Logan’s Utah Festival Brings Broadway and Opera to Life with Spectacular Performances Jul. 5 - Aug. 3
Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre bursts on stage July 5-Aug. 3 in Logan. Nearly 300 musicians, performers and crew members will come from renowned stages across the nation to Logan’s historic Ellen Eccles Theatre to present spectacular productions and additional events in true festival fashion.
The 2024 season includes five Mainstage productions in repertory: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats, and you should know the main dancing crew has performed the show on Broadway; the electrifying classic Guys and Dolls; the hilarious Anything Goes, complete with show-stopping tap dancing and music by Cole Porter; cult classic Little Shop of Horrors and the witty Puccini opera Gianni Schicchi and its sequel Buoso’s Ghost.
Performances are accompanied by a full orchestra, which is up to 40+ musicians in the pit. Even on Broadway in New York there are usually only 13 players and synthesizers because it’s too expensive to pay for the real thing. Here you get the full experience, how it was meant to be heard.
Wait! Before you read any further, you need to know that Utah students ages 8 through seniors in high school may receive a complimentary ticket to any or all performances. WHAT? It’s true. Bring your kids or grandkids or the neighbor’s kids or maybe even a kid off the street. This is a unique opportunity this year so call the box office to make arrangements right now.
Utah Festival’s performers regularly come from the most elite stages in the country like the Met, Broadway, San Francisco, Houston and more to perform under one roof. You can meet them after each show. Unheard of!
Don’t miss free Informances an hour before each show so you can get the inside scoop on behind-the-scenes details about each production. Also, each Mainstage production has supertitles in English so you won’t miss a thing.
Wait, There’s More!
On top of spectacular stage performances, the Festival boasts backstage tours, breakfast with the stars in an open-air cafe, 24 interactive Academy classes taught by industry experts (everything from how to speak in accents, to wigs and makeup, to classes with the directors of each production and a wide variety of others) , late night cabarets at Café Sabor and five special concerts. In all, more than 100 events in 30 days.
Concerts include the extraordinary Pianists! on July 16 where Utah Festival’s virtuoso pianists join forces to bring you masterpieces along with mayhem and comedy. Bring the whole family and it will be so good your kids will want to practice!
The Michael Ballam International Opera Semifinals and Finals are July 23 (matinee) and 29. Utah Festival’s talented artists compete for the title in this prestigious musical event.
Experience opera and Broadway’s greatest hits July 23 with Utah Festival’s biggest names past and present along with winners of the High School Musical Theatre Awards. The Galaxy of Stars concert will be out of this world.
On July 30, there will be a special performance of Verdi’s Requiem originally written to accompany the Catholic funeral mass. The operatic masterpiece was too grand for somber churches and instead found its way to the world’s concert halls. Performed by the American Festival Chorus and Utah Festival Orchestra and soloists under the direction of Dr. Craig Jessop.
Silent Films with the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Are So Awesome!
Take the rare opportunity to soak in a silent film with live accompaniment on a million-dollar Mighty Wurlitzer Organ built in 1925. The organ is connected to two rooms full of pipes and other instruments including drums, cymbals, train whistles, sleigh bells and many more. The initial intent was for one performer to have an entire orchestra available to them and professional theater organist Mike Ohman knows exactly how to bring it to life. You’ll be amazed as you hear and see him bring silent movies to life. The Silent Film Series is held Mondays June 10-July 15 and includes favorites starring Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and more. Concerts are held in the beautiful art deco Utah Theatre, 18 W. Center St. Tickets are only $10.
While we’re talking about the Utah Theatre, be still my beating heart because this year the theatre also hosts a Cary Grant movie marathon. Ten movies feature the famous heartthrob on the big screen, July 9-Aug. 3.
All productions and concerts are held in are held in either the Ellen Eccles Theatre or the Utah Theatre in Logan. Other event locations vary. Performance tickets are available online at utahfestival.org or by calling 435-750-0300. Mainstage production tickets are $9-$93, concert tickets are $7-$56 and silent movie and Academy tickets are $10. Discounts are available for season ticket purchases and groups.