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Show U. will present summer musicals in Babcock under new director Continued from E-- l lyn Holt, who chairs the theater department at the U. of U paid Fulkerson a visit at Grand Lakes. Up until that time the II. of U. had had several part-timpeople teaching musical theater classes, but the position had never been Holt felt it was time to remedy that situation. I was fortunate to learn about Vance last year," said Holt, "so I went to Colorado to see his summer season (which included "Sweeney Todd," "The Sound of Music." and "Came-lot"I was impressed with the way he worked with the students and the quality of his shows. He was obviously a fine director, a good administrator and extremely energetic. I asked him if he would consider coming to Utahe full-tim- ). Single Focus Fulkerson, who said he was very happy with his position in Colorado, accepted the Utah offer because "Marilyn was so convincing. She is a marvelous women and well, when she said, We need you, how could I refuse? The challenge of putting together a musical theatre program was exciting to me. And anyway, up until now, my entire career has always included doing three or four things at the same time. This is the first time Ive been able to focus in on just one." In addition to the challenge of teaching that the Utah offer brought, Fulkerson said he also was attracted to the position because of the departments unique association with Pioneer Memorial Theatre, which employs members of Actors Equity, the theater worlds professional actors union. "PMT is an Equity house," said Fulkerson, and hires people from outside to guest perform. One of my goals is to have the department offer a masters degree in musical theater performance which would be directly No-Na- tied to PMT. 1 think it would be invaluable if the guests who come to PMT could work in as guest teachers for the department. Most MFA programs around the country dont h.we that level of artist on the faculty. Legitimate Experience Fulkerson added that some of his most valuable training was gained from New York dance captains and directors who visited Southern Illinois while he was a student there. "They gave me the legitimate experience that I needed to go out into the professional world. newly established summer musical season, which Fulkerson selected, is also an attempt to give the students a vital legitimate experience. "For many years, said Holt, "we have had students go through our entire training program without ever having the experience of a leading role. The students are usually hired only for chorus parts in the PMT productions and we wanted to change that. Holt added that all students performing in the Babcock this summer will be paid, earning the same $850 per run that they would if working on the PMT stage. The Will Pay Performers We wanted to be competitive with the other summer theaters Lagoon and Sundance and, well, this is like doing summer stock, only the students dont have to go away to do it. The new programming also brings a summer musical season back to the U. of U. Until some 25 years ago, audiences could attend seasonal performances in the football stadium. The custom ceased when financing be- came tight. "Were reviving slightly different People now will summer musicals Players will present Salt Lake City Skyline, featuring, from left, Den the tradition in a said Holt. way, be able to enjoy in air conditioned comfort rather than outside." Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheelers "Sweeney Todd" will open July 11, followed on July 17 by John Hander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosses "Chicago." The two musicals will then be offered in repertory, nightly, except Mondays, through August. More Than Razzle-Dazzl- e Fulkerson will direct and choreograph the shows using his long-helphilosophy about musical theater: It can be more than just "razzle-dazzle.- " d "I dont subscribe to that old school of presenting musicals where the focus is strictly on the singer instead of the character. There has to be more than sequins to make a show interesting. You dont have to lose the razzle-dazzlbut you must augment it with depth of acting and the credibility of having the moment happen on e, stage." Obviously pleased with the quality of talent he has found at the U., Fulkerson waxed poetic about "his new kids." Reaching Audiences tDune From left, Judie Ellingson, Ed Ellingson, Jodi OBrien in a scene from Adam and "I so want people to come see the musicals we are doing this summer . . . Theres got to be a way to reach to let them audiences with live art see what is happening right here. Thomas Babe's "Salt Lake City Skyline" will conclude the Flayers season when the drama opens a three-wee- k engagement No-Na- Thursday at Rowland Hall-S- t. Marks Auditorium, 843 Lincoln St. The story is a fictionalized account of the trial of union organizer Joseph Hillstrom, who was executed at the Utah State Prison in 1915 for murder. The case gained international prominence, and the president of the United States was asked to intercede. Joe Hill, as he was known, was convicted on circumstantial evidence. The playwright asks, "Was he convicted because of his political beliefs or did he martyr himself for love of cause or just for love? Director Nan Weber became interested in the play primarily because of research she had done on unions a few years ago. She heard about the play and was intrigued by the title, especially since she was living in Salt Lake City. I realized that while many people knew the protest song about Joe