Play Season

News Flash: One thing Andrew and I have in common is our love for plays! We've had the chance to experience the theater a lot over the last few months. I'll start with our most recent experience and work our way backward in time.

Play #1 "Treasure Island" at Hale Center Theater on Thursday, February 17, 2022. 

For Christmas, I gave Andrew tickets to see this show. He was elated and mentioned that he considered getting us tickets to go for our anniversary. Good thing I beat him to it! I reached out to our friends, Nick and Becca to see if they wanted to join us (since Tuacahn with them last year was a bust). They had already purchased tickets to see "Treasure Island" for the same week and they switched their tickets to go with us. Going together was a blast!

We started the night off strong with baskets full of rolls smothered in honey butter and juicy steaks. We then made our way to the theater. The set for "Treasure Island" was spectacular! There was water on the stage and several of the actors were dumped overboard. Some audience members even got splashed. In all honesty, I was not feeling the play in the beginning. I wondered if it was because I'd had a tough mom day, but was validated when everyone else in our group agreed. One of the actors was just ok. Things improved a bit after intermission. The fight scenes could have definitely used some more oomph. The actors did not need to stand 6 feet apart to keep each other from harming one another with their pretend weapons.

At the culminating scene/ moment of the show, I was laughing out loud. There was a death that included a dramatic fall. Death should not be a laughing matter and I don't think it was intended to be. Andrew had to whisper over to me to breathe because I was giggling so much. Watching the actor fall in "slo-mo" while attached to a cable was just too much to handle. At the end of the night, Becca said something like, "I was entertained, but don't know that I'd tell anyone to come see it." Amen! We still had the best time out with friends though!

Play #2 "Hamilton" at Eccles Theater on Friday, February 11, 2022.

My parents purchased Hamilton tickets for the family several months ago. Our tickets were initially for January, but the Hamilton cast got Covid, so the tickets were postponed. Our Hamilton tickets were rescheduled for February 11. In a very sad turn of events, I tested positive for Covid-19 the night before the show. I thought I was in the clear at this point, but I was wrong. Missing the play was one of my biggest fears and it happened. 

It's hard to put into words how sad I was, so I'll describe it. I cried on and off for 2 days. I could hardly speak to Andrew. I spent a lot of time in my room. I wore pajamas 24/7. My grandma got to go in my place. The night of the show, I took a scorching hot bath and tried to eat the Ben and Jerry's ice cream that Andrew got me while he was enjoying the show with my family. I know pictures were taken that night, but I have not asked to see them. (Andrew arrived after the pics were taken anyway). From what I hear, the play was marvelous (as was expected). I didn't ask for too many details. I do know that I was listening to music at one point while my family was at the play without me and a song from the Hamilton soundtrack came on. I skipped it.

Play #3 "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" at Hale Center Theater on Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Andrew works for a generous company. For Hivewire's Christmas Party, we were treated to dinner at "Olive Garden" and the play "Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang." We had a remarkable time. After seeing 2 productions at Hale Center Theater fairly close together, it was easy to compare the 2. It was unanimous-- "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was better. I recognized someone in the play that I went to high school with. I don't think Andrew appreciated my nudges each time he was on-stage, but in my defense, it felt like I knew a celebrity. Although, lets be real-- he was just a backup dancer. "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was one of my favorite movies as a child. The music throughout the play was phenomenal and so catchy. They outdid themselves with the car they made for the play. Just typing about it now gets the music stuck in my head. LOVED IT!

Play #4 "Elf" at Pioneer Theatre Company @ the U on Friday, December 3, 2021

It's only fair that I went to a play without Andrew, since he went to Hamilton without me. (Although let's be real-- I think he got the better play.)  My friend, Valerie is an amazing seamstress. She made some of the costumes for the play "Elf." In return, she got paid (obviously), but more importantly, she got free tickets to see "Elf." She asked me and another girl in our ward to join her. We met up with her mom and it was a party. Seeing the play put me in the Christmas spirit. There were a few tweaks from the original "Elf." The Utah jokes were a hit. I'm grateful Valerie invited me! It was an enjoyable evening out, but it wasn't the highest quality performance I've seen. 

I don't want play season to end and it doesn't have to! I don't see our hobby ending anytime soon. There's a beautiful outdoor theater at Sundance and I'm hoping that we check it out this summer.