In addition to the Utah Shakespearean Festival, several other productions are opening this week in the region, ranging from such Broadway fare as "Gypsy" (see separate story on Page E3) to outrageous parodies of Wagner's "Ring" cycle (transplanted to Texas) and Euripides' "Hippolytus."
- "DAS BARBECU," a musical comedy based loosely on Wagner's "Der Ring Des Nibelungen," shifts the epic opera to Texas. Produced under the auspices of Salt Lake Acting Company, it opens Friday, June 26, at the Creekside Outdoor Amphitheatre at Snowbird Resort and continues Thursdays through Sundays at 8 p.m. through Aug. 29.Five actors play 40 characters in this farce, which includes songs like "Hog-tie Your Man" and "Rodeo Romeo." The cast includes Utah theater favorites Max Robinson (recently seen in Pioneer Theatre Company's "Crazy for You") and Betsy West (most recently seen in SLAC's "Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet") as well as Patti Olson, Rock White and Trudy Jorgenson-Price.
Tickets are $12 and $15 for weeknights, $15 and $18 weekends. For reservations, call Snowbird at 933-2200.
- "HIPPOLYTUS" - "Euripides it ain't" claims Plan-B Theater Company of their musical parody of the ancient Greek classic. Written by Spence Porter, this satire opens June 25 and runs Thursdays-Saturdays un til July 18 at the New Hope Center, 1102 W. 400 North.
Plan-B uses music and masks to illustrate a contest between jealous gods who use mortal humans as tools for revenge. Cory Thorell directs with musical direction by Cheryl Ann Blackly.
Curtain time is 7:30 p.m., and prices are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors citizens, students with current ID, and and children under 12. Seating is limited, so patrons are encouraged to call the box office at 531-6471 to reserve tickets. The program contains adult language and may not be suitable for children under 14.
- "THE CARDIGANS," Rick Lewis's male version of "The Taffetas" (which was a female counterpart of "Forever Plaid") plays at the Lyric Theatre (on the Utah State campus) 28 W. Center, Logan, June 25 through Aug. 8 as the second offering in this season's Old Lyric Repertory Company summer lineup.
Featuring songs like "In the Still of the Night," "Unchained Melody," and "Mack the Knife"; the show stars OLRC favorites W. Lee Daily (who also did "Forever Plaid") and Chris Glade ("Monky Business") with newcomers Robert Gretta and Jeff Pierce.
Play dates are June 25-27; July 1, 2, 15, 16 and 31; and Aug. 8 at 8 p.m., with one matinee on Aug. 8 at 2 p.m.
Prices are $14 for adults, $12 USU faculty/staff, senior citizens and youth under age 18, and $10 for USU students. Tickets can be purchased at the USU Spectrum Ticket Office at USU (435-797-0305) or at the theater one hour before curtain.
"THE FAITHFUL FOOTMAN, OR HER FIRST FALSE STEP," an old-fashioned musical melodrama, plays June 24-Sept. 5 at Pickleville Playhouse at Bear Lake.
James L. Larsen is directing the show, which will include an audience sing-along and patriotic musical revue. A Western cookout, including choice of rib-eye steak or barbecued chicken, the playhouse's famous Cowboy Beans and "pucn with the kick of a mule," will be served nightly in the nearby open air pavilion. The dinner bell rings at 6:30 p.m, with showtime at 8 p.m.
Prices are $8.50 for adults and $5 for children, for the show only, and $10.50 for adults and $6 for children (11 and under) for only the dinner. Senior citizen and group rates are available.
For reservations, call 1-435-946-2918 or 1-435-787-2424.
- "CELEBRATE AMERICA," a musical revue being presented as part of West Valley City's annual West Fest celebration, will play at 8 p.m. nightly, Thursday-Saturday, June 25-27, in WVC's Centennial Park, 5400 W. 3300 South. The performance is free of charge.
- "ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE," a new play by Karrie Ann Ogilvie, will have a staged reading on Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27, at 7:30 p.m. by the Wasatch Theatre Company at Jim's Soupers Deli, 2278 S. Redwood Road.
The comedy examines how a work might change as it is interpreted by the playwright, the director and, finally, the actors.
Admission is free, and the reading will be followed by an open forum with the author. For further information, call 973-2051.
- "SATURDAY'S VOYEUR: THE 20th ANNIVERSARY CRUISE," is not just a stroll down Salt Lake Acting Company's memory lane. This 1998 edition of the controversial parody of local mores touches on Joseph (of Technicolor Dreamcoat fame), "Titanic," the recent Rodin exhibit at Brigham Young University and even Hooters.
Co-directed and written by Nancy Borgenicht and Allen Nevins, the cast includes Alexis Baigue, Marilyn Alldredge, Michael Boswell, Melissa Gessel, Elizabeth Whitney and Kori Hazel (formerly Ramsey), along with newcomers Spencer Ashby, Natalie Banks, Christopher Lazzaro, Carolyn Stone, Aaron Swenson and Kenneth Wayne, with Bryce Francis as accompanist.
Discounted preview performances will be June 24-26 (7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday), with formal opening set for June 27, after which it will play at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 & 7 p.m. on Sundays through Aug. 30. Tickets are $24.50 for the previews. Regular prices are $26.50 ($3 more for tables seating). There is also a "student rush" ticket, $10.50 for any remaining seats 30 minutes prior to curtain.
"Saturday's Voyeur" plays in SLAC's Upstairs Theatre, 168 W. 500 North. For tickets, contact any ArtTix outlet (Capitol Theatre box office and selected Albertsons), or call 355-2787.
- A BROADWAY REVUE will be presented on Saturday, June 27, at 6:30 and 8 p.m. at Valley Regional Park as part of this year's Taylorsville Dayzz celebration. The performances will climax the community's daylong event, whicn includes a parade, dance, arts and crafts booths and refreshments.
- "GODFATHER OF THE BRIDE," a Hunt Mystery & Company mystery-dinner event, will be staged Saturday, June 27, at 7 p.m. at Graycliff Lodge in Ogden Canyon. Tickets for the combined dinner and audience participation mystery are $30 per person. Reservations are required. Call 1-801-392-6775.