Hill, not everyone was familiar with who he was or what he did. Though the play takes liberties with the actual story, I thought it would spark some interest in the case for those who came to see it. Joe Hill, a native of Sweden, traveled extensively as an organizer for the International Workers of the World (IWW.) According to Weber, Hill had been living in Salt Lake City for two years when some murders were committed. Hill coincidentally received a gunshot wound the same night of the murder. He was arrested but would not tell how he was shot, explaining that if he did he would be compromising a woman. According to Weber, Hill had "He thought people a naive quality would know the truth without him telling them and because of that faith, he would not be convicted. Babe takes the position in his play "Im thrilled to be here. The city is all the gorgeous flowers. I clean noticed that immediately. Theres a feeling you get about the people in a city who take care of it. Im happy I accepted the position and hope to be here for a long time. ... nis J. Dooley, John Martin, Tom Gouvisis. Play is about the murder trial of Joe Hill. DISPLAYS Save ANNUAL... FIFTH 25-5- 0 ...and what a sale it is! We have a seeminsly endless variety of colorful & enchanting silk flowers to choose from... on these ...and the savings are unmatchable. Save beautiful high quality silks. These prices are so attractive we can only afford to offer this sale to our customers but 25-5- 0 once a year! a i , j r o' r'P ''''Il' e ' Ipt hcd'- IM' p'i 'or "I 0'" " - ' I sp Vol , f I r i" r if- uS1 1,1 FREE FLORAL CLASS Owe''. ' ) M held May 2nd in our store i 10-- 1 1 A M. Modern Display HOURS MON - FRI Stott Photo by Lynn w johmon Eve, part of The Apple Tree trilogy staged by Salt Lake Community Theatre. Stage productions opening "If I have a strength to offer it is that my growth has been well shaped by people who trusted and encouraged me. I want to share what I have learned through my years of working in the profession with these young people who are getting ready to go out into that world. MODERN i 9 5 30, SAT 424 SOUTH 700 EASTSALT 9 1 LAKE CITY355-742- 7 that Hill's alibi is true. "One of the characters in the play is the woman who is Hill's alibi, said Weber. "A lot of the action centers around this woman and the decision not to have her testify. I believe Babe is taking a stab at the judicial system, saying that this specific case became a farce . . that today, a person arrested in a similar situation would not be convicted." . Cast members include Greg Zeigler as Joe Hill with Ann Martin as the woman. Others featured are Wilma Adkins, Dennis Dooley, Tom Gouvisis, Roland Held, Pat Lovell, John Martin, Scott Palmer, Bruce Waldrop and Mark Williams. The production may be seen Thursdays through Sundays through May 19. Curtain is 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $5 and $4.50. As is the case with all productions, senior citizens are admitted free of charge. The Salt Lake Community Theatre will present Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnicks "The Apple Tree Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. at Bryant Intermediate School Auditorium, 40 S. 800 East. The musical contains three separate stories, the first being The Diary of Adam and Eve, adapted from the book by Mark Twain; the second, The Lady or the Tiger, by Frank No-Na- Stockton, and the third, Jules Feiffers Passionella. Cast members for Adam and Eve include Edward and Judie Ellingson, Kim Peterson, Terri Metcalf-Peter-so- n and Jodi O'Brien. "The Lady or the Tiger will feature Kim Morgan, Kim Peterson, Yevet Crandell, Edward Ellingson and Leon Johnson. The cast of "Passionella" is Terri Metcalf-PetersoKim Peterson, Ed-- , ward Ellingson and Yevet Crandell. Caryn Bleazard is accompanist with Jo Grover in charge of costumes. The production also will be offered at 7:30 p.m. at the Whitmore Library, 2197 E. 7000 South. The public is invited to attend free of charge. n The Jerome Kern-OscII musical, "Show Boat, opens Thursday at Promised Valley Playhouse, 132 S. State. James Arrington directs the production, featuring Colleen Hawks as Magnolia, Steven Gray as Gaylord Ravanel, J. Robert Howe as Captain Andy and Alvie Carter as Joe. Doris Madsen Brunatti will portray Julie. The musical includes such popular tunes as 01 Man River," "Make Believe, Cant Help Lovin dat Man, Bill," and Why Do I Love You?" Following the opening, the show will continue through Saturday and then Wednesdays through Saturdays, at 7:30 p.m., through May 25. A 2 p.m. matinee will be offered May 18. George Bernard Shaws "Arms and the Man will be presented Thursday through Saturday and May at 8 p.m. in the Allred Theatre of the Val A. Browning Center at Weber State College, Ogden. M. Seth Reines directs the satire. Cast in leading roles are Jeanette Reimschussel as Raina and Brian West as Captain Bluntschli. Rick Hamblin is Major Saranoff with Sharon Rowlette as the maid, Louka. Others featured are Marjorie Hilton, Ted Bunnell and Mike Trujillo. Scenic design is by J.A. Hansen with costumes by Laura Love. Lighting is the work of P. Randy Barker. The annual Student Advisory Council production at the University of Utah continues this week with Chekhov's "The Three Sisters." Jonathan Greenman directs the comic-traged- y which may be seen in the Babcock Theatre, downstairs at Pioneer Memorial Theatre, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Jaye Maynard. Devon Williams and Laura Tietjen are cast in the title roles with Phillip Taylor as their brother. May 10 Ham-merstei- 8-- |
