With 18 new productions opening this week at venues across the state, theatergoers have everything from big Broadway hits to intimate dramas to choose from.
"BUTCHED CASSIDY AND THE SUN-BURNT KID," will play June 14-July 28 at Desert Star Wild West Playhouse in Murray. Written by Ben E. Millett and directed by Scott Holman, the cast includes Jay Haws as Cassidy and Holman as the Sun-burnt Kid, with JulieAnn Christensen as Etta Place, Holly Braithwaite as Dr. Quack, Medicine Woman; Millett as gambler Deadeye Dawson, Kerstin Anderson as Madam Floozy de Jour, owner of the local saloon; Spencer Ashby as Etta's father, Jed; and Matt Kohler as the sheriff. The entertainment will include a "Wild, Wild West" olio program.
Performances are 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and 3, 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays. All seating is reserved. Tickets range from $8-$12 for adults. Student, senior citizen, family and group discounts are available. For reservations, call 266-7600. In addition to the dinner-theater's usual food service, Desert Star has just opened its new Cowboy Steakhouse adjacent to the theater, for sit-down dining before or after performances.
HALE CENTER THEATER OREM is presenting John Patrick's classic World War II drama, "The Hasty Heart," June 15-July 21. The setting is an army hospital and a ward full of wounded soldiers in the South Pacific. The cast includes Elwon Bakly as Lachie, an ornery Scotsman; Emily Millett as Margaret, the nurse; Lon Keith as the Colonel; Brinton Wilkins as Kiwi, the New Zealander; Dave Hanson as Tommy, the Englishman, and Seth Johnson as the Orderly. Those in double-cast roles include Jake Swazo and David Gilliland, alternating as Digger, the Aussie; Curt Doussett and Mitch Hall as Yank, the American, and Paul Hill and Niankora Yea Samake as the speechless Blossom.
During the first part of the run, "The Hasty Heart" will play Mondays and Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. After July 3, it will continue nightly except Sundays through July 23, with additional Saturday matinees at 3:30 p.m. Tickets range from $7-$11.50, depending on date and seat location. For reservations, call 226-8600.
"THE MORMON MIRACLE PAGEANT," will run June 14-23 on the hillside below the Manti LDS Temple. Performances are 9:30 p.m. on June 14-16 and 19-23. Admission is free of charge. Due to the large number of church and family reunion groups this event attracts, visitors are encouraged to arrive early in order to find parking.
CITY REP'S FAMILY THEATER is presenting a concert-style production of "An Introduction to Broadway Music" at the Sandy City Amphitheater. The show, geared especially for children, will feature Jennifer O'Haley Hohl, Amy Richardson, Bruce Bredeson, David Glaittli and Bryon Finch in a revue of comedy, dance and music. They'll explain and demonstrate how the American musical theater evolved — from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas to Rodgers and Hammerstein and today's techno-pop mega hits.
The evening is co-sponsored by the Sandy Arts Guild. Performances are 8 p.m. on June 15, 16 and 18. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens or students and $5 for children, and $5 for all lawn seating, and are available in advance from the Sandy Parks and Recreation office, the customer service counter at South Towne Center and Sandy City Hall, and prior to performance at the amphitheater box office.
AMONG THE COMMUNITY THEATER productions opening this week are shows in Lindon, Orem, West Jordan, Murray, Moab and Salt Lake. They are:
— "Hello, Dolly!" 8 p.m., June 14-16 and 18-25 at the SCERA Shell in Orem. Directed by Jerry Elison, the show features Marcie Jacobsen in the title role. For tickets, call 225-2569 or 225-2787.
— "The Secret Garden," a Murray "Arts in the Park" production, 8 p.m., June 14-16 and 18. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children and senior citizens, or $20 per family. Gates open 45 minutes before show time. For reservations, call 264-2614. The cast includes Gina Rizzuto as Mary Lennox, David Winmill as her uncle, Brandon Orton as Dicken, Chris Lemon as the gardener, Aaron Kerr as Colin and Cambria Young as the housekeeper, with Lynn Chatterton as Dr. Craven and Kimberly McClellan as Lily.
— "Annie Get Your Gun," a West Jordan Arts Council production, June 14-22 in the city's main park bowery directly behind City Hall at 8000 S. Redwood Road. Performances will be 7:30 p.m., June 14-16 and 18-22. The cast, directed by Rosalie Richards, includes Tiffany Westwood as Annie Oakley, Evan Glasset as Frank Butler and Jim Gastelum as Buffalo Bill. Tickets are $5 per person, $3 for children or senior citizens or $20 per family (up to six). Tickets may be purchased in advance at City Hall. They will also be available at the gate.
— "Blithe Spirit," produced by StageRight TheatreCompany, 1140 S. 900 East, at 7:30 p.m., Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, June 16-July 4. Director Karyn Tucker's cast includes Pam Jacobs as Madame Arcati, James A. Dale as Charles Condomine and Shellie Waters as Ruth, with Kati P. Barney, Debra Flink, Lisa Turner, and Bob Walkingshaw in other roles. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens. For reservations, call 485-8038.
— "The Star-Spangled Girl," produced by Scott Christopher (KJZZ's "TV Movie Guy") for a one-week run at the Valley Center Playhouse in Lindon. Christopher is also performing in the Neil Simon comedy, along with Christopher Miller and Shannon Engemann. Performances are Monday-Saturday, June 11-16, at 7:30 p.m., at the theater, 780 N. 200 East (exit 276 for those driving from Salt Lake City). All tickets are $6, available at the door. For reservations, call 785-1186.
— "Four Dogs and a Bone," by John Patrick Shanley, June 15-16 and 22-23, Moab Repertory Theatre. Performances, all at 8 p.m., are in the Moab Arts and Recreation Center, 111 E. 100 North, followed by a dessert reception with the cast. Tickets are $8 each, available at the door.
MYSTERY DINNER — The Chameleons' Whodunit Company will present "Showdown at Gambler's Gulch" on Friday, June 15, at Snowbird resort. The audience participation event begins at 7:30 p.m. Advance reservations are required. Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children. Group rates are available for 20 or more. For reservations, call 800-640-2002.
EXTENDED — Wasatch Theatre Company's production of "Godspell" has been extended for three more performances. Newly added performances are Friday, June 15, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, June 16, at 2 and 8:30 p.m. Due to the extension, Ken Grazier will be replacing Robin Smith-Merrill in the cast. WTC is based at Jim's Soupers Deli, 2278 S. Redwood Road. For reservations, call 973-2051.
EVE ENSLER'S controversial "The Vagina Monologues," Rose Wagner Center, a non-subscription production by the Theater League of Utah.
A New York Post reviewer described as being "in the realm of stand-up condescension." The print version of the script indicates that the production is mostly tasteless and vulgar.
Many people would likely find material in the show to be highly offensive. One of the vignettes delivers a constant repetition of a well-known R-rated expletive — apparently on the premise that desensitizing the vulgarity will somehow make it more acceptable. You're on your own with this one. Performances are 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, June 12-16, and 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 17, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets, ranging from $35 to $40, are available through ArtTix.
Information on stage productions or auditions must be submitted at least three weeks in advance. Compiled by Ivan M. Lincoln, Deseret News theater editor, 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 237-2550.