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Rachel Brutsch

John Zhao, 14, from Salt Lake City, will compete in the Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competition, which runs June 13-18.
Media & Books
53 young pianists to compete in Bachauer piano competitions
More than 50 young pianists have been invited to compete in two competitions hosted by the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation. Ages 11-14 will compete June 13-18, and ages 15-18 will compete June 21-28.
By Rachel Brutsch
An illustration from the coloring book “Millie Marotta's Wild Savannah.”
Family
Connecting with coloring: 13 coloring books to help adults rest from their stress
In a world moving in an increasingly digital direction, a return to simpler times can provide a welcome diversion, and some say spending time with a coloring book could do the trick. Here is a list of 13 coloring books that may appeal to adults.
By Rachel Brutsch
"Calamity" is the latest in Brandon Sanderson's The Reckoners series.
Media & Books
Book review: Brandon Sanderson’s ‘Calamity’ doesn’t quite satisfy as conclusion to Reckoners series
Brandon Sanderson’s Reckoners series, which began with “Steelheart” and continued in “Firefight,” now concludes with “Calamity,” a book that delivers plenty of satisfaction but also holds some disappointment.
By Rachel Brutsch
Elizabeth Dabczynski-Bean, left, as Jane Eyre and Dallyn Vail Bayles as Edward Fairfax Rochester in Hale Center Theater Orem's production of "Jane Eyre," which runs through June 4.
Media & Books
Haunting, thoughtful ‘Jane Eyre’ at Hale Center Theater Orem is eminently worthwhile
While orphan-turned-governess Jane Eyre is called plain by many of those who encounter her, Hale Center Theater Orem’s rendering of the musical “Jane Eyre,” which runs through June 4, is far from ordinary.
By Rachel Brutsch
Craig Irvin as Count Almaviva, left, Seth Carico as Figaro, and Zulimar Lopez-Hernandez as Susanna pose for a photo as cast members of Utah Opera's "The Marriage of Figaro" are photographed onstage at Capitol Theatre on Wednesday, April 27, 2016.
Media & Books
Utah Opera to explore love in Mozart’s ‘Marriage of Figaro’
Utah Opera is preparing to finish its 2015-16 season with Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” which will run May 7-15 at Capitol Theatre.
By Rachel Brutsch
Maestro Maurice Abravanel, director of the Utah Symphony from 1947-79, prepares for the opening of the 1966 Utah Symphony season. That season, the orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall for the first time, opening the venue's 75th anniversary season. Utah S
Utah
Utah Symphony to perform at Carnegie Hall for 1st time in over 40 years
Fifty years ago, the Utah Symphony had its first performance at Carnegie Hall as part of the venue’s 75th anniversary season. Now in the midst of its own 75th anniversary, the orchestra is poised to again perform at the celebrated venue.
By Rachel Brutsch
Kenna Lynn Smith as Jane Eyre in Hale Center Theater Orem's production of "Jane Eyre," which runs April 21-June 4.
Media & Books
Heartache and hope: Hale Center Theater Orem to stage ‘Jane Eyre’ musical April 21-June 4
Charlotte Bronte’s novel “Jane Eyre” has seen many iterations and been told in many formats, and it’s headed next to Hale Center Theater Orem, where a musical version will be performed April 21-June 4,
By Rachel Brutsch
Wanda Copier plays Carmen Bernstein, left, and Dave Marsden plays Lt. Frank Cioffi in the Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday cast of CenterPoint Legacy Theatre's production of "Curtains," which runs April 18-May 14.
Media & Books
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre to present musical murder mystery ‘Curtains’
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre will present the musical murder mystery “Curtains” from April 18-May 14.
By Rachel Brutsch
Carol Wells-Day, who is retiring after 25 years as resident costume designer and costume shop manager, poses for a portrait at Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016.
Utah
Pioneer Theatre Company’s resident costume designer, costume shop manager Carol Wells-Day to retire after 25 years
After 25 years as Pioneer Theatre Company’s resident costume designer and costume shop manager, Carol Wells-Day is set to retire at the end of the 2015-16 season.
By Rachel Brutsch
John Skelley as Gerald Croft in Pioneer Theatre Company's production of "An Inspector Calls," which runs Feb. 19-March 5.
