A Message from Michael Ballam
A SEASON OF SEASONS
On July 25, 1847, the day after Brigham Young lead 148 pioneers through the arduous and sometimes deadly 17-month trek from Missouri to the Great Basin, he broke ground for three buildings. The first was a school house, the second a theater and the third a temple. His prophetic words to the gathered immigrants and refugees was, “If we are to survive we must educate, entertain and edify.” We at the Festival strive to provide all three every season. We take our mission statement very seriously – “Elevating lives through ennobling artistic experiences.”
This is a hallmark season for us. Unlike any previous and probably any future year, with the substantial help of the U.S. and Utah governments to bolster our season, we are able to offer what is also our most ambitious season. What you are seeing is a tangible demonstration of “your taxes at work.”
Verdi’s most popular and widely known opera AIDA has an interesting history in this beautiful theatre. It was presented by Utah State Agricultural College (now USU) in 1937 and played on this very stage. The majestic entrance of Ramdames was him appearing in a gilded Roman chariot drawn by the College’s mighty black stallion. Apparently the steed mistook the address of the Capitol Theatre (now Ellen Eccles) and thinking it was the adjacent bank, made a “deposit.” The city sanitation department made an unscheduled entrance and saved the show.
When the Festival was founded in 1993 I asserted that of the ABC’s of opera: AIDA, BOHEME/ BUTTERLY and CARMEN only B and C would ever be presented at the Festival. My only experiences with AIDA were in Italian colosseums and the grandeur of the Metropolitan Opera.
Then, after reluctantly attending Sir Elton John’s setting of the story, my opinion about producing Verdi’s epic made a 180-degree turnabout. I found Sir Elton’s music to be powerful and very accessible. Moreover, I finally “got it” AIDA is the story of a simple love triangle that had been eclipsed by spectacle.
With that epiphany, I felt confident in presenting Verdi’s masterwork in 2008 thinking it would be fascinating to produce both works in the same season, designed and directed by the same team. My fondest hope is that both opera aficionados and musical theatre fans will take the plunge into the “alternate” version and be enlightened by the introduction.
My last experience with Wagner’s LOHENGRIN was 18 years ago at the Metropolitan Opera. His sweepingly romantic setting of a fairy tale-legend is reminiscent of Walt Disney’s early films based on whimsical fairy tales. Last March, I watched five performances of LOHENGRIN at the Metropolitan. Each performance brought me to tears with the thought that this legendary knight of the Holy Grail will spend a summer in the town in which I was born. He has never visited Utah before.
Thornton Wilder’s OUR TOWN is one of the greatest of American plays. Multitudes have either read it, seen it performed live, on television or watched the three movies made in 1940, 1988 and 2003. Ned Rorem’s music has the ability to suspend time heightening the drama of Wilder’s powerfully poignant work. I believe OUR TOWN will be remembered as one of our finest hours.
On February 9, 1964, a substantial segment of OLIVER! appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. It had such a profound influence on me that I barely noticed the five young Brits from Liverpool who sang about wanting to hold our hands that night. Two years later I climbed into the shoes, coat and top hat of the Artful Dodger and Dickens’ immortal OLIVER TWIST has lived in every fiber of my being ever since.
Continued on page 11
Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre
Celebrating 31 Years of Enjoyment
2023 Season
July 5–August 5
Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre
Dansante Building
59 South 100 West Logan, Utah 84321
www.utahfestival.org
Administration: 435-750-0300
Box Office 435-750-0300 ext. 3 or 800-262-0074
Publisher: Mills Publishing, Inc.
Cover Design: Rocketbox Creative
2023 Season Sponsors
July 5, 15m, 21, 28m, August 3m
LOHENGRIN
COMPOSED BY RICHARD WAGNER
Production Sponsored by:
World Premiere: Großherzogliches Hoftheater, Weimar, 1850
Utah Premiere: Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, Logan, UT 2023
Sung in German with English Supertitles
THERE WILL BE ONE 15–MINUTE INTERMISSION
UFOMT remains committed to informing audiences of specific content that might be disturbing or triggering to some patrons. This production may contain, but isn’t limited to, depictions of violence and war, mild adult intimacy, or mature situations/themes. Viewer discretion is advised.
The videotaping or other video or audio of this production is strictly prohibited.
Lohengrin
Conductor Andreas Mitisek
Director
Suzan Hanson
Set Designer Patrick Larsen
Projections Designer Sydney Sousa
Costume Designer Mallory Prucha
Lighting Designer John Mitchell
Associate Lighting Designer Willem Hinternhoff
Wig & Makeup Designer Melyssa Swensen
Sound Designer Bryan Richards
Properties Clare Kelly
CAST
Lohengrin Edward Brennan
Elsa Joanna Parisi
Ortrud Nina Warren
Telramund
Brian Montgomery
Heinrich Brandon Coleman
Herald Matthew Soibelman
Paul Leland Hill (July 28th performance)
Duke Gottfried
Sebastian Espinosa
ENSEMBLE
Colin Anderson, Annelise Burghardt, Jenna Grissom, Emily Hansen, Tamra Harkley, Paul Leland Hill, Hayden Höglund, Victoria Isernia, Jasmine Ismail, Melina Jaharis, Benjamin Krutsch, Layton Loucks, Anne Maguire, Timothy McGowan, Langelihle Mngxati, Victoria Okafor, Olivia Rominiyi,Maisah Outlaw, Caleb Sager, Matthew Soibelman, Andy Stoner, John Tibbetts
Assistant Conductor/Chorus Master
Dallas Aksoy
Coach /Pianist Nicholas Pothier
Concert Master Amanda Nix
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Carson Gilmore
Min Jie
Production Assistant Rachel Tillotson
Fight Coordinator
Stefan Espinosa
Lohengrin
SYNOPSIS Act I
Scene 1
On a plain of Sheldlt: A concerned King Heinrich greets his people and asks Count Telramund to explain why the Duchy of Brabant is torn by strife and disorder. Telramund blames his ward, Elsa, of having murdered her brother, Gottfried, heir to Brabant. When Elsa is called to defend herself, she relates a vision of a knight in shining armor who will come to save her. She and Telramund agree to a trial by ordeal, and through Elsa’s prayers, a knight magically appears as her champion. This Knight pledges his troth to her on condition that she never ask his name or origin. Defeating Telramund in combat, the newcomer establishes the innocence of his bride.
