Eccles Theater Archives - Page 2 of 6

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. ***

June 19, 2023

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

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.

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.

May 27, 2023

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.

May 17, 2023

ZZ Top Eccles Theater

ZZ Top• w/ Eric Heideman• May 3, 2023• Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

On May 3rd, 2023, the iconic ZZ Top brought their blues-infused rock and roll to the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City. Delivering an unforgettable concert that had fans roaring for more. The legendary band’s previous two Utah tour stops took place as part of the Red Butte Garden Outdoor Summer Concert Series. I was interested to see what their show would be like in a theater setting. While this show was not unlike those shows as far as setup and setlist, it was awesome seeing them in one of my favorite Utah venues with some die hard fans.

April 14, 2023

Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight• April 8, 2022• Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

We cover a lot of concerts here at Utah Concert Review. But it’s not often that we’re completely floored by the opportunity to cover a legend like Gladys Knight. The “Empress of Soul” played a Friday evening show at the beautiful Eccles Theater in Downtown Salt Lake City. It was an occasion where the venue fit the artist perfectly. I could tell by looking at the audience that many people also considered this night a big deal. Some were dressed like they were going to a movie premiere or an awards ceremony. Gladys Knight fans know how to get gussied up! I had a collared shirt on and I felt very underdressed!

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.

April 6, 2023

Black Violin

Black Violin• March 29, 2023• Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Black Violin is a hip-hop duo from Florida. The two members of the group are Kevin Sylvester and Wilner Baptiste, both classically trained string instrumentalists. Will B plays the viola and Kev Marcus plays the violin. I had only heard of the group but before the show, I had not heard their music. What I was told is that they mix classical music and hip-hop into their show. And that was exactly what they did. I was excited to see and hear what this type of show was like. It did not disappoint. Black Violin was joined on stage by DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes.

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.

January 12, 2023

Ain’t Too Proud

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

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

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.