Media & Books
Pioneer Theatre Company to investigate timely topics in ‘An Inspector Calls’
PTC’s presentation of J.B. Priestley’s English classic “An Inspector Calls,” which runs Feb. 19-March 5, shares messages that become deeper the longer one looks and that are particularly relevant today, according to artistic director Karen Azenberg.
By Rachel Brutsch
Jermaine Sullivan, right, shows the young people his dancing moves at a church activity in Atlanta, Georgia.
Faith
‘A unique insight': Jermaine Sullivan shares conversion, experiences since ‘Meet the Mormons’ release
Jermaine Sullivan’s life has changed in some ways since the filming of the documentary “Meet the Mormons,” of which he said he’s “glad to have been a part.”
By Rachel Brutsch
Paul Meecham has been announced as the new president and CEO of Utah Symphony and Utah Opera, effective July 1.
Utah
Utah Symphony, Utah Opera announce Paul Meecham as new president, CEO
The Utah Symphony and the Utah Opera announced Paul Meecham will become the organizations’ next president and CEO, effective July 1.
By Rachel Brutsch
Orson Scott Card
Media & Books
‘Gatefather’ brings Orson Scott Card’s Mithermages series to anticlimactic end
Orson Scott Card’s Mithermages series seemed poised for what could only be an exciting and explosive conclusion in “Gatefather.” Instead, however, Card chose to have the story meander down the metaphysical route.
By Rachel Brutsch
Alexis Baigue as Arthur Dog in Salt Lake Acting Company's production of "Art Dog," which runs Dec. 4-23.
Media & Books
Salt Lake Acting Company to bring children’s book to life in ‘Art Dog’
Written by John Olive and with music by Susan Ennis, the children’s musical “Art Dog,” which runs Dec. 4-23 at Salt Lake Acting Company, is based on Thacher Hurd’s children’s book by the same name.
By Rachel Brutsch
Dan Larrinaga, left, Ivin Conatser, Lee Daily, Ed Farnsworth, Jennifer Aguirre and Kerstin Davis in Desert Star's production of "Ebenezer Scrooge: His Nightmare Before Christmas."
Family
Seasonal stagings: Area theaters host holiday productions
As Utah enters the holiday season, several area theater companies are offering shows to help audiences celebrate. Here is a list of several familiar and never-before-seen productions taking place over the next few weeks.
By Rachel Brutsch
Actors perform as Donner, left, Rudolph, Rudolph’s Mom and Santa Claus in a scene from the 2014 tour of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical."
Media & Books
‘Rudolph’ musical ready to land in Salt Lake City
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical” will touch down at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City for five performances Nov. 20-22. Sarah Miller-Crews, who plays Rudolph, says it’s “not just a story about the holidays.”
By Rachel Brutsch
Zach Albrecht and his mother, Marcy Albrecht, work on the Christmas ornament "Good Grief" at Macy's City Creek in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015.
Family
Sweet sculptures: Local artists create oversize ornaments for Macy’s holiday candy windows
Several local artists are hard at work preparing supersize candy ornaments for the Macy’s holiday candy windows unveiling Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. at Macy’s City Creek, 21 S. Main.
By Rachel Brutsch
An ornament by Brian Johnson is in progress at Macy's City Creek in Salt Lake City, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015.
Family
Artists hard at work for Macy’s Candy Windows unveiling
Several artists are hard at work preparing their supersize candy ornament creations for the Holiday Candy Windows unveiling Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. at Macy’s City Creek Center, 21 S. Main.
By Rachel Brutsch
Tom O’Keefe, left, plays Anthony and Amy Bodnar plays Rosemary in Pioneer Theatre Company's production of "Outside Mullingar," which runs through Nov. 14.
Family
Bright moments shine through overcast ‘Outside Mullingar’ at Pioneer Theatre Company
Pioneer Theatre Company’s solid production of “Outside Mullingar” delivers many bright moments in a story that often feels somber and overcast.
By Rachel Brutsch
Utah Symphony music director Thierry Fischer leads a rehearsal with the symphony at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City on Nov. 20, 2013.
Media & Books
‘Always striving for something better': At 75th anniversary, Utah Symphony continues building on Abravanel’s legacy
During his 32-year career as director of the Utah Symphony, Maurice Abravanel had an immeasurable impact on the musicians he led and the community for which they performed — an impact that has helped the symphony survive and thrive for 75 years.
