Editor’s Note: Photos will be added when available.
SANDY — The world premiere of the new musical Hallmarked, by Michael D. Fox and Cameron, Dawn, and Quinn Dietlein is the opening production at the Hale Centre Theatre’s beautiful new Miller Family Beehive Stage. Director Dave Tinney has put together a charming show with powerhouse acting and state-of-the-art technical design. The show is a thoroughly enjoyable musical satire that can be enjoyed by Hallmark enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
Venue
From the moment you enter the theatre, the new Beehive Stage impresses. The steeply sloped seating ensures that every audience member has a great view, creating an intimate connection to the action. The set itself is stunning, blending practical stagecraft with cutting-edge projection technology. A large back wall, mid-stage panels, and the proscenium act as canvases for projections, seamlessly establishing locations, moods, and even magical sequences. Smooth rolling wagons move set pieces on and off, bringing to life locations around town like Dad’s Hardware shop or the Vet Clinic.
Act 1
At its heart, Hallmarked is a romantic comedy that knows exactly what it is, and it leans hard into it. The story follows Julie (played by Bo Chester, on the night I reviewed), a determined big-city professional who starts a new job in the quaint town of Idyllic, Vermont, as a producer on The Great American Baking Show—Supreme! She is intent on focusing solely on her work and avoiding the trappings of small-town romance. Of course, she cannot escape her feelings for Monty (Derek Smith), the town’s handsome, plaid-wearing jack-of-all-trades: veterinarian, football coach, hardware store helper, eagle scout, and likely volunteer fireman. Both Monty and Julie carry past heartbreaks that make it hard for them to trust the instant attraction they feel for one another.
If the plot sounds like every Hallmark movie, that is the point, but what makes the show truly fun is how it playfully embraces the dozens of Hallmark tropes. Predictability is treated as a feature, not a bug, and the musical revels in it with a knowing wink. One of the most memorable moments is “My Hallmark,” performed by Ryann (Haley Wawro) and Julie. In this number, Ryann explains why she wants her Hallmark moment, and the streets of Idyllic transform into a Disney-like cartoon world. Ryann twirls as her business attire morphs into a wedding dress, a cartoon bluebird seems to land delicately on her hand, and ensemble members in DisneyBound costumes dance around her. The choreography, music, and projections combine to create a magical moment that perfectly captures why these stories consistently captivate us.
Julie fights her instincts and does her best to hide from her feelings as Act 1 builds to a climactic scene in the high school gym. The scene slowly pulls in until it is just Julie, center stage in the spotlight, intimately pouring out her heart in the powerful number, “Not Juliet” before the curtain falls to end the act. Chester’s performance of Julie commands the spotlight and fills the theatre with her beautiful vocals and storytelling.
Act 2
The opener to Act 2 is a fantastic contrast to the intimate spotlight number we left on. The scene explodes with an over-the-top Americana number: fireworks explode in the projected backgrounds, ensemble members dance a small-town spectacular—all of them spangled in gaudy Americana, and the energy is sky high until it all goes sideways and ends in flames! In a meta twist—dun dun dunnn!—the scene was actually Julie’s dream. The way the music, lights, and projections enhance what the actors are doing in that dream scene twist is just amazing.
Music
Musically, the show feels vibrant and fun. Monty’s tenor belt soars effortlessly and impressed me on his solo. The songs are enjoyable, and I especially loved the impressive guitar-wielding Busker (Bryan Matthew Hague) and all he added to the scenes. Afterwards, I found myself wishing I could listen to the numbers again to have another chance to analyze the musicality of the arrangements because I was honestly so enraptured by the storytelling and impressive spectacle, I didn’t have time to do more than appreciate the music as it helped to beautifully convey the delightfully predictable, yet still fresh, story. So many scenes deliver the whole package of acting and spectacle in perfect harmony. Trope moments like “flamboyant comedic relief character pitches ridiculous idea” had me engrossed as I watched Shawn (Dale Hoopes), performing with his adorable dog Sean, deliver a hilarious number with playful vocal growls while the lights and projections shift into a lively club atmosphere.
Design & Direction
Costume design by Joy Zhu enhances the storytelling, with scenes featuring a distinct color palette. The high school gym is a buzz in yellows and blacks, “Tap Tap Soufflé” celebrates autumnal oranges, and “Pure Emotion” closes the show in a perfectly pink palette. Each choice is deliberate, leans into the stereotypes, and creates a cohesive and visually appealing aesthetic. The DisneyBound looks were particularly brilliant.
The ensemble is extraordinary, seamlessly filling multiple town and trope roles. Opening night had the Wednesday cast with substitutions including Tianna Maxwell as Female 3 (Penelope/Maple), Matthew Tripp as Male 2 (Brad/Samuel), and Reece Harris as Man 1 (Jeffery/Rick). The cast delivered consistently strong performances, contributing to the town’s vibrancy and the show’s overall energy.
What sets Hallmarked apart from other formulaic romantic comedies is its self-awareness. It embraces familiar tropes while delivering fresh, clever humor and genuine heart. The final “Where Are They Now?”-type sequence is a playful capstone, leaving the audience laughing, smiling, and fully satisfied.
Director Dave Tinney and his team deserve high praise for brilliant blocking that blends technical mastery with good storytelling. Jaron Kent Hermansen’s lighting and projection work is absolutely brilliant. Kristen Tenney’s sound design keeps vocals and music clear and perfectly balanced. Every element works in perfect harmony to create a magical, immersive experience.
Recommendation
Ultimately, Hallmarked is cozy and delightful. It’s funny, heartwarming, visually stunning, and full of energy. Whether you’re a fan of Hallmark tropes, romantic comedies, or simply enjoy clever, joyful musical theatre, this show delivers on all fronts. If you think Hallmark movies are ridiculous and you enjoy making fun of them, this show is for you, too. It’s clever, charming, and utterly irresistible—a perfect Hallmark story brought to life on stage.
HALLMARKED plays at Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy on the Miller Family Beehive Stage until June 6, with performances Monday through Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Matinees on Saturdays at 12:00 and 3:30. Tickets range from $32–$75. For more information, visit htc.org.