Best of Utah Theater in 2015: Salt Lake City BWW Reviewer's Favorite Shows

Tyler Hinton's Picks:

1. LES MISERABLES at Hale Center Theater Orem, www.haletheater.org

The extraordinary performances, direction, and design in this production were tightly woven together into something that was riveting to behold. The three-hour runtime flew by as the audience was completely immersed in the story and music. All hints of operatic excess were excised, focusing on tight storytelling, realistic character development, illuminating acting choices, and interesting reinterpretations of scenes.

2. BARE at Utah Repertory Theater Company, www.utahrep.org

It is rare for a semi-professional or community show to come together as seamlessly as this one. It was a case of the right performers and right production team all sharing a personal passion for the material. They created an exquisite production of a feel-everything musical. Joy, despair, laughter, and tears intermingled among characters and audience alike in a transcendent spiritual communion.

3. THE LITTLE MERMAID at Hale Centre Theatre, www.halecentretheatre.org

Hale Centre Theatre did justice to the shimmering material in a massive production that shimmered in its own right. The production team conjured a whimsical undersea world and an even more magnificent "world above." The striking choreography and superb music direction pulled all the right heartstrings as the story played out across an exquisite, colorful background.

4. THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO at Brigham Young University, www.byuarts.org

BYU's production was nothing short of spectacular, with gorgeous design, strong performances, thrilling music played by a large orchestra, engaging storytelling, and even special effects courtesy of Flying by Foy. This impressive U.S. premiere proved that the musical has great potential to be a successful crowd-pleaser all across the country.

5. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Pioneer Theatre Company, www.pioneertheatre.org

The story and themes were especially resonant in this fluidly, meaningfully staged new production. The humor and pathos that alternate throughout the strong script were like pockets of light and shadow that were highlighted and accentuated by the equally strong, heartfelt direction and flawlessly staged and choreographed musical numbers.

Honorable Mentions:

BIG FISH at Hale Centre Theatre, www.halecentretheatre.org (featuring fantastic performances, a unique set design, and heartwarming themes)

THE CRUCIBLE at Pioneer Theatre Company, www.pioneertheatre.org (supremely fascinating and exceptionally well directed, acted, and designed)

Photo Credit: L-R Afton Higbee (Young Cosette) and Christopher Higbee (Jean Valjean) in LES MISERABLES. Photo by Pete Widtfeldt.