Ivins, UT - This summer, two larger-than-life fairytales take center stage at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Ivins, near St. George. The outdoor venue’s summer “Broadway in the Desert” lineup commences June 13 with productions of two classic musicals—Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and My Fair Lady. Both shows play in repertory Monday through Saturday, June 13 – August 18, with continued performance dates through October 19.
“It’s our fairy tale season,” says Kevin Smith, Tuacahn’s executive producer. “We’ve chosen to present two popular shows about the transformations in the lives of these two central characters, Cinderella and Eliza Doolittle. They’re each magical in their own right, and they both tell a similar story in very different ways.”
David Tinney, the creative force behind Tuacahn’s 2005 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, returns to direct and choreograph Cinderella, the beloved musical fairytale. “He has a knack for telling stories for children,” says Smith. “I know people will be excited about his concept for the show. It’s going to be a lot of fun.” Tinney, an experienced director and dancer, has provided choreography for many of Tuacahn’s productions including last season’s Peter Pan and South Pacific.
Frequent Tuacahn collaborator Tim Threlfall returns to helm his eighth production at Tuacahn with My Fair Lady. Threlfall has a keen sense for understanding the unique circumstances of working in the amphitheatre and how to create a show that engages the audience while still meshing with the desert landscape and surroundings.
“I’ve been a bit more anxious about this particular show at Tuacahn since it does not have the immediate ‘perfect fit’ with the rugged, outdoor space that my last two shows, South Pacific and Beauty and the Beast have had,” says Threlfall. The challenge of creating Victorian London amidst the red rocks of Southern Utah is managed by designer Doug Ellis’ steel bridge that spans the entire Tuacahn stage. This piece of scenery opens in the center, making way for the various scenic elements for the shows.
The forty-member cast for Tuacahn’s upcoming season includes a range of seasoned professionals and familiar faces. Actress Mindy Smoot Robbins returns to Tuacahn this season to play Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. Robbins played the role of Annie Oakley in Tuacahn’s popular production of Irvin Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun a few years ago. She also traveled the country with the Broadway national tour of Les Miserables, covering the role of Eponine. She will be joined on stage by another stage professional, Daren Kelly, taking on the role of Professor Henry Higgins. Kelly recently toured Europe with productions of Crazy for You (a show he also played on Broadway) and 42nd Street.
This summer’s shows feature a range of local professionals such as Jan Broberg Felt, who played Mrs. Darling in last season’s production of Peter Pan. Felt was also seen as on the popular television show “Everwood” on the WB. Other actors in the cast with Utah roots include Jenny Latimer, Carolyn Hartvigsen, Courtney Pew, Jeff Pew, Clay Elder, Autumn Jones, and Geoffrey Reynolds.
As far as stories go, the upcoming season offers plenty of enchantment. Cinderella is the classic tale we’ve all grown to love. Following in the footsteps of the great family musicals that have appeared on the Tuacahn stage in recent years, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella brings together all the enchantment, romance, and suspense of one of the world’s most classic fairy tales.
Heralded as one of the greatest musicals of all time, My Fair Lady continues the great tradition of classic musicals at Tuacahn. With some of the most memorable songs from any production to emerge from America’s Golden Age of theatre, as well as an array of deeply engaging characters, My Fair Lady is “Broadway in the Desert” at its finest. This production will transport you to 1912 London to meet an enchanting and loverly lady as only Tuacahn can do it!
The production team for Tuacahn’s summer season has been preparing for many months to bring these shows to life on the outdoor stage. With spectacular scenic designs by Doug Ellis, beautiful costumes by John Titensor and Priscilla Hao, and the technical wizardry of Flying by Foy from Las Vegas, these shows promise to be fun for the entire family.
For more information about Tuacahn or to purchase tickets, visit www.tuacahn.org or call the Tuacahn Box Office at 435-652-3300 or 800-746-9882. Tuacahn is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization.
