May 4-12
‘Thaîs’ at Utah Opera
Grand opera doesn’t get more grand than “Thaïs,” Jules Massenet’s epic tale of ancient Egypt, of a monk who meets a beautiful courtesan and tries to save her soul from her hedonistic life. Utah Opera is performing “Thaïs” for the first time, with soprano Nicole Heaston in the title role, the Utah Symphony performing and a 40-person choir performing the score — with concertmaster Madeline Adkins performing the violin solo “Méditation” — and dancers from Repertory Dance Theatre also taking the stage. The production was set to open Saturday, May 4, with performances on Monday and Wednesday at 7 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m., and again next Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets available at UtahOpera.org.
May 5
Ant Music returns
The English New Wave singer Adam Ant is set to turn 70 in November, but age isn’t keeping him off the stage. Ant — known for such ‘80s hits as “Stand and Deliver,” “Goody Two Shoes” and “Strip” — is on tour, arriving Sunday at the Eccles Theater, 131 S. Main, Salt Lake City. Opening act is The English Beat. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets available at live-at-the-eccles.com.
May 10-25
‘The Great Comet’ arrives
Pioneer Theatre Company ends its season with a big musical with a long title: “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.” Composer/lyricist/playwright Dave Malloy took a 70-page sliver of Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” to tell the story of depressed Pierre, whose friend Andrey is engaged to Natasha — who finds herself instead attracted to Anatole, Pierre’s brother-in-law. The production starts Friday and runs through May 25 at Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East, Salt Lake City, on the University of Utah campus. Tickets available at pioneertheatre.org.
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