In addition to a professional production of "Hedda Gabler" by the Emily Company (see separate story in this section), other openings this week for the region's theatergoers include revivals of "Always . . . Patsy Cline" and "Forever Plaid," and a new production of Tom Griffin's poignant drama, "The Boys Next Door."
"ALWAYS . . . PATSY CLINE," which was a big hit last summer for the Park City-based Egyptian Theatre Company, is being revived for 28 performances, Feb. 16-March 24, with Coco Sansoni and Andree Petersen returning in the roles of country legend Patsy Cline and her No. 1 fan, Louise Seger.
The musical revue follows the late singer's career with more than two dozen of her songs.
Performances will be Tuesdays-Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 for cabaret seating and $20 for regular seating, $12 for senior citizens (55 and over) and students and $10 for children, 12 and under. For reservations, call 435-649-9371 or 888-243-5779 or visit ETC's Web site at ( www.egyptiantheatrecompany.org).
THE VILLA PLAYHOUSE THEATRE in Springville is producing "The Boys Next Door," a funny, yet touching, look at the lives of four mentally handicapped men who live in a group residence, where they're supervised by their earnest, but increasingly burned-out, social worker.
The comedy/drama, which Utahns first saw in 1989 when the Broadway Stage (now the Off Broadway Theatre) opened, was also the basis for a recent Hallmark Hall of Fame production starring Nathan Lane.
The new Villa Playhouse production, directed by Kathleen Nutt, features Nathan Mathews as Jack, the social worker; Andy Hunsaker as Norman, a young man obsessed by keys and doughnuts; Bob Colomb and Bart Nutt, alternating in the role of Lucien, who has the mind of a kindergartner; Devin Asay as Arnold, the chatterbox of the group; and Brian McFadyen as Barry, a brilliant, hyperactive schizophrenic who fantasizes that he is a golf pro.
"The Boys Next Door" addresses the thorny issue of mainstreaming the mentally challenged in neighborhood halfway houses.
Performances are Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 16-March 26. Tickets are $8 for general admission, $7 for students and senior citizens, and $6 children. There is also a $35 family pass. The Villa is at 254 S. Main. For reservations or further information, call 489-3088.
"FOREVER PLAID," will play Feb. 16-April 21 at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse, 99 E. 4700 South, Ogden.
The Plaids will be played by Jeremy Dabb as Jinx, Ryan Paskins at Sparky, Jonathan Crittendon as Frankie and Shane Cheshire as Smudge.
Performances will be 7:30 p.m., Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.
(The engagement will be interrupted on April 13 and 14 for two performances of "Nunsense.")
Tickets are $8 and $10 for adults, $7 and $9 for students/senior citizens, and $5 and $7 for children. There is also a family ticket priced at $28 for two adults and all children living at home. Group rates are also available. For reservations, call 393-0070.
HUNT MYSTERY & COMPANY is celebrating its 10th anniversary with two special Valentine's performances of "Godfather of the Bride," an audience participation mystery, scheduled for two consecutive Fridays: Feb. 16 and 23, at 7:30 p.m., at the Salt Lake Hilton, 255 S. West Temple.
The plot revolves around a wedding in a Chicago speakeasy.
Doors open at 7 p.m., when guests will go through the "wedding line." Dinner begins at 7:30, followed by dancing. Tickets are $75 per couple. Call 569-1482.
Information on stage productions or auditions must be submitted at least three weeks in advance. Compiled by Ivan M. Lincoln, Deseret News theater editor, 1-801-236-6017. Send material to Deseret News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110 (Attn: Ivan Lincoln), or send it via e-mail: ivan@desnews.com or fax to 1-801-237-2550.