Blair Howell - Page 6

The enthusiasm of Utah theatergoers for the works of Frank Wildhorn was wildly evident during the famed composer's three-day visit to Salt Lake City.

Playwright Matthew Ivan Bennett's ART & CLASS "aims to be a character study in standing up - one that shows the costs of standing up. It's a topic that's dead center in American life right now.'

Ashley Gardner Carlson is about to play Reno Sweeney in ANYTHING GOES at Hale Center Theater in Orem, Utah. 'The things they do at Hale Orem are incredible in such an intimate space,' Carlson says. 'It's always impressive.'

With A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY UNIT AT MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER OF NEW YORK CITY, opening SLAC's 48th season, director Sarah Shippobotham reveals her deft abilities to guide the staging to deeply moving effect.

Tim Rice welcomes the re-imagining of CHESS, and uniquely encourages it. The lyricist has said he knows the musical that premiered in 1986 on the West End is problem-plagued. Continues to refer to CHESS as a work in progress, he suggests exploration and and alterations.

By transforming the political into the personal, OSLO wittily reveals the peacemaking process of the historic 1993 Israeli-Palestinian accord. The play is not only successful theater, it is engrossing and enriching.

At GREAT SALT LAKE FRINGE FESTIVAL, there is the joy of discovering a glittering jewel, along with an ineptly led misfire of a good idea. And an immediately endearing new voice.

Now in its fourth year, the Great Salt Lake Fringe is yet another indication of the wildly vibrant and widely varied theater community in Salt Lake City.

While he is not the first actor with a direct connection to the Mormon Church, Chase Ramsey will be the first to take on the Elder Cunningham role in BOOK OF MORMON Musical with firsthand experience as a Mormon missionary.

Know the song? Me neither. Unless sung in its original English lyrics. But a French-language version of 'December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)' opens 'Jersey Boys.'

Utah Valley University's Theatre Department stages a scintillating, highly entertaining CABARET, under direction/choreography/music direction by Rob Moffat.

'Welcome to our house on Maple Avenue / See how we polish, how we shine,' sung with cynicism by the repressed wife, Helen Bechdel.

Mark Fossen continues to show his nimble hand at directing The Grand's American Classic series with A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE.

Bridget Carpenter's UP (THE MAN IN THE FLYING CHAIR) is a curiosity of a play, with its tone alternating between humor and pathos. It is largely a meandering tale of one man's dismal attempt to recapture a former glory, but there's an emotional payoff in the final scene.

An overcapacity audience enthusiastically greeted Scott Elmegreen and Drew Fornarola, the award-winning playwrights of the off-Broadway hit STRAIGHT, at Utah Repertory Theater Company's regional premiere production in Salt Lake City.

Utah Valley University was able to snag Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for its Roots of Knowledge speaker series. And for audience members, it was some kinda time.

With direction/music direction by Paul Naylor, PASSION is tonal correct, and this heavily dramatic work is perhaps the most difficult of Broadway musicals to stage.

Under the highly professional direction of Denny Berry, THE BEAUTIFUL GAME by the University of Utah Theatre Department is lovingly produced and highly enjoyable. With a vibrant 11-piece orchestra led by Alex Marshall and lovely choreography under Berry's tutelage by student Jesse Klick, BEAUTIFUL GAME scores.

Pioneer Theatre Company's Artistic Director Karen Azenberg is to be applauded for surprisingly selecting and so skillfully directing '/i/.' And assisting in its development.

There are two sides to every story. Cathy Hiatt's is told in reverse chronological order, beginning at the end of her five-year relationship. She sings: