A big bravo and hearty congratulations are in order for the theater department at Weber State University.
The school's production of the original musical "Sleepy Hollow" has been selected as one of five plays to be presented at the American College Theatre Festival, Region VIII regional competition, which will be held at Dixie State this year.
The musical, with book and lyrics by department head Jim Christian and music by Tom Edward Clark, probes deeper into the well-known tale of Ichabod Crane the Headless Horseman.
The original run played to sold-out houses.
John Binkley, Region VIII director, said, "As a new work it rises to great heights. Add this to the excellent design, acting, directing and original music, and it is a classic in the making. The theatricality of the Act I finale is a moment that can really only exist on stage, and it moved me in such a beautiful way. It deserves to be seen again!"
To help defray the expense of traveling to St. George with the cast, crew, sets and costumes, three fundraising performances have been scheduled.
"Sleepy Hollow" will run Jan. 22-23, times vary, at the Val A. Browning Center on the WSU campus in Ogden. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 800-978-8457.
In other exciting local theater news, tickets will go on sale for a fundraising performance of the musical "110 in the Shade" at Hale Center Theater Orem.
The exciting part is, for two weeks of the show's six-week run, four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and Utahn Will Swenson, will star.
The two met during the 2007 Broadway revival of "110 in the Shade," in which they both performed. (Swenson is currently starring in the Tony Award-winning revival of "Hair.")
With only 4,848 seats available for the limited engagement, it is expected to sell out quickly.
Here is how the ticket sales will be handled.
On Jan. 5, 10 a.m., 2010 season ticket holders and those who have donated $1,000 or more will be able to purchase tickets in person or over the phone.
On Jan. 11, tickets will go on sale to Orem residents.
On Jan. 14, tickets will go on sale to Utah residents.
On Jan. 19, online and general public ticket sales to the event begin.
Ticket prices range from $99 -$149. The limited engagement runs is June 28-July 10. Call 801-226-8600 for more information.
e-mail: ehansen@desnews.com