Stories such as Aladdin are timeless and great for all ages but the best opportunities to judge how interpretations of these classic tales in the performing arts resonate with young audiences is to ask them to take the reviewer’s seat. Recently, The Utah Review, with the assistance of Christal Jackson, an English teacher and ELL … Read more
Looking at current news headlines, one would struggle to find a scintilla of evidence to make a case for the existence of God. The extant American realities are visibly ugly and demoralizing but we also can hope that in countless inconspicuous spaces, there is still fertile ground for human connection, decency, conscience and spiritual intelligence. … Read more
Collectively, the words ‘fear’ and ‘afraid’ or some variant appear at least 30 times in the script for Janine Sobeck Knighton’s new play The Beatrix Potter Defense Society, in a gorgeous jewel box of a production by Plan-B Theatre. Set in 1882 on the grounds of England’s Wray Castle, Ambleside (Cumbria), in the Lake District, … Read more
EDITOR’S NOTE: Numerous local art events are associated this week with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA)’s 59th conference which is being held in Salt Lake City. For a feature about the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) and NCECA’s three cornerstone exhibitions, see this feature link. No better opportunity for … Read more
EDITOR’S NOTE: Numeorus local art events are associated this week with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA)’s 59th conference which is being held in Salt Lake City. The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) is home to NCECA’s three cornerstone exhibitions. Also, Material Gallery is hosting an exhibition Form (in)Formation: see … Read more
Why do we no longer turn to epic poetry to portray the majesty and tragedy of history? Michael Auslin, writer and editor, explained, “No art form – and History is ultimately an art – can portray the pathos and grandeur of history quite like epic poetry. Could its return somehow bridge the divide between academics … Read more
Among the nation’s largest and longest-running student art shows of its kind, the 53rd edition of the Utah All-State High School Art Show is once again a splendid manifestation of the visual arts talent in the Beehive State’s art education programs. As in many other programs for young creators, producers and artists, this show exemplifies … Read more
It has been a busy winter for numerous indie theater companies in Salt Lake City. The Utah Review offers reviews of three productions. Voodoo Theatre Company: The Antipodes At once, the idea of setting a play around a nondescript conference table that could be in an equally nondescript workplace is ripe with surreal theatrical possibilities. … Read more
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in an ongoing series of features highlighting authors and new books published by Torrey House Press in Utah. In an Ecological Society of America article published more than 20 years ago, Travis Longcore and Catherine Rich wrote, “Lights follow roads, and the proportion of ecosystems uninfluenced by altered light … Read more
February was a busy month for the performing arts scene in Salt Lake City. Among the top events were the following: Christian McBride and Ursa Major: UtahPresents A perfect end to UtahPresents’ inaugural jazz concert series for the 2024-25 season, Christian McBride and Ursa Major wowed the Kingsbury Hall crowd on Feb. 22, with plenty … Read more