Utah Shakespearean Festival’s fall season begins Thursday

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 | 8:25 a.m.

A traditional Shakespearean tragedy, a Noel Coward comedy and the regional debut of a poignant production of "The Spitfire Grill" debut as offerings in the fall season of the Utah Shakespearean Festival at Cedar City, Utah.

"You can feel it. Autumn is in the air, and our fall company is here," said Fred C. Adams, festival founder and executive director for 43 years.

From Thursday to Oct. 30 the festival will present three plays in the Randall L. Jones Theatre, across the street from the Southern Utah University campus. Cedar City is about a three-hour drive northeast on Interstate 15.

"Macbeth," also known as "The Scottish Play," demonstrates Shakespeare's understanding of over-arching ambition and lust for power.

Festival Associate Artistic Director J.R. Sullivan is directing the fall season's version of "Macbeth," an age-old thriller that will also feature special effects from lighting and an eerie erosion of the onstage environment complete with background sounds.

Henry Woronicz, a longtime festival veteran since 1983, plays Macbeth. Woronicz portrayed King Richard in the festival's 2003 production of "Richard III" and Vincentio in "Measure for Measure." He also directed this summer's comedy, "The Taming of the Shrew."

Carole Healey, returning to the festival after a 12-year absence, is playing Lady Macbeth.

There are more modern spirits for the delight of theatergoers.

When the first wife of a successful writer returns from the great beyond, a scribe's life becomes comically complicated in "Blithe Spirit," directed by Paul Barnes.

Arthur Hanket, making his first appearance with the festival, assumes the role of Charles Condomine while his real-life wife, Stephanie Erb, also new to the festival, brings the departed Elvira to life.

Healey also plays the confused Ruth Condomine.

For a musical change of pace, "The Spitfire Grill" offers a story of a young woman looking for a fresh start as she steps off the bus in a small Midwestern town.

Misty Cotton takes on the poignant role of Percy Talbott in the Utah production.

The plays will be produced in rotation Tuesdays through Saturdays.

All of the plays will be produced in the Randall L. Jones Theatre.

There's an educational side to the fall festival season.

The Utah Shakespearean Festival is also offering its 28th annual high school competition in October. About 2,000 high school students from six states, including Nevada, are expected at this year's competition, said festival education director Michael Don Bahr.

Competitors from grades six through 12 compete in monologue, duo, trio and ensemble scenes. Trophies, certificates and, in some cases, scholarships, are awarded to the winners in each category.

"In 1982, I came to this competition from Richfield (Utah) High School to play the world's smallest Petruchio," Bahr said. "It was a life-changing experience."

Another festival favorite, Brian Vaughn, once came to the competition as an Arizona high school student.

All schools must register and pay fees by 5 p.m. Friday to compete.

Schools interested in the competition can call the festival education office at (435) 586-7880 or visit the festival's Web site at www.bard.org.