2015 Utah Shakespeare Festival

Took a trip a couple of weeks ago to Cedar City, Utah, to see four plays that I had never been exposed to during my 82 years on earth: Two of them being Shakespeare plays! Now, as you know if you’re a regular reader, I pretty much tell it as it is, and I must do the same this time, as the trip was interesting to say the least.

David Ivers as Salieri
David Ivers as Salieri

We were scheduled to see four plays in two days. That was just a wee bit too much for this old guy, but I was determined to give it 100%. Our first show was in the Randall L. Jones Theater, where we were to see “Amadeus.” The play opens with Antonio Salieri, played intensely by David Ivers, in a wheelchair as he is nearing his own death. Antonio for years was thought to have poisoned Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, because of his overwhelming jealousy. Mozart is brilliantly portrayed by Tasso Feldman. The story has the aging Salieri telling of how he thwarted Mozart’s every turn, and literally waged war against the youngster who would eventually die at the age of thirty-five, never having gained the fame he pursued during his lifetime. It was a wonderful play and the entire cast was fantastic.

That same evening we were set to take on the first of two Shakespeare plays, King Lear in the historic outdoor rustic Adams Shakespearean Theatre. We didn’t make it, as the drive to Cedar City, getting checked into our hotel, then immediately (almost) going to see the first play, pretty much did me in. So, our next day, Friday July 3, was well planned (so we thought), as we again went to the Jones theater to watch the very funny 125-year-old play, Charley’s Aunt. It revolves around Jack Chesney (portrayed by Brendan Marshall-Rashid) and Charley Wykeham (performed by Tasso Feldman) who are in love with two young ladies, and  Lord Fancourt Babberly, anchored brilliantly by Andy Baldeschwiler, who ends up playing Aunt Charley in full ladies attire, as the real aunt is unable to attend. It’s definitely a laugh filled romp, and it alone, was well worth the trip.

Now a funny thing happened to us as we were heading for the aging outdoor theater to take in my first Shakespeare performance, “Henry IV, Part two.” We suddenly got a hunger for some real scoop-it-out-of-the-bucket ice cream. So checking the iPhone for a location we discovered there were two in the whole town. They were at opposite ends of the city. We picked what we thought would be the nearest and away we went. Well, we drove for what seemed an hour looking for the ice cream store and we eventually found the empty store. Hey, what the heck, the second one had to be open. It was, but there was a long line as this was a specialty location, and the lone employee was hand-making each special order. We are now behind schedule, so what do we do? We go to a 7-11 type store and purchase two packaged ice cream cones. As we near our hotel we discover right in front of our eyes, a Dairy Queen store. So now we are tired again. But we forge ahead and arrive at the Adams Theater about 30 minutes before the doors open. There is a group of singers, dancers and actors performing outside the theater and what they do is absolutely spell binding. We were honestly thoroughly entertained. We got inside and found our seats, and then guess what? I got sick. Yep, gang, I still have not seen a Shakespeare Play.

But, I shall return…for another season in 2016.

 

Adams Shakespearean Theatre
Adams Shakespearean Theatre

The Utah Shakespeare Festival is saying a fond farewell to the historic Adams Shakespearean Theatre at the end of this summer. Next season, 2016, will usher in a whole new audience experience at the Festival with the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center of the Arts and the new Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre. However, before the lights dim forever in the Adams Theatre, the Festival has planned celebrative activities throughout the season. Patrons can come and experience all the magic the Adams has to offer as well as say goodbye.

“For over forty years this wonderful ‘wooden O’ has provided the blank page for us to tell a thousand dreams,” said Festival Founder Fred C. Adams. “She has sat through snow storms, wild winds and pelting rains, waiting patiently for world class directors and designers to bring her to life each spring with creative ideas and just the right amount of magic. She now serves as the inspiration for a new and exciting youngster to pick up the torch and carry the Festival to new and brighter heights.”

The future is rising at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Taking shape on the campus of Southern Utah University is the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, which will house the Festival’s new outdoor theatre, the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre; the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre; and much needed production, rehearsal and education space. The center for the arts is sure to become an arts mecca and one of the premier arts destinations in the West. Thus, 2016 is going to be a big year at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the leadership team is excited to share the much-awaited announcement of the 55th season running from June 27 to October 22. Artistic Directors David Ivers and Brian Vaughn recently announced the season, which includes three Shakespeare classics, three musicals and two comedies.

Opening in the outdoor Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre will be Henry V by William Shakespeare. This is the final play in the Henry IV tetralogy and a continuation of the Festival’s commitment to the History Cycle. In Henry V audiences will watch as young Prince Hal takes the throne to become one of England’s finest kings. Also featured in the Engelstad Theatre is Shakespeare’s timeless romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. Much Ado introduces us to the bantering Beatrice and Benedick, one of Shakespeare’s wittiest and most lovable pair of lovers. And “it’s all for one and one for all” in Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’s famous action packed, sword fighting quest for all time, The Three Musketeers.

Audiences can rest assured that the open-air Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre will have the same intimate actor-audience relationship they’ve grown to love.  In fact, the Engelstad will enhance the experience for both our audience members and our company. It will be ADA accessible, have additional restrooms and will be on the same side of the street as the Randall L. Jones Theatre. The new theatre is the next step in further elevating the capacity of the Utah Shakespeare Festival to continually produce artistic, relevant, and meaningful productions of William Shakespeare’s work.

 

The Cocoanuts
The Cocoanuts

In the Randall L. Jones Theatre a sidesplitting comedy awaits you with a hilarious Marx Brother’s romp, The Cocoanuts with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and book by George S. Kaufman. This musical comedy is sure to leave audiences rolling in the aisles. And, opening later in the season is the unforgettable mismatched pair of Felix and Oscar in Neil Simon’s beloved comedy, The Odd Couple. With final details pending, another family popular musical will be added to the Randall mix and announced soon.

The Festival is thrilled to open the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre, a 200-seat theatre, which will provide a third, flexible option for smaller, more intimate plays. The first play to be produced in the Anes Studio Theatre will be Shakespeare’s powerful political drama, Julius Caesar. It’s an action-packed drama perfect for an election year. It’s a play that still resonates with today’s modern audience. And rounding out the Festival’s programing is a new musical murder mystery, Murder for Two, which features just two actors. One actor investigates the crime. The other plays all the suspects. And they both play the piano. It’s a tour-de-force musical that will keep everyone on their toes. Murder for Two features book and lyrics by Kellen Blair and book and music by Joe Kinosian.

With so much changing next year, be assured that “Your Festival Experience” is still at the forefront of every visit, but now all located in one amazing Center for the Arts. The Festival will still offer props, costume, actor and literary seminars, orientations, Greenshows and of course backstage tours of our new facilities. Excitement and anticipation is rising as everyday buildings take shape. Watch the website (www.bard.org) for more information as it’s revealed throughout the year. Tickets for the 2016 season go on sale August 4. They will be available via the Festival website, www.bard.org; telephone, 800-PLAYTIX or at the Ticket Office.

 

Well, gang, that’s about it for this week.

I’m outa of here!

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