BWW Reviews: Utah Repertory Theater Company's ORDINARY DAYS is Fresh and Insightful

If you are a musical theatre fan looking for a fresh, complex contemporary show to see, Utah Repertory Theater Company's ORDINARY DAYS is the one for you. And if you are a human being looking for an experience that will add new insight, peace, and clarity to your outlook on life, you'll want to carve 75 minutes from your busy schedule for it.

ORDINARY DAYS (music and lyrics by Adam Gwon) introduces us to four very different young New Yorkers whose lives intersect in surprising ways. As they get to know each other on deeper levels, they begin to change for the better.

Brighton Hertford is appropriately shrill, yet very likeable as neurotic grad student Deb, and Thomas Kulkus is sweet and funny as free spirit Warren. Mandi Barrus is captivating as troubled soul Claire, and Matthew Wade is equally appealing as her well-meaning boyfriend Jason.

Vocal technique and acting are both pleasingly strong across the board, thanks in part to direction by Chase Ramsey and music direction by Jeanne McGuire. The staging is simple, yet inventive, with constant action that never feels forced.

The wonderfully versatile set, designed by Chase Ramsey with scenic arts design by Amanda Wilson, makes use of four bright colors--red, orange, blue, and green--that seemingly represent each of the four characters. The adept costume design by Nancy Cannon makes great use of this palette with Deb always in bold red and Warren in relaxed green. Claire's and Jason's representative colors are not as defined with both often wearing blue and little orange to be seen. This element of the design could have been more clear, but this is a small quibble in a well-thought-out production.

ORDINARY DAYS plays at the Sugar Space Studio Theater in Sugar House through July 26, 2015. To buy tickets and for more information, visit www.utahrep.org.

Content Advisory: The musical contains a few instances of strong language.

Photo Credit: Alex Weisman/IceWolf Photography. L-R Thomas Kulkus (Warren), Mandi Barrus (Claire), Brighton Hertford (Deb), Matthew Wade (Jason)