MURRAY -- The changes in Desert Star Playhouse's season for this year are nothing compared to the physical changes taking place on the theater site, at 4861 S. State.
Desert Star patrons were recently notified that two productions previously scheduled for this summer -- "Hotel Utah: This Must Be the Right Place," and "Indiana Bones" -- have been postponed until the theater's 2001 season so that massive renovations and remodeling at the venue can be expedited.Former retail spaces on both sides of the historic theater's lobby are being turned into expanded space to accommodate a new, larger box office, main-floor restrooms, an on-site pizza kitchen and two additional restaurants -- a deli and Desert Star's new Cowboy Steakhouse & Family Saloon.
The latter, currently under construction in the space once occupied by Utah's first J.C. Penney store, will feature the city's only mesquite wood-fired grill. The menu will include grilled steaks, ribs, chicken and fish. Diners holding tickets for Desert Star productions will be able to go directly from the sit-down restaurant into the adjoining theater lobby.
Upstairs space now occupied by DSP's restrooms will be turned into offices and a costume shop. Entrances into the theater itself will also be relocated and a balcony will be added to provide more seating.
The renovation project also includes giving the combined facades of all the connected buildings in the complex a historic, turn-of-the-century look.
Instead of the two previously announced productions, Desert Star Playhouse is working with Murray's longtime "Arts in the Park" series to present two summer shows in the Murray City Amphitheater -- "A Salute to America . . . and Other Election Year Bloopers," June 15-July 1, and "Desert Star's Greatest Hits," Aug. 10-19. Seating in the amphitheater is not reserved. General admission prices will be $10 for adults and $6 for children, with all performances starting at 8 p.m.
The playhouse itself will be dark following the June 10 closing of "Robing Hood -- Boooos and Arrows!" and will have its grand reopening, Sept. 21-Nov. 11 with "Hexed Files -- The Spoof Is Out There!" Call 266-7600 for details and reservations.