This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Free "for colored girls ..." for MLK
Ntozake Shange's "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf" blazed across the drama world like a comet in 1975, when it premiered in Berkeley, Calif. With seven characters, each representing a color, compressed into 20 sections Shange called "choreopoems," the play left audiences devastated by its scenes of personal crisis, but also elevated by its propulsive force. Girded throughout by poetic dialogue at once strong but delicate, Shange's characters seemed to speak in a tone that blurred the line between private confession and public proclamation. People Productions' version, first presented in early November at the Sorenson Unity Center and directed by Michelle Patrick, dazzled in one of the most assured productions of last year. If you didn't see the full cast then —including Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin as Lady in Red, Nasheda Caudle as Lady in Blue and Angela Trusty as Lady in Brown — now's your chance to make amends and see some incredible live theater.
When • Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7: 30 p.m.
Where • Olpin Student Union Ballroom, 200 S. Central Campus Drive, University of Utah campus, Salt Lake City.
Tickets • Free. Call 801-485-2497 for more information.
'Heartbreak' in Layton
High-school drama productions are rarely technically perfect, but what they may lack in precision they more than compensate for in heart. Layton High School will present the musical "Heartbreak Hotel," the story of a refuge run by one Mr. Desade for crestfallen lovers who need time to recover from their latest romantic escapade and the courage to move on. The song list features "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do," "Chapel of Love," "Standing on the Corner," "I Enjoy Being a Girl" and "There Is Nothing Like a Dame."
When • Thursday to Saturday, Jan. 19-21, 7 p.m.
Where • Layton High School, 440 Lancer Lane, Layton
Tickets • $8. Call 801-402-4800 for more information.
Mike Birbiglia's dry funny bone
Anyone familiar with Chicago Public Radio's "This American Life" via Public Radio International may already be familiar with Mike Birbiglia's comic talent. Whether through his contributions to that program, or his one-man-show-turned-movie, "Sleepwalk With Me," Birbiglia excels at making the awkward moment matter. "Sleepwalk" deals with the lighter side of his REM behavior disorder, which had him acting out his dreams with body movements when other people are able to sleep still. In his stage shows, it's Birbiglia's elliptical vision on what makes the seemingly mundane funny, plus his tone of delivery, that makes it fresh once more. Thanks to the show "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend," you can see for yourself why The New York Times called him "ridiculously enjoyable to listen to" and "a master of the barely relevant aside."
More • Read our interview with Mike Birbiglia at nowsaltlake.com/arts.
When • Friday, Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Where • Libby Gardner Concert Hall, 1375 E. Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $17.50-$32.50. Call 801-581-7100 or visit kingtix.com for more information.
'39 Steps' to theater fun in Perry
"The 39 Steps" might be on its way to becoming a community-theater staple. (Currently it's also playing at Orem's Hale Center Theater.) Now comes Heritage Community Theatre's production of Patrick Barlow's dramatic farce adapted from the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film, adapted from the 1915 short novel by Scottish writer John Buchan. With fast action, and even faster costume changes, this play on the classic theme of man-on-the-run packs more than 150 characters into a cast of four. We won't even mention the requisite romance or the plane crash, severed fingers or handcuffs. The Perry company's production, directed by Dee Pace, features Rod Carlson of Riverdale as Hanney with Kathlyn Pace of Bountiful as the German spy and other female roles. Actor Matt Seaton and even director Pace himself also get in on the stage fun.
When • Plays through Feb. 4. Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, 7:30 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinee Jan. 21.
Where • Heritage Community Theatre, 2505 S. Highway 89, Perry
Info • $8-$9. Call 435-723-8392 for more information or visit http://www.heritagetheatreutah.com for more information.
Broadway musicals, condensed
"Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway" is a show custom-made for musical lovers short on time, but big with love for their favorite show tunes. Seen another way, it's the perfect show for people who love medley reviews. Spanning a time period true to its title, this musical review takes the best-loved numbers from "The Phantom of the Opera," "Cats," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Les Misérables" and "Jekyll and Hyde" to spin them all into a package of light show and performance panache. Best of all, the lineup features many of the same cast members who first made the songs famous. The touring show cast has included Sandra Joseph, who played Christine Daaé in "Phantom," Andrea Rivette, who played Emma Carew in "Jekyll and Hyde," Chuck Wagner, who played Javert in "Les Misérables" and Rapunzel's Prince in "Into the Woods," plus Danny Zolli and Lawrence of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Dreamgirls," respectively. (Note: The cast might change without notice.)
When • Thursday, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Where • Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, campus of University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
Info • $19.50-$29.50. Call 801-581-7100 or visit http://www.kingtix.com for more information.
Get your event listed here by contacting Ben Fulton at bfulton@sltrib.com or call 801-257-8608.