Category: Theater

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The Fantasticks

Timp Arts Presents: “The Fantasticks” • Valentine Theater • April 16, 2026

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Jane Smith

Photo Credit: Jane Smith/ Smithfield Photography

“The Fantasticks”, known as the World’s Longest Running Musical, presented by Timp Arts, will be playing at The Valentine Theater in American Fork through April 25.  This all-time beloved musical began Off-Broadway in the 1960s and ran for 17,162 performances until 2002.  It was then revived from 2006 to 2017.  Over the years, The Fantasticks cast has included notable Broadway actors such as Jerry Orbach, Burke Moses, and Rita Gardner, to name a few. I really enjoy this musical.  I adored the Timp Arts production.  

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The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera • April 10, 2026 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Photo Credit: Photo: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mega hit musical “Phantom of the Opera” is playing at Eccles Theater until April 26.  I had the opportunity to see this production on Friday, April 10.  I thought I knew what to expect.  I’ve seen “Phantom” a few times over the years. I have always enjoyed it. I figured, going into Eccles Theater last weekend, that I’d be seeing something similar to what I had seen in the past.  While the show is still the show you might know and love, I felt like everything I had seen before was enhanced.  This was “Phantom of the Opera” on a whole new level. 

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Hadestown

Photo Credit: Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made

There’s something almost ritualistic about experiencing Hadestown live, and its recent stop at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City felt less like a night at the theater and more like being invited into a haunting, intimate storytelling circle. From the moment the first notes drifted through the hall, the production established a mood that was equal parts smoky jazz club and mythological dreamscape, pulling the audience into its underworld with quiet confidence.

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Hello, Dolly!

Timp Arts Production of “Hello, Dolly!” • February 9, 2026 • Valentine Theater, American Fork

These are exciting times for theater in Utah County.  The Timpanogas Arts Foundation has begun a new chapter.  Here is the Press Release with all the exciting information.  On the other end of the press release, we’ll share our review of “Hello, Dolly!”, which we had the opportunity to see on February 9.  

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A Beautiful Noise

A Beautiful Noise The Neil Diamond Musical • January 20, 2025 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles

Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles

I was there at the Delta Center (then called Vivint Arena) when Neil Diamond played his final Salt Lake City show. It was shortly after that Mr. Diamond announced his retirement from touring due to his Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis. It’s been a long time since that same energy has been felt here. When I walked into Eccles Theater on January 20, 2026, it was clear to me that Diamond-Mania had been resurrected and was the strongest it had been since 2017. Utah loves Neil, so it came as no surprise that the run of The Neil Diamond Musical, A Beautiful Noise, brought huge audiences every night of the run.

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Broadway at the Eccles Announces 2026/26 Season

Introducing an unforgettable 2026/2027 Broadway at the Eccles
season—featuring six spectacular Salt Lake City premieres
alongside the return of beloved classics and fan favorites.

The incredible season features the Tony Award-winning shows: The
Outsiders, Buena Vista Social Club™, Operation Mincemeat: A New
Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Maybe Happy Ending, The Great
Gatsby, The Sound of Music and the bigger than life production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child!

Salt Lake City, UT – Zions Bank Broadway at the Eccles is thrilled to announce its highly
anticipated 2026/2027 season, featuring eight spectacular productions, including six Salt Lake City premieres. This blockbuster lineup promises unforgettable experiences for theater lovers across Utah.

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’ Twas the Night Before…

Cirque du Soleil’s “’ Twas the Night Before…” • December 6, 2025 • Eccles Theater

Photo Credit: Brandon Todd, Kyle Flubacker, and Errisson Lawrence, courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles.

Cirque du Soleil’s “’ Twas the Night Before…” is Cirque du Soleil’s first Christmas show, based on the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore. Memorable lines from this cherished classic inspired Cirque du Soleil’s story about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of Christmas. A festive flurry of love and cheer created especially for families, ‘Twas the Night Before… features thrilling acrobatics performed by a cast of 26 artists sailing from all over the world, lovable characters, and a soundtrack including Christmas favorites re-invented by Cirque du Soleil.

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SUFFS

SUFFS • November 11, 2025 • Eccles Theater

Photography by Joan Marcus courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus coutesty of Broadway at the Eccles

The touring production of SUFFS arrived at Eccles Theater in Downtown Salt Lake City with a burst of energy, conviction, and theatrical confidence that makes it one of the most engaging new musicals of this season of Broadway at the Eccles. The show, which dives into the final chapters of the American women’s suffrage movement, balances history with emotion in a way that feels both entertaining and unexpectedly urgent. What makes this touring version particularly striking is how it manages to retain the intimacy of the story while embracing a broader national audience.

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Some Like It Hot

Some Like It Hot • September 30, 2025 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photos by Matthew Murphy courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles

The 2025/2026 Broadway at the Eccles season has officially begun! Some Like It Hot, the Tony Award-winning musical, brings the classic 1959 film starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe, and written and directed by Billy Wilder, roaring back into the 1930s Prohibition era once again. This time, with a modern lens. Principally around issues of gender identity, inclusion, and discovering one’s identity. The score is by award winners, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). The book is by Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, with choreography and direction by Casey Nicholaw.

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Bright Star

Bright Star • Sentinel Theatre Production • September 1, 2025 • Liahona Theater for the Community

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Jane Smith, courtesy of Sentinel Theater

Photo Credit: Jane Smith Courtesy of Sentinel Theater

I have to admit, I had pretty high, unfair expectations walking into the Liahona Theater to see Sentinel Theatre’s production of the musical Bright Star. Just under five months ago, I reviewed Sentinel’s inaugural production, Dogfight.  I walked away extremely impressed with the cast, the direction, and the overall production.  So I thought, if they did that well with their first show, I can only imagine how much better their second show will be.  And it’s a show I know and love.  No pressure, right?  It was unfair for me to put those expectations on this production.  And yet, Sentinel Theatre did not disappoint.  In fact, Bright Star exceeded any expectations I had.  This is a must-see show.  

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