'Ysquith (Emma Austin) which makes Sibela jealous but, after he becomes the Earl of Highhurst, he is arrested for the murder of Lord Adalbert (the only D'Ysquith death for which he is actually not responsible). The charges are eventually dismissed when Phoebe and Sibela each give proof that the other committed the murder but Monty might not live happily ever after because Chauncey D'Ysquith, the next in line to the earldom, is lurking! I've seen this show many times (it is very popular with Utah audiences) but this is my favorite production because Monty is played by my former student Christian Johnston (my original ticket was for the MWF show and he is in the THS cast so it was exciting to be able to see him) and he gives a fantastic performance showcasing his comedic timing and his amazing voice, especially in the song "Sibela." I also really enjoyed Andrew Bringhurst's performance as every member of the D'Ysquith family. He gives each character a distinct personality with hilarious facial expressions and physicality (and some quick costume changes!). I always anticipate the appearance of every family member but my favorites in this production are the outrageously flamboyant Henry who thinks everything is "Better with a Man" and the over-the-top Lady Hyacinth who just wants to do some good in "Lady Hyacinth Abroad." Glaittli and Austin have beautiful voices, particularly when they harmonize together in "That Horrible Woman," and Brighton Sloan almost steals the show as Countess Eugenia D'Ysquith! The set, featuring an elaborate stage in an old time music hall with footlights and a red velvet curtain, is one of the best I've seen at CPT and I loved all of the projections, especially when Monty and the Reverend Lord Ezekiel climb the tower in the cathedral and when Henry is chased by his bees. The staging of Asquith Jr.'s skating accident is really clever as is the scene where Phoebe visits Monty's flat when he is having an assignation with Sibela. The period costumes are gorgeous and I liked how Monty's suits get more elaborate as the show goes on and I loved all of the gowns worn by Phoebe and Sibela. I enjoyed this production so much (I don't think I stopped laughing the whole time) and I highly recommend it. It runs on the Barlow Main Stage through February 17 and tickets may be purchased here.
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Pride and Prejudice at Parker Theatre
Last night I went to see the first of two productions of Pride and Prejudice that I have scheduled this year at Parker Theatre. As a huge fan of the novel by Jane Austen, I absolutely loved this particular adaptation! When Mr. Bingley (Tom Hohl), a single man in possession of a good fortune, lets Netherfield Hall, Mrs. Bennett (Eden Benson) immediately sets her sights on him as a possible husband for one of her five daughters. Bingley falls in love with the beautiful Jane Bennett (Jasmine Hohl) but her sister Elizabeth (Maryn Tueller) takes an immediate dislike to his friend Mr. Darcy (Spencer Hohl) because he is so aloof and disdainful. Elizabeth must overcome her prejudice and Mr. Darcy must overcome his pride for them to realize that they belong together. No adaptation can include everything but this one comes very close and I was really impressed with its faithfulness to the novel. I sat in the audience with great anticipation for all of my favorite quotes ("You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.") and I was not disappointed. One of the things I love most about the novel is that the characters are so well delineated and every member of the cast is perfect for their role, especially Tueller as Elizabeth because she is incredibly quick-witted and does a great job sparring with Darcy, Benson as Mrs. Bennett because she is hilariously overwrought when she insists that Elizabeth marry Mr. Collins and when she faints after learning of Lydia's elopement, Spencer Holl as Darcy because he is arrogant but also displays some vulnerability when he proposes to Elizabeth, and Tom Hohl as Bingley because he is so awkward when he dances with Jane. However, both Megan Heaps, as Caroline Bingley, and Tyler Hanson, as Mr. Collins, steal the show! I loved it every time Caroline tries to get Darcy's attention and I laughed out loud watching Mr. Collins dance at the Netherfield Ball. The set, featuring panels of board and batten walls, arches, and windows that slide on and off stage along with the addition of various Regency furniture pieces, is incredibly effective and I particularly liked how the panels are quickly used to create the different rooms in Pemberley during Elizabeth's tour. I also really liked the staging of scenes involving letters because they include voice-overs as they are written and read while the events described are acted out on stage. The period costumes are gorgeous (I love Empire waists), especially Elizabeth's gown at the Netherfield Ball and Lady Catherine De Bourgh's gown. I enjoyed this production so much and I highly recommend it to fans of the novel. It runs on Fridays and Saturdays through March 9 (go here for tickets).
