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Strong script lifts MISS EVERS’ BOYS
SALT LAKE CITY — In my job as a research psychologist, I am often required to consider the health and well-being of the people who choose to participate in my research. Modern ethical guidelines are a consequence of the abuses that medical doctors and social scientists have inflicted upon their research subjects. The history of psychology, anthropology, medicine, and other fields…
Read more »Desert Star’s CSI PROVO is worth investigating
MURRAY — One of the benefits with working for UTBA is visiting theaters that normally I wouldn’t purchase a ticket for, such as Desert Star Theatre. Given my tastes in theatre, none of the ads for the Desert Star’s parodies ever caught my attention. But I’m willing to give almost any venue a try, so I volunteered to be the…
Read more »SCROOGE’s performances redeem a humbug score and direction
MAGNA — For generations, A Christmas Carol has charmed millions of people in the English-speaking world with its tale of heartwarming change in the Christmas season. The theatre world has always embraced the story, with dozens of productions based on the book being performed during Dickens’s lifetime. The enthusiasm among Utah theaters for A Christmas Carol in the 21st century…
Read more »Script sings in JOYFUL NOISE
PROVO — One of the greatest Christmas traditions in the English speaking world is to attend an attendance of The Messiah, George Frederick Handel’s most famous oratorio. What most attendees don’t realize, though, is that the London premiere of The Messiah was performed amidst great opposition and controversy. Playwright Tim Slover‘s Joyful Noise tells the story of the intriguing events…
Read more »Meet THE ASSASSIN’S NEW FRIEND
SPRINGVILLE — The city of Springville bills itself as “Art City.” With its locally respected art museum, annual world folkfest, and cadre of amateur theaters, the citizens of Springville rightfully take pride in the wide variety and accessibility of the arts in their town. So I was pleased to be assigned by UTBA to attend The Assassin’s New Friend at…
Read more »The tragedy of LADY MACBETH
SALT LAKE CITY — Longtime readers of this site will know that I love the works of William Shakespeare. So, I was thrilled to review Lady Macbeth, which Plan-B Theatre Company describes as a “Shakespearean mash-up.” The cast of characters including old favorites like Gertrude, Malvolio, Ophelia, Iago, Othello, Portia, and the title character. Director Jerry Rapier deftly handles the…
Read more »Set sail for SCERA’s HOW I BECAME A PIRATE
OREM — Even though they don’t realize it at the time, children live in a magical period in their lives. Children have few cares, no bills, and just a few simple responsibilities. So, it’s easy for adults to appreciate a story that lets their imagination run free for a little while, the way a child’s does. How I Became a…
Read more »THE STRONGER is short, but sweet
PROVO — When I was in high school, my theatre teacher told me that all you need for a theatre performance were three things: an audience, a performer, and a space. This truism came to mind as I watched Utah Shakespeare in the Park’s production of August Strindberg’s The Stronger. On the evening I attended, the audience was a small…
Read more »KNIGHT FOR A DAY premieres at Draper Historic
DRAPER — I love attending the premiere of a new script. Sure, it’s nice to go to a production of a classic script where you are pretty sure of what you’re going to see. But in my opinion, a new play is exciting because it holds so much promise and potential. So, I went to Draper Historic Theatre last Saturday…
Read more »A WINTER’S TALE won’t leave you cold
CEDAR CITY — Shakespeare is well-known for his work in the three main genres that his plays fit into: histories, comedies, and tragedies. However, many of his later plays fall into the category of romances, with The Tempest being the best known play in this group. The romances have been a largely misunderstood genre for a variety of reasons. First,…
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