Groundworks to set the pace of excellence, historical significance for Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company’s 60th anniversary, with works by Shirley Ririe, Joan Woodbury, Alwin Nikolais, Daniel Charon

In tandem with The Utah Review’s accompanying historical feature about the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company’s 60 years on the international performing and education dance scenes, Groundworks promises to be the perfect opener. The production will pay tribute to the cofounders Shirley Ririe and Joan Woodbury, both of whom are now in their nineties, as well as … Read more

60 years of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company: ‘A Story of Two Extraordinary Individuals’

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company is celebrating its 60th anniversary during the 2023-24 season. This is a two-part feature, highlighting the legacy and impact of its two founders: Shirley Ririe and Joan Woodbury. For information about the opening Groundworks production and for a summary of the forthcoming anniversary season, click this link. There are many … Read more

A look at some of the exceptional world-class musicians from Utah who will perform during NOVA Chamber Music Series’ 46th season, which starts Sept. 17

NOVA Chamber Music Series’ 46th season is all about personality, as noted previously in The Utah Review. The eight concerts for the 2023-24 season will showcase a generous sampling of the outstanding level of musicianship that exemplifies just how high the bar of artistic quality has been set in Utah. The Utah Review offers a … Read more

Short documentary film Not Another Ballet Story shines a beacon on how a classical art form can evolve for new generations of dancers, choreographers, audiences

The trope of the female ballerina has forever been at the core of classical ballet, on and off stage. But, as with the spectrum of all performing arts companies and organizations, the world of classical ballet is slowly coming around to the realities of staying viable in an artistic world that represents new generations of … Read more

Plan-B Theatre’s 11th Free Elementary School Tour production to highlight Squeak by Tito Livas; Sept. 9 public premiere at Repertory Dance Theatre’s Ring Around The Rose

Early in Tito Livas’ new play, Squeak, the main character tells the audience emphatically that they have a very active brain. “Sometimes I can’t control what I do or what I say because there’s SO MUCH GOING ON IN HERE and my feelings can be pretty big,” Squeak says. When Squeak feels overwhelmed, they imagine … Read more

Five exhibitions at Utah Museum of Contemporary Art make excellent case for breadth, depth of contemporary works by Utah artists

Five current shows at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) cumulatively paint an impressive portrait of the breadth and depth of contemporary works by Utah artists. The Utah Review summarizes the quintet of exhibitions in this roundup. A Greater Utah To those outside of Utah and, frankly, to many in the Beehive State, perceptions … Read more

Made in Utah, Amy Redford’s latest film What Comes Around emerges as intelligent, emotionally simmering moral tale of perturbing circumstances of online communications, romantic relationships, grooming

In the opening moments of What Comes Around, a 2022 film directed by Amy Redford, Beth (Summer Phoenix) and her daughter Anna (Grace Van Dien) appear to have the same sort of relationship that the characters Lorelai and Rory, respectively, enjoyed in the popular television series Gilmore Girls. Beth and Anna appear to be ideal … Read more

Six resident companies in Rose Wagner Center for Performing Arts set for Aug. 26 Mix Tape offering of their artistic strengths

Formerly known as Rose Exposed, the annual fast paced one-hour show of the six resident companies in the Rose Wagner Center for Performing Arts has been rebranded as Mix Tape, frankly a better title for the event. The show will go on Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. at the Jeanné Wagner Theatre in The Rose. … Read more

NOVA Chamber Music Series’ 2023-24 season will be personality-driven thrill ride with lots of surprising twists and turns

A prime reason why the NOVA Chamber Music Series consistently excels in its unique programming brand is demonstrating how the deep bench of world-class musical talent in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah can tackle just about any curveball a composer could conceive of throwing their way. For NOVA’s 46th season, the Fry Street Quartet, … Read more

Great Salt Lake Fringe wraps up 9th edition with solid shows, award winners; four Fringe shows set to present at Utah Arts Alliance’s inaugural Wild Wild Westside Arts Fest this weekend

The Great Salt Lake Fringe (GSLF) festival completed its ninth edition, on strong notes. The event found its ideal bearings in three venues at the Alliance Theater, which is connected to the Utah Arts Alliance, at Trolley Square. Representing both weekends of the festival, 1,225 tickets were sold, generating some $13,080 in ticket sales. In … Read more