Relive the Utah Concert Experience!
There’s something almost ritualistic about experiencing Hadestown live, and its recent stop at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City felt less like a night at the theater and more like being invited into a haunting, intimate storytelling circle. From the moment the first notes drifted through the hall, the production established a mood that was equal parts smoky jazz club and mythological dreamscape, pulling the audience into its underworld with quiet confidence.
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Bright Star • Sentinel Theatre Production • September 1, 2025 • Liahona Theater for the Community
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photographed by Jane Smith, courtesy of Sentinel Theater
I have to admit, I had pretty high, unfair expectations walking into the Liahona Theater to see Sentinel Theatre’s production of the musical Bright Star. Just under five months ago, I reviewed Sentinel’s inaugural production, Dogfight. I walked away extremely impressed with the cast, the direction, and the overall production. So I thought, if they did that well with their first show, I can only imagine how much better their second show will be. And it’s a show I know and love. No pressure, right? It was unfair for me to put those expectations on this production. And yet, Sentinel Theatre did not disappoint. In fact, Bright Star exceeded any expectations I had. This is a must-see show.
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Mrs. Doubtfire • September 10, 2024 • Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Alisha Gregson
Photos
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 • June 11, 2024 • Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photos provided by:
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 • 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.
Continue reading “Annie The Musical”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.*
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.
Continue reading “The Principle Wife”Les Misérables• June 20, 2023• Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
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. ***
Continue reading “Les Misérables”Moulin Rouge! The Musical •December 2, 2022• Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
When Broadway at the Eccles announced their 2022-23 season and Moulin Rouge! The Musical was listed as one of the shows, I was beyond excited. Like many of you, I’m a fan of the 2001 Baz Lurhman film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. I had heard great things about the stage version but I had seen very little of the production. I try really hard not to listen to the cast recording until I’ve seen the production. And I try to avoid watching too much video footage. I really want to go in as fresh as possible.
Continue reading “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”Charlie and The Chocolate Factory• June 14, 2022 •Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Alisha Gregson
When I was offered a chance to attend and review Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on June 14th, at the Eccles Theater, I knew it was an opportunity I could not turn down. I have adored Dahl’s fantastic stories for as long as I can remember. His collection of classic children’s books was an influential and memorable part of my childhood. Just as they were for so many others. I have always hoped they would have a similar impact on my children. It just so happens that we are currently in the middle of what we have been calling our “Roald Dahl Summer”. We have been reading through his magical collection and intend to read all his classics before summer is over. Having just recently read Charlie and The Chocolate Factory to them, I was elated to have the opportunity to see the musical.
Continue reading “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary Tour* May 10, 2022• Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
When Jesus Christ Superstar came on the scene fifty years ago, I can’t imagine anyone, composer and lyricist included, would have foreseen this Rock Opera being revived for five decades. Initially, a concept album composed by Andrew Lloyd Weber with lyrics by Tim Rice. Both at the very earliest of stages in what would become legendary careers. The album was made because there was initially very little interest in producing a stage version of the musical. The 1971 album hit #1on the Billboard charts. That sparked some interest and the first production of Jesus Christ Superstar to place in London and eventually the U.S.
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