theater and dance
Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company Presents Four @ The Rose Wagner 09.20
The Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company has opened its 2012/2013 season on a bittersweet note with Four. This show marks the official countdown to the exit of artistic director Charlotte Boye-Christensen. This scheduled departure gives the company and Salt Lake City an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the tremendous creativity and personal commitment Boye-Christensen has brought to local dance over the last decade, while she is still with us in her capacity as director. Still, it’s hard not to hear a ticking clock set the cadence for the various pieces that comprise this show. The challenge this production offers, then, is that of maintaining a cool attitude regarding the passage of time. … read more
Dance Dance Evolution: Mudson’s DIY Choreography
In a world where the dance company model is dying and dancing in academia becomes increasingly cutthroat, Ashley Anderson’s Mudson stands as a beacon for local choreographers to show their own work. Anderson says, “I think it is one of few starting points. I don’t think there are a lot of options for people to present their work.” Mudson strictly features works in progress from independent choreographers in the basement of the Masonic Temple, and will begin its third season on Sept. 17. … read more
Saturday’s Voyeur 2012 @ Salt Lake Acting Company 07.27
This is my fourth or fifth year in a row checking out the Salt Lake Acting Company’s yearly satire on Utah living and politics, and after sitting through another Jell-O shot filled night, I was not disappointed. This year, they took a slightly different approach than previous years when they have focused almost entirely on headlines from the year. We found ourselves following the narrative of Nephi Jensen, a lowly LDS accounts auditor, as he comes to grips with his relationship wants, his work needs and his religious must-do’s. Nephi is joined by other LDS office building employees, members of Quorum of the 12 and even Mr. Mitt Romney himself. … read more
Wicked @ Capitol Theatre 07.20
The moment I sat down, I knew this production wasn’t going to be anything like the many low-budget plays I’ve sat through at the University of Utah. A large, animatronic dragon perched above the stage, eyes glowing and head shaking, and a map of Oz and its provinces was projected on the red velvet curtain, the Emerald City shimmering in green. The curtains opened soon after, and I became mesmerized by the beautifully constructed set, dark but colorful, like an apocalyptic sunset. I was taking in the details, mechanical cogs and cranks lining the sides, when I finally gave the characters onstage a good look, only to be completely blown away by their costumes. … read more
Daughters of Mudson
For the past three years, the works-in-progress series Mudson—modeled after the Judson series in New York—has been taking place at the Masonic Temple. This year, Ashley Anderson, director of Ashley Anderson Dances and host of loveDANCEmore, and curator Ishmael Houston-Jones asked five choreographers to complete their previous works-in-progress Mudson pieces and come together for the first ever Daughters of Mudson performance. … read more
Delightful Aggression: Stephen Brown Dance Performs Of Meat and Marrow
The SB Dance Company, in its recent production Of Meat & Marrow, once again tested the limits of regional contemporary dance. The show ran from June 15 – 17, in the Leona Wagner Black Box Theatre. … read more
At Home At The Zoo
Since 2010, The Hive Theatre Company has been producing amazing local theatre for the Salt Lake community, and their most current production, Edward Albee’s At Home At The Zoo, is no different. … read more
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Hedwig and the Angry Inch began as a rock musical in 1997 at New York’s Westbeth Theatre Center, written by John Cameron Mitchell (who also directed and played Hedwig in the film adaptation), with music by Stephen Trask (who played Skszp in the film). Before being released nationally, the film adaptation played at Sundance in the same theatre Plan-B is using for their current production: Park City’s Egyptian Theatre. … read more
SB Dance: Body Movin’ on a Meat Hook
Stephen Brown Dance Company has operated outside contemporary norms for 15 years, breaking down expectations and throwing in theatrics to keep audiences on their toes. By offering an interesting combination of modern dance and performance art, SB Dance brings in an almost otherworldly quality to each of their shows. SLUG sat down with the founder and director of SB Dance, Stephen Brown, to discuss his latest production, Of Meat & Marrow. … read more
The Contradictions of The Era – Ballet West’s presents Innovations...
On May 18, at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Ballet West opened Innovations, the final installment of its 2011/2012 season. The show was a mixed lot, offering something to delight and dismay almost anyone. This was no surprise, considering Ballet West’s effort to reach greater audiences, both locally and internationally. … read more