Shakespeare in the Schools: Othello to Tour in 2023

By Liz Armstrong 

CEDAR CITY, UT – The Utah Shakespeare Festival is thrilled to announce its 2023 production of Shakespeare in the Schools, an annual touring production. A team of 10 members will travel across Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah, bringing the timely message of Othello to students. 

THE TOUR 
Shakespeare in the Schools “brings quality Shakespeare performances and workshops to schools and communities throughout the West,” and has been doing so for twenty-nine years. 

The shortened 75-minute performance will allow students to experience quality theatre, while the 15-minute talkback following the show gives students the opportunity to interact with the actors. The acting company also teaches three performance-based workshops covering text and voice, stage combat and movement, and improvisation. 

Associate Education Director Stewart Shelley said the tour is incredibly important because it gives students a full Shakespeare experience. 

“It’s important for students to hear Shakespeare’s text spoken out loud and see the actors embody the characters,” Shelley said. “This tour is a really important next step in understanding Shakespeare as a classical playwright and understanding his stories.”

The tour will start January 30 and end April 21. If you wish for Shakespeare-in-the-Schools to come to your school or community, please complete this form: Tour Request Form.

THE PLAY 
This is the first time that Othello will be taken on tour by the Festival. Director Cordell Cole, who has previously toured for Shakespeare in the Schools, strongly advocated for the play, specifically because of Othello’s message on the destruction that hate brings. 

“When hate seeps so far into our bones that we stop looking for the truth, danger follows,” Cole said. “It is a violent lesson, one told achingly, through language full of dirt, grit, and pace. At any moment in this tale, had hate been thrown aside just long enough to sit, express, and work through, things could have perhaps turned out differently.”

Cole believes it was lack of communication that tore Iago and Othello apart, as well as Othello and Desdomona. 

“It all spirals away from them; for seemingly nothing. And I believe that’s the point,” Cole said. Hate in communication’s stead seems to be our country’s truth, today, yesterday, and tomorrow if we do not address it.”

Shelley agrees that Othello is an “important show with an important message.” 

“It’s very timely for our society right now and a great opportunity for students to engage early on in important conversations about equity, diversity, and inclusion and what that means,” Shelley said. 

THE TEAM 
In addition to Cole as director, the team will consist of Technical Director April Salazar, Tour Manager Abby Naaken, and Stage Manager Lindy Rublaitus. The seven actors are Darrin Earl II, Ian Greers, Rachel Jones, Nazlah Black, Noah Ratgen, Nic Sanchez, and Shay Jowers.

ABOUT FESTIVAL TOURS
The Festival will actually have two different touring productions on the road around the same time: Othello and Every Brilliant Thing, which is not part of Shakespeare in the Schools, but is funded by the state legislature. While the audiences are similar, the goals for each show are different.

Shakespeare in the Schools–this year, Othello–is designed for audiences to have a condensed yet complete theatrical experience, with lights, costume, and sound design. More information can be found at bard.org/othellotour. Every Brilliant Thing, however, is a much smaller production with only one actor that aims to reach students with important messages about mental health and hope. Information about this show can be found at bard.org/brillianttour.

If you have any questions, contact the Utah Shakespeare Festival Education Department at 435-865-8333 or usfeducation@bard.org.

Props Team Brings Holiday Cheer to Cedar City

By Liz Armstrong

Husband and wife duo Ben Hohman and Marielle Boneau have gone all out once again with their holiday display, bringing lots of light – literally — to Cedar City and its community.

This is the 18th year that Properties Director Hohman and Assistant Properties Director Boneau have decked out their house at 26 N 1150 W. The display lights up every night from 5:30-10 pm and will run until December 31st.

Including over 65,000 lights and over 40 inflatable decorations that are choreographed to dance with 20 Christmas songs, visitors can walk through Candy Cane Lane, taking in the light display in both the front and back yard. 

The display has raised over $28,000 for Make-A-Wish since they started. In addition to taking donations, the couple also donates the value of their December power bill to the organization. 

