Ruth and Nathan Hale are extending their popular Salt Lake theater venture into Utah Valley with the opening of the Hale Center Theater in Orem this week. One of Ruth Hale's more recent romantic comedies, "Burr Under My Saddle," plays at 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays through June.
The retitled tale about a family of ranchers in Southern Utah vs. environmentalists trying to save the Burr Trail played to sellout crowd in both its Salt Lake run and performances in Grover - the Hales' home near Capitol Reef. The play was first titled "The Burr Trail," and later changed to "Rough Road Ahead" for the Salt Lake run."It's a controversial play," said Ruth Hale, noting she'd received several letters from environmentalists who'd seen the play. "We've tried to be fair, but we do lean on the side of the ranchers, I guess."
She said of the play, "More people fall in love than should normally, but we blame it on the altitude." She and Nathan, both in their 80s, act as Grandpa and Grandma Morgan, Garfield County ranchers, in the show. Young love interests are played by Will Swenson and Amy Westerby and by real-life newlyweds Cody and Anne Swenson.
Others in the cast are Frank Morgan, Bob Swenson, Sherry Hale Brian, Sally Hale Swenson, Mark Inkley, and Laryn Litchfield "or any slimy-looking character who may drop by."
The theater is at 400 N. Orem Blvd. - a former wedding reception center across the street southwest from K mart.
Tickets are $5 on Fridays and Saturdays for adults and $4 for children. All seats are $4 each or $12 per family on Monday evenings.
There will be no performance Memorial Day. Reservations are requested. Call 226-8600 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.