Tag: Musical Theater

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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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Hamilton

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.  

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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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Annie The Musical

Annie The Musical • May 10, 2024 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Alisha Gregson

Photos Courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles/ MurphyMade

The May 10, 2024 performance of “Annie” at Eccles Theatre in Salt Lake City was a delightful and heartwarming experience that captivated both children and adults alike. This run of the beloved musical, directed by Jenn Thompson, who herself played an orphan in the original Broadway production, was full of charm and energy.

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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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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. 

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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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The Principle Wife

The Principle Wife• July 22, 2023• Cover Center for the Arts

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

*This review contains spoilers.  If you’re planning on seeing The Principle Wife come back and read this after you’ve seen it.  Otherwise, you may proceed.*

Photo Credit: Matt Ball

I saw the billboards, I’ve seen the social media ads, and I thought, ‘Is this a musical about polygamy?’  Then I received an email with an invitation to review the production of The Principle Wife.  So I read up on it and sure enough, it is.  I’m sure many of you might be thinking, why would anyone write a musical about polygamy, why would Kevin go review a musical about polygamy, and do we need a musical about polygamy, are people wanting this?  I’ll do my best to answer those questions. 

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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.  

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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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