And lots of power is needed! An electrician installed an extra 120 amps of electricity in the back of the house just for the Christmas lights, which is four times the amount used inside. It’s safe to say that Hohman and Boneau love Christmas a whole “watt.” 

The idea to collect donations came about almost a decade ago. Hohman helps with the annual Make-a-Wish Christmas party and is a trained Wish Granter, so his involvement with the organization goes back a long time.

“We help decorate for the Christmas party each year, and we decorate the house as a fundraiser for the organization,” Hohman said. 

That first year, they were encouraged to become more involved with the organization after their friend Heather was impressed with their decorating, and so the couple started to collect donations at their light display

Boneau joked that because the display is for a good cause, it “legitimizes his Christmas craziness.” Call it “crazy,” we call it “passionate Christmas cheer!” Either way, the Utah Shakespeare Festival is proud that this Props team continues to go above and beyond with the display.

When asked why the couple continues to put in over 700 hours to put up and take down the display each year, Hohman and Boneau said they do it for the community. 

“The community has grown to love it,” Hohman said. “It’s become a tradition for a lot of families in town.”

Boneau added that they truly enjoy doing it, and seeing the reaction of community members makes it all worth it. 

“We have a back patio area that we call ‘Winter Disco Land,’” Hohman said. “And it’s so fun to see the little kids go back there and dance.” 

For those in the community that return each year, there are some exciting new additions. Their inflatable Mater, from the movie Cars, is now “selling,” Christmas trees in their front yard. A large toy soldier brigade now stands guard out front too! 

“Marielle found a gingerbread house for our two gingerbread inflatables to live in Gingerbread Land,” Hohman said. 

Boneau is also excited about the newest Snoopy additions, so keep an eye out! 

Come see the display, “lighten” up, and get in the Christmas spirit! We promise, it’s sure to be merry and “bright.” 

Donations can be made at the display or at their website. While on the site, check out video footage of the past 15 years of the display. Donations are also accepted directly on the Make-a-Wish website or Venmo @benslightdisplay.

Every Brilliant Thing to Tour Again 2023-2024

By Liz Armstrong

CEDAR CITY, UT – Offered free by the Utah Shakespeare Festival to every public high school in the state of Utah, Every Brilliant Thing will tour once again. In 2019, the play swept the state with the “intention of cultivating the use of proactive, life-affirming communication when you or those you love are confronted with depression.” 

Director of Development and Communications Donn Jersey said Every Brilliant Thing is one of the most critical pieces of work the Festival has ever produced. 

“Every Brilliant Thing demonstrates why no darkness lasts forever; even then, there are stars,” Jersey said. “It reminds us of things hiding in plain sight that make life worth living that we don’t see when we are suffering.”

Starting this February, the show will tour across the state of Utah to bring the heartwarming and comforting message to secondary school students. To reach as many schools in Utah as possible, the tour will continue in spring 2024, as well. 

“This show is so relevant, and it’s the relevancy that heightens the importance,” Associate Education Director Stewart Shelley said. “This show opens up dialogue in a very positive manner and is a door that students who are experiencing anxiety, depression, or suicide ideation, can walk through to get the resources that they need.”

The one-person play tells the story of someone who learns that their mother is in the hospital after her first attempt to take her own life. The narrator then begins a list of every brilliant thing in the world worth living for: “ice cream, water fights, staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV, the color yellow, and things with stripes.” 

Filled with humor and inventiveness, the plot explores hope and depression, change and uncertainty, relationships, risk, guilt, and forgiveness. 

Directed by Cordell Cole, the traveling company will consist of just four members–Tour Manager Jordan Simmons, Stage Manager Kathryn Whilden, and actors Kat Lee and Jeremy Thompson. 

Interim Managing Director Michael Bahr noted that the first touring productions cured hearts, amplified voices, and saved lives. 

“Over the next two years we will be canvassing and performing across the state, bringing messages of hope and serving as partners to Utah schools,” Bahr said. “This production has been instrumental in cultivating consequential conversations about suicide and depression with students and their families.”

