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Fales' continues his 'Confessions'
As the outright center of gravity in Steven Fales 90-minute solo show, "Confessions of a Mormon Boy," the actor charts virtually every stage of his life, from LDS missionary in Portugal and Mormon family man to life as a gay man in New York City. For good measure, the press release also lists Fales' passages through, "reparative therapy, excommunication, divorce, prostitution and crystal meth addiction as he struggles to reclaim himself, his two children and his 'Donny Osmond smile.' " More than a laundry list of personal crisis, however, is the fact that "Confessions of a Mormon Boy" has endured in many theaters, as an earnest exploration of peace and personal identity. The play returns to Salt Lake City for two shows in October (timed to the Mormon Church's General Conference weekend) and over Thanksgiving, from its West End debut at London's Charing Cross Theatre.
When • 8 p.m. Oct. 1 and Nov. 26
Where • The Complex, 537 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $15 or $20 day of show. Visit http://www.smithtix.com or http://www.facebook.com/Fales.Steven for more information.
Spread the 'Wealth'
Every fan of ancient Greek theater knows Aristophanes. Many scholars believe the playwright saved his best for last with "Wealth," a play that explored the justice and dynamics of wealth and poverty centuries before politicians argued about the appropriate top brackets for the federal income tax.
Chremylos is the poor but eminently likable man who befriends a blind beggar, who turns out to be the god Plutus in disguise. Before Plutus' sight is restored, the audience is treated to one of the first political satires about fortune and money. The first half asks what might happen if wealth was assigned at random, with the second reserved for the very special goddess of poverty herself, whose argument is a prelude to the ultimate in plot twists when we see the roles of rich and poor reserved. Those who like ancient Greek theater, and even those who don't mind a heavy dose of allegory onstage, will want to mark their calendars for this one-night production at Weber State University, marking the 11th year of the university's Greek Readers Theatre celebration. You won't find a better play about money that's free of charge.
When • 1:30 p.m. Sept. 27
Where • Weber State University, Hetzel-Hoellein Room of the Stewart Library, 1905 University Circle, Ogden.
Tickets • Free. Recommended for mature audiences.
'Legally Brunette: Not All Dumbs Are Blonde'
There's a whole shampoo aisle's worth of pop-culture references in Desert Star Playhouse's new comedy "Legally Brunette: Not All Dumbs Are Blonde." The plot, crafted by Ben E. Millet, follows newly minted prosecutor Elle Woods as she attempts to put one "AJ Samson" in the can for killing his ex-wife. Helping her crack the case, and battle defense attorney Melvin Farkas, are Judge Judy and even Napoleon Dynamite. So brush up on the infamous 1994 O.J. Simpson trial, cultivate a healthy dose of skepticism — if needed — about criminal defense attorneys and recall Reese Witherspoon's performance in the 2001 film that inspires this show. Desert Star's à la carte menu and after-show musical review — this time it's "Zombie Prom Olio"— come with your ticket. Scott Holman directs.
When • Sept. 29-Nov. 12; 7 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 6 and 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m Saturday matinees.
Where • Desert Star Theatre, 4861 S. State St., Murray.
Tickets • $9.95-$17.95. Call 801-266-2600 or visitDesertStarPlayhouse.com for more information.
'The Foreigner'
Larry Shue's "The Foreigner," a classic of local community theaters, is a dramedy for theatergoers who like their laughs from across the pond, but with a Southern twist. Many jokes revolve around Charlie, a British science-fiction proofreader so socially inept he'd rather not speak to the locals at a fishing lodge in backwoods Georgia, plus the well-meaning folk of Georgia who want to converse with him.
When • 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29, 30 and Oct. 1 and 4-8
Where • Dixie State College Sears Art Museum, 255 S. 700 East, St. George
Tickets • $10. Call 435-652-7500 for more information.
