People outside of Utah do not seem to understand the Utah Theatre. Honestly, I am not sure those of us inside of Utah really understand it. But it is a truth understood that we love theatre. We really love our theatre. So you can find yourself any number of tellings of the Christmas Carol, from the classic tale at the Hale, to the Scrooge version at the Terrace, to the Harry Potter version at the Zig. The Old Barn in Garland has The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Or if you prefer It's a Wonderful Life, that is at the Hopebox and the Radio version is at Centerpointe and The Covey Center and we haven't even ventured down south! We have got Elf at Tuachan and A Christmas Story is coming to the Eccles and my favorite comedy that I have ever seen, The Play That Goes Wrong, is coming to Pioneer, and Pete the Cat the Musical is coming to Salt Lake Acting Company and this is just December!
No, I did not mention all the shows, plus there are concerts and more community theatre and things that can be seen and done. Where does all this come from? Yes, it is true that national companies do casting calls in Utah. Yes, it is true that all the colleges around here have serious competition for their performance scholarships. Yes, it is true that most theatres around here are turning talent away in swarms.
I could theorize a lot of things. Many of us have sung songs in church since we were in diapers. Many of us started playing piano before we could read. Many of us began singing Les Miz the minute it came out. I went to a program with Pasek and Paul where they claimed that Utah is just, well, different. But, it is more than that. I have many friends who are not of the dominant religion but they still fall victim to the Utah Theatre Culture. Is it the sense of community? Is it the need to belong? Is it the desire to be good at something?
I mean, sports is still more of a king. Football is more important in the school system and in the community, it gets more money, it gets more advertising dollars, it gets more clout. However, I still think we may have more people who participate overall in theatre, music, and the arts than other communities. I might be wrong, but I have lived in other areas and have not seen such a vibrant, active theatrical community. My friend at A Utah Theater Lover keeps a personal spreadsheet of Utah Theatrical Productions, and this does not include high school or junior productions, and it has over 400 shows for the current year in Utah. 400 shows! Can you imagine? We are not anywhere close to one of the largest cities in the country, yet we are producing this much great content.
This year two shows came to Utah that are working their way to Broadway, Fly More than You Fall and Cagney. Both very different premises, but both very promising. In addition, I attended a reading of The Great Society in Logan as part of the Lyric Rep season, and it is now on Broadway, and a reading of The Jungle at Good Company Theatre that also has some great promise. I can see Utah Theatre growing in so many ways, and as a Critic I want to find ways to help with that growth. I want to find ways to see Utah's Christmas Season and other theatre seasons get more notariaty and continue to be on the forefront of the performing arts. I have a few ideas percolating, but am open to so much more from my friends in the industry.
No, I did not mention all the shows, plus there are concerts and more community theatre and things that can be seen and done. Where does all this come from? Yes, it is true that national companies do casting calls in Utah. Yes, it is true that all the colleges around here have serious competition for their performance scholarships. Yes, it is true that most theatres around here are turning talent away in swarms.
I could theorize a lot of things. Many of us have sung songs in church since we were in diapers. Many of us started playing piano before we could read. Many of us began singing Les Miz the minute it came out. I went to a program with Pasek and Paul where they claimed that Utah is just, well, different. But, it is more than that. I have many friends who are not of the dominant religion but they still fall victim to the Utah Theatre Culture. Is it the sense of community? Is it the need to belong? Is it the desire to be good at something?
I mean, sports is still more of a king. Football is more important in the school system and in the community, it gets more money, it gets more advertising dollars, it gets more clout. However, I still think we may have more people who participate overall in theatre, music, and the arts than other communities. I might be wrong, but I have lived in other areas and have not seen such a vibrant, active theatrical community. My friend at A Utah Theater Lover keeps a personal spreadsheet of Utah Theatrical Productions, and this does not include high school or junior productions, and it has over 400 shows for the current year in Utah. 400 shows! Can you imagine? We are not anywhere close to one of the largest cities in the country, yet we are producing this much great content.
This year two shows came to Utah that are working their way to Broadway, Fly More than You Fall and Cagney. Both very different premises, but both very promising. In addition, I attended a reading of The Great Society in Logan as part of the Lyric Rep season, and it is now on Broadway, and a reading of The Jungle at Good Company Theatre that also has some great promise. I can see Utah Theatre growing in so many ways, and as a Critic I want to find ways to help with that growth. I want to find ways to see Utah's Christmas Season and other theatre seasons get more notariaty and continue to be on the forefront of the performing arts. I have a few ideas percolating, but am open to so much more from my friends in the industry.
Comments
Post a Comment