Simmons noted that the project has four goals, the first being to create an active dialogue between all stakeholders about emotional and mental well-being in regards to depression and suicide. 

“I hope students learn that they’re not weird, they’re not alone, that things get better, and that life goes on,” Simmons said. “We want every student to know that when they need help there is help available.” 

The team hopes to increase awareness of mental health resources available for students and find applicable ways to use these resources. The other goals are to provide an artistic experience that enables young people to see things from a new and positive perspective, and to inspire people to see the beauty in life. 

For Simmons, the show hits close to home, and why he is eager for as many students as possible to see Every Brilliant Thing. 

“Having experienced suicide ideation periodically in my own life, it wasn’t until I was an adult that I’ve been able to openly address it,” Simmons said. “I wish I would have experienced something like this when I was a teenager that would have allowed me to get help.”

Funded by the Utah State Legislature, the production is free to any secondary education school in Utah that is interested. The tour will begin February 13, 2023, and will run through the end of April. If you would like Every Brilliant Thing to come to your school or community, please complete this form: Tour Request Form.

For more information on the play, access the study guide here.

For questions, contact Simmons at 435-299-0567 or brillianttour@bard.org.

2023 Is Just Around the Corner

By Liz Armstrong

Cedar City, UT— It’s not too early to plan for the 2023 season at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Cyber Monday, our biggest sale of the year is just around the corner and is the perfect opportunity to purchase tickets. 

 Take advantage of the deal and receive $10 off every ticket by visiting bard.org/cyber or by calling the Festival ticket office. The sale will go live at midnight and is only available on Monday, November 28. 

“Our 2023 season is full of beloved classics and bold stories—most of them new to Festival audiences,” said Derek Charles Livingston, interim artistic director. “It is a line-up perfect for theatre lovers, a must-see collection of great work.”

Here’s the 2023 lineup:

In the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
June 22 - September 9
By William Shakespeare

This luxurious tale of fairies, dreams, and moonlight is Shakespeare’s most popular comedy. “The course of true love never did run smooth,” but, when the feuding king and queen of the fairies interfere in the mercurial romances of mortals, the result is pure pandemonium and magical mayhem, spotlighting the roguish Puck, bumbling would-be actors, impish fairies, and young lovers. 

West Side Story
June 21 - September 8
Based on a Conception of Jerome Robbins
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Tony, a leader in the Jets, a gang of white working-class youths, and Maria, sister of the leader of the Puerto Rican American Sharks, are in love—defying the gang tensions and ignoring racial differences. But, just as in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a feuding rivalry threatens to keep the lovers apart. West Side Story is a musical masterpiece that is just as relevant and provocative as when it premiered in 1957 and changed American musical theatre forever.

In the Randall L. Jones Theatre

Jane Austen’s Emma
June 22 - October 7
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Paul Gordon
Orchestrations by Brad Haak, Paul Gordon, and Brian Allan Hobbs
Based on the Novel by Jane Austen

Jane Austen’s enduring love story is given new life as a romantic musical. Revisit with new wonder one of Austen’s most adored heroines, a well-meaning but bungling matchmaker who ignores her own desires for love while setting out to find a suitor for her friend Harriet. Sweet, intelligent, and buoyant, this musical will make you fall in love all over again.

A Raisin in the Sun
June 23 - September 8
By Lorraine Hansberry 

In 1959 playwright Lorraine Hansberry created a theatrical masterpiece that broke down racial barriers both on and off the stage. A Raisin in the Sun follows the proud Younger family members as they grapple with different definitions of the American dream and how to achieve it, while battling racial discrimination and financial pitfalls that threaten to pull the family apart and push their dreams out of reach.

The Play That Goes Wrong
June 30 - October 7
By Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields

Welcome to the opening night of the Cornley Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. The ill-fated play-within-a-play has everything never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences!

