Mrs. Doubtfire

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. 

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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.  

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MJ The Musical

MJ The Musical • February 27, 2024 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

When I first heard they were doing a Broadway musical of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, I thought, this will have great music and dancing, and it’ll surely bring in tourists.  But I wondered how good it would be.  This seems like a show that a production could easily get wrong.  I was thinking if I ever saw it, I’d be seeing a watered-down, cash grab of a jukebox musical.  But when MJ was announced as part of the Broadway at the Eccles 2023/24 season, I started to hear good things about the production coming from New York.  I was hearing that it was actually a good show.  I was excited to find out for myself.  

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Grace Potter

An Evening With Grace Potter • Eccles Theater • February 24, 2024

Reviewed and Photographed by Mike Ferguson

Photo Credit: Mike Ferguson

On Saturday, February 24th, 2024 Grace Potter and her band blessed our eyes and ears with an incredible and fun performance at the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City. This was not a venue I was very familiar with. The only other time I had been at this venue was to work as contract security for The Fiddler On The Roof in 2017. But this venue was the perfect setting for the energy and electricity Grace and her band exuded.

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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.”

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Rain- A Tribute to The Beatles

Rain- A Tribute to The Beatles•July 26, 2023•Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

The Beatles are considered one of the greatest bands of all time, and their music has resonated through generations. As a tribute to this iconic group, Rain performed their greatest hits at the Eccles Theater on July 26, 2023. It was an unforgettable event, as fans of The Beatles joined together to celebrate their timeless legacy. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to experience a live performance of some of the most beloved songs ever written!  Rain will also be performing at Eccles Theater tonight (July 27th).  Go to the link below for tickets.  

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Les Misérables

Les Misérables• June 20, 2023• Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables
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. *** 

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Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band

Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band• June 13, 2023• Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

Photo Credit: Alisha Gregson

Ringo Starr and His All-Starr band brought their one-of-a-kind show to Utah on Tuesday, June 13th. As a Beatles fan, this is a show I didn’t want to miss. I was excited for the opportunity to attend the sold-out concert at Salt Lake City’s Eccles Theater. 

I always feel a little cliché when people ask me who my favorite band is, and my answer is The Beatles. Who doesn’t love the Beatles? They have been my favorite band for as long as I can remember. There’s rarely a day that goes by that I don’t listen to at least one of their songs. If you walked into my home, you would see tributes to them in the decorations on my walls. To really prove how much I love them, I also have a custom license plate that is the title of one of my favorite Beatles songs. Cliché or not, they have always been, and will always be my favorite band. Having the opportunity to not only attend, but photograph Ringo Starrs’s concert was an incredible experience. 

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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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Johnny Mathis

Johnny Mathis• Voice Of Romance Tour•May 19, 2023• Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

On Friday, May 19th, the legendary Johnny Mathis spent an evening serenading a theater full of his adoring fans. The 87-year-old icon brought his Voice Of Romance tour to Salt Lake City’s Eccles Theater. With 67 years of experience as a musical entertainer, Mathis knows what it takes to impress a crowd. The audience was mostly made up of an older generation that arrived excited to hear nostalgic songs of the past. With his smooth tenor voice that has somehow remained as powerful as ever, Mathis transported his fans back in time.

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