This is "lull-before-the-storm" week for Utah theatergoers. Only four plays are opening along the Wasatch Front, but starting next week, the curtains — and the floodgates — are opening on more than two dozen:
"THE SIXTH WIFE," an original drama written and performed by Joan Oviatt, will be presented at the Off Broadway Theatre, 272 S. Main, June 3-27. First produced at Brigham Young University and later for a 24 1/2-week run at the Edinburgh Festival of Arts, the drama is based on the life and times of Emmeline Wells (actually Emmeline Blanche Woodward Harris Whitney Wells), who was one of the most influential women in the American West. James Arrington is directing this production of Oviatt's work.
(This is not being produced by the Off Broadway Theatre itself; Oviatt and Arrington are utilizing the venue for a month of weekday performances. OBT's Laughing Stock "improv" company will continue to perform on Fridays and Saturdays.)
Performances of "The Sixth Wife" will be 7:30 p.m., Mondays-Thursdays. Tickets, available at the door, are $6 for adults and $4 for senior citizens and students. Seating for this show is not reserved
THE "SHORT SHORTS FESTIVAL," Wasatch Theatre Company's annual series of locally written one-act plays — each roughly 10-15 minutes in length — is scheduled for June 6-22 in the University of Utah's Ballif Hall.
The eight short plays selected this year are:
"Still at Home," by Andy Brimhall and directed by Jim Martin, is about a young man's attempt to move out of his parents' home.
"Revelations of Bernie and Selma," the story of a young woman's confession to her parents and their subsequent reactions, is by Katy Schuman; directed by Cami Rozanas.
"The Date," about two people on a blind date, is by Delanie Tucker; directed by David Bruner.
"Hank," an anonymous submission, directed by George Plautz, is a comedic look at odd activities in what is probably not your typical neighborhood.
"Relative Art," about a young boy attempting to break up the relationship between his father and the father's girlfriend, is by Crystal Lowder; directed by Cami Rozanas.
"Beefcake is a Diet Soda," focusing on a conversation between two women in a health spa, is by Amy Caron; directed by Frances Ruftin.
"September," a contemporary retelling of the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone, is by Dawn Corrigan; directed by George Plautz.
"Art for Eddy's Sake," about a pickle factory worker who escapes from reality by becoming an artist, is by Plautz; directed by Brandon Rufener.
The acting ensemble for the plays is composed of Leisha Cook, Jeff Kibler, Jim Martin, Brian Pilling, George Plautz, Jennifer Popple, Cherlyn Price, Jodi Reese, Cami Rozanas, Elliot Small, Robin Smith and Kelley Triptow.
Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. in Ballif Hall, located at 1725 E. Ballif Road (220 South) on the U. campus. Tickets are $7, with discounts for senior citizens and children under 12. For reservations or directions to the venue, call 446-5657. A map and detailed directions are also available at the theater's Web site www.wasatchtheatreco.bigstep.com.
GUEST PANELISTS have been announced for a panel discussion scheduled following next Sunday's matinee performance of "My Left Breast," being produced locally by Plan-B Theatre Company in the Studio Theatre of the Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway (300 South).
The Obie Award-winning drama touches on a variety of themes, including breast cancer, being a single mother and gay/lesbian relationships. The panelists represent these topics as well.
Panelists include playwright Susan Miller, a cancer survivor; Carol Bruggers, a survivor, single parent and pediatric oncologist at Primary Children's Medical Center; Nancy Crowley, survivor, who has a gay brother and lesbian sister (she is a daughter of Gary and Millie Watts, founders of Family Fellowship); Joan Mullaney, survivor, professional actress and drama teacher at Rowland Hall-St. Mark's; Ildiko Stoehli, a double-mastectomy survivor who placed 13th in women's bobsled at the 2002 Winter Olympics for her homeland of Hungary; and Paula Wolfe, executive director, Utah Gay & Lesbian Community Center, and former executive director of the Seattle Lesbian Cancer Project.
The open forum is scheduled to begin about 3:30 p.m. on June 9, following the 2 p.m. performance.
Other performances are 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, June 7-23, in the Rose Wagner Center. Tickets are $10 and $15 at ArtTix outlets (355-2787). For details on the production itself, check the entertainment section.
"SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!" will be staged by the Springville Playhouse in conjunction with the community's annual Art City Days celebration.
Performances will be Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, June 7-24, at 7:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Springville Civic Center, 50 S. Main (basement of the city library). Tickets, available at the door, are $6 for adults and $5 for children 8-12 or $25 for a family pass. For further information, call 489-1067.
E-mail: ivan@desnews.com