Kimberly Akimbo • December 10, 2024 • Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Entering Eccles Theater on Tuesday night, I knew about as little about the musical Kimberly Akimbo as I think I have for any show ever. I knew that it won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2022 and that this show was called Kimberly Akimbo. That’s about it, which is rare for me. As a musical theater fan, I am usually up to date on most productions. And while I try to hold off on knowing too much until I’ve seen the show, for some reason this one totally slipped by me. It was only as I talked to another colleague that I learned that the show was about a teenager in high school with a rare condition that ages her faster to the point where she looks like a woman in her 60s.
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.
Jessica Vosk • September 21, 2024 • The Noorda Performing Arts Center
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Musical Theater fans in Utah have developed a real affection for Broadway Star, Jessica Vosk. Vosk performed at The Noorda Performing Arts Center on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem. The venue where Jessica made her Utah debut in February 2023. She returned a year later to perform at Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City with Jeremy Jordan and Kara Lindsay. So within a fairly short period of time she’s grown quite the fanbase. There was a buzz inside The Noorda on September 21. Fans were eager to see what the talented vocalist would bring to this show. Her prior appearances were so entertaining that I’m sure expectations were high. Let’s get this out of the way in the first paragraph, Jessica Vosk did not disappoint.
It has been 30 years since the release of the classic movie “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Like most people who were raised in the 90s, I grew up watching the film. It was undoubtedly Robin Williams’ performance as the eccentric Scottish nanny that made the movie such a hit. I had been looking forward to seeing the production, but I admit, I had somewhat low expectations. Robin Williams was one of a kind, and I wondered how anyone else could fill the role. I was also curious about how the addition of musical numbers would affect the storyline. On Tuesday, September 10th, I had the opportunity to see for myself.
It’s a special feeling having Hamilton back in town. This is the third tour to stop in Salt Lake City at the Eccles Theater. It’s almost hard to believe that we’ve been this fortunate to have this show in our state this many times. And this time the Hamilton is here for a five-week run! I think it’s pretty clear that I don’t need to mention how big this show is. It is THE musical of this generation. It will go down in history as one of the greatest of all time. Lin-Manuel Miranda created a masterpiece that will be unmatched in so many ways.
Singer Song-Writer Ben Platt took the stage in Salt Lake City this week as he performed back-to-back shows on July 16th and 17th. The singer crafted a riveting set of music clearly displaying his Broadway-trained voice. Each song would go on to leave the audience spellbound and in awe of his full range of skills and talents as a vocalist. Though the sold-out audience at the Eccles Theater was anxiously excited to see Ben, the show started with a brief moment of disappointment as he went on to announce that his opener, Brandy Clark, would not be performing due to an unforeseen illness. The letdown was fleeting as Ben shared with the crowd that he would sing some extra songs to make up for her absence. And so, the show went on!
Girl From The North Country • June 11, 2024 • Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photos provided by:
Photo Courtesy of Melissa Cohen (BOND Theatrical)
With the Tony Awards being broadcast this Sunday night, it felt fitting to find myself inside Eccles Theater watching a musical. A Tony Award-winning (Best Orchestrations) musical at that. The audience seemed in great spirits, ready to enjoy another great evening in downtown Salt Lake City with another show in the Broadway At The Eccles series.
Girl From The North Country is a musical featuring the music and lyrics of the great Bob Dylan with the book by Conor McPherson. It is set in Duluth, Minnesota in 1934 in the shadow of The Great Depression. The show takes place inside a guesthouse, or hotel of sorts. The cast consists of various people staying at the home. As the show goes along we are made aware of the different trials, tribulations, and struggles that each character faces or has experienced.
Photos Courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles/ MurphyMade
The May 10, 2024 performance of “Annie” at Eccles Theatre in Salt Lake City was a delightful and heartwarming experience that captivated both children and adults alike. This run of the beloved musical, directed by Jenn Thompson, who herself played an orphan in the original Broadway production, was full of charm and energy.
Pretty Woman The Musical • April 2, 2024 • Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photos by: Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade. Provided by Broadway at the Eccles
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
I have to admit, I totally forgot that the 1990 film Pretty Woman was adapted for the stage. Pretty Woman The Musical appeared on Broadway in 2018 and it wasn’t until the Broadway at the Eccles announced their 2023/2024 Season that I remembered it existed. Since its Eccles Theater stop was announced, I have been curious to see how the show worked in musical form. On Tuesday, April 2, I found out.
Pretty Woman The Musical has everything needed for a successful production. Highly acclaimed director and choreographer, check. Jerry Mitchell has choreographed big-time shows like Hairspray, Legally Blond, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and The Full Monty and directed Kinky Boots (choreography also) and On Your Feet. Well-known songwriters, check.
Bryan Adams (yep that Bryan Adams) and Jim Vallance have written some of the most recognized songs of all time. Pretty Woman The Musical would be their first time writing for musical theater. Well-known book writers, check. You don’t get much bigger than the late great Gary Marshall. Writing for shows as far back as I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke Show, Marshall has written some of the most beloved television shows and movies in history. Joined by J. F. Lawton, a respected screenwriter in his own right, the book has some all-star power. Gary Marshall passed away before the show was completed.
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
The cast of Pretty Woman The Musical is given the unenviable task of getting the audience to buy into their interpretation of these characters and try to forget the memorable performances in the movie. Vivian Ward is one of Julia Roberts’ most iconic roles. Ellie Baker did a great job of not trying to mimic Roberts. That would have been a disaster. It’s simply impossible to portray the role exactly like Julia so I liked that Ellie gave the character her own spin. It did take me longer than I wanted to get in the zone of this production and forget the movie. But eventually, for the most part, I did get there.
Chase Wolfe did an admirable job of portraying Edward Lewis. His powerful singing voice drew the audience to him and I overheard audience members talking during intermission hoping for more songs from him in the second act. They got their wish.
Adam Du Plessis stole the show as Happy Man. The Eccles Theater audience was delighted by his performance. He appeared in multiple scenes as different characters within those scenes and each time he’d show his face, the audience would cheer or laugh. Mr. Thompson, the hotel manager was Du Plessis’s best character. At first leery of Elie Baker then evolving to be her biggest support was the journey we all went on through him. He was funny, heartfelt, and probably got the biggest ovation at the end of the evening. Some of the biggest highlights of the show were when Adam Du Plessis was paired with Connor Kabat as Giulio the bellhop. Most of Kabat’s scenes were met with large laughter. I think without his and Du Plessis’ performances this show would have fallen flat comedically.
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
Memorable scenes from the movie, like Elie being snubbed by women at the Rodeo Drive store only to burn them later didn’t have the same impact as the movie. The scene where Edward snaps the jewelry box before Vivian can pick up the necklace which makes Vivian laugh, was valiantly attempted but impossible to avoid recalling Julia Roberts’ well-known laugh in that scene. I think those moments were just going to be too difficult to avoid comparison. I tried hard not to compare but I just couldn’t do it.
Overall, Pretty Woman The Musical is an entertaining production. It falls short of other Pygmalian-type stage productions like My Fair Lady or even Once Upon A Mattress. I think the familiarity with the movie both helps and hurts this musical. That being said, it’s a good time and while it’s not the best show to have come to Eccles Theater, it’s still a fun night out of theater with a very talented cast.
Pretty Woman plays Eccles Theater until April 7. For ticket information, including how to get $50 Student Tickets, click here.
