PERFORMANCES-THEATRE-FEBRUARY 2015

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA, Beauty and the Beast, based on the Academy Award winning animated feature, through February 1, 1 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. performances, Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah, $45-$75 (Friday and Saturday), $35-$65 (Sunday), 801-581-7100, www.kingsburyhall.utah.edu.

TERRACE PLAZA PLAYHOUSE, The Marvelous Wonderettes, this smash off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet the Wonderettes, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts, through February 7, 7:30 p.m., 99 E. 4700 South, Ogden, $12-$14 general, $11-$13 seniors/students, $9-$11 children (12 and under), 801-393-0070, http://terraceplayhouse.com.

HALE CENTRE THEATRE-OREM, Barefoot in the Park, by Neil Simon, when newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter arrive at their first New York apartment the honeymoon comes to a screeching halt as they confront a needy mother-in-law, an eccentric neighbor and the inevitable adjustment to married life, through February 7, 7:30 p.m., also 3 p.m. matinee on February 7, 225 W. 400 North, Orem, $11 (preview performances), $34-$38 (December 31), $16-$22 general, $12-$16 children, 801-226-8600, www.haletheater.org.

HALE CENTRE THEATRE-WEST VALLEY CITY, Is He Dead?, by Mark Twain, it’s 1846 and talented French artist Millet feels honor bound to save his fiancée and her father from financial ruin, but Millet soon realizes that great paintings make much more money after the artist dies, so in desperation he fakes his own death and becomes his “sister,” through February 7, 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances, $49 general (December 31), $28-$31 general, $16 children ages 5-11, 801-984-9000, www.halecentretheatre.org.

CENTERPOINT LEGACY THEATRE, The Miracle Worker, by William Gibson,, directed by Karen Whiting, the inspiring true story of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan, through February 7, 7:30 p.m., also 2:30 p.m. matinees on February 2 and 7, Barlow Main Stage, 525 N. 400 West, Centerville, $17.25-$23.25, 801-298-1302, www.centerpointtheatre.org.

HERITAGE THEATRE, Five on a Honeymoon, by Ruth and Nathan Hale, a young widowed mother of three has just remarried, and her new husband sets out to bring some badly needed discipline into the children’s lives, the subsequent explosions bring an evening of wackiness and hilarity, through February 7, 7:30 p.m., $10 general, $9 seniors/children under 12, S. Highway 89, Peery, 435-723-8392, www.heritagetheatreutah.com.

THE ECHO THEATRE, Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare, directed by Eve Speer, a shipwreck, separated identical twins, mistaken identities, romance and one pair of yellow stockings, the Echo’s production will be accentuated by music with a talented cast of musician/actors who play everything from violin to French horn, through February 14, 7:30 p.m., 15 N. 100 East, Provo, $10 general, $9 students (presale), $12 general/students, $8 seniors (day of performance), $6 general (preview performance), $8 general (matinee performance), www.theechotheatre.com.

THE OFF BROADWAY THEATRE, Hunger Game of Thrones, the story takes place in a strange land where hunger is common – a hunger for food, for power and betrayal, the G-rated family friendly show follows the tale of a beautiful female archer who not only brings peace to her homeland but thwarts corrupt tyrant kings who have illegally and villainously usurped the throne, through February 21, 7:30 p.m., 272 S. Main, $10-$16, $11 Mondays, 801-355-4628, www.theobt.org.

DESERT STAR PLAYHOUSE, Pirates of the Scaribbean, by Ben E. Millet, through March 21, 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m., also 2:30 p.m. matinees, $18.95 adults, $10.95 children (11 years and under), 4861 S. State, 801-266-2600, www.desertstar.biz.

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY,  Sondheim on Sondheim, is a unique theatrical event offering a compelling retrospective of the “father of the modern musical,” his life and his work, in his own words, combining video interview footage with live performances of musical numbers that provide an intimate and entertaining portrait of the Tony, Oscar and Grammy Award winning composer/lyricist and his creative process, February 3-7, 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee also on February 7, Caine Lyric Theatre, 28 W. Center St., Logan, $10-$18 general, 435-797-8022, http://arts.usu.edu/lyric/.

