Blair Howell's career is in the professional publishing arena (for more years than he cares to remember), with a longstanding interest in theater. He found it to be great fun to live in New Canaan, Connecticut, with easy access to the Great White Way. But now, Blair lives in Salt Lake City (a long, not interesting story). The much-lamented move has allowed him to be more active in regional theater. He has covered theater and the arts for the Deseret News, Utah's oldest, continuously published metro daily newspaper, and has written for various theater-related national magazines and websites.
Blair Howell is no longer a contributor to BroadwayWorld.com as of 12/3.
September 19, 2019
An exclusive BWW Q&A interview with Chris Massimine, the newly named Managing Director at Pioneer Theatre Company. 'PTC has such a brilliant reputation for top-tier work and first-class service, to both patrons and visiting artists alike. The company's artistic leadership in Karen Azenberg is second-to-none in my opinion,' he says.
September 17, 2019
With 'American Idiot' and 'Indecent' Chris Massimine became a Tony-nominated producer. He is 'just the right person to continue the journey' of the 57-year-old professional theater in Salt Lake City, according to PTC Artistic Director Karen Azenberg.
September 15, 2019
Broadway legend Patti LuPone wows theatergoers with her dazzling DON'T MONKEY WITH BROADWAY cabaret act at BYU's de Jong Concert Hall. The opportunity to experience the world of an authentic Broadway star in a Utah seat is a rare privilege. And Audra McDonald and Bernadette Peters are set to perform at UVU's Noorda Center for the Performing Arts in the next few months.
September 11, 2019
To open the University of Utah Musical Theater Program season, Denny Berry directs and choreographs Frank Wildhorn's DRACULA -- to continue her reputation for engaging audiences with little-known and perhaps problematic musicals.
September 7, 2019
Utahn Jeff Whiting, with major Broadway credentials, is back in the state to lead the Broadway-bound original musical FLY MORE THAN YOU FALL at Utah Valley University, quickly becoming a sought-out actor-training university with its many direct ties to Broadway professionals.
August 16, 2019
Seeing THE BOOK OF MORMON musical with an audience full of TBMs (true-believing Mormons) and Ex-Mos in Sal Tlay Ka Siti, who deeply understand the culture the musical skewers, a wholly unique experience -- something incredible.
June 28, 2019
The 20-year anniversary tour of RENT roared into Salt Lake City's Eccles Theater to remind us of the inspiring brilliance of this gorgeous contemporary masterpiece of musical theater.
June 7, 2019
Who gave Playwright Tony Kushner his first copy of 'The Book of Mormon'?
May 19, 2019
With characters in ANGELS IN AMERICA hailing from Utah, the Utah Repertory Theater Company production will uniquely reverberate with theatergoers. 'What excites me most about participating in ANGELS is being able to tell a story that is still applicable to today's problems -- and in a place where these problems are looked past,' said Lucas Stewart, who plays Joe. 'We have the opportunity to share a story that, sadly, resonates with too many people in this state.'
April 21, 2019
Three titans of the local arts scene collaborate hand-in-glove at Salt Lake Acting Company to experiment how dance can expand storytelling in a drama. SILENT DANCER is intriguing.
April 19, 2019
Tony nominee Will Swenson will play the lead role in Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD in a coproduction by The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts and Utah Repertory Theater Company.
April 4, 2019
Pioneer Theater Company stages a riveting SWEAT. The production is more than worthy of the drama's credentials as a 2017 Best Play Tony nominee and winner of the year's Pulitzer Prize.
March 23, 2019
Park City Cabaret Girl Ellie Gallagher is taking her PC GIRL CABARET nightclub act to New York City's Triad Theatre. The show is Fosse-esque and features Broadway-style songs and show-stopping numbers.
March 22, 2019
Mary B. Robinson, director of SWEAT at Pioneer Theatre Company, says the Pulitzer Prize-winner contains 'nine characters [that] are created with empathy and humanity, demonstrating the 'curiosity not judgment' mantra of Playwright Lynn Nottage.'
February 25, 2019
Director Lisa Hall and Music Director Justin Bills show expert work with the large NEWSIES cast at Hale Center Theater Orem. But it's the glittering dances created by Ashley Gardner Carlson that elevates NEWSIES to a true spectacle.
February 19, 2019
At the University of Utah, Director Ryan Emmons has a thorough understanding of a Sondheim masterwork and shows stellar work with the eager students. With Music Director Alex Marshall and Choreographer Ellie Hanagarne, COMPANY is thrilling.
February 18, 2019
At Pioneer Theatre Company, ONCE is luminous. Working hand-in-glove, Director Pirronne Yousefzadeh and Music Director Tom Griffin have guided the full cast and production team to stage a heart-piercingly beautiful production of the Tony-winning Best Musical.
February 15, 2019
Wasatch Theatre Company takes a drive in HANDS ON A HARDBODY, a mediocre musical turbo-charged by an exuberant and excellent-voiced cast comprised of some of the area's finest musical performers.
February 6, 2019
In the lead AN AMERICAN IN PARIS role of Lise, Hale Centre Theatre Sandy Associate Director/Choreographer Jenny Barlow was able to cast Juliet Doherty, 'a world-class ballerina [who is] quite famous in the ballet world.'
February 6, 2019
Her ability to play the accordion helped Equity Actress Mary Fanning Driggs to be cast in ONCE at Pioneer Theatre Company, following 21 other roles she has played on the PTC stage.
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