'Such a poor, bare, forked animal'
The summit of perhaps all William Shakespeare's great tragedies, "King Lear" comes to the Adams Shakespearean Theatre at Southern Utah University, complementing the riches already on offer through the Utah Shakespeare Festival's fall season. This production is directed by Peter Sham, fresh off the London West End summer opening of the "Lend Me a Tenor the Musical," an adaptation of Ken Ludwig's beloved play that Sham co-wrote with Brad Carroll.
Sham's directorial take on "Lear" will play to both the outer elements of the tragedy, which must be immediately and communicable to audiences, as well as the more intense inner workings of the character's souls. "To that end," Sham states in press materials, "SUU's adaptation promises several surprises never before seen in any production of 'King Lear' in history." Helping Sham bring that vision to the fore will be set designer Brian Jude and costume designer Kaylin James. Payden Adams plays the title role, with Jenny Smith as the Fool.
When • 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 and 30 ; and Oct. 1, 7-8.
Where • Adams Shakespearean Theatre, Southern Utah University, 351 W. University Blvd., SUU campus, Cedar City.
Tickets • $5-$10. Call 435-586-7872 or visit http://www.suu.edu/arts for more information.
It's 'Curtains'
If you like musicals and detective stories on stage, then "Curtains" is likely to please both of your theater yearnings in one fell swoop. Set in 1959 Boston, it follows the trails of a police detective who also happens to be a fan of musical theater when he investigates the death of a female actor. She was so bad, she was presumably murdered during her opening night act. The musical debuted 2006 in Los Angeles, and went on to earn eight Tony Award nominations in 2008.
When • 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30-Nov. 12, Friday, Saturday and Monday
Where • Terrace Plaza Playhouse, 99 E. 4700 South, Ogden.
Tickets • $7-$12. Call 801-393-0070 or visit terraceplayhouse.com for more information.
A darker 'Midsummer' night
Three questions concerning "A Midsummer Night's Dream" persisted in the mind of Risa Brainin, guest artist at the University of Utah's department of theater and director of the upcoming production at Babcock Theatre. First, how did Hippolyta transform from stalwart warrior queen of the Amazons into wilful wife of Theseus by Act Four? Second, how does the quarrel between Titania and Oberon over a child upend the mortal and fairy worlds of the play? And, third, where do Shakespeare's dream sequences begin and end between reality and inside the minds of character?
Brainin, a past artistic director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz, changed the gender roles of some of the play's most famous characters in attempts to answer these questions, with Puck and Bottom recast as women. To see an intriguing reworking of this familiar warhorse of the stage, catch this production, with a majority cast of seniors from the University of Utah's Actor Training Program. "This is not your typical production," Brainin states in the press materials. "While very funny, it also looks at some of the darker, more thoughtful aspects of the play."
When • 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23-Oct. 2, with 2 p.m. matinees Oct. 1 and 2.
Where • Babcock Theatre, downstairs from the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East, University of Utah campus, Salt Lake City.
Tickets • $15-$20. Call 801-581-7100 or visit http://www.kingsburyhall.org for more information.
USF offers Curtain Call lunches
The Guild of the Utah Shakespearean Festival sponsors annual luncheons as fund-raising events, featuring appearances by three actors cast in that year's festival. This year's round of lunches mark the festival's 50th year. The first event features actors Ben Livingston, Quinn Mattfeld and Betsy Mugavero, all cast in this year's festival productions of "Noises Off!" and "The Winter's Tale."
When • 11:45 a.m. Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14, and 21
Where • The Garden House Restaurant, 164 S. 100 West, Cedar City.
Info • $17.50. Call 435-477-1454 or visit http://www.bard.org or http://www.bard.org/about/guild/html for more information.
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'Thriller' in Park City
Odyssey Dance Theatre's annual Halloween dance concert of dancing ghouls, slasher maniacs and other assorted monsters hits Park City's Egyptian Theatre.
When • Sept. 30-Oct. 8; 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 6 p.m. Sundays.
Where • Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main Street, Park City, Utah
Info • $25-$30. Call 435-649-9371 or visit ParkCityShows.com.
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