Scene 2
Outside a Fortress: Count Telramund and his wife Ortrud swear vengeance. When Elsa appears Ortrud attempts to seed doubt about the Knight, using Elsa’s natural curiosity. Instead, Elsa innocently offers the scheming Ortrud friendship, and Ortrud joins her ladies in waiting. Telramund who has secretly observed the exchange, relishes the promise of vengeance.
Intermission Act II
Scene 1
Outside a Fortress: A jubilant populace hear the announcement Elsa’s impending wedding. Meanwhile Telramund enlists four nobles to his plot for vengeance. Ortrud enters with Elsa’s bridal procession but abruptly interrupts it, suggesting that the unknown knight is in fact an impostor. Telramund accuses Elsa’s bridegroom of sorcery. The crowd stirs uneasily. Elsa reiterates her faith in the Knight before they enter the church, accompanied by King Heinrich.
Scene 2
The Bridal Chamber: Finally alone, Elsa and her husband express their love. Soon insecurity and doubt compel Elsa to ask the groom the forbidden questions. Before he can reply, Telramund and the nobles burst in. A fight ensues and the Knight accidently kills Telramund. Ordering the nobles to bear the body to the king, he sadly tells Elsa that he will meet her later to answer her questions.
Scene 3
On a plain of Sheldt: An enthusiastic people sing praises to the King but are interrupted by the arrival of Telramund’s bier, followed by the Knight. He reveals that his home is the temple of the Holy Grail, to which he now must return. Parsifal is his father, and Lohengrin is his name. As Lohengrin bids farewell to Elsa, Ortrud rushes in, jubilant over Elsa’s betrayal of the man who could have broken the spell that ensorcelled her brother into a swan. Lohengrin’s prayers release Gottfried, and after naming the boy ruler of Brabant, Lohengrin disappears.
Last October, Stefan, Vanessa and I attended the Festival of New Musicals in New York City. THE KING OF PANGAEA impressed us very much. We approached Martin Storrow who wrote the book, lyrics and music to explore the possibility of helping him move his remarkable work forward toward a fully staged production. We are honored to have Martin Storrow, who created this uniquely poignant, autobiographical musical, in residency at the Festival to “workshop” fine tune the work for full production. It is a tender story filled with whimsy, charm, inner strength, adversity and victory over it. We invite you to see it free of charge in the Ellen Eccles Theatre on July 18. Enjoy an evening of tenderness, warming of the heart and hope, all of which I fear is in short supply at present. Be part of the journey of THE KING OF PANGAEA to its Broadway destiny.
The Festival stands on firm ground and we are very optimistic about the future.
July 6, 11, 3m, 7, 19m, 22m, 28, 31m, August 5
OLIVER!
Book, Music & Lyrics by Lionel Bart
Production Sponsored by:
World Premiere: Wimbleton Theatre, London, 1960
Sung in English with English Supertitles
THERE WILL BE ONE 15–MINUTE INTERMISSION
Lionel Bart’s Oliver! is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
UFOMT remains committed to informing audiences of specific content that might be disturbing or triggering to some patrons. This production may contain, but isn’t limited to, depictions of violence and war, mild adult intimacy, or mature situations/themes. Viewer discretion is advised.
The videotaping or other video or audio of this production is strictly prohibited.
Conductor Karen Keltner
Director/Choreographer George Pinney
Assistant Director/Choreographer Alyssa Weathersby
Set Designer Dennis Hassan
Costume Designer Stephanie Nguyen
Lighting Designer John Mitchell
Associate Lighting Designer Willem Hinternhoff
Wig & Makeup Designer Melyssa Swensen
Sound Designer Bryan Richards
Properties Clare Kelly
Oliver Twist
Mr. Bumble
Ross Clemens
Benjamin Krutsch
Widow Corney Adrien Swensen
Noah Claypole AJ Slee
Mr. Sowerberry Hayden Höglund
Mrs. Sowerberry Tanya Roberts
Charlotte Sowerberry
Artful Dodger
Fagin
Aubrey Taylor
Levi Hopkins
Michael Ballam
Nancy Vanessa Ballam
Charley Bates
Boston Clemens
Bet Victoria Isnernia
Bill Sikes
Mrs. Bedwin
Mr. Brownlow
Rose Seller
Christopher Job
Sarah-Nicole Carter
Jared Rounds
Trysten Reynolds
Milkmaid Alyssa Weathersby
Strawberry Seller
Knife Grinder
Long Song Seller
Victoria Okafor
John Tibbetts
Thomas Smith
PierAntonio Micheli, your executive chef, was born and raised in Forte dei Marmi, on the Tuscany coast of northern Italy. At this little beach resort young PierAntonio learned traditional northern Italian cooking from both his Mother and Grandmother. PierAntonio and Stephanie Micheli, owners and managers of Le Nonne, both welcome you to Le Nonne and hope that you enjoy their authentic Tuscan specialties.
