When Elisabeth Evans sings the sweeping title track from The Sound of Music this season at Tuacahn, two things have her pinching herself to make sure it’s real. First, she can’t believe she gets to play a role she’s loved her whole life. And second, she gets to sing, “The hills are alive” against a backdrop of actual hills.
Southern Utah’s iconic red mountains, actually.
“To get to recreate this story on this stage is a dream come true,” Evans says.
It’s not the first time Evans’ name has been associated with the well-known story of the von Trapp family’s escape from Austria just prior to World War II. In fact, she played the role of Gretl as a 6-year-old in a community production in Ohio. It was her first experience on stage.
“I remember very few things about that production, other than I loved my dress and I loved Maria,” Evans says.
Since that time, Evans was the understudy for Maria in the national Broadway touring production of The Sound of Music. Finally getting to own the role, combined with her early childhood relationship with Maria, makes the experience at Tuacahn even sweeter.
That sweet experience is something to which Director Tim Threlfall can relate.
With productions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aida, Big River and others on his Tuacahn resume, Threlfall says it is “those kind of compelling social stories that appeal to me the most.”
Witnessing the lengths to which one family will go to preserve their beliefs in the face of immense social and political pressure is just the kind of thing into which Threlfall loves to sink his teeth.
“I’ve done a lot of research and really enjoyed that,” Threlfall says. “I really want our audience to know that these were amazing people.”
Recognizing the strength the real-life Maria exhibited gives Evans a lot to work with in terms of the on-stage role.
“She just can’t help but be herself,” Evans says. “It’s that aspect of her character… that connects with me… It gives me full permission to let go and fully express myself on stage.”
The Sound of Music opens July 19 and continues through Oct. 26. Tickets start at just $32. Log onto www.tuacahn.org for more information.
‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’
When it comes to fully expressing oneself, or one’s desires, no one quite fulfills that as deftly as Monty Navarro (played by Nick Tubbs) in this season’s production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.
Winner of four Tony Awards, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder tells the story of Monty Navarro, a lowborn Englishman who learns he is eighth in line for the title and fortune of the D’Ysquith family. Impatient to inherit ahead of the odious relatives in line, Navarro uses his impeccable charm and a talent for murder to speed up the process.
“It’s very farcical,” says Peggy Hickey, director and choreographer for the show. “We watch and root for him, even though he’s a serial killer.”
Hickey’s roots with the production go all the way back to its Broadway run where she worked as the original choreographer. Hickey says the play, the script and the timing are all relatively unchanged from her earlier experience with the show. Yet it feels spontaneous each time they do it.
“There’s a real formula to comedy,” Hickey says. “You have to trust the material.”
And the material is well worth the magnanimous praise it has received.
“It’s easily one of the funniest things I’ve seen on Broadway,” says Scott Anderson, artistic director for Tuacahn.
A cast of 10 portrays around 25 different roles, which requires a high level of talent that Hickey says she has definitely found in the Tuacahn cast. Plus each person has to have the ability to withstand multiple deaths. For example, one actor plays eight different members of the family, both male and female.
“He gets killed over and over and over,” Hickey says. “It’s really brilliant.”
Because the murders are clearly far-fetched and funny, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is suitable for nearly everyone in the family.
“It’s definitely for grown ups, but kids over the age of 10 will really enjoy it too,” Hickey says.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy delightful Tuacahn talent from inside the air-conditioned Hafen Theatre. The show runs through Aug. 10. Tickets start at just $25. For more information log onto www.tuacahn.org
Making ‘wishes’ come true
If you’re a Disney lover, this season’s Tuacahn lineup has everything you could ask for, times two… or more, courtesy of Disney’s The Little Mermaid and When You Wish.
“You get all your favorites rolled into one in ‘When You Wish’,” says Josh Strickland who plays Tarzan, among other roles in When You Wish and Eric in The Little Mermaid.
Featuring segments and songs from The Jungle Book, Tarzan, Moana, The Princess and the Frog, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, Hercules and more, Tuacahn’s fresh take on Disney’s When You Wish leads audiences on a magical journey through the eyes of a child — with plenty of nostalgic Disney for the adults as well.
“People will leave feeling wonder and awe,” says Susi Lafaele, who plays Gramma Tala in the Moana section of When You Wish.
Meanwhile, Emily Grace Tucker is living our her childhood dream of experiencing life as a princess thanks to her role as Ariel in The Little Mermaid and multiple princess roles in various sections of When You Wish.
“I was obsessed with Ariel,” Tucker says, recalling a familiar photograph of her 4-year-old self with her first Ariel doll.
Now she’s seen many other Ariel-obsessed children come through the Tuacahn gates and she hopes they recognize the inner courage Ariel and many other Disney princesses demonstrate in their journey to their happily-ever-afters.
“It’s crazy what you can do, even if you’re afraid,” Tucker says.
For more information on any of the Tuacahn shows, call 435-652-3300 or log onto www.tuacahn.org