Utah Valley University Archives - Utah Concert Review

July 23, 2023

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.

April 26, 2023

Lewis Capaldi

Lewis Capaldi• w/ Em Beihold• April 23, 2023• UCCU Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert

Scottish-born Lewis Capaldi, joined by Em Beihold, brought his sold-out Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent North American tour to Orem, UT on April 23rd. It was one of the last dates added to the tour, and I’m so happy that it was!

I heard that fans started lining up as early as 8 am, maybe even earlier, in hopes of securing the best spot for the General Admission floor area. It wasn’t the warmest day to wait it all day long, but at least it didn’t snow! Regardless, I know from personal experience that fans will do whatever it takes to get the most out of their concert experience!

February 1, 2023

Jessica Vosk

Broadway Star Jessica Vosk• January 25, 2022• Noorda Center

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Emily Muñoz

Jessica Vosk is a singer and actress best known for starring in the role of Elphaba, the lead in Wicked both on Broadway and on the show’s national tour. She has also performed on Broadway in The Bridges of Madison County, Finding Neverland, and the 2015 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Vosk has also performed concerts in some of the most famous venues across the country including New York City’s famous Lincoln Center and sold out the iconic Carnegie Hall. So having Jessica Vosk here in Utah at the Noorda Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Utah Valley University was a real honor.

January 10, 2020

Isabel Leonard w/ the Utah Symphony January 9, 2020, The Noorda

By: Kevin Rolfe

Isabel Leonard is a two time Grammy Award winning mezzo-soprano who has appeared all over the world from the Metropolitan Opera in New York to the Vienna State Opera in Austria. And there she was Thursday evening, with our own Utah Symphony, on the stage of The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts in Orem, Utah. I don’t think we realize what an honor it is to have Isabel here in our state. Not only did Ms. Leonard perform last night in Orem, but she will be performing at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City tonight (January 10) and tomorrow evening.