LOGAN — In 1992, critically acclaimed opera singer Michael Ballam started his quest to provide "ennobling artistic experiences" when he first opened Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre in his home town of Logan.
Twenty-five years later, the festival continues to flourish, providing access to operas, musicals, seminars, concerts and other special events.
The anniversary season features six productions, including a revival of a 1976 musical with lyrics by "Fiddler on the Roof" lyricist Sheldon Harnick, music by "The Sound of Music" composer Richard Rodgers and book by Sherman Yellen.
The festival continues through Aug. 9, with a range of matinee and evening performances offered. Tickets range from $13-$77 and are available by phone at 435-750-0300 or online at utahfestival.org.
The Deseret News has reviewed five of the six productions, which range from the tragic opera "Madama Butterfly" to Meredith Willson's upbeat romp "The Music Man." Here is what you need to know about the productions.
'Music Man' marches onto UFOMT stage with strong, familiar elements
Kisses were right on cue, memorable songs tickled every patron’s memories, and the moral dilemmas of deception and gullibility were erased away by the tunes of the River City boys band in UFOMT's production of "The Music Man."
The production is in good hands with leads Curt Olds as Professor Harold Hill and Vanessa Ballam as Marian Paroo, and ensemble numbers were well done.
Read the complete review here.
"The Music Man" runs through Aug. 9 in the Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S. Main, Logan; running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (one intermission)
UFOMT's 'Madama Butterfly' explores the effects of deception
One of the classic tragedies of opera, Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” at UFOMT explores the morality of deception.
Viewed side by side, "Butterfly" and one of UFOMT's other main stage offerings, "The Music Man," offer interesting but different perspectives on similar themes. Unlike the pace and rapid-fire feeling of “The Music Man,” "Madama Butterfly" takes its time, almost painstakingly adding to the dread and overcast possibilities Butterfly’s painful solos foretell.
Read the complete review here.
"Madama Butterfly" runs through Aug. 8 in the Ellen Eccles Theatre; running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes (one intermission)
UFOMT's Henry VIII biography 'Rex' shows potential
And Utah audiences can now catch one lesser-known stage depiction of Henry VIII in UFOMT's “Rex.”
The production is a revival of the 1976 musical with lyrics by Harnick, music by Rodgers and book by Sherman Yellen.
“Rex” is worth the drive to Logan for anyone with an interest in Henry VIII’s history and for the unique chance to see the talents of Broadway greats. Perhaps with a bit more tightening and additional focus, the show can find its way into the limelight the creators always hoped it would have.
Read the complete review here.
"Rex" runs through Aug. 7 in the Utah Theatre, 18 W. Center, Logan; running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes (one intermission)
Set, ensemble and antagonist shine in UFOMT's 'Hunchback'
Victor Hugo’s story of the half-formed man hidden away in the bell towers of Notre Dame has been put to art in many forms, from silent movie to the 1996 Disney animated feature. UFOMT's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" takes the message and tone of the original story and mixes in the songs from the Disney film (along with some new ones), with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.
Among the highlights of UFOMT's production are Tim Case's set design, Chris Wood's lighting design, full-bodied ensemble numbers and Kevin Nakatani's performance as the antagonist Dom Claude Frollo.
Read the complete review here.
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" runs through Aug. 8 in the Ellen Eccles Theatre; running time: 2 hours, 35 minutes (one intermission)
'Pirates of Penzance' provides comic relief at UFOMT
Providing a nice contrast to the melancholy tones of UFOMT's "Madama Butterfly" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's silly, comic opera "The Pirates of Penzance."
“Pirates” is the playful operetta that makes fun of, well, opera, among other things. This production has “Pirates” overblown, as it should be, with exaggerated jokes, actions and burlesque-like characterizations.
Read the complete review here.
"The Pirates of Penzance" runs through Aug. 9 in the Ellen Eccles Theatre; running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes (one intermission)