Stephen's In A Volvo Ad...And It's Powerful

I heard about this project a year ago. The older man in the commercial is a friend I've known for several years. He's an actor who I've seen on stage many, many times. I've seen him be funny, serious, conniving, poignant, and downright terrifying.

In this ad, I saw a man reborn.

It's an advertisement for Volvo. It's ninety seconds long.

Stephen is the main actor--it's his story. He's reached a point in his life where he wonders what's next, and more importantly, what's his roll in whatever "what's next" is. I think we all reach points in our lives where we don't know what is around the corner. What are we to do, now?

It's amazing how much emotion can be packed into a minute and a half.

If you've got the time, and it's not a lot of time, click: HERE for the link. Watch the ad. It'll make you think or cry or smile...or all of the above. And then you--like me--will get to see another side of Stephen...

A man reborn.

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!