ENSEMBLE
Asa Brady, Isabel Cossa, Hayden Höglund, Victoria Isernia, Benjamin Krutsch, Jeanmarie LaPointe, Chantrell Lewis, Kareem Mack, Langelihle Mngxati, Victoria Okafor, Alexandria Orr, Maisah Outlaw, Jamie Powell, Lance Raikes, Trysten Reynolds, Michael Rick, Tanya Roberts, Jared Rounds, Caleb Sager, Ian Saverin, Thomas Smith, Jordann Stoute, Aubrey Taylor, Nathan Templeton, John Tibbetts, Malachi Watson, Alyssa Weathersby, Devin Wieser
CHILDREN’S ENSEMBLE
Mason Bast, Milo Biggs, Sage Biggs, Scarlet Biggs, Boston Clemens, McKay Clemens, Ruby Clemens, Sebastian Espinosa, Abel Gustin, Emmanuel Gustin, Romane Gustin, Luna Majzlin, George McConkie, Robert McConkie, Soren Pederson, Stein Rockwood, Samuel Rusch, Nixon Thedell, Drew Williams
Associate Conductor/Chorus Master
Coach /Pianist
Concert Master
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Production Assistant
Fight Coordinator
Arthur Bosarge
Nicholas Pothier
Amanda Nix
Marisa Kilgallen
Lexie Secrist
Chris Vlamakis
Stefan Espinosa
Buy
Oliver! SYNOPSIS
ACT I
Oliver! opens in the dining hall of a workhouse. Oliver, a young orphan who has been brought up in the workhouse, approaches the workhouse master and asks for more food. This outrages the workhouse staff and prompts them to remove him from the workhouse, selling him to a local undertaker as an apprentice. After one of the undertaker’s employees mocks Oliver’s mother, he escapes his apprenticeship and runs away to London. A week later Oliver arrives in Paddington Green in central London where the Artful Dodger approaches him. The Dodger brings him to Fagin’s hideout where he is taught how to be a thief. Oliver is sent out with the other young thieves and the police capture him after Mr. Brownlow’s pocket is picked.
ACT II
Oliver was released by the police and taken in by Mr. Brownlow after he was shown to be innocent. The Artful Dodger has rushed to the Three Cripples, a tavern in Clerkenwell, where he explains to Fagin that the police have caught Oliver. Fagin decides that someone must go and find out where Oliver has been taken and if he has told the police anything about Fagin and the rest of the thieving operation. Two weeks later, at Mr. Brownlow’s house, Oliver is sent to return some books against the advice of Mr. Brownlow’s friend. On the way to the bookseller Oliver is accosted by Nancy and taken back to Fagin, where Mr. Brownlow’s goods are distributed amongst the thieves. Back at the workhouse, revelations about Oliver’s true identity prompt the workhouse masters to approach Mr. Brownlow, who realizes he is Oliver’s grandfather. Nancy has a change of heart and also goes to Mr. Brownlow to help get Oliver away from Fagin. Nancy brings Oliver to London Bridge where she is murdered by Sykes, who is in turn killed by a policeman. Oliver is reunited with his grandfather and Fagin decides to turn over a new leaf in order to find a new, legitimate form of employment.
Media Sponsors
July 7, 13, 21m, 29m, 2m, August 4
AIDA
Music by Lyrics By
Elton John Tim RiceBook by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls & David Henry Hwang
Production Sponsored by:
Originally directed on Broadway by Robert Falls
Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions
Broadway Premiere - March 23, 2000
Sung in English with English Supertitles
THERE WILL BE ONE 15–MINUTE INTERMISSION
Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
The videotaping or other video or audio of this production is strictly prohibited.
Elton John & Tim Rice’s
UFOMT remains committed to informing audiences of specific content that might be disturbing or triggering to some patrons. This production may contain, but isn’t limited to, depictions of violence and war, mild adult intimacy, or mature situations/themes. Viewer discretion is advised.
Conductor James M. Bankhead
Director/Choreographer John de los Santos
Assistant Director/Dance Captain Jordann Stoute
Set Designer Patrick Larsen
Projections Designer Sydney Sousa
Costume Designer Jason Orlenko
Lighting Designer John Mitchell
Associate Lighting Designer Willem Hinternhoff
Wig & Makeup Designer Melyssa Swensen
Sound Designer Bryan Richards
Properties Clare Kelly
Elton John & Tim Rice’s
CAST
Aida Sharaé Moultrie
Radames
Charlie Tingen
Amneris Adrien Swensen
Zoser Lee Gregory
Mereb
Lance Raikes
Nehebkah Victoria Okafor
Amonasro Thomas Cannon
Pharaoh Jared Rounds
ENSEMBLE
Colin Anderson, Isabel Cossa, Levi Hopkins, Jeanmarie LaPointe, Chantrell Lewis, Kareem Mack, Victoria Okafor, Alexandria Orr, Jamie Powell, Lance Raikes, Michael Rick, Jared Rounds, Caleb Sager, Ian Saverin, Thomas Smith, Jordann Stoute, Aubrey Taylor, Nathan Templeton, Malachi Watson, Alyssa Weathersby, Devin Wieser
Associate Conductor/Chorus Master
Coach /Pianist
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Production Assistant
Fight Coordinator
Dallas Aksoy
Aaron Nash
Rachel Dane
Megan Ross
Crystal Espinoza
Stefan Espinosa
AIDA SYNOPSIS ACT I
A man and a woman meet at an exhibit in a history museum. A statue of a female pharaoh, Amneris, comes to life and transports them to Ancient Egypt. Here, the captain of the Egyptian army, Radames, is returning from war with the Nubians, prisoners in tow. Among the captured is Aida, a woman who immediately gains his fascination as she attempts to free herself via a duel with one of his soldiers. Radames mercifully prevents Aida and her cohorts from being sent to the copper mines, and instead assures them positions on the palace grounds. Radames’s father, Zoser, informs him that the Pharaoh is dying and that Radames must prepare to take up the throne after him. Meanwhile, Radames’s Nubian servant, Mereb, recognizes Aida as the daughter of the Nubian king. She demands he keep her identity a secret. Aida becomes the personal servant to Radames’s fiancé, Amneris, who immediately takes a liking to her. At a banquet, Zoser announces that Radames and Amneris are to be married by the end of the week. This news distresses Radames who adores the freedom he has. He and Aida lament together over their plights. Later in the evening, Amneris is glad to talk to Aida about her concerns over her ailing father. Mereb leads Aida to the Nubian slave camp where her people beg her to lead them against the Egyptians. She in turn asks Radames for help who offers some of his own possessions to them and confesses his love for Aida. The two embrace, but their bliss is fleeting as news comes of her father’s capture. Aida, distraught and brooding, declares to her people that Nubia will never die.
