We often write of incredible far off adventures to countries around the world. There are times however when the world can be brought a little closer to where you are. Shakespearian festivals are quite popular across the country and as the summer wound down this year we decided to visit one of the most spectacular Shakespeare festivals anywhere, outside of England that is.
Cedar City, Utah lies in the southern part of of the state. Its close proximity to Zion Nation Park and Bryce Canyon are only a few of the additional bonuses you will find during your stay. It also happens to be the setting for the Utah Shakespeare Festival, held every summer and fall. If you want to experience Shakespeare to as close as it happened in his day, then you have to see it in the Adams Shakespeare Theatre. The Adams, is an outdoor theater and has been said to be one of two that closely resembles the design of Shakespeare’s Globe (The other being the new Globe Theatre in London). While there, we enjoyed several of the performances that we reviewed (below) with the hope that you will come visit Utah's corner of "England", that will take you back to a time of merriment and theatre at its finest. Keep in mind as well, that not all the plays performed are of the work of Shakespeare, the festival keeps it fresh and lively by adding a little of the more modern taste to the evenings as well.
Richard III
King Richard the III has a spectacular cast including MFA Yale School of Drama graduate, Elijah Alexander, whom has performed on many theaters throughout the country. Elijah's performance easily draws you into the twisted mind of King Richard the III. His main objective is to use any means possible, whether it be be seduction or murder, to gain control of the kingdom that is not inherently his to posses. The historical background comes to life as Shakespeare adds some humor to such a controversial historical figure
To this day there are still supporters and opponents for King Richard the III, mostly over the the controversy over his two young nephews who disappeared in a tower as young boys and never seen again. The cowardliness is ultimately shown by King Richard the III in the final act as he and his army are in battle against Henry Tudor's army and he exclaims, "A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!".
The Music Man
This classic play written by Meredith Wilson, was inspired by his own upbringing in Mason Iowa, as well as having Utah connections. A heart warming musical shows a time that a town's judgments become changed by the universal language of music.
Herold Hill, a traveling salesman and a conman, must win over the trust of the suspecting and intellectual librarian, Marian. As he continues to con the town, Marian and Harold unknowingly begins to change the townspeople - along with themselves. This music filled extravaganza is full of patriotism, beautiful harmonies, and the magic that can happen when we open our hearts to what lies beyond our own personal limits and produce the magic of happy endings.
Noises Off!
Noises Off! written by Micheal Frayn is a side splitting comedy that shows the complexity of theatre. Audiences that see the play finds themselves laughing throughout the entirety of the performance. With two intermissions the audience finds themselves wishing there were none, as you couldn't wait to find out what happens next.
The show has the brilliance of Michael Frayn which will surely keep you intoxicated with laughter. You will wonder how much truth lies within Noises Off! of the dynamics of life in the theatre. "I didn't know if actors would even be able to perform it" - Michael Frayn.
A must see.....many people have been drawn to this performance many times over. This play keeps you boiling over with laughter, confusion and wondering how soon you could buy tickets to the next
performance.
The Glass Menagerie
Based on his family's dysfunctional life. His father didn't love him and his mother was predisposed with her southern bell upbringing and life. Tennessee Williams loved his sister Rose but held anger towards the treatment of her by his parents, so he chose to become a wanderer himself and where he began to think of his sister as living
in a glass.
The play could seem somewhat dreary unless the viewer understands the parallels between Tennessee Williams own upbringing, when this is understood, you will view it with much more empathy and compassion - not only for the characters whom he created but also for the traditions and challenges of the different time periods in American History. A must see, as it is important to understand the past to change the future.
Look around. I'm sure you will find as we did, some fun, exciting adventures just waiting for you to end your summer's night dream with.
Cedar City, Utah lies in the southern part of of the state. Its close proximity to Zion Nation Park and Bryce Canyon are only a few of the additional bonuses you will find during your stay. It also happens to be the setting for the Utah Shakespeare Festival, held every summer and fall. If you want to experience Shakespeare to as close as it happened in his day, then you have to see it in the Adams Shakespeare Theatre. The Adams, is an outdoor theater and has been said to be one of two that closely resembles the design of Shakespeare’s Globe (The other being the new Globe Theatre in London). While there, we enjoyed several of the performances that we reviewed (below) with the hope that you will come visit Utah's corner of "England", that will take you back to a time of merriment and theatre at its finest. Keep in mind as well, that not all the plays performed are of the work of Shakespeare, the festival keeps it fresh and lively by adding a little of the more modern taste to the evenings as well.
Richard III
King Richard the III has a spectacular cast including MFA Yale School of Drama graduate, Elijah Alexander, whom has performed on many theaters throughout the country. Elijah's performance easily draws you into the twisted mind of King Richard the III. His main objective is to use any means possible, whether it be be seduction or murder, to gain control of the kingdom that is not inherently his to posses. The historical background comes to life as Shakespeare adds some humor to such a controversial historical figure
To this day there are still supporters and opponents for King Richard the III, mostly over the the controversy over his two young nephews who disappeared in a tower as young boys and never seen again. The cowardliness is ultimately shown by King Richard the III in the final act as he and his army are in battle against Henry Tudor's army and he exclaims, "A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!".
The Music Man
This classic play written by Meredith Wilson, was inspired by his own upbringing in Mason Iowa, as well as having Utah connections. A heart warming musical shows a time that a town's judgments become changed by the universal language of music.
Herold Hill, a traveling salesman and a conman, must win over the trust of the suspecting and intellectual librarian, Marian. As he continues to con the town, Marian and Harold unknowingly begins to change the townspeople - along with themselves. This music filled extravaganza is full of patriotism, beautiful harmonies, and the magic that can happen when we open our hearts to what lies beyond our own personal limits and produce the magic of happy endings.
Noises Off!
Noises Off! written by Micheal Frayn is a side splitting comedy that shows the complexity of theatre. Audiences that see the play finds themselves laughing throughout the entirety of the performance. With two intermissions the audience finds themselves wishing there were none, as you couldn't wait to find out what happens next.
The show has the brilliance of Michael Frayn which will surely keep you intoxicated with laughter. You will wonder how much truth lies within Noises Off! of the dynamics of life in the theatre. "I didn't know if actors would even be able to perform it" - Michael Frayn.
A must see.....many people have been drawn to this performance many times over. This play keeps you boiling over with laughter, confusion and wondering how soon you could buy tickets to the next
performance.
The Glass Menagerie
Based on his family's dysfunctional life. His father didn't love him and his mother was predisposed with her southern bell upbringing and life. Tennessee Williams loved his sister Rose but held anger towards the treatment of her by his parents, so he chose to become a wanderer himself and where he began to think of his sister as living
in a glass.
The play could seem somewhat dreary unless the viewer understands the parallels between Tennessee Williams own upbringing, when this is understood, you will view it with much more empathy and compassion - not only for the characters whom he created but also for the traditions and challenges of the different time periods in American History. A must see, as it is important to understand the past to change the future.
Look around. I'm sure you will find as we did, some fun, exciting adventures just waiting for you to end your summer's night dream with.
RSS Feed