Comments for Utah Theater Bloggers

Comment on Little pumpkins agree: CINDERELLA is magical by Peter Bornstein

Peter Bornstein — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:15:00 +0000

Tremendous acting by the entire cast, and great direction. Like Ashlee, I am biased, and enjoyed the acting and improv work by the Lord Chancellor, Josh Bornstein, who looked throughout the kingdom (theater) for a foot that would fit the Glass Slipper.

Comment on Little pumpkins agree: CINDERELLA is magical by Ashlee de Baritault

Ashlee de Baritault — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:12:00 +0000

You didn’t mention the king too much, but he was definitely my favorite in this play, but I may be a little biased:)

Comment on Let THE TAMING OF THE SHREW woo you, too by Carl Bechtold

Carl Bechtold — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:27:00 +0000

The play is some of Shakespeare’s early genius, and I wish I had paid more attention to it some 40 years ago when I read it. The Bard’s grasp of human nature, especially for his time, is something I appreciate more as time goes along. At one end, “Taming” is a comical farce, perhaps merely portraying the culture of the time. But underlying that is a misogynistic bent, and a portrayal of manipulation and abuse that, for me, makes the play a complex of fun and angst. I can’t help but think Shakespeare well understood the darker level of this work.
I’m guessing Petruchio looked like a grand strategist to the “me” of the 1960’s. This weekend I found myself evaluating him as a psychopath.*
So, am I turning into a cynical old grump, or am I seeing a more brilliant Shakespeare examining a dark corner of humanity from beneath the curtains of a comedy?

* (Thank you Jon Ronson for that thoughtful, frightening, delightful “The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Business.)

Comment on Get sucked into Neil Simon’s CHAPTER TWO by Mahonri Stewart

Mahonri Stewart — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:14:00 +0000

One of my favorite plays…

You wrote: “It seemed to me that Neil Simon wrote this character, along with Jennie,
from someone he knew, for that was the kind of love that went into the
writing.”

This play IS very autobiographical, as you suspected. A number of Neil Simon’s plays are. This play was written about his second wife Marsha Mason, an actress he married after the death of his first wife Joann Baim. Unfortunately, Simon and Mason eventually did divorce, but it’s a beautiful tribute to her nonetheless.

Comment on Community Theatre: theatre the theatre community disdains? by jeremywchase

jeremywchase — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:10:00 +0000

Just found this blog post, and really appreciate the perspective. In short–I agree community theatre doesn’t need any defending. I only have one thought to share.

I think the core strength of community theatre is serving as the gateway and/or initial entry point for anyone to experience the theatre arts in the first place. Of the professional artists in my social circle, many of them cite their first theatre experience being in a community theatre production. For them, community theatre was the spark that led them on a career path. But for the amateur (or seasoned non-professional, if you will), community theatre is an opportunity to explore an outlet at their own pace or level of involvement.

Regardless–either scenario is a win. But you hope the non-professional crowd continues to inspire others to participate, keeping community theatre as a relevant, viable form of entertainment.

Comment on ON GOLDEN POND is filled with quiet reflection by Marilyn_Brown

Marilyn_Brown — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:14:00 +0000

Jennifer herself just finished a stellar performance in ROOF OVERHEAD. She was amazing. This review is a great piece, and very precious to the Little Brown Theatre! Thank you, Jen. Priceless, and we’re framing it! Couldn’t agree more that this is a wonderful performance (yes, Bill is fantastic and having fun with the role–actually, this is perfect casting, as he IS the ol’ poop). This has always been a script that makes us all THINK. All of us face death at one time or another. And I love Ethel’s words at the end: “It’s almost comforting. Not such a bad place to go.”

Comment on THE SECRET GARDEN blooms in Orem by Daniel Anderson

Daniel Anderson — Thu, 03 May 2012 22:11:00 +0000

I hope as a theatre community we have enough respect for our theatre performers to give them proper criticism when it applies though. Gosh, I’d hate to feel like nobody could take my work seriously enough to honestly critique it just because I’ve been around for a long time. Even people who do theatre for years have bad performances.

Comment on I’m in love with a wonderful production of SOUTH PACIFIC by Catherine McGregor

Catherine McGregor — Tue, 01 May 2012 02:19:00 +0000

I fully agree with this review. This is an excellent production of South Pacific. I felt like Emile and Nellie had beautiful chemistry. They both gave incredible performances. I felt Emile’s heartbreak when Nellie rejected him because of his previous relationship and cried as Nellie stood alone on the stage and plead for Emile’s safe return. You know it’s a good performance when you really care about what happens to the characters. The play has a wonderfully romantic feeling- I observed several couples around me, both young and not so young, reach for each other’s hand during “Some Enchanted Evening”. It was great to see. My seventeen year old daughter was completely smitten by Kevin Burtenshaw– and believe me- that’s saying something! I have seen the play twice and will probably go again. Bravo to Jim Christian for his great direction and to all the actors for stellar performances.!

Comment on I’m in love with a wonderful production of SOUTH PACIFIC by Aurelia Hunt

Aurelia Hunt — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:46:00 +0000

I am very much looking forward to seeing the play..can’t wait !

Comment on THE SECRET GARDEN blooms in Orem by Scott Montgomery

Scott Montgomery — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:24:00 +0000

Hey now no dissing Jerry Elison! Its Mr. E for crying outloud. He is theater in Utah County. He’s done more for the arts in that area than just about anyone else I know in Utah County. And a great actor and director at that. I can’t wait to see him in this role.