Musical Theatre Archives - Utah Concert Review

October 2, 2025October 2, 2025

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.

September 4, 2025September 5, 2025

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.

November 8, 2024November 8, 2024

Peter Pan

Peter Pan • November 5, 2024 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Alisha Gregson

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy (Courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles)

The newly reimagined production of Peter Pan brought magic to the stage at Eccles Theater. The thrilling musical has been captivating audiences of all ages for nearly 70 years. Now with new changes, the production continues to keep its audience hooked. Opening night brought in a crowd full of kids, many attending the theater for the first time. With its beautiful starry sky, Eccles Theater was the perfect setting for Peter Pan.

January 12, 2023

Ain’t Too Proud

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations • January 10, 2023• Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

The Eccles Theater and Broadway at the Eccles started 2023 with a bang. Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations was a perfect way to start the new year. The jukebox musical tells the story of one of the most iconic and influential groups in music history. The Motown legends had so many peaks and valleys throughout their career that it would be impossible to pack all of the history into a Broadway show. But the production sure tried. In the late 90s NBC produced an four hour miniseries of the group and even with all the detail they provided, I still had more questions. Each membrer of the classic lineup has a story that could be its own movie or musical.