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CEDAR CITY — The leaves may be turning, but the words of William Shakespeare are still flowing in Cedar City. KSL News recently got an inside look at the fall productions of the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
'Hamlet'
Called the greatest play in the English language, "Hamlet" is bringing audiences to the Utah Shakespeare Festival this autumn. But in this production, the setting is modern.
If you hesitate when it comes to Shakespeare, these actors believe they can change your mind.
"The costumes, the lighting, the sound design, the set design — everything is contemporary, so you really shouldn't feel removed from the action at all. You'll be able to follow it," said actress Kymberly Mellen.
'Stones in his Pockets'
Then Hollywood comes to a small Irish town in "Stones in his Pockets." The play has returned by popular demand. After its 2005 success, 80 percent of the audience voted to see it again.
"(It's) the fact that the story, 7 years later, is still resonant, still powerful, partly timeless, lyrical," said David Ivers, artistic director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. "The relationship is so solid because the playwrighting's so solid."
The festival's two artistic directors perform all 15 roles in the play, including the women.
"We wanted to produce it exactly as we did it the last time — same design team, same director, same actors — because it made such an impact here," artistic director Brian Vaughn said of the play.
The play will soon make an impact in another state, as well. Ivers and Vaughn have been invited to perform it next spring in Chicago's Northlight Theatre.
Once again, the Utah Shakespeare Festival carries its talent beyond our borders.
'Les Miserables'
And let's not leave out the hit of the year: "Les Miserables" plays on, with the same leading actors who kicked it off in June.
"It's doing wonders for us," festival founder Fred Adams said. "It's a great cast, and it's a magnificent production. We're delighted as we can be with it."
If you're looking for entertainment and beautiful fall colors, everyone at Utah Shakes says the plays the thing in Cedar City.
The fall season is proving to be as popular as the summer, so festival managers have extended the run of the plays through Oct. 27. Visit bard.org for more information.
