In addition to the regional premiere of Martin McDonagh's "The Cripple of Inishmaan" (see today's Arts Section cover) and a pair of one-woman performances by Claire Bloom at Brigham Young University (see related story in this section), three comedies are opening this week elsewhere on the Wasatch Front, including a new Farley family outing, a reprise of Eric Jensen's "Grabnet" and the stage version of a big Hollywood hit, "Pillow Talk."THE MYLAYNNIUL FARLEY DINNER PARTY, playing Jan. 6-Feb. 12 at the Little London Dinner Theatre, puts James Arrington and his collection of assorted Farleys in a sit-down dinner mode.
"I did a dinner show last year at Thanksgiving Point, acting as host/hostess for a dinner there. The interaction with the audience made it a different show," Arrington says.
Commenting on the project just a few days prior to New Year's, Arrington noted that he may include a new character or two and even some jokes about the new millennium, but he was waiting until Jan. 1 to see what Y2K problems may -- or may not -- occur.
He is looking forward to working in a dinner-theater environment, however.
"People who attended the dinner at Thanksgiving Point said they enjoyed it when different Farley characters would sit a their tables, even pick at their food and get involved in conversations."
One upcoming project he's not closely involved with is Mountain View High School's production of his sequel, "Farley II: The Next Gyration," which utilizes younger actors in lieu of the usual array of older Farleys.
Performances at the Little London Dinner Theatre, 20 S. Main, Pleasant Grove (the old Alhambra Theatre), start with dinner being served at 6:45 p.m., followed by the play. All seats are reserved, with tickets priced at $21.50 and $24.50. Reservations must be made at least one day in advance. The ticket price includes dinner and performance.
Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays. For reservations, call 785-0827.
GRABNET: WE AIM TO POLICE takes Desert Star Playhouse audiences into the streets of L.A., where the bad guys are bad and the good guys wear badges -- and they risk their lives to nab felons, especially if there's a doughnut at stake.
Originally written by Eric Jensen, director Beth Bruner has adapted this 1999 DSP revival.
Her cast includes Scott Holman as heroic Joe Thursday, Spencer Ashby as his sidekick, Frank Smith; Steven Fehr as ruthless thug Tommy Twyes, JulieAnn Christensen as Denny Fell (who's being bullied by Twyes as part of his "protection" racket), Rick Miller as Lt. Will Gannon; Jonathon Phipps as Dween, a petty thief; Kathleen Richardson as Granny Twyes, and Kori Hazel as the dimwitted Bubbles.
The program will also include a "Swing Time" olio revue.
Music direction is by Brooks Holm, with costumes by Chelsi Stahr and lighting by Bronwyn Teague.
Performances are 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 7 & 9:30 p.m. Fridays, and 3, 7 & 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 6-Feb. 26. All seating is reserved. Tickets range from $6 to $12, with family passes (up to five people for Saturday matinees or any 9:30 p.m. performance) from $35 to $45. Group rates are also available. DSP features cabaret seating, with optional pizza/beverage/dessert service.
For reservations, call 266-7600.
PILLOW TALK, playwright Christopher Sergel's stage adaptation of Hollywood's big Doris Day-Rock Hudson hit in 1959, will play Jan. 7-29 at the Heritage Theatre, 2505 S. Highway 89, Perry.
Directed by Colette Henderson, the cast includes Pam Higgenson and Bill Murdock as interior decorator Jan Monroe and womanizing composer Brad Allen, who share a very busy party line.
Also in the cast are Ross Reeder as Broadway producer Johnathan Forbes, Brad McCann as Jan's boss; Kimberly Kemp as Alma, Jan's part-time maid (played by Thelma Ritter in the movie version), and Sue Peterson, Melisssa Cragun and Ann Reeder as just three of Allen's string of girlfriends.
Debbie Nelson, Aaron Clonts and Sheila Merrill are also in the ensemble.
Performances will be 8 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, with one matinee at 2 p.m. on Jan. 15. All seats are reserved. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and children (11 and under). For reservations, call 1-435-723-8392.
Information on stage productions or auditions must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Compiled by Ivan M. Lincoln, Deseret News theater editor, 1-801-236-6017. Fax: 1-801-237-2550; e-mail: ivan@desnews.com