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WEST VALLEY CITY - The Hale Centre Theatre has landed a production that became a huge hit in England and Europe. From London, "Zorro, the Musical" now comes to West Valley City before it hits Broadway. But the pressure is now on to bring an incredibly popular legend to life.
With the clash of swords and the sound of Spanish guitars, this will be the first production of the musical in the United States.
A smash on London's West End theater district, the production has already made $70 million in 10 countries. John Gertz, the founder of Zorro Productions, which includes the Antonio Banderas films, gave Hale the green light to be first in the U.S.
"It wasn't as if other theaters hadn't tried," said Sally Dietlein, executive producer at the theater, "it was just the right time, the right place and the right venue for (Gertz)."
"He said to me, 'Sally, how would you like to do the U.S. premiere of "Zorro, the Musical"? It will be something you can tell your grandchildren about,'" she recalled.
It was also the right time for Derek Smith, who shares the iconic role of Don Diego de la Vega with Casey Elliott. They play the masked man who helps the poor. Smith's taekwondo and years in the Marines prepared him for the physical side of this show.
"I've always just been fascinated with Zorro and 'The Three Musketeers,' and any time I can get a sword in my hand, it makes me a little happier," Smith said.
"Zorro" is swashbuckling as well as romantic, but it is also the most technically challenging show that Hale Centre Theatre has ever produced.
"We had fire, the illusions, the technical elements of the amount of scene changes needed," said Kacey Udy, the scenic designer for the show.
Dancers have been training in the Flamenco style since September. Because their shoes have nails on the bottoms to make that distinct sound, the tech crew built a floor with particularly strong wood.
"Zorro, the Musical" opens Thursday, and performances continue through April 11.
