When Rob Lowe came through Utah nearly 10 years ago to perform his new one-man show, the “Parks and Recreation” star, ever true to his Chris Traeger character, said it would “literally” be “criminal negligence” to not go skiing during his visit.
“I’ve been coming to Salt Lake and (surrounding) areas since 1976 to ski,” he told the Deseret News at the time. “I’m thrilled to be back. Utah has such a special place in my heart — it always has.”
Now, back in Utah for the final run of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, the 61-year-old actor appears to still be making time for the slopes.
“Celebrating the Sundance premiere of ‘The Musical’ with some quality time at Alta,” Lowe shared in a recent Instagram post.
“Welcome back!” Alta Ski Area responded. “We apologize for not ordering up chest-deep powder turns for your visit this time.”
Lowe’s ski adventure comes shortly after the premiere of the dark comedy “The Musical.” While at the premiere, the actor briefly chatted with the Deseret News and shared his best parenting advice.
Rob Lowe shares his best parenting advice
Throughout his career, Lowe has opened up about balancing family life with the high demands of Hollywood.
He’s previously starred alongside his two sons in “The Lowe Files,” and also appeared with his son, John Owen Lowe, in the Netflix workplace comedy “Unstable.”
Shortly before the premiere of “The Musical,” Lowe shared his best parenting advice with the Deseret News.
“You could write a whole book on that — and I have,” he said with that upbeat Chris Traeger-esque tone he’s known for. “It sounds so trite but it really is true, is helping your kids find their dream and supporting it. And if you’re lucky enough to have a kid, or be a kid, like I was, who knew what my dream was, it’s actually much easier.
“My boys bounced from this to that to the other before they finally found what they liked,” he continued. “And when they do find it, it’s such a relief. And then the parents’ job is just to clear the decks for them — but they’ve got to walk the path."
What is ‘The Musical’ about?
“The Musical” — which premiered Jan. 25 at the Eccles Theatre in Park City — has an edgier “School of Rock” vibe to it. In the film, Lowe plays an optimistic principal who has his sights set on getting a Blue Ribbon of Academic Excellence for his middle school.
The problem: Doug, the school’s downtrodden theater teacher (Will Brill) has his sights set on ruining Principal Brady’s career because he has just started dating his ex (Gillian Jacobs).
Instead of rehearsing for a production of “West Side Story” — which the entire school thinks the theater class is working on — Doug and his students are secretly putting together a musical that will eliminate any chance of getting that blue ribbon.
Thirteen-year-old Nevada Jose, who plays the theater teacher’s sidekick in the film, loved getting to work with Lowe on set.
“He makes my character so easy to play — I wish I had more scenes with him,“ the teenager told the Deseret News at the premiere.
Devin Villarreal, who plays the Piano Kid in the film, said he enjoyed singing with Lowe off-set — including a song Lowe wrote several years ago.
“It really was fun,” Villarreal said. “He was really good at acting.”
“The Musical” will likely draw an R rating for language.