Broadway Musical Archives - Utah Concert Review

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.

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.

February 21, 2024February 22, 2024

Broadway at The Eccles announces 2024/2025 Broadway Series

Announcing our biggest season ever,
the new 24/25 Broadway Series features
the show with all the #1 hits & Juliet,
the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Kimberly Akimbo,
the return of Salt Lake City’s most “popular” musical WICKED, and more!

Salt Lake City, UT – We are pleased to announce the 24/25 Zions Bank Broadway at the Eccles season, bringing five premiere engagements to Salt Lake City, and the return of crowd-pleasing Add-Ons.

January 12, 2024January 12, 2024

Six

Six The Musical • January 9, 2024 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photos by Joan Marcus

The North American Tour Boleyn Company of SIX. Photo by Joan Marcus

We all have our favorite musicals, don’t we? Shows that we’ll see every time we go to Broadway, or whenever the touring production stops through town. We know all the words, we know everyone who has played our favorite character, and we know every bit of choreography. There’s nothing like having a favorite show. But once upon a time, that musical was brand new and we saw it for the first time. Think back on not knowing all the words, and as soon as you could you wanted to learn them. Or wanting to learn everything about the actors or the production. Well, departed the Eccles Theater after watching the premier performance of the musical Six, my thought was, “Someone is leaving here tonight with a new favorite musical.”

July 23, 2023

The Sound of Music

Utah Valley University and Sundance Mountain Resort Present The Sound of Music July 22, 2023

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Is there a better setting outside Austria to see The Sound of Music than the Outdoor Amphitheater at Sundance Mountain Resort? I can’t imagine there is. The setting was so perfect for the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. With tree-lined mountains as its backdrop, there was very little need for elaborate set design. These hills, if I may, did come alive as the focal setpiece to make this musical visually soar. The mountain air was crisp and cool. A welcome escape from the blistering hot summer day down in the valley.

The partnership of Utah Valley University and Sundance Mountain Resort has been a successful one. With successful productions like Oklahoma! and Mamma Mia in recent years, it’s no surprise that patrons continue to return to the resort to see quality theater. And while there are many musicals to choose from, it makes perfect sense that they would bring back another production of The Sound of Music. The audience called for it, and I couldn’t have been happier to attend the Saturday Evening performance on Jul 22, 2023.

June 22, 2023

Les Misérables

Les Misérables• June 20, 2023• Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean in *Les Misérable*s
Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Les Misérables, “The World’s Most Popular Musical” made its return to Utah at the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City. This show was originally announced as part of the Broadway at the Eccles 20/21 season. But as we all know, tours were stopped and theaters were closed during that period due to the global pandemic. So when the 22/23 season was announced, and Les Misérables was part of it, patrons lined up (figuratively, I know we don’t actually line up to buy tickets in person anymore) to buy tickets to this beloved musical. I must admit, I’ve been anticipating this show since it was announced and could not have been more thrilled to be inside the Eccles Theater on June 20 for opening night.

***This review contains mild to moderate spoilers. If you can wait “One Day More”, go to the show then come back and read the review. Otherwise, you have been warned. ***

May 31, 2023

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.

April 13, 2023

Hairspray

Hairspray the Musical• April 11, 2023• Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographs by 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.

March 15, 2023

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.