Congratulations to Utah Theatre Companies in 2025!

Across Utah, theatre companies of all sizes and models produced work in 2025 that challenged, delighted, and inspired audiences. From professional and semi-professional stages to university and amateur productions, organizations rose to the moment with bold programming, inventive storytelling, and a deep commitment to their communities. This article features contributions from prolific UTBA writers and theatre goers to showcase what really stood out across reviews of over 200 productions. The roundup recognizes standout productions and organizations whose work exemplified artistic excellence and contributed meaningfully to Utah’s vibrant theatrical landscape over the past year.

For a look at our Individual recognitions, please see click here.

Excellent Professional (Equity) Production

PTC’s The Case For the Existence of God was phenomenal. I still find myself thinking about this production nearly nine months later. The mastery of the actors in this two-hander was breathtaking. The story of two men with such different experiences and perspectives, brought together by circumstance, who then recognize themselves in the other, is such a needed story today. The capacity of shared pain to humanize and connect even the most disparate of individuals should be a lesson for us all. —Jennifer Hoisington

Honestly the entire season at Utah Shakes left me rather giddy. It was really hard to choose a favorite, but I think I’m going to hand it to The Importance of Being Earnest. It’s a difficult script to do well since it’s so wordy, but USF kept things moving at such a good pace, and the physical comedy and sheer camp of it all was ridiculous. I’ve never seen a better production of the show. —Joni Newman

I’m still astounded by The Life of Pi national tour at the Eccles. The puppets, designed by Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, are famous and phenomenal. But the lighting (Tim Lutkin and Tim Deiling) and set design (Tim Hatley) blew me away. I adored the Indian zoo set with what looked like shuttered windows rustling with trees. And how they made the walls melt in the hospital scene is beyond me. Also, this was a first, but the show had really impressive fog! —B.F. Issacson

This was a year where the professionals showed us all why they’re the pros this year. The national tour of Les Miserables was a masterclass in staging and had some of the most transcendant vocal talent I’ve had the chance to see live. We are so spoiled with the Eccles in Utah. Pioneer’s Two Pianos, Four Hands was one of the most profoundly transformative productions I’ve ever seen. As a person with creative aspirations that sometimes feel stymied, I was completely drawn in. It was funny, poignant, and skill at another level in all facets. Tuacahn’s Wizard of Oz was truly spectacular and was one of the most heart warming productions of the year for me. Utah Shakespeare Festival had a slew of great shows this year, but none finer than Steel Magnolias. It was a masterful performance from every actor, and the design was exactly on point. —Scott Savage

Excellent Semi-professional Production

Dogfight was Sentinel Theatre’s inaugural show, and with it they showed that they are a company with heart, talent, and gumption. As it was their first show, I wasn’t sure what to expect; they completely blew my expectations out of the water. The cast and crew were first rate and got me so excited to see what else this company would do. —Melissa Brown

I loved An American in Paris at The Ruth. This was one of those shows that you watch and just go, “this team knew exactly what story they were telling.” Great use of space, great ensemble support, strong leads, and the design work was really exceptionally good.

Excellent College/University Production

I was really impressed with Weber State’s Brigadoon. It’s such a hard show to do well—the sheer number of kilts and the tricky Scottish accents alone can dissuade theatres from even making the attempt—but I was truly delighted by this show. It was beautifully designed and costumed, and the entire cast created a Brigadoon so lovely I was tempted to cross over that bridge myself by the end. —Joni Newman

It is probably unfair for me to say this (because I directed it), but I loved UVU’s production of New Kid by Dennis Foon. The cast delivered a production that resonated with adults and children, and Melissa Brown did an excellent write up of it so you can read for yourself. Great cast, great, show. —Scott Savage

Excellent Amateur/Community Production

The Play That Goes Wrong at Heritage Theatre in Perry was a love letter to everything that is right about community theatre. Even though I have seen this show on Broadway, in other equity houses, semi-professional, at college, and others, something hit different when seeing it on a community stage like Heritage. The humor felt more real knowing that sometimes the stage manager does have to step in last minute when something breaks, improv is likely happening, and the cast is having the time of their lives. —Maren Swensen

Excellent Musical

PTC’s regional premiere of Dear Evan Hansen was phenomenal. This was my first time seeing this show, and PTC’s production did not disappoint. The excellent script and music combined with the connection between the characters, and the skill of the cast made me want to run home and hug my own teenager that much tighter. —Jennifer Hoisington

Excellent Play

West Valley Arts production of The Play That Goes Wrong was excellent! The way the company adapted the hilarious script to the round was skillfully done and the comic timing was fantastic. I enjoyed the show so much that I returned later in the run with a bevy of out-of-town coworkers to show off the quality of local theatre in town. —Jennifer Hoisington

Excellent Shakespeare

I’ll offer a quick nod to Utah Shakespeare’s surprisingly well-done inclusion of Hecate in Macbeth, making it my favorite of the USF season this year, before moving on to my ultimate nomination in the Shakespeare category: Julius Caesar. Produced by Whispering Room and performed at the Hive in Provo, the production was visually stunning and textually masterful. Its strength was in its directorial simplicity and in an excellent cast. —Jennifer Hoisington

I was personally very touched by USF’s As You Like It. It’s such a tricky show with conflicts that get introduced and forgotten or conveniently resolved throughout. Some clever adjustments to the text and the casting meant that the final moments of As You Like It packed an unexpected punch and really lovely reminder to savor the good moments in life, knowing they won’t last. It was a show that reminded me again of why I love theatre and the arts so much. —Joni Newman

Excellent Opera

USU Opera’s production of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 was really exciting. Seeing that show staged in such an immersive space was a real treat I may never experience again. It was cleverly done, making use of what I’m sure was not nearly enough funding for what they’d have preferred to create a lavish, exciting evening I’ll be talking about for a while. —Joni Newman