Salt Lake Acting Company's 49th season continues with the Utah premiere of Lucas Hnath's A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2. The 8-time Tony Award-nominated play is being produced in SLAC’s Upstairs Theatre February 5 through March 8, 2020.
Nora Helmer leaving her husband and children at the end of Ibsen’s 1879 masterpiece was the “door slam heard ‘round the world.” Fifteen years later, there’s a knock at that same door. Nora’s back. But why? And where has she been? Lucas Hnath’s brilliantly funny sequel to Ibsen’s classic was nominated for 8 Tony Awards and now makes its Utah premiere at SLAC.
“Whether you view Nora’s actions at the end of A DOLL’S HOUSE –‘Part 1’—as radical or an act of #selfcare, ‘Part 2’ examines the aftermath and reality of her choice,” said SLAC’s Executive Artistic Director Cynthia Fleming. “It’s why I was drawn to this work. So often plays with a feminist message are anything but subtle or balanced. A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2 is nuanced, yet bold, and heartbreaking, and comedic. I adore it and our audiences will as well.”
Stacey Jenson* makes her SLAC debut as Nora Helmer. She has been seen elsewhere in GIDION’S KNOT (Pinnacle). Jenson is joined by Paul Mulder* (SEEING THE ELEPHANT) as Torvald, Annette Wright (BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, SATURDAY’S VOYEUR) as Anne Marie, and Rachael Merlot, who is also making her SLAC debut with this production, as Emmy.
Directing the production is SATURDAY’S VOYEUR creator Nancy Borgenicht, who has been an integral part of Salt Lake Acting Company since 1974. Her previous directing credits at SLAC include ANGELS IN AMERICA, WHITE MAN DANCING, OLEANNA, WOMEN AND WALLACE, CABBIES, COWBOYS AND THE TREE OF THE WEEPING VIRGIN, SATURDAY'S VOYEUR (from 1993 to 2003) and 2018’s STAG’S LEAP.
In reference to Borgenicht, Fleming stated, “Because the play so masterfully blends comedy, drama, classic characters, and a modern sensibility, I knew that the perfect person to lead the production would be SATURDAY’S VOYEUR Co-Creator Nancy Borgenicht. She hired me in 1998, entrusting me with growing our audience base. Having Nancy at the helm is a wonderful full-circle moment, not unlike Nora’s return to Torvald and her children.”
Borgenicht is joined on the creative team by Erik Reichert (Scenic Design), La Beene (Costume Design), Matt Taylor** (Lighting Design), Katelyn Limber (Sound Design), and Sara Shouse (Hair Design). Heather Nowlin serves as Dramaturg and Jennie Sant* is Production Stage Manager.
A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2 runs February 5 through March 8, 2020. Tickets can be obtained via tickets.saltlakeactingcompany.org, in person at the SLAC box office, or by calling 801.363.7522.
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
**The lighting designer of A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2 is represented by United Scenic Artists Local 829 of the IATSE
When Pete the Cat gets caught jamming after bedtime, the cat-catcher sends him to live with the Biddle family to learn his manners. But for Pete, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up, and the minute he walks in the door, he gets the whole family rocking. The whole family that is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration.
Penelope Caywood, Artistic Director of the University of Utah Children’s Theatre, returns for her 10th children’s production at SLAC. She directs, choreographs, and provides musical direction for PETE THE CAT. Rounding out the creative team are Gage Williams (scenic design), Dennis Hassan (costume design), Justin Ivie (props design) and Jesse Portillo (lighting design).
PETE THE CAT runs through December 30th. Tickets can be obtained here, in person at the SLAC box office, or by calling 801-363-7522.
Salt Lake Acting Company--Utah’s leading destination for brave, contemporary theatre--presents the world premiere of FORM OF A GIRL UKNOWN by Charly Evon Simpson from October 16 through November 17, 2019.
Amali is twelve years old, she is wise, and she is fascinated – by A Midsummer Night’s Dream; by her changing body; by the story of the children killed in the woods. With humor, magic, blood, and fire, this play is not your typical coming-of-age story.
Leading the cast (in her Salt Lake Acting Company debut) is Amanda Morris*, who plays Amali. A resident of New York City, she was previously seen by Utah audiences in Lyric Rep’s A RAISIN IN THE SUN.
Daisy Allred, Aaliyah Ann*, and Bradley Hatch all return to the SLAC Upstairs Theatre, having appeared in SATURDAY’S VOYEUR 2019. They play Marina, Charise, and Finn, respectively. Latoya Cameron* (THE CAKE) and Susanna Florence* (PTC’s SWEAT) return to FORM OF A GIRL UNKNOWN after appearing in the workshop production last summer. Cameron plays Ma and Florence plays Dr G/Policewoman.
The production is helmed by Lark and WP Theatre alum Melissa Crespo, who also directed a form of a girl unknown workshop at Westport County Playhouse earlier this year.