In the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre

Timon of Athens
July 14 - October 7
By William Shakespeare

Timon’s compulsive generosity makes him the most popular man in Athens. The people flatter and praise him, all the while accepting his gifts. Timon is everyone’s best friend—until his wealth is suddenly gone. Destitute and disillusioned with so-called friends who have abandoned him, he turns his back on the world. A play for our times, Timon of Athens is hilarious, satiric, and deeply moving as it explores friendship, wealth, and the foibles of a materialistic society. 

Coriolanus
July 15 - October 7
By William Shakespeare

An arrogant, proud and hot-headed military hero, Coriolanus is seduced by the notion of becoming Rome’s ruler, but he must go among the “commoners” he disdains to win their votes.  His loathing becomes public, and the people drive this skilled general from Rome and into allegiance with a sworn enemy. Coriolanus now threatens to attack those whom he sought to rule. This rarely produced play’s themes of ambition, love, family, and power will crackle in our intimate Anes Theatre. 

Once again, visit bard.org/cyber or call to get $10 off per ticket while the sale lasts! Please note that the sale cannot be combined with other discounts and it is only available on Monday, November 28.

With additional questions or to purchase tickets over the phone, call 800-PLAYTIX. The ticket office is open from 10 am-5 pm Monday through Friday. 

Check out showtimes and dates at bard.org/calendar.

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy Our Favorite Holiday Recipes

By Liz Armstrong

Happy Thanksgiving! We are extremely thankful for you all and cannot wait for next season. During this time of gratitude and celebration, Utah Shakespeare Festival staff would like to share some of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes. 

As we prepare for holiday festivities, we would also love to hear from our dear patrons! Follow our Instagram and Facebook accounts, @utahshakespeare. On our November 17 Thanksgiving post, please comment how you enjoyed these dishes or share your favorite recipes that you’ll be preparing this holiday. 

General Manager Kami Terry Paul 
Arkansas Green Beans

Ingredients:
-5 (15 ounce) cans green beans, drained
-7 slices bacon
-⅔ cup brown sugar
-¼ cup butter, melted
-7 teaspoons soy sauce
-1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder

Instructions: 
-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
-Place drained green beans in a 9x13-inch baking pan.
-Arrange bacon in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Cook in the microwave until slightly cooked, about 2 minutes. Lay bacon over green beans.
-Mix together brown sugar, melted butter, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Pour over green beans and bacon.
-Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Interim Managing Director Michael Bahr
Chewy Molasses Cookies

Ingredients:
-1 1/2 cups butter, softened
-2 cups of sugar 
-2 large eggs
-1/2 cup molasses
-4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-4 teaspoons ground ginger
-2 teaspoons baking soda
-1 & 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
-1 teaspoons ground cloves
-1/4 teaspoons salt
-3/4 cup sugar (For rolling the cookies in) 

Instructions: 
-Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl
-Shape dough into 2 inch balls
-Roll each ball in sugar
-Place on cooking sheet.
-Cook at 350 for 15-25 minutes or until the tops are cracked. 

Director of Development and Communications Donn Jersey 
Cranberry Brie Bites 

Ingredients: 
-large egg
-18 ounce wheel of brie
-1 package frozen puff pastry (2 sheets, thawed)
-all-purpose flour for dusting
-⅓ cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
-¼ cup walnuts, finely chopped
-1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

Instructions: 
-Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
-Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. 
-Whisk egg with 1 tbsp of water in a small bowl.
-Cut side rind off Brie. 
-Cut Brie into 32 even pieces. 
-Unfold a puff pastry sheet on lightly floured surface.  
-Roll out into a 13-inch square.
-Cut into 16 squares. 
-Repeat with second sheet so create 32 squares total. 
-Top a pastry square with 1/2 tsp cranberry sauce, 1/4 teaspoon walnuts, a piece of Brie and a pinch of thyme. 
-Brush the edges of the pastry squares with egg mix until lightly coated and tacky. 
-Pinch 2 opposite points together, then pinch the remaining 2 points together to create a little package. 
-Repeat with the remaining pastry squares and filling.
-Transfer to prepared baking sheets and brush with egg & olive oil and sprinkle with brown sugar.  
-Bake until puffed and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

Marketing Assistant Astrid Bacy 
Shepherd’s Pie 

Ingredients:
-1 pound ground beef
-Mashed potatoes
-1 can corn, drained)
-12 ounces Heinz Savory Beef Gravy
-Shredded cheese (colby, mild cheddar or mozzarella - Lots of it!)

