Festival Schedules 2022 Classes
Utah Shakespeare Festival
by Bruce Lee
2y ago
By Liz Armstrong Shakespeare himself once said, “Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven” (Henry VI Part Two). We agree, so what better way to gain knowledge than to take a class at the Utah Shakespeare Festival? The Festival is offering a variety of courses during its 2022 season, with something for everyone: aspiring actors, teachers, and lovers of Shakespeare, theatre, and learning-made-fun. These interactive courses allow lovers of the arts to explore the world of theatre while gaining valuable skills. Education Director Michael Bahr noted that th ..read more
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Two New Faces at the Festival
Utah Shakespeare Festival
by Bruce Lee
2y ago
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is excited to announce the hiring of two new professional artists and educators to join its administrative staff. Clare Campbell has joined the Festival as its new creative director, and Stewart Shelley will be joining the staff April 15 as the education programs manager. Campbell has been working at the Festival as a part-time graphic designer for nearly five years, and the Festival is happy to move into this full-time position of creative director where she now oversees the graphic look of the Festival in all its printed and digital advertising, brochures, sign ..read more
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Festival Plans Annual Make-a-Scene Event
Utah Shakespeare Festival
by Bruce Lee
2y ago
By Liz Armstrong Cedar City, UT—The Utah Shakespeare Festival has announced its annual Make-a-Scene celebratory event on March 31 at the West Valley Performing Arts Center in West Valley City, Utah. The one-night-only fundraising gala will feature a buffet dinner and a special performance of Every Brilliant Thing starring Festival favorite Michael Doherty and directed by Vincent J. Cardinal. Doors open at 6 p.m., the buffet dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., and the performance starts at 8 p.m. As in years past, this year’s play will feature several surprise visits from political and busin ..read more
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Festival Presents "Give 'Em Hell, Harry!" in West Valley City
Utah Shakespeare Festival
by Bruce Lee
2y ago
By Liz Armstrong If you long for the days when politicians tackled big problems, worked together, and got things done, then you won’t want to miss Give ‘Em Hell, Harry! The Utah Shakespeare Festival will be presenting the one-man show March 29 to April 2 at the West Valley Performing Arts Center in West Valley City, Utah.  Tickets for both evening and matinee performances are now on sale. Visit www.wvcarts for details or to purchase. The play will star Fred Grandy, who has experience in both theatre and politics. As an actor he is best known for his role as “Gopher” Smith on th ..read more
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About the Playwrights: "Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd"
Utah Shakespeare Festival
by Bruce Lee
2y ago
Playwrights Stephen Sondheim (left) and Hugh Wheeler By Jess Boles-Lohmann “Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd,” intones a foreboding voice, and we are drawn into a dark world—the Tony Award-winning horror musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. You’ll notice that three writers are credited in the playbill: Christopher Bond, whose play the musical is based on, Hugh Wheeler, who wrote the book, and Stephen Sondheim, who composed the music and lyrics. The story of Sweeney Todd actually dates back to the nineteenth century, and each of these writers’ expertise he ..read more
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The Infamous Role of Sweeney Todd: A Glance Back
Utah Shakespeare Festival
by Bruce Lee
2y ago
Johnny Depp as Sweeney in the movie version of Sweeney Todd By Liz Armstrong  Originally a non-musical play by Hugh Wheeler in 1974, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has been produced as a musical many times since. The list of actors who have taken on the gigantic role of the vengeful Sweeney is long, but here are a few that stand out for us: 1979—Len Cariou:  The very first production of the Stephen Sondheim/ Hugh Wheeler version of Sweeney Todd opened in 1979 on Broadway at the Uris Theatre and was directed by Harold Prince. The producti ..read more
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Ten Things You May Not Know about Sweeney Todd
Utah Shakespeare Festival
by Bruce Lee
2y ago
By Liz Armstrong  The winner of eight Tony Awards in 1979 and numerous awards since, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is both wickedly funny and terrifying. It is one of the most popular and lauded musicals ever, but we think you still may be surprised by some of these interesting tidbits about this masterpiece.  This is the first musical ever to be performed in an outdoor theatre at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. It will preview June 21 and open June 24 in the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre. Sweeney Todd’s character originated in “The String of Pearls,” a ..read more
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Q&A with Director Brad Carroll
Utah Shakespeare Festival
by Bruce Lee
2y ago
Brad Carroll is returning to the Utah Shakespeare Festival for the 2022 season to direct Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street after music directing and conducting Ragtime and The Pirates of Penzance in 2021. He has directed numerous plays at the Festival, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2019), The Liar (2018), Murder for Two (2016), South Pacific (2015), The Comedy of Errors (2014), Anything Goes (2013), Les Misérables(2012), and many others. He was also the compose ..read more
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Festival Announces Passing of Beloved Staff Member
Utah Shakespeare Festival
by Bruce Lee
2y ago
With deep sadness, the Utah Shakespeare Festival shares the news that Pamela Redington passed away February 5. Pam worked at the Festival for over twenty-five years, holding positions as correspondence secretary, administrative assistant, and executive assistant, retiring in 2013. She had many friends among the Festival staff, artists, volunteers, patrons, and board members.  “Pam contributed so much over her many years at the Festival and was a beloved member of the staff who will be missed,” said Frank Mack, executive producer. “Pam was a stalwart of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. She ..read more
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Q&A with Director Melinda Pfundstein
Utah Shakespeare Festival
by Bruce Lee
2y ago
Melinda Pfundstein has directed and acted extensively at the Utah Shakespeare Festival for twenty seasons. Acting roles include Margaret in Richard III, Mother in Ragtime, Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Fantine in Les Misérables, Hermione in The Winter’s Tale, and many others. She has directed The Merchant of Venice and The Book of Will for the Festival, and will be taking the helm of All’s Well That Ends Well this summer. The Festival recently conducted this question-and-answer interview via email. Utah Shakespeare Festival: Many people consider All’s Well Tha ..read more
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