ACT II
Aida and Mereb force their way into her father Amonasro’s cell. Mereb suggests that they could escape during Radames’s upcoming wedding ceremony. Aida is conflicted as she wants to save her father but does not want to betray the man she loves. Elsewhere, Zoser confronts his son after he discovers the truth of his and Aida’s relationship. Radames argues with his father, declaring he is no longer interested in taking the throne. Zoser takes matters into his own hands and orders that Aida be killed. Egyptian soldiers arrive to take Aida, but another Nubian, Nehebka, sacrifices herself instead. Radames tells Aida that he is going to call off his wedding, but she implores him not to because it is the only way that her father can escape. Heartbroken, Radames agrees to his lover’s plea. Unbeknownst to them, Amneris has overheard the entire conversation and has trouble dealing with her own grief over going into a counterfeit marriage. The wedding is brought to a halt at the news of Amonasro’s escape. When Radames arrives at the dock, he is shocked to discover Aida’s true identity and upset that she kept such an important fact from him. Fighting ensues in which Mereb is attacked by Zoser. Radames cuts the boat free of the dock, allowing Amonasro to escape, but Aida stays behind to be with Radames and the dying Mereb as Zoser flees.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
July 8m, 12m, 14m, 19, 22, 27, August 1m, 4m
A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER
Music by Steven Lutvak
Lyrics by Robert L. Freeman & Steven Lutvak
Book by Robert L. Freeman
Based on a novel by Roy Horniman
Production Sponsored by:
Premiered Hartford Stage, Hartford, CT 2012
Premiered Broadway, Walter Kerr Theatre, 2013
Sung in English with English Supertitles
THERE WILL BE ONE 15–MINUTE INTERMISSION
A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
UFOMT remains committed to informing audiences of specific content that might be disturbing or triggering to some patrons. This production may contain, but isn’t limited to, depictions of violence and war, mild adult intimacy, or mature situations/themes. Viewer discretion is advised.
Conductor Arthur Bosarge
Director/Choreographer George Pinney
Assistant Director/Choreographer Alyssa Weathersby
Set Designer Dennis Hassan
Projections Designer Michael Francis
Costume Designer Jess Wallace
Lighting Designer
John Mitchell
Associate Lighting Designer Willem Hinternhoff
Wig & Makeup Designer Melyssa Swensen
Sound Designer Bryan Richards
CAST
Monty Navarro
Stefan Espinosa
The Family D’Ysquith Curt Olds
Sibella Hallward Vanessa Ballam
Phoebe D’Ysquith Amy Owens
Miss Marietta Shingle Sarah-Nicole Cater
Lady Eugenia et al Tanya Roberts
Magistrate et al Blake Friedman
Tom Copley et al Charlie Tingen
Tour Guide et al Sharaé Moultrie
Inspector Pinckney et al Thomas Smith
Miss Evangeline Barley et al Trysten Reynolds
Associate Conductor/Chorus Master Matthew Stephens
Coach /Pianist Aaron Nash
Concert Master Carolynn Larson
Production Stage Manager Marisa Kilgallen
Assistant Stage Manager Lexie Secrist
Production Assistant Chris Vlamakis
Fight Coordinator
Stefan Espinosa
Act I
In the early 1900’s, Lord Montague “Monty” D’Ysquith Navarro, Ninth Earl of Highhurst, is in jail. He begins to write a memoir of his story. Two years prior, he was living in poverty with his mother when she passed away. A former servant of Monty’s mother, Miss Shingle, comes to visit during the mourning period and tells Monty that his mother was actually a member of the wealthy D’ysquith Family and had been disinherited when she married a Castilian named Navarro. Miss Shingle urges him to take his rightful place. At the same time, Monty is courting Sibella Hallward, but she refuses any serious commitment due to his lack of money. Monty tells her he is, in fact, a D’ysquith, but she says that eight people would have to die before he would get any money. Monty writes to the D’ysquith Family to see about reconnecting, only to be told not to contact them again.
What transpires over the next months is a series of accidental, circumstantial and purposeful deaths of seven members of the D’ysquith family, including Lord Reverend Ezekial D’Ysquith (a drunk who falls to his death), Asquith D’Ysquith, Jr. (skating accident), Henry D’Ysquith (excessive bee stings), Lady Hyacinth D’Ysquith (excessive travel), Lady Salome D’ysquith (bad acting and a prop gun accident), Lord Bartholomew D’Ysquith (weight-lifting accident), Lord Asquith D’Ysquith, Sr. (heart attack). Luckily for Monty, Miss Phoebe D’ysquith is not in the line of succession and he falls in love with her instantly when he realizes she doesn’t have to die for him to proceed. Their love causes great issue for Sibella who has since aquired a rich husband, but still longs for Monty. As Act I draws to a close, the current Earl of Highhurst, takes note that seven D’ysquiths have passed away, leaving him the last D’yquith standing before Monty would take the Earldom.
Act II
Monty and Sibella continue a torrid affair and she forbids him from marrying the sweet Phoebe. During an especially heated tryst, Phoebe arrives to announce she is ready to marry, throwing the household into farcical chaos.
Monty and Phoebe receive an invite to Highhurst so the current Earl, Lord Adlebert, can meet the next in line to the succession. Sibella has found a way to receive an invite herself and comes without her husband. At dinner, it is revealed that Miss Shingle works at Highhurst Castle herself. Monty makes a faulty attempt to poison Lord Adlebert’s food, but the Earl succumbs to poison placed in a glass of wine, leaving everyone in the castle as a suspect. Monty is arrested and a trial ensues. Any person from the dinner party is questioned. Both Sibella and Phoebe give testimony that, combined, would give cause for “reasonable doubt,” and Monty is released due to lack of incriminating evidence.