Instructions: 
-Cook and strain ground beef.
-Lay on the bottom of a baking pan.
-Add gravy to meat (spread).
-Sprinkle in the corn (spread).
-Layer the mashed potatoes (spread evenly to the edges).
-Sprinkle the cheese. 
-Cover with foil.
-Bake at 375 degrees until bubbling.
-Let it cool for 15 minutes. 

Assistant Properties Director Marielle Boneau
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread 

Ingredients:
-2 cans Grands! cinnamon rolls (5 per can)
-1/4 cup granulated sugar
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-1/2 cup brown sugar
-1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 

Instructions:
-Open cinnamon rolls and cut each of the rolls into 6 pieces. 
-Reserve the frosting and set aside.
-In a gallon Ziplock bag, add granulated sugar, cinnamon and cut cinnamon rolls.
-Seal and shake to coat.
-Stir together the brown sugar and melted butter.
-Spray a 5-7 qt slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place half the dough pieces in the bottom of the slow cooker.
-Pour half the melted butter mixture over the top
-Add the rest of the cinnamon roll pieces
-Pour the remaining melted butter mixture on top.
-Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for about 2 hours. (The edges will start to brown, but the top will be a little gooey.)
-Turn off the slow cooker and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
-Drizzle reserved icing on top of the monkey bread. 

Properties Director Ben Hohman
Ben’s Dip 

Ingredients:
-16-24 oz of whipped cream cheese
-8-12 oz of vegetable cream cheese
-1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons of minced garlic
-16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese 

Instructions:
-Combine the cream cheeses, garlic, and 1/2 the mozzarella cheese in a bowl, stirring until well combined. 
-Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
-Bake @ 375 for 10-12 minutes.
-Stir and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese 
-Continue baking for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melty. 
-Serve as a dip with crackers, pretzels, or chips. 

Guest Services Manager Aubree Rasmussen 
Caramel Fruit Dip 

Ingredients: 
-8 ounces cream cheese, softened
-1 cup brown sugar
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
-Combine all ingredients.
-Mix with electric mixer until smooth.
-Serve with fruit of choice.

Festival Acknowledges Passing of Former Employee Cherene Heap

With deep sorrow, the Utah Shakespeare Festival shares the news that Cherene Heap passed away this November 6 at the age of 66. 

From 1981-2013, Heap worked to develop and formalize processes that established Festival Child Care. Working with Kris Cooley, this program became a beloved part of the Festival experience for patrons and their families.

“Cherene was a person without guile,” Cooley said. “She was kind, understanding, and very loving. She put her whole heart into anything that she did.” 

Cooley expressed that Heap developed close relationships with the children and their families they worked with in childcare, receiving wedding invitations and graduation announcements often from these children as they grew up. 

Heap became an integral part of these children’s lives, and she will be sorely missed.

“There were hundreds of children that passed through Cherene’s classroom during the school years, and then nightly at the Festival through the summers. Cherene welcomed these children as their families attended the plays,” Interim Managing Director Michael Bahr said. “Patrons grew up, starting as infants, who would later attend the plays and then bring their own children.”

Bahr expressed that Heap was gracious and loving and played a fundamental role in the Festival for many families. 

“Patrons and company members, actors and technicians, all benefited from [her] loving care,” Bahr said. 

Company Manager Denise Stiegman echoed these sentiments from Bahr.

“This is hard news to hear. Ms. Heap was my oldest daughter’s third grade teacher,” Stiegman said. “She was so loving and helpful and kind. Such a wonderful human. She will be missed.”

The Festival sends its condolences, love, and gratitude to Cherene’s family and friends. Heap’s viewing and funeral were held in Cedar City last weekend but her obituary can be read, memories left, and the funeral services viewed by visiting this link.