Crespo is joined on the creative team by Shoko Kambara (Scenic Design), Alicia Washington (Costume Design), Jessica Greenberg (Lighting Design), Jennifer Jackson (Sound Design), Linda Brown (Specialty Prop Design). The production is stage managed by Jennie Sant.
FORM OF A GIRL UNKNOWN runs October 16 through November 17, 2019. Tickets can be obtained via tickets.saltlakeactingcompany.org, in person at the SLAC box office, or by calling 801.363.7522.
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
SLAC's 49th season recently kicked off with Will Snider's political thriller, DEATH OF A DRIVER. The production was workshopped in SLAC's 2018 Playwrights' Lab and returns for a full production after its Off-Broadway world premiere this past spring.
Reprising their roles from the lab production are Cassandra Stokes-Wylie* (Sarah) and Patrick J. Ssenjovu* (Kennedy/Man). Stokes-Wylie appeared most recently in SLAC’s Chapel Theatre during last season’s A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY UNIT AT MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER OF NEW YORK CITY and Ssenjovu makes his official SLAC debut after appearing in DEATH OF A DRIVER’S world premiere at Urban Stages.
“Death of a Driver spans nearly twenty years through storytelling that moves with an electric connection and velocity. We’re drawn into the bond of trust and friendship at the play’s heart, as it’s influenced by the political forces surrounding the two characters,” said the production’s director Alexandra Harbold. “It is thrilling to have Cassie and Patrick reuniting in Death of a Driver, and I am so thankful that we have the opportunity to build on the foundational work they created in the 2018 Playwrights’ Lab.”
Joining Harbold on the creative team are Shawn Fisher** (set design), Kerstin Hallows (costume design), William Peterson (light design), Jason Jensen (sound design) and William Richardson* (stage manager)
DEATH OF A DRIVER runs now through October 20. Tickets can be obtained online, in person at the SLAC box office, or by calling 801.363.7522.
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
**The set designer of DEATH OF A DRIVER is represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 of the IATSE.
A groundbreaking dance/play/romance about dangerous love, secret identities, criminals, silent movies, and the most famous couple in New York: F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. See images from the world premiere below. For tickets, click here, or call SLAC's box office at 801.363.7522.
Salt Lake Acting Company presents the Utah premiere of THE CAKE by Bekah Brunstetter. The timely socio-political dramedy opens at SLAC after successful runs throughout the country, and concurrent with a run Off-Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club.
The premise of THE CAKE regards Della, the best baker in her politically red North Carolina town, who is faced with a decision that pits her faith against family. Will she bake a wedding cake for two women – one of whom is as close as a daughter? A refreshing examination of both sides of a passionate debate, THE CAKE has already charmed theatregoers around the country and will soon do the same for SLAC audiences.
THE CAKE runs February 6 through March 10. Tickets can be obtained via tickets.saltlakeactingcompany.org, in person at the SLAC box office, or by calling 801.363.7522.
THE CAKE is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
Salt Lake Acting Company proudly presents its pinkerrific children's production, Pinkalicious the Musical. Based on the beloved book by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann, Pinkalicious the Musical tells the story of Pinkalicious Pinkerton, a little girl whose love of pink cupcakes finds her in the doctor’s office, pink from head to toe! In the musical adaptation by the same authors, with music by John Gregor, the audience gets to meet the whole Pinkerton family, Dr. Wink, and Pinkalicious’s best friend, Alison as they all help Pinkalicious understand the importance of healthy eating and the joy of embracing who you are.
Penelope Caywood, Artistic Director of the University of Utah Children’s Theatre, returns for her 9th children’s production at SLAC. She directs a cast that includes newcomers Fiona Hannan and Seth Foster, as well as SLAC alumni Micki Martinez, Shannon Musgrave, and Alexis Baigue.
Catch your first glimpse of the family-friendly fun in the gallery below. Then purchase your tickets here or by calling 801.363.7522. And hurry--tickets are selling fast!
Pinkalicious the Musical is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. (866) 378-9758 www.theatricalrights.com
It's game time at Salt Lake Acting Company. Set on an indoor soccer field, The Wolves chronicles the warm-ups of a teenage girls’ soccer team, with all the physical, mental, and emotional waves that come along with being a young female athlete. The characters are funny and smart. The lightning fast dialogue flows and overlaps, challenging the audience to lean in to the fiery dynamics of the team. A deceptively simple setting lays the foundation for a play that examines the intricacies, excitement, and complexity of being a teenage girl in today’s society.
Directed by Alexandra Harbold and assisted by soccer consultant Joe Murray, SLAC’s production features a powerhouse company of actors, who, since early summer, have been meeting on the soccer field to practice drills and bond as a team. The specialized research and preparation that was initiated even before rehearsals began are sure to make this production shine.
Click through our gallery below to see these female warriors in action. Then purchase your tickets here or by calling 801.363.7522. This is one match you don't want to miss.
“The Wolves” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.