A guard at the jail finds Monty’s memoir, which would be proof he had killed many of the D’Ysquith family members. He returns the memoir to Monty without opening it. A traditional “happily ever after” begins, only to be stifled at the very end by an unknown D’Ysquith family member, Chauncy D’Ysquith, who claims he has “poison in his pocket” too.
July 8, 14, 20, 26m, 29, August 5m
AIDA
COMPOSED BY GIUSEPPE VERDI
World Premiere: Khedivial Opera House, Cairo, December 24, 1871
Production Sponsored by:
Sung in German with English Supertitles
THERE WILL BE ONE 15–MINUTE INTERMISSION
UFOMT remains committed to informing audiences of specific content that might be disturbing or triggering to some patrons. This production may contain, but isn’t limited to, depictions of violence and war, mild adult intimacy, or mature situations/themes. Viewer discretion is advised.
The videotaping or other video or audio of this production is strictly prohibited.
Conductor Nichola Giusti
Director/ Choreographer John de los Santos
Dance Captain/Assistant Director Jordann Stoute
Set Designer Patrick Larsen
Projections Designer Sydney Sousa
Costume Designer Erin Carignan
Lighting Designer John Mitchell
Associate Lightin Designer Willem Hinternhoff
Wig & Makeup Designer Melyssa Swensen
Sound Designer Bryan Richards
CAST
Aida Carami Hilaire
Radamés Victor Starsky
Amneris Audrey Babcock
Ramfis Brandon Coleman
King of Egypt Christopher Job
Amonasro Thomas Cannon
A Messenger John Tibbetts
High Priestess Jasmine Ismail
Young Princes Lucas Rosario, Mason Rosario
ENSEMBLE
Colin Anderson, Isabel Cossa, Annelise Burghardt, Jenna Grissom, Tamra Harkley, Paul Leland Hill, Hayden Höglund, Victoria Isernia, Jasmine Ismail, Melina Jaharis, Benjamin Krutsch, Layton Loucks, Timothy McGowan, Langelihle Mngxati, Victoria Okafor, Alexandria Orr, Jamie Powell, Michael Rick, Olivia Rominiyi, Maisah Outlaw, Caleb Sager, Matthew Soibelman, Andy Stoner, John Tibbetts, Malachi Watson, Devin Wieser
Associate Conductor/Chorus Master
Coach /Pianist
Concert Master
Stage Manager
Assistant
Stage Manager
Production Assistant
Fight Coordinator
Chloe Kim
Amy Glenn
Amanda Nix
Rachel Dane
Megan Ross
Crystal Espinoza
Stefan Espinosa
Ancient Egypt, during the reign of the pharaohs. The high priest Ramfis tells the warrior Radamès that Ethiopia is preparing another attack against Egypt. Radamès hopes to command the Egyptian army. He is in love with Aida, an enslaved Ethiopian woman, and he believes that victory would enable them to marry. But Princess Amneris loves Radamès, and she senses his feelings for Aida. The king names Radamès to lead the army. Left alone, Aida is torn between her love for Radamès and loyalty to her country, where her father, Amonasro, is king. In the temple, the priests consecrate Radamès, and Ramfis orders him to protect the homeland.
Ethiopia has been defeated, and Amneris awaits Radamès’s return. When Aida approaches, Amneris attempts to learn her feelings. Aida’s reactions leave no doubt that she loves Radamès. Amneris, certain she will be victorious, leaves for the triumphal procession.
The king and Amneris crown Radamès with a victor’s wreath. Captured Ethiopians are led in. Among them is Amonasro, who signals his daughter not to reveal his identity. Radamès asks for the prisoners to be freed. The king grants his request but keeps Amonasro in custody. The king declares that Radamès will have Amneris’s hand in marriage.
On the eve of the wedding, Ramfis and Amneris enter a temple on the banks of the Nile to pray. Aida, who is waiting for Radamès, is lost in thoughts of her homeland. Amonasro appears and coerces Aida to find out the Egyptian army’s plans from Radamès. Amonasro hides as Radamès arrives and assures Aida of his love. Aida asks him about his army’s plans, and just as he reveals the secret, Amonasro emerges. When he realizes Amonasro’s identity, Radamès is horrified by what he has done. Ramfis and Amneris step out of the temple. Amonasro and Aida are able to escape, but Radamès surrenders.
Radamès awaits trial. Amneris offers to save him if he renounces Aida, but he refuses. When he is brought before the priests, he is condemned to be buried alive. Amneris begs for mercy, but the judges are unwavering.
Aida has hidden in the vault to share Radamès’s fate. They express their love for the last time while Amneris prays in the temple above.
July 12, 15, 20m, 27m, August 3
NED ROREM’S OUR TOWN
Composed by Ned Rorem
Based on the play by Thornton Wilder
Production Sponsored by:
World Premiere: Indiana Univeristy Opera Theatre, February 25, 2006
Utah Premiere: Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, Logan, UT 2023
Sung in English with English Supertitles
15 MINUTE INTERMISSION BETWEEN ACT II AND ACT III
Presented in arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publisher & copyright holder
UFOMT remains committed to informing audiences of specific content that might be disturbing or triggering to some patrons. This production may contain, but isn’t limited to, depictions of violence and war, mild adult intimacy, or mature situations/themes. Viewer discretion is advised.
The videotaping or other video or audio of this production is strictly prohibited.