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Fiddler on the Roof at HCT
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Native Gardens at PTC
I attempted to see Native Gardens at PTC the week before the Sundance Film Festival started but after about fifteen minutes the performance was canceled. I was really sad because I wanted to see it but I didn't think I would have time to reschedule. I decided to squeeze in the matinee before my Sundance films yesterday and, even though it made for a really long day, I'm glad I did because I thoroughly enjoyed it! Frank and Virginia Butley (Michael Kostroff and Kelly Coffield Park, respectively) are an older white couple who have lived in a historic D.C. neighborhood for decades and Tania and Pablo Del Valle (Katya Collazo and Tito Livas, respectively) are a young Latinx couple who have recently moved in next door. Frank spends most of his time on his ornamental garden with the hope of winning an award from the Potomac Horticultural Society. Tania has big plans for a garden made up of native plants indigenous to the environment which are accelerated by Pablo's spontaneous decision to invite his entire law firm over for a party in order to impress them. The Del Valles receive permission from the Butleys to replace an unsightly chain link fence between the two properties but they discover that the fence is in the wrong place and that they are entitled to two more feet. However, moving the fence will ruin Frank's garden just days before the important competition. The ensuing fight over the location of the fence becomes about who is "entitled" to the land with themes that are, unfortunately, incredibly salient today and it is as ugly as what we see on the news. What I loved most about this play is that it ends on a very optimistic note which gives me hope for the future! I also found the dialogue to be really funny and I loved all of the passive aggressive bits of business that happen between scenes, such as when Pablo throws acorns from their tree into the Butley's yard. The set, featuring the houses and back gardens of each couple, is outstanding because it really highlights the differences between them (the Butley's house has been extensively renovated and modernized while the Del Valle's house has been neglected for years). The attention to detail is a lot of fun, especially when the roots of the flowers can be seen when they are pulled and when stakes denoting the new fence location are placed in the ground. Finally, I really enjoyed the use of music during the transitions between scenes ("Shout" by Tears For Fears after a particularly heated argument between the couples made me laugh). I would definitely recommend this timely and thought-provoking play about the issues that build fences between people but the run has now concluded. PTC is presenting Bonnie & Clyde next beginning February 23 (go here for tickets).
Friday, January 19, 2024
The Foreigner at HCTO
Friday, January 12, 2024
SIX at the Eccles
Friday, December 22, 2023
Mamma Mia at the Eccles
Saturday, December 16, 2023
A Christmas Carol at HCT 2023
Last night I attended my fourth and final performance of A Christmas Carol this season at HCT. I have seen this production dozens of times (I always joke that I have seen it so many times I could probably stand in for any role if needed) but it is a sentimental favorite and it just wouldn't be Christmas without it. The portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge's redemption after visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future in this show is so familiar to me by now but it is this familiarity that makes me love it so much! I eagerly anticipate all of my favorite scenes, especially when Marley's Ghost appears to Scrooge rattling his many chains, when the Ghost of Christmas Past appears to Scrooge from behind a scrim, when the guests dance during Mr. Fezziwig's party and Fred's party, when the Ghost of Christmas Future dramatically reveals Scrooge's name on the tombstone, when an ebullient Scrooge catches Bob Cratchit coming in late the day after Christmas, and when Tiny Tim exclaims, "God bless us, every one!" Many actors return year after year in the same roles (such as Stephen Kerr as Scrooge, Chase Peterson as Fred, Matt Kohler as Marley's Ghost, and Kaden Caldwell as young Ebeneezer) and I look forward to seeing them again. However, this year there were a few new actors (at least new to me because the show is double cast) and I really enjoyed seeing them make these familiar roles their own with a new interpretation, particularly Anthony LeRoy Lovato as Bob Cratchit, Taylor J. Smith as Christmas Present, and Koryn Sobel as Belle. Another element of this particular production that I especially love is the inclusion of Christmas carols in the narrative by an octet (Melinda DeBirk, Jennifer Riley, Keri Vance, April Kerr, Doug Wadley, Maxx Teuscher, Nathanael Abbott, and Alex DeBirk) and a violinist (Suzanne Chapman). My favorites are "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella," "Silent Night" (the entire scene with the poor wife singing this song is incredibly affecting), "Wassail, Wassail," "What Child is This?," and "Sussex Carol." I also really love the sets (this production has the most elaborate sets of any I've seen) because the attention to detail with Scrooge's Counting House, Scrooge's Bed Chamber, Fezziwig's Factory, Bob Cratchit's House (two stories!), Fred's House (the giant Christmas tree!), the Rag and Bottle Shop, and the Graveyard is amazing! I loved it last night just as much as I did the first time I saw it and I'm sure it will always be one of my Christmas traditions. It runs on the Sorenson Legacy Jewell Box Stage through December 27 (go here for tickets) but act quickly because most shows are sold out (the best availability is for matinee performances).
Note: In light of the fact that I have now seen four different versions, some friends have asked me which was my favorite. I can honestly say that I liked all four of them for very different reasons. Parker Theatre's version is incredibly dramatic, Terrace Plaza Playhouse's version is fun and lighthearted, HCTO's version is the most authentic, and HCT's version is comforting and familiar.