By Rachel Brutsch, Madison Swensen Taylor, and 1 more
Richard Wilson, "Dover Castle," ca. 1746–47, oil on canvas, 35 5/8 by 46 inches, from the National Museum Wales, is part of the exhibit "The British Passion for Landscape: Masterpieces from National Museum Wales" at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
Media & Books
Utah Museum of Fine Arts brings British landscapes to Utah
“The British Passion for Landscape: Masterpieces from National Museum Wales” is a touring exhibit visiting through Dec. 13 at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
By Rachel Brutsch
Brian Vaughn, left, as Petruchio and Melinda Pfundstein as Katherine in the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 2015 production of "The Taming of the Shrew."
Family
Utah Shakespeare Festival’s ‘Taming of the Shrew’ is a heartfelt season highlight
USF’s production of “The Taming of the Shrew” is a nuanced, heartfelt and thoroughly enjoyable season highlight. Though it has many silly and slapstick moments, it’s also a serious love story told with love.
By Rachel Brutsch
Michael Doherty, left, as Lord Fancourt Babberley and John Pribyl as Stephen Spettigue in the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 2015 production of "Charley’s Aunt."
Family
‘Charley’s Aunt’ keeps the laughs coming at Utah Shakespeare Festival
Audiences seeing a farce expect to find themselves laughing, and those who see the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s production of Brandon Thomas’ “Charley’s Aunt,” directed by David Ivers, have nothing to worry about on that front
By Rachel Brutsch
Aaron Galligan-Stierle, left, as Luther Billis and Andrew Voss as Stewpot in the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 2015 production of "South Pacific."
Family
‘South Pacific’ stuns with breathtaking beauty at Utah Shakespeare Festival
The Utah Shakespeare Festival’s “South Pacific” is an enchanting production full of warmth and beauty that is a treat to the eyes and ears as it offers an opportunity for introspection into one’s own attitudes and their origins.
By Rachel Brutsch
Tasso Feldman, left, as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Betsy Mugavero as Constanze Weber in the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 2015 production of "Amadeus."
Family
Utah Shakespeare Festival stages passionate rivalry in ‘Amadeus’
In much the same way as Mozart’s compositions, the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s passionate and impressive production of “Amadeus” lingers in the mind long after it ends. But like Mozart’s music, some sections of the show are more pleasant than others.
By Rachel Brutsch
Melinda Pfundstein, left, as Goneril, Tony Amendola as Lear and Saren Nofs-Snyder as Regan in the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 2015 production of "King Lear."
Family
Utah Shakespeare Festival’s ‘King Lear’ does tragedy justice
Productions of “King Lear” routinely give audiences a taste of what can follow decisions based on pride and ambition, but the Utah Shakespeare Festival here serves up a generous and delicious helping.
By Rachel Brutsch
Brian Vaughn, left, stars as Petruchio and Melinda Pfundstein as Katherine in the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 2015 production of "The Taming of the Shrew."
Family
Married actors draw on their relationship in delivering roles in ‘Taming of the Shrew’ at Utah Shakespeare Festival
Throughout their years with USF, married couple Brian Vaughn and Melinda Pfundstein have played a few lead roles opposite each other. This season, they’ve been brought together again as Petruchio and Katherine in “The Taming of the Shrew.”
By Rachel Brutsch
Sam Ashdown as Prince Henry in the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 2015 production of "Henry IV Part Two."
Family
Utah Shakespeare Festival’s ‘Henry IV Part Two’ struggles to overcome difficult script
Audiences set on seeing all of Shakespeare’s history plays will not want to miss this one as it’s rarely performed, but average theatergoers may prefer one of the festival’s other productions.
By Rachel Brutsch
Chuck Gilmore plays the king and Natalie Peterson plays Anna in the Monday/Wednesday/Friday cast of CenterPoint Legacy Theatre's production of "The King and I."
Media & Books
‘The King and I’ at CenterPoint Legacy Theatre is well worth getting to know
Fans of “The King and I” are likely to be familiar enough with the songs and plot to be swept up in the simple elegance of CenterPoint Legacy Theatre’s production, which runs through July 18.
By Rachel Brutsch
Fred Adams, left, visits the construction site of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts.
Utah
A ‘love letter farewell': Utah Shakespeare Festival readies for final season of shows in Adams Shakespearean Theatre
This summer, the Utah Shakespeare Festival and its audiences will bid the Adams Shakespearean Theatre farewell as it opens for its final season.
By Rachel Brutsch
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