Ned Rorem’s Our Town
Conductor
Andreas Mitisek
Director Vanessa Ballam
Set Designer Alexander Graham
Costume Designer Meredith Magoun
Lighting Designer John Mitchell
Associate Lighting Designer Willem Hinternhoff
Wig & Makeup Designer Melyssa Swensen
Sound Designer Bryan Richards
Properties Clare Kelly
CAST
Stage Manager
Emily Webb
George Gibbs
Dr. Gibbs
Mrs. Gibbs
Thomas Glenn
Amy Owens
Victor Starsky
Brian Montgomery
Audrey Babcock
Mr. Webb Lee Gregory
Mrs. Webb
Mrs. Soames
Simon Stimson
Suzan Hanson
Nina Warren
Blake Friedman
Joe Nathan Templeton
Frank
Timothy McGowan
Sam Ian Saverin
Mr. Carter
Lady in Balcony
Caleb Sager
Victoria Isernia
Man in Audience Matthew Soibelman
Emily’s Friends
Aubrey Taylor
Monroe Rigby
Asa Brady
ENSEMBLE
Asa Brady, Annelise Burghardt, Jenna Grissom, Paul Leland Hill, Hayden Höglund, Victoria Isernia, Jasmine Ismail, Melina Jaharis, Jeanmarie LaPointe, Chantrell Lewis, Anne Maguire, Timothy McGowan, Lance Raikes, Trysten Reynolds, Olivia Rominiyi, Caleb Sager, Ian Saverin, Matthew Soibelman, Aubrey Taylor, Nathan Templeton, John Tibbetts
Our Town
CHILDREN’S ENSEMBLE
Sage Biggs, Scarlet Biggs, Boston Clemens, Vivian Espinosa, Abel Gustin, Emmanuel Gustin, Romane Gustin, Colin Gregory, Aline Laranja, Luna Majzlin, Monroe Rigby
Associate Conductor/Chorus Master Chloe Kim
Coach /Pianist Matthew Stephens
Concert Master Amanda Nix
Stage Manager
Carson Gilmore
Assistant Stage Manager Min Jie
Production Assistant
Fight Coordinator
Rachel Tillotson
Stefan Espinosa
Directing Assistant Ben Ballam
Note from the Director
“They don’t understand, do they? They never understand.” Eighty-five years ago, Thornton Wilder penned those words in his Pulitzer Prize winning play that would become an integral part of our American experience. Composer Ned Rorem and librettist J. D. McClatchy took Wilder’s words and elevated them in a new medium. This opera tackles the eternal questions regarding life, existence, love, family and death. Though Thornton Wilder’s setting of the play is 1901 small town America, the questions being asked are perhaps even more relevant for a contemporary audience. Emily asks, “Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?—every, every minute?” Do we? I feel that all of us can benefit from a greater sense of presence and mindfulness in our lives. There is beauty to be found even in the mundane, daily struggles of life. Often we just need to look for it.
– Vanessa BallamOur Town
SYNOPSIS Act I
As the opera opens, a funeral procession is crossing the stage to the strains of the old hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.” From the midst of the mourners, the Stage Manager comes forward and introduces us to Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire on May 7, 1901—a small, typical American town where some ordinary and extraordinary things are about to happen. We meet two families, first Doc Gibbs and his wife (the Doc is with a patient, Mrs. Soames), and then Editor Webb and his wife. Both couples are upstanding pillars of the community. The wives have identical gardens and two dissimilar children—George Gibbs, star of the high school baseball team, and Emily Webb, the best student in class. Though drawn to one another, their differences chafe. Emily, in a talk with her mother, wonders if boys will ever notice her. “You’re pretty enough for all normal purposes,” Mrs. Webb assures her. The Stage Manager continues to fill us in on Grover’s Corners, and even answers questions from the audience. Choir practice has started, and Simon Stimson, the church organist, is drunk and unhappy again (“Leave loudness to the Methodists”). Meanwhile, at their opposite bedroom windows, Emily and George figure out a problem—until Doc Gibbs calls George downstairs to reprimand him for ignoring his chores. Mrs. Gibbs returns from choir practice, and she and her husband stay out on the porch in the moonlit night, reminiscing, even as George and Emily, back at their windows, also stare at the moon, and at each other.
Act II
Three years have gone by and Emily and George are about to get married. Doc and Mrs. Gibbs think back on their own marriage, while George impetuously dashes over to see his bride—to the consternation of a superstitious Mrs. Webb, who won’t let him see Emily until they meet in the church, and insists Editor Webb give him some stern advice for the future. But the Stage Manager again interrupts the story, wanting to show how the young couple fell in love. So we’re suddenly back two years in time, while George and Emily are having an important talk about their future lives, each frankly discussing feelings that upset the other. A turn into Mr. Morgan’s drugstore for a soda seems the best way to prevent tears, and while sitting at the counter they both discover what is the most important thing in their lives.
We now jump to July 7, 1904, three years into the future—the church on the day of the big wedding. But the bride and bridegroom sing separately of their fears . . . until their parents push them toward the altar. The service is read, the choir sings, the townfolk are clucking, and the happy couple race down the aisle and into married life.
Intermission Act III
It is the summer of 1913. We are in the town cemetery. The dead are gathered on chairs to one side, and we can recognize some of them—Mrs. Gibbs, Mrs. Soames, Simon Stimson. They seem calmly detached. As the Stage Manager describes some of the changes that have occurred, we suddenly notice a funeral procession approaching. They are singing the same hymn heard at the beginning. Mrs. Gibbs explains that it is Emily who has died, giving birth to her second child. This is her funeral. The Stage Manager meditates on life and death, and on the fact that the dead “are waiting for something they feel is coming.” As the coffin in lowered, Emily herself suddenly appears among the dead, and has already taken on some of their detachment. But she still misses George and their life, and wonders if she can return, just for a day, just to be part of life one last time. The dead warn her not to, that it will only add to her unhappiness. But Emily insists, and the Stage Manager agrees to accompany her back to the day of her thirteenth birthday. Suddenly, she is back in Grover’s Corners. Her father and mother—how young they look! she thinks— are pre-occupied with the small unimportant tasks and routines of the day. George enters, and gifts are given to the birthday girl, but no one seems to realize the importance of each moment, or how fleeting are joy and life. In tears, Emily begs the Stage Manager to take her back to the dead. As she leaves with him, she sings one last farewell to Grover’s Corners, lamenting “Oh, earth, you are too magical for anyone to know your miracle.” The dead welcome her back, and together they sing of the living, “they don’t understand, do they?” The Stage Manager comes forward again. The stars are crisscrossing the sky, the world is asleep. In an indifferent universe the world keeps on. “Only this place still straining away, straining away all the time, straining away to do its best.”
