Top Talent Join the Creekside Theatre Fest in Cedar Hills for Its Third Season

The Creekside Theatre Fest in Cedar Hills, Utah begins its third season on June 18th, bringing some of the top professional talent from all over the state to Utah County's only repertory theatre company.

Some of the talent coming to the Creekside this season includes director Kris Jennings. Kris has worked with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and received an MFA in Staging Shakespeare at the University of Exetor in the UK. Kris (currently a full-time theatre professor at Brigham Young University) is directing MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

The Creekside Theatre Fest will be producing three professional quality shows for a fraction of the cost nightly at the Heritage Park Amphitheater from June 18-30 (dark Sundays). In addition to MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, the festival will be producing Eric Coble's adaptation of THE GIVER, directed by Pioneer High School for the Performing Arts faculty member Gabe Spencer, as well as David Mamet's play for young audiences, THE FROG PRINCE, directed by Brooke Grant. Grant recently directed a production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM in Stratford Upon Avon by invitation of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The acting talent across the board is some of the best that Utah has to offer. The festival company is anchored by Utah stage and screen star favorite Shaunna Thompson as Beatrice in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, most recently seen in THE COKEVILLE MIRACLE. Utah Shakespeare Festival favorite Marco Vega (Marco, SHAKESPEARE'S LONG LOST FIRST PLAY ABRIDGED; Bardolph, HENRY V; Demetrius, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM) joins the Creekside for the first time as Dogberry in MUCH ADO. Joining Vega in the cast of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING from the Utah Shakespeare Festival is Josh Durfey (Ferdinand, THE TEMPEST; Benny Southstreet, GUYS AND DOLLS; Neleus, MARY POPPINS) fresh off a stint as Lysander in Sierra Repertory Theatre's production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM in California.

They will be joined by Utah Shakespeare Festival and Neil Simon Festival actress Jordyn Aspyn as Margaret. Also joining this season's company are stage and screen actors Gabe Spencer and Alice Johnson, who can be seen in the upcoming Book of Mormon project by the LDS church. Pioneer Theatre Company favorite Mason Shanks (Winthrop, THE MUSIC MAN) will be joining the company as Asher in the cast of THE GIVER. Some of the other top talent include the 2016 winner of Broadway World's Best Actress in a Play in the state of Utah, Jeanelle Long, as well as other regional acting favorites Adam Argyle, M. Chase Grant, Chris Hults, and Madelyn Pettingil.

"The point of the Creekside Theatre Fest is to bring shows that aren't done a lot, that are still family friendly, to Utah County," Artistic Director Jordan Long said. "We pride ourselves on bringing some of the absolute best quality, professional performances at the lowest prices."

Tickets to the Creekside Theatre Fest are only $15 for adults and $11 for children and seniors. You can get a 3-show flex pass for only $38 for adults and $25 for seniors and children. This is only a fraction of the cost of other professional and semi-professional theatres in the area (and even less than some community theatres). You will also be pleased to learn that your ticket includes a free BBQ dinner and pre-show entertainment provided by Pioneer School for the Performing Arts each and every night of the festival. Talk-backs, meet and greets, and educational youth theatre programs complete the festival experience. Tickets can be purchased and more information can be found at www.creeksidetheatrefest.org.

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