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
A Christmas Story at the SCERA Center for the Performing Arts 2023
Friday, December 8, 2023
A Christmas Carol at HCTO 2023
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Christmas in Connecticut at PTC
Last night I saw the musical Christmas in Connecticut at PTC and I really enjoyed it. Most theatre companies near me produce A Christmas Carol, Elf The Musical, A Christmas Story, or White Christmas this time of year and, while I love these shows (I will be seeing them all this holiday season), it was refreshing to see something new and different. Liz Sandor (Alyse Alan Louis) is a young and independent writer living in NYC while trying to find a publisher for her column about tomorrow's woman. However, when she meets with Dudley Beecham (RJ Vaillancourt), an editor from Yardley Publishing, she is persuaded to write a column about living on a farm in Connecticut as a traditional wife and mother using the pen name Liz Lane even though it is a lie. The column becomes popular with housewives all over the country as well as with servicemen fighting in World War II because it reminds them of the homes they left behind. When Alexander Yardley (Gerry McIntyre) receives a fan letter from Jefferson Jones (Christian Magby), a war hero who has nowhere to go for Christmas, he decides to invite him to the farm. To avoid being exposed as a fraud, Dudley coerces his brother Victor (Eric William Morris) into letting them use his Connecticut farm and into pretending to be married to Liz. Chaos ensues when Victor and Liz take an immediate dislike to each other and when Yardley's suspicious secretary Gladys Higgenbottom (Tiffany Denise Hobbs) arrives determined to discover the truth. The story is as light and predictable as a Hallmark Christmas movie but it is definitely a lot of fun. It features memorable original songs and I especially enjoyed "Capital Idea" because Yardley is hilariously oblivious about the deception going on in his company, "The Ornament Song" because, even though it is really silly, it represents the chaos of trying to keep up the ruse (with fantastic choreography), "Remember What's At Stake" because Victor and Liz declare how much they hate each other (which obviously means that they will eventually get together), and "Recipe for Success" because Liz learns that it is always best to be your authentic self. The performances are delightful and I particularly enjoyed Louis because she has a beautiful voice and can belt out a song and I really appreciated the comedic timing of the entire cast as the hijinks get going. As always, the set is amazing, especially the two-story wood-paneled farmhouse decorated for Christmas, and the period costumes are distinctive. There were a lot of empty seats last night which is a shame because this show is charming as well as something new this holiday season. It runs at PTC through December 16 (go here for tickets).
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse 2023
Last night I attended the second of four productions of A Christmas Carol that I have scheduled this holiday season. This version, the musical Scrooge: A Christmas Carol at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse, could not be more different in tone from the dramatic interpretation I saw at Parker Theatre last week because it is very lighthearted and whimsical which makes it perfect for families. Ebeneezer Scrooge (Kim Florence) is still visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Jacci Olsen Florence), Present (Don Wilhelm), and Future (Cougar Spens) for the reclamation of his soul but he is a figure of fun who is ridiculed by those who owe him money rather than a villain who is feared. This version also features original music by Leslie Bricusse and my favorite songs are "Christmas Children" by Bob Cratchit (Jon Talbot), "December the Twenty-Fifth" by Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (Danny Hall and Carla Zarate, respectively), "Happiness" by Young Ebeneezer (Kelby Talbot) and Isabelle (Shae Wright), and "The Beautiful Day" by Tiny Tim (Lincoln Hall). As always, I was very impressed by the way the space on the small and intimate stage is used, especially with the large cast (many of whom are children), and the choreography is really fun and spirited! I really liked how all of the townspeople are featured in "Sing a Christmas Carol," I loved how the children make fun of Scrooge in "Father Christmas" (one of the littlest children was concentrating so hard on the steps and it was absolutely adorable), and I laughed out loud when Tommy Jones (Trey Cornell) dances of Scrooge's coffin in "Thank You Very Much." I also liked how the Ghost of Christmas Present conducts Scrooge all around the theatre to get to the Cratchit house and Fred's house. Victorian London is brought vividly to life with a cobblestone street depicted on a backdrop with Scrooge's Counting House on a platform to the right of the stage and the entrance to Scrooge's house on another one to the left (I loved how Jacob Marley's face appears on the door knocker). Various set pieces are moved on and off stage and my favorites were Fezziwig's factory, Bob Cratchit's house (I loved the fireplace), Fred's house (I loved the Christmas tree), and the white silhouettes used to represent Scrooge's childhood with his sister Fan. The period costumes are beautiful, especially the gowns worn by the female guests at Fred's Christmas party and the robe worn by the Ghost of Christmas Present. Kim Florence's portrayal of Scrooge is more humorous than other productions I've seen (I laughed out loud during his rendition of "I Hate People") but his reactions to Isabelle's parting from Young Ebeneezer and to Tiny Tim's fate are incredibly poignant. Other standouts from the cast are Wilhelm as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Wright as Isabelle, Danny Hall as Mr. Fezziwig, and Lincoln Hall as Tiny Tim (he is adorable). The ensemble gives their all and it is very heartwarming because you can see the love they have for this community tradition. My only complaint with this show is Jacci Olsen Florence's portrayal of the Ghost of Christmas because it is really silly and the shtick goes on far too long (it seems to be a tradition because other members of the audience liked it more than I did). I really enjoyed this production and, as I previously mentioned, I think this would be a great holiday tradition for families. It runs Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through December 23 and tickets may be purchased here.