The Building Across The Way...

This morning my daughter and I drove about thirty miles south, to a small rehearsal hall. I wasn't auditioning, but my daughter was.

I decided to wait in the car while she went inside. I didn't want to be one of "those parents." I'm sure if I had gone in and waited with her, she wouldn't have minded. Still, I thought it would be better to give my daughter space to prepare. It was a show my daughter would really like to do. She knows the odds--her never having performed at this particular theater--are not the best, but she did it anyway.

You see, she is brave.

She might not think so, or at least, might not this she's as brave as I think she is. That doesn't change my opinion, however.

In the theater world, just like any other I suppose, there are levels of professionalism and quality. Not all theaters can produce the same product--nor should they try. Some theaters are more for the actors than the audience. A small town putting on a summer show to give children something fun to do comes to mind. In our area, there are a handful of theaters where actors want to be cast. Hale Center Theatre is one. They just built an incredible complex dedicated to the art of performance. If you are in the area, you really should check it out.

Trying to get in a show where everyone else wants to get into as well can be intimidating. I've never auditioned for a show there. My wife did shows with the Hale family when she was in high school, about thirty years ago. A lot's changed since then.

My daughter came out after her audition. We discussed how it went on the thirty minute drive home. Like any audition, she didn't know how well she did. She'll know in a few days if she'll be called back, or not. Now the waiting begins.

As I waited for her in the car for her audition to conclude, I looked up and noticed the rehearsal building is directly across the interstate from the Hale Center Theatre. It was so close, but separated by thousands of racing cars, trucks, motorcycles, and vans. And in order to reach it, you've got to commit to trying. It can be dangerous, but well worth it, when you've reached your goal.

Hale Center Theatre's "Tuck Everlasting"...A Beautiful Show

Last week I, along with Sheradin and Curtis--friends from our Lagoon Halloween show--had the opportunity to see a production at a new theater, well...new-ish. It's been open for several months. If you're familiar with the Salt Lake Valley and you're interested in live theater, you've no doubt heard of the Hale Center Theatre. They've been an institution here for decades. 

The Hale family and organization has had three theaters in the valley (at least, from what I remember...). The first theater was located in South Salt Lake. It was small and in the round. My wife did shows there. I saw her in Brigadoon. She played Jean, the one getting married. It was surreal to watch my fiancee play a fiancee. She was wonderful.

I saw one show at that theater, and one show at the next Hale Center Theatre in West Valley City. I really should see more shows.

Earlier this year they opened up their latest incarnation of Hale Centre Theatre, and it is a wonder to behold. There's two stages in the building. I attended a showing of Tuck Everlasting in the Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Theatre. It's smaller and not in the round as the main stage is, but none less impressive. It's a beautiful venue to see a show.

And the production was not only worthy of the Jewel Box, but of the entire complex as well.

I've not read the book or heard any of the music from Tuck Everlasting. No matter--one doesn't have to know much of the story to enjoy it. It centers on Winnie, a girl running away from home who discovers not only a new family, but an amazing world of opportunity (and opportunity costs...). The story is hers and the music is as innocent as the girl. There's a baddie--the Man in the Yellow Suit (Steven Kerr--another Lagoon show alum--got us our tickets...) represents everything the girl doesn't. Stephen's as good in the role as his character is bad--and that's saying something. And the final act, the show's final number, reminded me of the first few minutes of Pixar's Up. If you've seen Tuck, you know what I'm talking about.

You've only got a few more days to see the show--it runs until June 23rd. Stephen is in every show from now on. If you like musical theater in a wonderful venue, you'll be hard pressed to find something finer. Thanks Stephen for the wonderful experience!