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare, BYU Young Company, theatre for young audiences, adapted and directed by Nat Reed, artistic direction by Julia Ashworth, Shakespeare’s comedy about the struggles of love comes to life at the hands—or, rather, the strings—of a troupe of handmade marionettes, February 4-6, 11-13, 7:30 p.m., February 7 and 14, 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. performances, ASL interpreted performance on February 5, Nelke Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, $6-7, ($2 off for children ages 2-11 years), 801-422-4322, www.arts.byu.edu.

SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY, Two Stories, a world premiere by Elaine Jarvik, directed by Keven Myhe, Jodi a struggling journalist eager to keep her job in a changing economy gets more than a story when a Pakistani family moves in next door, the play is an exploration of diverse landscapes, including economic rise and fall, sensationalism and honesty, how we navigate the growing diversity and lingering stereotypes in our communities, and more intimately, how identity is bridged in generations, February 4-March 1, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances, Upstairs Theatre, 168 W. 500 North, $25-39 general, 801-363-7522, or log on to www.saltlakeactingcompany.org.

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY and Utah Public Radio presents Traveling Shoes, performed by Janice Brooks, a one-woman show depicting eight Black American women of history, she will discuss women in American history the show will teach, inspire and empower audiences as Brooks employs soulful traditions of narrative, oration, and song and dance, February 5, 7 p.m., The Performance Hall, Chase Fine Arts Center, free, this performance is part of the Provost’s Series in celebration of Black History Month.

WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY, Wit, by Margaret Edson, directed by Tracy Callahan, while suffering devastating side effects from experimental cancer treatments, uncompromising English professor Vivian Bearing reflects on significant life events, slowly she realizes that human compassion trumps intellectual wit, starring in this award-winning performance will be Weber State University English professor Judy Elsley who is a cancer survivor, this theatre production is for mature audiences only, Wit contains nudity, explicit language and adult situations, all individuals under the age of 18 will not be admitted unless they are accompanied by an adult, February 5-7, 7:30 p.m., Eccles Theatre, $15 general, 801-626-7000, www.weberstatetickets.com.

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, Off the Map Series, BYU International Arts Festival, New Zealand, presents the Indian Ink Theatre Company in The Elephant Wrestler, one man solves the mysteries of life from his chai stand at the Bangalore train station in this humorous and heartwarming play, February 5-7, 9 p.m. and also a 4 p.m. performance on February 7, Margetts Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, $7-10, 801-422-4322, www.byuarts.com.

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, The Children’s Hour, by Lillian Hellman, directed by Mark Fossen, the play explores the insidious power of gossip and rumor, and how, unthinking, narrow-minded majorities can destroy the good-hearted well intentioned few, while shocking when it was originally produced in 1934, the themes explored are timeless, and as relevant and hard-hitting today as ever, February 6-8, 12-15, 7:30 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on February 14-15, free student previews on February 4-5, 7:30 p.m., Babcock Theatre, $18 general, $15 seniors/U. faculty/staff/military and immediate families, $8.50 non-U. students, free for U. students, 801-581-7100, www.kingtix.com. 

THE ZIEGFELD THEATRE, Fiddler on the Roof, book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, it’s the story of Tevye, the dairyman, as he attempts to raise his daughters with a sense of tradition in a world of changing norms, February 6-March 7, 7:30 p.m., also 2 p.m. matinee on March 7, $15 general, $12  seniors/students/children (12 and under), if purchased online, $17 general, $14 seniors/students/children (12 and under) if purchased at the door, 3924 S. Washington Blvd., Ogden, 855-949-2787, www.theziegfeldtheater.com.

SCERA CENTER, Pinkalicious: the Musical, a Theatre for Young Audiences Production, young Pinkalicious Pinkerton’s passion for pink goes too far when she eats so many pink cupcakes that she turns pink from head to toe, February 9-27, 7 p.m. (Monday and Friday performances only), $6 adults, $4 seniors, $4 children (ages 3-11), 745 S. State, Orem, 801-225-2787, www.scera.org; Monday-Friday, 10 a.m., school matinee performances, reservations required, www.scera.org/contents/view//62/theatre_for_young_audiences.

