Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical• May 30, 2023• Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Naomi Rodgers as ‘Tina Turner in the North American touring production of TINA THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL Photo by Matthew Murphy

It’s hard to believe that within a week of the great Tina Turner’s passing, I was sitting inside the beautiful Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City, watching Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.  As I walked into the theater I could overhear several conversations talking about the legend’s passing.  Many patrons lined up to sign a memorial that was set out for Tina Turner. Some stated that they were looking forward to the show because they didn’t know much about her life.  Others claimed to be the biggest Tina Turner fans ever and were excited to see the musical. Either way, there was a different buzz in the theater lobby.  I wouldn’t quite call it a sadness but more like a reverence for the situation.  The timing of the opportunity to see this show just after Tina’s passing did not seem lost on anyone.  

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Hairspray

Hairspray the Musical• April 11, 2023• Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographs by Jeremy Daniel

Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel

The 2022/2023 season of Broadway at The Eccles has been one for the books! Shows like Moulin Rouge, Ain’t Too Proud, and Dear Evan Hansen has thrilled audiences.  Eccles Theater has been packed to the rafters with satisfied patrons. The shows of this season have been excellent, but I must admit, when this season was announced, I was thrilled to see Hairspray on the list.  I didn’t know there was a tour up until that point.  Outside of the occasional regional or community theater productions, my Hairspray musical experience had ended.  I really love this musical so I’m sure you can imagine how delighted I was to see it on the season schedule, and how much more ecstatic I was to be sitting in my seat Tuesday night waiting for the show to begin.  

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Broadway at the Eccles 2023-2024 Season Announced!

Zions Bank Broadway at the Eccles is Excited to Announce

the upcoming 2023-2024 Broadway Season featuring

SIX, MJ, HAMILTON and more!

Salt Lake City, UT – We are pleased to announce the 2023-2024 Broadway at the Eccles season, bringing the best of Broadway to Salt Lake City. The season begins with one week of the timeless classic MY FAIR LADY, nominated for 10 Tony Awards® including Best Musical Revival, followed by the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, MAMMA MIA!, and don’t lose your head, but Broadway’s hottest new ticket, winner of 23 awards in 21/22, SIX, will be in Salt Lake for two weeks. The season continues with the premiere of the most Tony Award®-winning new show of the season MJ, the hit musical sensation that explores the creative mind and collaborative spirit of the legendary artist, Michael Jackson and one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL. Our fourth premiere coming to the Eccles will be GIRL FROM NORTH COUNTRY, featuring the legendary songs of Bob Dylan set in a guesthouse filled with music, life and hope. And as previously announced, the return of HAMILTON for 5 weeks in the summer of 2024.

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Dear Evan Hansen

Dear Evan Hanson• February 28, 2023• Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Alisha Gregson

Anthony Norman (Evan Hansen) in the 2022-2023 North American Tour of DEAR EVAN HANSEN, Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

In March 2020, Dear Evan Hansen came to Eccles Theater. Unfortunately, after only a brief run of performances, the production had to cancel its tour early due to the Covid-19 shutdown. Now, 3 years later, the Tony Award-winning musical has returned to Eccles. Thousands of Utahns who previously missed out will finally get their opportunity to see the show. We were fortunate to see the production on March 4, 2020. We hoped that shows would only be pushed back a week or so. Clearly, that wasn’t to be.

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Ain’t Too Proud

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

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Emilio Madrid

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. 

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Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Moulin Rouge! The Musical •December 2, 2022• Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

When Broadway at the Eccles announced their 2022-23 season and Moulin Rouge! The Musical was listed as one of the shows, I was beyond excited.  Like many of you, I’m a fan of the 2001 Baz Lurhman film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.  I had heard great things about the stage version but I had seen very little of the production.  I try really hard not to listen to the cast recording until I’ve seen the production.  And I try to avoid watching too much video footage.  I really want to go in as fresh as possible. 

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory• June 14, 2022 •Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Alisha Gregson

Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel

When I was offered a chance to attend and review Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on June 14th, at the Eccles Theater, I knew it was an opportunity I could not turn down. I have adored Dahl’s fantastic stories for as long as I can remember. His collection of classic children’s books was an influential and memorable part of my childhood. Just as they were for so many others. I have always hoped they would have a similar impact on my children. It just so happens that we are currently in the middle of what we have been calling our “Roald Dahl Summer”. We have been reading through his magical collection and intend to read all his classics before summer is over. Having just recently read Charlie and The Chocolate Factory to them, I was elated to have the opportunity to see the musical. 

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Charlie & the Chocolate Factory to close tour in Salt Lake

ROALD DAHL’S 

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
TO CONCLUDE ITS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR IN SALT LAKE CITY!

“WE FINALLY HAVE A TERRIFIC SHOW FOR EVERYONE. GO SEE CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY – I GUARANTEE YOU WILL HAVE A BALL!” – NPR

(Salt Lake City, UT) (June 8, 2022) – Zions Bank Broadway at the Eccles is thrilled to conclude the North American tour of Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY in Salt Lake City’s Eccles Theater from June 14 – 19, 2022. 

Tickets available at Broadway-at-the-Eccles.com, ArtTix.org, by calling 801-355-ARTS (2787) and in-person at the Eccles Theater box office, M-F 10am-6pm; Sat. 10am-2pm and Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, M-F 10am-2pm.

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Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary Tour* May 10, 2022• Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo by Evan Zimmerman

When Jesus Christ Superstar came on the scene fifty years ago, I can’t imagine anyone, composer and lyricist included, would have foreseen this Rock Opera being revived for five decades. Initially, a concept album composed by Andrew Lloyd Weber with lyrics by Tim Rice. Both at the very earliest of stages in what would become legendary careers. The album was made because there was initially very little interest in producing a stage version of the musical. The 1971 album hit #1on the Billboard charts. That sparked some interest and the first production of Jesus Christ Superstar to place in London and eventually the U.S.

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