Review: The Starry Eccles Theater Grand Opening Impresses

The newly completed George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City received a grand opening celebration fit for the stars on Friday, October 21. The beautiful building was the centerpiece of a concert that featured Rita Moreno, Megan Hilty, and Brian Stokes Mitchell, along with a slew of local performers.

Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner Rita Moreno (who played Anita in the classic film version of WEST SIDE STORY) hosted the event with sass and class, enlivening and elevating each of the transitions between acts with both scripted and unscripted narration and stage business.

The stunning Megan Hilty, Tony nominee for last season's NOISES OFF and star of 9 TO 5's original cast, brought her trademark powerhouse vocals and sparkling personality to the Eccles stage in her Utah debut. Highlights of her all-too-brief set included "They Just Keep Moving the Line," which she sang on the also all-too-brief television show SMASH, and "For Good" from WICKED, which showcased a breathtaking softer side to her singing. She absolutely must be brought back to the Eccles or other local venue for a full concert in the near future.

The magnetic Brian Stokes Mitchell, Tony winner for KISS ME KATE and star of last season's SHUFFLE ALONG, is a Utah favorite, having appeared here on multiple occasions in recent years with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Utah Symphony, and BYU performing groups. He proved why he is so often invited back in a virtuoso set that included "Stars" from LES MISERABLES under the starry ceiling of the new performance hall and a moving medley of "America the Beautiful" and "Wheels of a Dream," which he sang as part of the original Broadway cast of RAGTIME.

One word that best describes both Hilty and Mitchell is "versatile," as they are able to adapt their vocal instruments to the demands of any song or style they meet. They both excel in classical and contemporary styles, comedy and drama, uptempo and ballad. They delighted the audience with three unexpected duets at the end of the evening, including the finale number--"It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got that Swing)"--in which they were joined by the local performers who also participated in the christening of the stage throughout the evening.

They included the Utah Opera chorus, which sang a song of dedication; Ballet West, which debuted a new choreographic work; Repertory Dance Theatre and Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, which combined their joint efforts for the first time; and the University of Utah Department of Theatre, which performed a number from its recent production of BRING IT ON. The performances were all accompanied by the 50-piece Ballet West Orchestra and music directed by award-winning conductor/arranger Kurt Bestor.

The lighting, projections, and set pieces added nice flourishes and interest to the various numbers throughout the evening and were well executed by art director Doug Ellis, lighting designer Jon Kusner, and visual content designer Shawn Sagady.

If you missed the grand opening, you will want to attend a performance in the Eccles Theater as soon as possible to experience its aesthetics, comfort, and functionality firsthand. It is truly a jewel of downtown Salt Lake and will be something Utahns can be proud of for many years to come.

To learn more about the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater, please visit www.ecclestheater.com. Information about the Live! at the Eccles concert and comedy series (which will hopefully also include Broadway performers in future seasons) is available at www.live-at-the-eccles.com. In addition, you can read about the exciting upcoming season of touring Broadway shows at www.broadway-at-the-eccles.com.

Photo Credit: Matt Barr. Brian Stokes Mitchell and L-R Megan Hilty and Brian Stokes Mitchell

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