Script, set, and old ladies are strengths in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
CENTERVILLE — Arsenic and Old Lace is one of those classic shows that has witty and crisp dialogue, a funny and outrageous plot, and can get the audience rooting for…
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL provides laughs at the Empress Theater
MAGNA — There are few things that can tempt me to leave my warm, cozy apartment on a cold winter’s eve, but a good musical is among them—especially a classic.…
BYU’s PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will make your soul take flight
PROVO — It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since The Phantom of the Opera had its debut in the United States. In that time it’s become a…
Lead actress and designers create a beautiful A PHILADELPHIA STORY
SALT LAKE CITY — I sat happily through the production of A Philadelphia Story, at the Pioneer Theater Company, making notes to later compose my review. I didn’t have to…
THE 39 STEPS leads to an adventure in laughs
WEST VALLEY CITY — Start with one arena stage, two straight backed chairs, three old fashioned steamer trunks, and four extremely versatile actors. Toss in a foley artist and a…
Orem Hale’s LEND ME A TENOR took some warming up
OREM — I love a good farce. With mistaken identities, slamming doors, running back and forth, and just a dash of innuendo, Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me a Tenor is a…
THE ZION CURTAIN was OK, but disconnected
SALT LAKE CITY — The set for The Zion Curtain was no more than three chairs. Two of the three actors, Jacob Lewis and Napsugar Hegedus, wore just white t-shirts…
Grassroots has more than a TEMPEST in a teapot
SALT LAKE CITY — Grassroots Shakespeare Company has a very strong and vocal following. They proudly proclaim that they are an original practices company, meaning—just like in Shakespeare‘s time—that they…
THIS BIRD OF DAWNING sings a tender song
SALT LAKE CITY — “Each must make a safe place of his heart, before so strange and wild a guest as God approaches.” – Li-Young Lee This line from former…
SHERLOCK HOLMES and the BLUE CARBUNCLE is a pleasant holiday exploit
SALT LAKE CITY — There is something both nostalgic and romantic about radio drama. The extra description in narration, the ever-present sound effects, trying to pick out different voices from…