Festival Honors and Remembers Audrey Whipple

It is with saddened hearts that we acknowledge the passing of our dear Festival friend Audrey Jean Wallace Whipple. 

Audrey was born in Salt Lake City on July 22, 1932, and passed away on October 28 of this year.

She ran Bard’s Inn Bed and Breakfast in Cedar City for many years and was a beloved partner of the Festival. Audrey and her husband John Roberts Whipple, known as Jack, operated the bed and breakfast for nearly 20 years before retiring to Salt Lake City to be near family. 

In addition to being an extremely active patron of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, she held various positions in her church, the Red Cross, United Good Neighbors, and March of Dimes throughout communities in Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. 

General Manager Kami Terry Paul said she met Audrey when she was new to the Festival and Cedar City. 

“She was kind and gracious, and it was easy to see why [she and Jack] had Festival guests returning to stay with them each year during the Festival,” Paul said. 

Interim Managing Director Michael Bahr thoughtfully recalled Audrey’s friendship with the Festival.

“We loved Jack and Audrey! [They] were wonderfully supportive patrons who developed relationships with Festival patrons, company members and community members,” Bahr said. 

Bahr recalled that the couple were active members of the community, delivering large plates of homemade fudge to Festival staff during the Holidays and even hosting guests who visited Cedar City to speak at Southern Utah University. 

“Chuck Metten [former Festival and Southern Utah University employee] utilized their home as he invited special guests to speak at the university, one I especially remember is Karl Malden,” Bahr said. “Oh, how generous and gracious [Audrey] was.” 

Bahr recalled that their home was a place where artists and patrons met and discussed plays and themes over breakfast.

“Audrey’s breakfasts were amazing,” Bahr said. “One of my favorite memories was laughing with Chuck Metten and Karl Malden while eating a luscious egg soufflé that was served with an apricot pastry.”

We will miss Audrey and her friendship, and express our condolences to her loved ones.  

For more information on her life and to view her obituary, visit audrey-whipple-obituary.

What We’re Thankful For: Memorable Moments from the 61st Season

By Liz Armstrong

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Utah Shakespeare Festival staff and patrons have been reflecting on moments from the season that left a lasting impression. 

Director of Development and Communications Donn Jersey said that he is a better person because of the play Trouble in Mind. 

“At the end of the play, Wiletta says, ‘I always wanted to do something real grand in the theatre,’” Jersey said. “Well, she did, and the cast has too. It’s one of the most important pieces of work the Festival has ever produced.” 

It is moments like these that the Festival is most grateful for. It is the goal of this organization to reach inside the hearts of those in attendance and offer moments of change and growth– to help others become more compassionate, better human beings. 

We are grateful to our patrons for attending this past season, and express our thanks to the staff and company members that made those magical moments happen. 

Here are some of those memorable moments:

All’s Well That Ends Well

Director Melinda Pfundstein’s ending in All’s Well That Ends Well was memorable for Education Assistant Victoria Whitaker.

“She got the audience thinking. . . did it all really end well?” Whitaker pondered. 

In Pfundstein’s question and answer session as the director of the play, she voiced that this was the goal.

“I [considered] the behavior and choices of these characters, and the way human beings sometimes behave when we believe that we have time, health, power, and privilege on our sides,” Pfundstein said. “All’s well that ends well … or does it, actually? How long before we are faced with the consequences of the reality we create for ourselves?”

Clue 

Development Assistant Kortney Okelberry couldn’t stop replaying the backwards somersaults by Andre Spathelf-Sanders and the silly transitions between scenes the cast participated in.

“I loved the reverse rewind in Clue,” Okelberry said. 

Patron Sandy Parris Mill’s enjoyed the utter silliness in Clue and the belly laughs that could be heard from audience members. 

King Lear 

Publications Manager Marlo Ihler was in awe seeing Anthony Heald as King Lear this year. 