PLAN-B THEATRE, Mama, a world premiere by Carleton Bluford, directed by Jerry Rapier, a celebration of mothers and motherhood, featuring Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin, Cooper Howell, Latoya Rhodes and Elizabeth Summerhays, February 12-22, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. performances, Studio Theatre, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, $20, 801-355-2787, 888-451-2787, www.arttix.org.

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, Kingsbury Presents, Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz, by Langston Hughes, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Ron McCurdy Quartet, the powerful music and spoken word performance evokes a pivotal moment in our cultural history, February 12, 7:30 p.m., Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah, $19.50-$49.50 general, $5 U. students with ID. $10 non U. students with ID, 10 percent off for U. staff, faculty, Alumni Assoc. members with ID or membership card, 801-581-7100, www.kingsburyhall.utah.edu.

SILVER SUMMIT THEATRE, My First Time, directed by Amy Allred, hysterical and heartbreaking stories about first sexual experiences written by real people, in 1998, a decade before blogging began, a website was created that allowed people to anonymously share their own true stories, over 40,000 stories poured in from around the globe that were silly, sweet, absurd, funny, heterosexual, homosexual, shy sexy and everything in between, now these stories and all of the unique characters in them are brought to life by four actors in this acclaimed 90-minute play from Ken Davenport, February 12-14, 7:30 p.m., Mod a-go-go Art and Furniture Gallery, 242 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, $18 at the door or online www.silversummittheatre.org.

MUSIC THEATRE WEST, Little Women, book by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, music by Jason Howland, based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel, directed by Debbie Ditton, February 12-14 and 16, 7:30 p.m., also 1:30 p.m. matinee on February 14, $14-$19, Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S. Main, Logan, 435-7452-0026, www.cachearts.org.

PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, in 1692, a group of young girls suddenly manifest signs of “demonic possession,” before the hysteria ends, 20 Salem townspeople are dead, executed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the crime of witchcraft, a cautionary tale and a mesmerizing psychological drama, February 13-28, 7:30 p.m. (Monday-Thursday evenings), 8 p.m. (Friday and Saturday evenings), also 2 p.m. matinees (on Saturdays), $25-$44 (tickets will be $5 higher when purchased on day of performance), 801-581-6961, www.pioneertheatre.org.

HALE CENTRE THEATRE-OREM, Les Misérables, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, book by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, tells the story of Jean Valjean, a runaway convict seeking redemption after serving 19 years in a prison for stealing a loaf of bread, his journey to freedom collides and converges with the lives of the worst and the best of humanity, February 19-April 25, 7:30 p.m., also 11 p.m. and 3 p.m. matinees on Saturdays, $17-$21 general, $13-$17 children, 801-226-8600, www.haletheater.org.

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, Music Dance Theatre, “Broadway Review,” featuring the talents of numerous Music Dance Theatre alumni from around the country including Broadway veterans returning for the first ever reunion, February 20-21, 7:30 p.m., also a 2 p.m. performance on February 21, Pardoe Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, $10 general ($4 off with BYU or student ID, $1 off seniors and BYU alumni), 801-422-4322, www.byuarts.com.

WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY, Damn Yankees, book by George Abbott and Douglas Wallop, music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, directed by Jim Christian, February 20-21, 24-28, 7:30 p.m., Allred Theatre, $10-$12 general, 801-626-7000, www.weberstatetickets.com.

UTAH CHILDREN’S THEATRE, African Tales, a collection of African folk stories that are woven together to create a magical adventure, February 20 and 27, March 6 and 13, 7 p.m., February 21 and 28, March 7 and 13-14, 1 p.m., and 4:30 p.m., 3605 S. State St., $9 general, 801-532-6000, www.uctheatre.org.

CENTERPOINT LEGACY THEATRE, Barefoot in the Park, by Neil Simon, directed by Jennie Richardson, there is nothing more fascinating , frustrating, or maddening than the human relationship, whether it’s you first crush, your third marriage, or…well it’s complicated to say the least, February 20–March 14, 7 p.m., Leishman Performance Hall, 525 N. 400 West, Centerville, $15 general, 801-298-1302, www.centerpointtheatre.org. 