2023 Season Sponsors
PRODUCTION SPONSORS
SUPERTITLES SPONSOR
2023 Season Sponsors
MICHAEL AND LAURIE BALLAM DELL LOY HANSEN COMMUNITY SPONSORS
Adobe American Festival Chorus Christopher Ballam
Judy Brady and Drew W. Browning C. Comstock Clayton Foundation
Coon Family Foundation Cook Martin Poulson Dominion Questar Corporation
Every Blooming Thing Donna and Ralph Friz Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation
Florence J. Gillmore Foundation John Shane and Sharon Franz
Robert and Anne Gregerson Jeanne & Alan Hall Foundation
Charles and Kathie Horman M. Craig and Becky Johns Dr. and Mrs. Marvin L. Rallison
Marty and Carolyn Rasmussen – Nebeker Family Foundation Nancy Schellkopf
Theodore J. Schmidt, Jr. Utah Festival Opera Guild Kent Wallis Young Honda-Toyota
Anonymous Applewood Tree & Landscape Café Sabor
Lee’s Marketplace Dr. Marvin L. & Elisabeth Rallison Square One Printing
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Broadway Bound Opera by Children
Utah Festival Academy Utah Festival Conservatory of the Performing Arts
Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards
EDUCATION SPONSORS
Utah State Legislature/Board of Education Cache County RAPZ and Restaurant Tax
Michael & Laurie Ballam Vanessa Ballam
Marilyn & Ray Phillips, Council for Investment in Education
Phil and Darlene Espinosa Stefan Espinosa
UTAH HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS SPONSORS
AC Hotels by Marriott, Annette Macfarlane, Broadway Across America Utah, Broadway Dreams, Cache County RAPZ and Restaurant Tax, Crystal Inn Hotels & Suites, CS Music, Debbie & Kirt Cutler, Live at the Eccles, MagicSpace Entertainment, Marilyn & Ray Phillips/Council for Investment in Education, Michal and Laurie Ballam, Myra & Ben Clawson Family, Paul Borup/Sentry West Insurance & Auto Owners Insurance, POPS/Utah State Legislature, Spencer & Mary Stokes, Stanton & Julie Allen Family, Summerhays Music, Vanessa Ballam
2023 Season Contributors
ORDER OF THE MUSE
$500,000 & ABOVE
Cache Valley RAPZ and Restaurant Tax Allocation
State of Utah Legislature/Utah State Office of Education
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Foundation -
▲ Deseret Management
▲ Beneficial Life Insurance Company
▲ Bonneville International Corporation
▲ Deseret Book Company
▲ Deseret News Publishing Company
▲ SL Broadcast Group
▲ Temple Square Hospitality Corporation
LEGACY
$100,000 - $499,000
Anonymous
Anonymous
C. Comstock Clayton Foundation
Ed Kalbach/EK USA
George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
ORPHEUS CLUB
$50,000 - $99,000
Alan & Jeanne Hall Foundation
Deseret News
Design West Architects
Mills Publishing
Utah Division of Cultural and Community Engagement
Utah Tourism Council/Life Elevated
CIRCLE OF THE LYRE
$25,000 - $49,000
Alan & Jeanne Hall Foundation
Broadway Across America
Coon Family Foundation
Deseret News
Dr. Judy Brady & Drew Browning
M. Craig & Rebecca Johns
CIRCLE OF THE ROSE
$10,000 -- $24,999
Anonymous
Benevity
Cache Valley Bank
Chuck & Kathie Horman
Daryl & Theresa Adcock/ ChemDry of Northern Utah
Donna & Ralph Friz Family Foundation
Donna Borden
Michael & Sheila Deputy
Dr. F. Neal & Ann W. Mortenson
Kenneth Randall
Sandefur Schmidt
The Ginger E. & Robert D. Wallace Foundation
Roger H. Thompson
Utah Festival Opera Guild
Zions Bank
GRAND IMPRESARIO
$5,000 - $4,999
Christine Allread
Annette Macfarlane, in honor of Lynette Irene Gardner Macfarlane
Shari Badger
Ballard Miller FoundationJohn and Karen
Lowell Bennion
Nansi & Kevin Blau
Cache Valley Bank
Cache Valley Family Magazine
Cache Valley Visitors Bureau
Ronda & Michael Callister
Community Foundation of Utah/Donna Loy Gossner Fund - Mr. and Mrs. D.E. Gossner
Council For Investment in Education/Ray & Marilyn Phillips
Jerry Doris D’Asto
Marian Ensor
Clarence Funk
Harold & Lois Milner Foundation
LeRue Hemmingway
Owen Mortensen
Nebecker Family Foundation
Paul Borup/Sentry West Insurance
Dean & Luann Quayle
Gary Richardson
Salt Lake Tribune
Gayle Sandberg
The Evan and Marion Campbell Supporting Organization
John A. Uldrich
Lisa Wilson
Bob & Diane Wilson
Shotzie & Jim Workman
Jeanne Young
IMPRESARIO
$1,000 - $4,999
Stanton & Julie Allen
Kathleen E. Bayn
Christopher & Jennifer Ballam
Sally and Scott Browning
Cache Valley Tourism
Robert Gibbs
Shirley J. Lambert
Nancy Larsen
Ruth Ann Lewis
Logan Herald Journal
Jan & Jerry Luger
Mary & Spencer Stokes
Gene & Ruth Miller
Rachel Nardo
Marilyn Nielson
Rhea Paul
Kenneth O & Geraldine Sorensen
Utah Life Magazine
Utah Public Radio
Barbara A. & Danie J. Wallace, in memory of Robert D. Wallace
ARCHANGLE
$500 - $999
Stanton & Julie Allen
Kathleen E. Bayn
Ann & David Beaucage
Scott & Sally Browning