“What a masterful performance to witness his portrayal of the king’s demise, along with an incredible cast. Every moment of recognition of his deterioration was heartbreaking,” Ihler said. “The end with Cordelia always tears me up and this year it was no different.”

The Sound of Music

“Watching [Daria Pilar-Redus] was pure joy. Her smile and presence was infectious,” said Development Associate Emily Cacho. “She was the perfect Maria for the Festival.” 

Cacho’s favorite moment from The Sound of Music was watching Maria sing “I Have Confidence.” 

Patron Gayle Kuzmich said she was thankful to see such wonderful shows at the Festival, but was especially ecstatic to see her daughter Julia Kuzmich onstage as Liesl. 

Sweeney Todd 

Marketing Assistant Astrid Bacy’s favorite moment of the season was witnessing “the snap” Sweeney Todd experienced onstage.

“You just have this realization that you are totally sympathizing with someone who wants revenge and plans to act on it,” Bacy said. “Art can be a very gray line sometimes.” 

The Tempest 

General Manager Kami Terry Paul’s favorite moment on stage this year was when Ariel asked Prospero, “Do you love me?” 

“There was this beautiful, human moment of vulnerability and then joy when Prospero said, ‘Dearly, my delicate Ariel,’” Paul said. “I think we all have moments that we feel the same vulnerability and question our place in the world, and I want so much for everyone who questions the love of those around them to receive the same kind of message of love that Prospero gives to the faithful Ariel.” 

Patron Jesse Witt was thankful for Trinculo, played by Kevin Kantor. 

“Trinculo captured my heart and opened my mind about who can [perform] Shakespeare,” Witt said. 

Thurgood

Patron Lisa Hardy recalled Interim Artistic Director Derek Livingston’s performance as Thurgood.

“His portrayal and ability to show the progression of age was . . . exceptional,” Hardy said.

Livingston performed the journey of Thurgood’s life. But in addition to chronicling the passing of time as Thurgood, Livingston played a plethora of characters, so studying individual dialects and becoming a student of history was critical as he prepared for the show. 

Trouble in Mind 

Marketing Manager Brittney Corry was moved by so many moments, but Wiletta’s motherly pleas in Trouble in Mind touched her heart the most. 

“As a mom, I could completely relate,” Corry said. “Scenes like those that make me think and deepen my perspective are the moments I’m so grateful for.” 

To share moments of gratitude from the season, visit @utahshakespeare on Facebook or Instagram and comment on the “Moments We Are Thankful For” post from November 2. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

2022 Season in Review: Successes and Challenges

By Liz Armstrong

With the 2022 season officially over, we’d like to thank our patrons and donors for attending and supporting us once again this year. It was a challenging season, battling COVID-19 cases, shipping problems, record-breaking understudy performances, and more. But in the words of Frank Mack, outgoing Festival Executive Producer, it was also a joyful season, filled with the magic only good theatre can bring.

Here is what our leadership and other staff members at the Utah Shakespeare Festival have to say in retrospect of the 61st season:

Executive Producer Frank Mack

“There was a whole lot of joy at the Festival,” Mack said. “Of course we faced challenges with COVID-19 early in the season, but we got through that. Our audiences and artists were quite amazing and we completed a full season.”

With an unheard of amount of understudies and swings utilized this season, it took a huge commitment on the part of the entire company and staff to manage all those replacements and changes on a daily basis, according to Mack.

“I thought the Paiute Tribal Youth Performers before the Greenshow were just incredible. The Greenshows are fabulous already, but with the continued addition of [Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah] and their expanded role, I loved it,” Mack said.

Mack added that he felt the Greenshows were particularly exciting and fun and wonderful this season and that the patrons seemed to enjoy them greatly.

Interim Artistic Director/Director of New Play Development Derek Livingston

Livingston echoed how understudies stepped up extremely well this year. In a typical season, less than 10 understudy performances is average. This season, there were over 100.

“We had 136 understudy performances this season,” Livingston said. “ We had an equal number or more backstage coverings and doublings by our amazing crew members.”