TERRACE PLAZA PLAYHOUSE, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek,  directed by Dennis Ferrin, tells the story of two con men living on the French Riviera, Lawrence Jemeson makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money, Freddy Benson more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother’s failing health, after meeting on a train they attempt to work together only to find the town isn’t big enough for the two of them, February 20-April 4, 7:30 p.m., 99 E. 4700 South, Ogden, $12-$14 general, $11-$13 seniors/students, $9-$11 children (12 and under), 801-393-0070, http://terraceplayhouse.com. 

HALE CENTRE THEATRE-WEST VALLEY CITY, Ghost, the Musical, book and lyrics by Bruce Joel Rubin, music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard, just off the boards of London and Broadway, adapted from the movie, it’s the story of Sam and Molly, exquisite devotion, betrayed friendship, a compelling murder mystery, comedic incantations and lastly, a love that transcends spheres, February 20-April 11, 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances, $30-$33 general, $16 children (5-11 years, no children under 5 years permitted), 801-984-9000, www.halecentretheatre.org.

COVEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Mary Mary, tells the story of wisecracking cynic Mary and infuriating sensible Bob, only recently divorced and who haven’t seen each other in nine months, who meet at his department in the hope they can avert an audit by the IRS, February 26-27, March 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 7:30 p.m., Brinton Theatre, $14 reserved, $12 seniors/students/military, 801-852-7007, www.provo.org/community/covey-center-for-the-arts.

WESTMINSTER COLLEGE, Children of a Lesser God, by Mark Medoff, James joins the faculty of a school for the deaf, where he will be teaching lip-reading, he meets Sarah, deaf from birth, the gulf of silence between them seems to be bridged by their desire to understand each others needs and feelings, but discord develops when Sarah becomes militant for the rights of the deaf, while the chasm between the worlds of sound and silence seems almost too great to cross, love and compassion hold the hope of reconciliation, and a deeper, fuller understanding of differences that can unite as well as divide, February 26-28, March 5-7, 7:30 p.m., Dumke Student Theatre (Blackbox), Jewett Center for the Performing Arts, $10 general, 801-832-2457, www.westminstercollege.edu/culturalevents.

UTAH REPERTORY THEATER COMPANY, The Last 5 Years, by Jason Robert Brown, John Sweeney, director, a musical that’s about two New Yorkers in their 20s who fall in and out of love over the course of five years, February 27-28, 7:30 p.m., Sugar Space Theatre, 616 Wilmington, $18 general, $16 seniors/students, 435-612-0037, www.utahrep.org.

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, The School for Lies, by David Ives, adapted from Moliére’s The Misanthrope, directed by Christopher DuVal, a deliciously off-color romantic spoof with anonymous love letters, false proposals, hidden identities and colorful characters, all in contemporary couplets, February 27-March 8, 7:30 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on March 7-8, Studio 115, $21 general, $18 seniors/U. faculty/staff, $11.50 students, free for U. students, 801-581-7100, www.kingtix.com. 

PYGMALION THEATRE COMPANY, Hellman v. McCarthy, by Brian Richard Nori, directed by Lane Richins, the play is a dramatic reenactment of the $1 million slander lawsuit brought by Lillian Hellman against fellow literary lioness Mary McCarthy, the suite wasn’t settled until Hellman’s death in 1984, Dick Cavett is the casual commentator in this witty and revealing dark comedy, both Hellman and McCarthy thrived in a man’s world, but not by being kinder or gentler, February 27-March 14, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances, Leona Wagner Black Box, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, $20, 801-355-2787, www.arttix.org.

THE ECHO THEATRE, This Castle Needs a Good Scouring (A Story of Cinderella), by Utah playwright Omar Hansen, February 27-March 20, 7:30 p.m., 15 N. 100 East, Provo, $10 general, $9 students (presale), $12 general/students, $8 seniors (day of performance), $6 general (preview performance), $8 general (matinee performance), www.theechotheatre.com.

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