Tag: Musical Theater

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Wicked

Wicked • April 17, 2025 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Joan Marcus courtesy of Broadway at the Ecceles

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus courtesy of Broadway at the Ecceles

What can I possibly say about one of the biggest musicals in Broadway history that hasn’t already been said? Wicked the musical has been seen the world over by millions of people. I know multiple people in my own life who go to see Wicked on a regular basis.  It’s their favorite musical and they’ve seen it over and over again.  To coin a phrase, this show is in a word, “Popular”.  I’m sorry, I regretted it the moment I wrote it. But it had to be done.

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A Chorus Line

A Chorus Line

A Chorus Line • April 12, 2025 • West Valley Performing Arts Center

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Vanessa Olson

Photo Credit: Vanessa Olson courtesty West Valley Arts

A Chorus Line is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  Winner of 9 Tony Awards in 1976, including Best Musical, A Chorus Line became the longest-running show in Broadway history.  It has since been surpassed by a number of other productions (Phantom of the Opera is the current title holder).  But for years, if you went to New York City to see a Broadway show, this was the musical to see.  It’s interesting because the show has virtually no set and has minimal costume changes.  The show rests completely on the singing, dancing, and acting of the cast. 

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Dogfight

Dogfight • April 7, 2025 • Valentine Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photos courtesy of Sentinel Theatre

I had the opportunity to see a musical I had never even heard of, at a theater not far from my house (that I had strangely never knew existed), from a theater company producing its first ever show.  I was excited for the new experiences.  My expectations were not at an all-time high.  How can a first-time production from a brand new theater company possibly be as good as some of the many well-established theater companies in the area?  Well, I’m here to tell you that Sentinel Theatre is off to a great start.  Their production of “Dogfight” was an entertaining night of really well-done theater.

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Broadway at the Eccles Unveils Dazzling 25/26 Season

Broadway at the Eccles Unveils Dazzling 25/26 Season

Featuring Suffs, Cirque du Soleil’s Twas The Night Before,
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond  Musical,
Back To The Future: The Musical, Hell’s Kitchen,
the grand return of The Phantom of the Opera and more!

Salt Lake City, UT – We are thrilled to announce the 25/26 Zions Bank Broadway at the Eccles season featuring eight incredible shows including seven premiere engagements to Salt Lake City, and the eagerly awaited return of a favorite to the magnificent Eccles Theater.

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Ramin Karimloo

Ramin Karimloo

Ramin Karimloo and The Broadgrass Band • January 24, 2025 • BYU Concert Hall

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Molly McCoy

I find it interesting the way we discover the artists we come to like.  Back in the day, we’d hear a song on the radio, buy the album, and fall in love with a band by listening to them over and over.  Sometimes, we’ll see a band or singer open a concert for someone we intend to see, and they end up becoming one of our favorites.  More often today, we hear a song on TikTok or Instagram and go down the rabbit hole looking for more music than just the 30-second clip we heard.  When it comes to becoming a fan of a star of musical theater it can be a little trickier.  Most often we’ll hear a cast album and fall in love with a voice. From then on, pay attention to what they’ve done or will end up doing. 

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The Book of Mormon

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

Photo by Julieta Cervantes

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.  

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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.

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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. 

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UCR Interview: Jessica Vosk

Two years ago, I witnessed Broadway star, Jessica Vosk captivate a capacity crowd at The Noorda Center For The Performing Arts on the campus of Utah Valley University. Vosk starred as Elphaba in Wicked, the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Lincoln Center, and re-created the role of Fruma Sarah in the most recent Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof.

She has also starred in productions of Waitress and a personal favorite, Chess (Jessica permitted me to share that she will be singing a song from this show! A reason in itself to attend!!!). at the amazing 12,000-capacity Muny in St. Louis. Jessica Vosk is returning to The Noorda on Saturday, September 21 at 7 PM. For tickets to the show, go to the link at the end of this interview. We had a chance to chat with her this week leading up to the show. Enjoy!

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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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