Performing Arts Archives - Utah Concert Review

January 23, 2025January 23, 2025

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon • January 20, 2025 • Eccles Theater

It’s not often that a musical can stop through a town and connect with so many people and the culture is such a specific satirical in the way the Tony Award winning, The Book of Mormon does when it comes to Salt Lake City. I’d like to think, when South Park Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and co-songwriter for Frozen and Coco, and Avenue Q creator, Robert Lopez were writing this musical, they envisioned the production coming to Salt Lake City and how so many would love the inside jokes that are so specific to the area and culture. If they did imagine such a day, I’m sure they would know how much people would love the inside jokes.

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024

Kimberly Akimbo

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.

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.

October 22, 2024October 23, 2024

Jessica Vosk

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.

September 12, 2024September 13, 2024

Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire • September 10, 2024 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Alisha Gregson

Photos

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles

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.

August 7, 2024August 9, 2024

Hamilton

Hamilton • August 1, 2024 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Company – HAMILTON National Tour- (c) Joan Marcus

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.

July 18, 2024July 18, 2024

Ben Platt

Ben Platt • July 16, 2024 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Austin Dayton

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!

June 13, 2024June 13, 2024

Girl From The North Country

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.

May 13, 2024May 20, 2024

Annie The Musical

Annie The Musical • May 10, 2024 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Alisha Gregson

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.

April 5, 2024January 27, 2025

Pretty Woman The Musical

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

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.