A new twist to annual list of crowning achievements: The Utah Review’s Top 10 Moments of the Utah Enlightenment in 2022

This year’s selection in The Utah Review of the top ten moments of the Utah Enlightenment in 2022 was easily the quickest to lock in, considering the possibilities. There were no close calls. The ten selections were a slam dunk. This year, however, presented the opportunity for a twist. While nine of the ten selections … Read more

Plan-B Theatre sets world premiere in Nov. 3-13 run of Morag Shepherd’s My Brother Was A Vampire

In the 2004 novel, Let the Right One In, by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, which later was adapted into Swedish and American films as well as a theatrical production, a preteen boy becomes friends with a new neighbor, whom he realizes is a vampire. It is a fine example of a story that bridges … Read more

Fall arts calendar off to a rousing start: Pioneer Theatre Company’s Scapin, Plan-B Theatre’s Ballet for Aliens, NOVA Chamber Music Series’ Connect with Inspiration

The 2022-23 performing arts calendar has filled quickly, including a new adaptation of Molière’s play about Scapin the schemer, Plan-B Theatre’s Ballet for Aliens to mark the 10th anniversary of its Free Elementary School Tour and NOVA Chamber Music Series’ concert to open its 45th anniversary season. PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY: SCAPIN  The schemer is one … Read more

The Sting & Honey Company offers an elegant cosmopolitan palette of myth and folklore in Sleeping Beauty’s Dream

Watching Sleeping Beauty’s Dream, by Javen Tanner, in a recent production by The Sting & Honey Company, one can appreciate the cosmopolitan melange of myths that supersedes the traditional Disney-like narrative portrayal. Tanner’s script shows that the relationships connecting the romantic lead characters extend beyond physical attraction into loyalty, commitment, friendship and dignity.  The results … Read more

Opera, Shakespeare, Ibsen adaptation, a trio of clowns and local satire are some highlights of 8th Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Part I of a two-part series featuring reviews of some of the shows at the 8th Great Salt Lake Fringe festival. The event continues this weekend, Aug. 4-7, at The Gateway. See The Utah Review preview here. There may be nine fewer shows and one less venue than last year for … Read more

Eighth Great Salt Lake Fringe set to open July 28 at The Gateway

With two dozen shows in four performing venues at The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City, the Great Salt Lake Fringe (GSLF) returns for the eighth year, with shows spanning the two weekends from July 28 through Aug. 7. This is also the first year since 2019 that all shows will be in person. The … Read more

Backstage at the Utah Arts Festival 2022: Fear No Film, Artist Marketplace, WordFest Poetry Slam, Wasatch IronPen award winners announced

Black Slide.

Twelve awards were announced today in the 19th annual Fear No Film portion of the Utah Arts Festival, including a Grand Jury Prize, two Utah Short Film of The Year honors, Fearless Filmmaker Award, three honorable mentions and five audience awards. This year’s Grand Jury Prize: Best of Show represents two firsts in Fear No … Read more

Backstage at the Utah Arts Festival 2022: With individual, team poetry slams back in full force, an inside look at how teams prepare for invitationals

With the Utah Arts Festival back at full steam, one of its most popular literary arts offerings (and most competitive) also returns to full bloom for the first time in three years. This year’s poetry slam offerings includes individual and team invitationals with prizes at the youth and professional level as well as performances by … Read more

Backstage at the Utah Arts Festival 2022: Wordfest Stage headliners include Monarch The Poet, and George McEwan, known as Utah’s Biggest Liar

Monarch The Poet: June 24, Wordfest (Literary Arts) Stage, 7 p.m. For Monarch The Poet, some of his best role models include the best known names on the poetry scene, including Nikki Giovanni and Jericho Brown, whose writing style resonated with the stream of consciousness and raw melodic flow he has crafted in his work. … Read more

Backstage at the Utah Arts Festival 2022: The beautiful metaphysical muses of Tree Hill, Ami Divine

Two Las Vegas musicians who started as poets and spoken word performers and admire each other greatly — Tree Hill and Ami Divine — are set to perform at the Utah Arts Festival, as part of the Emerging Artists program. Tree Hill with DJ DuwopRose The Vinylist: June 24, The Round, 3:15 p.m. and June … Read more