My summer of theater

Wicked. New York City in June. We had pretty good seats for what we paid. It was a lot of fun, but I wonder if the actors were having an off night. Something was missing. Still, really really good.

Sound of Music. Tuacahn near St. George. Beautiful venue, the best of plays. I loved it, although the Captain was somewhat disappointing. I wanted to sing, "Goodbye!" at the appropriate times, and regret that I didn't just do it.

Les Miserables. Tuacahn, following night. I knew all the music and enjoyed my first Les Mis experience. Storyline was tedious, though. The previous night's disappointing Captain Von Trapp was a phenomenal Jean Valjean. Did he just not practice for the other show?

High School Musical. Taucahn. St. George Take Two. This was performed by high schoolers, and was fun but for a crotchety usher who kicked my mom out. Choreography was decent, but could have been much better. Am I turning into a theater snob?

Fiddler on the Roof. Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City. I do believe this was my favorite show of the summer. Loved it, loved it, cried at the end.

Othello. Same Shakepearean Festival. My sole venture into a non-musical. This was acted well. I guess that Shakepeare fellow was a pretty good writer. Unfortunately, it was long long long, and, as this was the second long long long production of the day, I happened to fall asleep for Act V, in which Othello kills Desdemona, Iago kills Emilia, Othello sentences Iago to a brutal and miserable death, and the end. Tragic, that Othello tragedy.

The Shoeless Man. St. George condo. Exclusive performance, one night only. Written and directed by and starring my son Elliot. Awesome beyond words.

Next up: The Twelve Dancing Pirates. A neighborhood kids' affair. Sure to be great.