WEST VALLEY CITY -- "Nuptials," a sort of "Father of the Bride" meets "Steel Magnolias" comedy by Judy Simpson Cook, will have its regional premiere beginning Saturday, April 3, at the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City.
The comedy was discovered two years ago when Mark and Sally Dietlein, HCT producers/co-owners, were visiting Chattanooga, Tenn. A free evening on their hands led to a theater that had been in continual operation for more than 70 years -- and where they happened to catch a production of "Nuptials."Sally Dietlein said it was love at first sight with a play that combines "all of the charm of the old South with the comical frustrations of 'Father of the Bride' and distinctive personality styles of 'Steel Magnolias.' Is a wedding for the bride and groom meant as an event to display the etiquette of Southern propriety?
"When the bride's wishes fly in the face of everyone else's plans, a procession of heartwarming hilarity ensues. This is a tale as old as time and as current as June."
Co-directors are Annette Wright and Bruce Bredeson, with a mostly single-cast ensemble:
Alexis Owen is the overlooked bride, Justin Bruse is the bewildered groom, Kay Shean (who has returned to Salt Lake City after 30 years of acting in film and TV in Los Angeles and New York) is the ever-Southern mother, and Andrew Looney and Steve Phillips alternating as the "drag-along" father.
Alison Henriksen is cast as the put-out older sister, with Mary Daniels and Sherry Richards alternating as the savvy housekeeper.
JaceSon Parker Barrus will play the less-than-debonaire best man, with Steven Patrick Sater and Evan Glassett trading off as the wedding's decorator; Mary Parker Williams as the appalled wedding coordinator, and Charla Brinkpeter, seen in many TheatreWorks West productions, as the caterer.
The role of Lu Lu, described as "the lulu of a child," will be shared by Tabitha Barruss, Jenessa Bowen and Kaitlin Rose Williams.
Performances will be Mondays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Saturday matinees at noon and 3:30 p.m. on April 10, 17 & 24 and May 1, and Friday matinees at 5 p.m. on April 9, 16, 23 and 30. All seats are reserved. Tickets range from $9 to $14. For reservations, call 984-9000 or stop at the box office, 3333 S. Decker Lake Drive (2200 West).