Additionally, Livingston is proud that the Festival provided at least $15/hour wages to all of our non-student fellow workers, and that student fellows received above-minimum wage compensation as well as course credit.

Properties Director Ben Hohman

Hohman and his team were busy this year, having produced 956 props this season. Thurgood had the least amount of props at 21, while Sweeney Todd had the most, boasting 153.

Sweeney Todd was particularly challenging to prepare for.

“Almost everything from Sweeney Todd was built from scratch because the design was so specific,” Hohman said. “We even built razors.”

With over 50 percent of his staff new to the team this season, they had to work extra hard, battling learning curves. Additionally, the shipping delays made their job even harder.

“The shipping issues were pretty bad, we ordered weapons for All’s Well That Ends Well that didn’t arrive until August,” Hohman said. “It seemed that things in the past that hadn’t been easy, but that weren’t super challenging proved this year to be even more challenging than we would’ve liked.”

One thing Hohman was particularly proud of was the success of the dummies in Clue.

“A lot of people after seeing the show didn’t realize that there were duplicates of the actors," Hohman said.

Although this season wasn’t the biggest or most complicated that he’s had to prepare for, the challenges proved to make it the hardest season the props director has had in the 28 years he’s worked at the Festival.

“But the fact that we were able to make that happen and get through the season is pretty astounding and a testament to the entire organization,” Hohman said.

Director of Development and Communications Donn Jersey

“The fuel in our tanks to produce a season against all odds was our community and Festival friends/patrons that needed live theatre in their lives,” Jersey said.

Jersey is proud of that the plays were made at the level they were this season, despite the challenges.

“The obstacles were many, and the outomes were extraordinary; hats off to the entire Festival team and our wonderful supporters,” Jersey said. “The Festival has the best patrons, staff, and seasonal company worldwide!”

People In Our Neighborhood: Director of Economic Development Danny Stewart

By Liz Armstrong

Director of Economic Development Danny Stewart has lived in Cedar City his entire life, attending his first play, As You Like It, at the Utah Shakespeare Festival while a student at North Elementary School. 

“As the director, I’m talking to a lot of people that are considering moving companies and employees here, and the Festival is one of the things that gives Cedar City a remarkable quality of living,” Stewart said. 

His main priority is to make sure that local companies have a good environment, help them find resources to grow and expand, and improve and restore the historic downtown in Cedar City. Stewart also does business recruitment, and said that the Festival is a huge selling point when discussing what Cedar City has to offer. 

“You can visit National Parks and [participate] in outdoor recreation, and then see world-class theatre,” Stewart said. “It really sets us apart.”

Throughout his career, Stewart expressed that the Festival has been a great host and partner, as he often brings guests to the plays. 

“I entertain a lot of guests from other communities in the state, from state government agencies, my economic development partners, and have had the pleasure of making sure that a number of them get to [attend the Festival],” Stewart said. 

He graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in communications, and worked as an editor at The Spectrum before moving to a local publishing company. Stewart has been the Director of Economic Development for Cedar City and Iron County for eight years. 

Founder Fred C. Adams was one of Stewart’s neighbors growing up, and he had friends whose families were involved with the Festival. Because of this, Stewart spent a lot of time watching plays and attending Greenshows.

“My friends who did Punch and Judy shows during the Greenshow had a younger brother who played Fleance in Macbeth. At the end of the season, the brothers got to keep Macbeth’s head,” Stewart recalled. “Teenage boys can find lots of mischief with a realistic looking severed head and the recipe for stage blood…”

Stewart recalled many of his favorite productions from the Festival, some of which include Les Miserables, The Foreigner, Man of La Mancha, Charley’s Aunt, The Merchant of Venice, and Every Brilliant Thing. 

Stewart is not only a long time fan of the Festival, but of Cedar City and its community. 

“We’ve had opportunities to go elsewhere, but Cedar City has been my family’s home for a long time and it would take an awful lot to pull us away from this community,” Stewart said. “I feel very privileged to not only live here, but to represent the city.”