Blair Howell - Page 4

Utah Valley University's Theatre Department stages a scintillating, highly entertaining CABARET, under direction/choreography/music direction by Rob Moffat.

'Welcome to our house on Maple Avenue / See how we polish, how we shine,' sung with cynicism by the repressed wife, Helen Bechdel.

Mark Fossen continues to show his nimble hand at directing The Grand's American Classic series with A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE.

Bridget Carpenter's UP (THE MAN IN THE FLYING CHAIR) is a curiosity of a play, with its tone alternating between humor and pathos. It is largely a meandering tale of one man's dismal attempt to recapture a former glory, but there's an emotional payoff in the final scene.

An overcapacity audience enthusiastically greeted Scott Elmegreen and Drew Fornarola, the award-winning playwrights of the off-Broadway hit STRAIGHT, at Utah Repertory Theater Company's regional premiere production in Salt Lake City.

Utah Valley University was able to snag Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for its Roots of Knowledge speaker series. And for audience members, it was some kinda time.

With direction/music direction by Paul Naylor, PASSION is tonal correct, and this heavily dramatic work is perhaps the most difficult of Broadway musicals to stage.

Under the highly professional direction of Denny Berry, THE BEAUTIFUL GAME by the University of Utah Theatre Department is lovingly produced and highly enjoyable. With a vibrant 11-piece orchestra led by Alex Marshall and lovely choreography under Berry's tutelage by student Jesse Klick, BEAUTIFUL GAME scores.

Pioneer Theatre Company's Artistic Director Karen Azenberg is to be applauded for surprisingly selecting and so skillfully directing '/i/.' And assisting in its development.

There are two sides to every story. Cathy Hiatt's is told in reverse chronological order, beginning at the end of her five-year relationship. She sings:

Award-Winning Playwrights of STRAIGHT to Celebrate Utah Rep's Regional Premiere of Their Off-Broadway Hit

THE MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS satirizes a few archetypes from stage and screen (especially the sweet ingenue and perpetually thirsty lyricist), reveals secret passageways and mistaken identities -- and multiple plot twists and multiple murders.

SLAC's production of HIR is highly professional and top-notch, with three splendid satirical performances under Tracy Callahan's superb direction. The black comedy is great fun and deeply appreciated.

An 'outstanding cast' has been assembled for the regional premiere production of the watershed LGBT off-Broadway hit STRAIGHT.

The CenterPoint Legacy Theatre production of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is direct, unshowy-and moving. With backing from a large ensemble, the assured central performance by Annie Ferrin as Maudie anchors the staging.

Utah State Sen. Jim Dabakis was enormously entertaining in the fundraiser Stories From My Soul on the Chapel Theatre stage at Salt Lake Acting Company. Dabakis is affable and quick-witted in person, and received astute direction and script guidance from Charles Lynn Frost.

At the Midvale Main Street Theatre production, Director Tammy Jackson moves the action of SPELLING BEE smoothly along as each middle-school spelling bee champion's individual quirks and oddities are revealed.

Pinnacle Acting Company mounts a sturdy production of THE REAL THING that is highly entertaining, showcasing Playwright Tom Stoppard's sparkling wit and barbed observations of fidelity and marriage.

Presumed to be a first: Jason Robert Brown and Kelli O'Hara performing together in concert. Undoubtedly a first in Utah: two Tony winners performing together in concert. Definitely: a Tony-deserving concert. In a major coup, the BYU Bravo! performing arts series assembled the vanguard composer and the luminous muse for his last Broadway musical -- for what appears to have been their first performance together in concert. And they decisively demonstrated how divinely delightful a concert can be.

To continue its unprecedented growth and expand the focus on its unique mission for theater in the state, Utah Repertory Theater Company has announced a leadership change.