Zoe & Andrew Dolan Cardon
Hon. Phillip & Darlene
Espinosa
William & Anita Ford
Robert Gibbs
Justin Hamilton, Café Sabor
Shirley J. Lambert
Ruth Ann Lewis
Jan & Jerry Luger
Spencer & Mary Stokes
ANGEL
$250 - $499
Robert Bennion
Lina & Rick Bleier
John F. & Kathryn W. Burnham
Dean Burton
Candice Campbell
Kirt & Debbie Cutler
2023 Season Contributors
Mary A. Farley
Ross & Bonita Farmer
William & Anita Ford
Sharon & Lou Gadless
David & Dana Gossner
Leonard Haas & Abby Gottsegen
Mona Higbee
Lyle & Alice Hillyard
Barbara B. Holdaway
Pat Holley
Kathleen Ipsen
Janiece Jones
Jeanne Kesler
Thomas H. Klassan & Carolyn Talboys
Gerald & Linda Kos
Claudia Laycock
Louise Letham
Roy F. Miller
Lou & Debbie Moench
Opera Appreciation Club of Salt Lake City
Annette Papworth
Mary Potter
Ralph & Marilyn Rudolph
Peggy L. & Geoffrey G. Smith
Karen Squires
Brent & Lissa Thompson
Mike Waters
Elaine Weber
Patsy A. Wilkes
SERAPHIM
$100 - $249
Loren R & Mary T. Anderson
Dr. Ann Berghout-Austin
Thea & Bob Brannon
Marvin & Diann Buck
Geraldine A. Bushell
Joyce S. Chotena
Marilyn C. Clark
Brent & Joy Lu Cromar
Janna Cullberg
Elizabeth Cutler
Roy & Nancy Hales
David P. & Pamela B. Hirschi
Calvin Hunsaker
Fred & Sharon Hunsaker
Gary D & Vernet S. Jones
Elaine Laporta
Michael Lawitts
Mike & Carrie Lindner
Mr. & Mrs. J Charles Malone
Barbara Mason
Jerald McPhee
Dr. A. Wayne & Sharon W. Meikle
Marilyn Nielson
Paul & Leila M. Neilson
Barbara D. Perry
R. Scott Phillips
Ron & Marcia Smith
Patricia M. Ward
Carl Wolfram
CHERIBUM -- UP TO $99
Amazon Smile Foundation
Anderson’s Seed & Garden
Lisa Andrus
Anonymous
Linda Archibald
Glen and Gina Baily
Beth Blanchard
Charlotte & Eric Cantwell
Abigail Diepeveen
Jean A. Ellsworth
Mark V. & Jennifer Erickson
Pat Holley
April Ipsen
Kathleen Ipsen
M.K. & Ellen Rae Jeppesen
Richard C. Laramee
Sonia E. & Jeffery Allen Long
F. Diane Low
Laurel Maughan
Network for Good
Peggy Neuber
Chris Pulley
Virginia & Karl Pulley
Jessie Quigley
Margo Smith
Charles J. Zeman
GALA DONORS
Al’s Trophies & Frames
Anderson Seed & Garden
Beehive Grill
Birch Creek Golf Course
Blackstone Products
Justin Hamilton/Café Sabor
Coppin’s Hallmark
Firehouse Pizzeria
Lee’s Marketplace
Love to Cook
Malouf
Rocky Mountain Dermatology
Saranoni
The Logo Shop
The Red Fox
Victory Golf Works
FOUNDING CONTRIBUTORS
We wish to acknowledge those whose vision and generosity were instrumental in Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre’s inception.
THE MODERN MEDICIS
$1,000,000 AND ABOVE
Anonymous Donors
Michael and Laurie Ballam
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Christensen
Larry H. and Gail Miller
George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
Theodore G. and Elizabeth Schmidt
Utah State Legislature
Cache County RAPZ/Restaurant Tax
Zions Bank
LORENZO’S LEGACY
$500,000 TO $999,999
James LeVoy Sorenson Foundation
Marie Eccles Caine Foundation
RENAISSANCE REBORN
$250,000 TO $499,999
Jack and Deanne Parson
Dr. and Mrs. R.L. Smith
2023 Season Contributors
UTAH THEATRE RESTORATION
We wish to thank the following organizations and individuals who have contributed to the restoration of the historic Utah Theatre and the donation, installation and upkeep of the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ.
Anonymous
The Anschutz Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Christensen
Deluxe Corporation Foundation
Logan City
Lizetta Seely Bush
Jennifer Davis
Ron & Margaret Davis
Sacha Davis
Todd Davis
Dawson Electric
Doris Dawson
George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
Gail Miller
Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation
Mike and Shari Ohman
Elbert A. Dawson III
Russell & Barbara Fjeldsted
The Hansen Family
Ashley Jones
James & Qing Deng Jones
Jim Jones
Kevin L. Jones
MUSIC LIBRARY
Raymond Construction
Theodore G. and Elizabeth Schmidt
John and Nancy Schellkopf
Sorenson Legacy Foundation
Utah State Legislature
Zions Bank
Jeanne B. Kesler
Lorraine Mackay
Raymond Real Estate
Mollie Shaffer
Tonga Titcomb
Norman & Virginia Wright
Earl & Corinne Wunderli
Our library was created in 1996 when we received the Maughan and Dorothy McMurdie Music Library. We thank the following individuals who have donated their significant collections to our music library:
Bernice Baugh
Brigham Young University/KBYU
Vera Broughton Scammon
S.E. Clark
Brigitta Clyde
Tod Fitzpatrick
Chuck & Lou Gay
Lorraine Hammond
Eastman & Anne Hatch
Kathy & Karl Dean Hess
Arthur & Doris Holmgren Family
Henry Holt
Lyman & Ida-Marie Jensen
Miles & Janet Jensen
Dr. Revis Lewis
William & Nina W. Matheson
Sharon Mayberry
Maughan & Dorothy McMurdie
Walter Rudolph
Dr. & Mrs. James Seaver
Ray Somers
Edwin Stafford
F. Eugene & Marcia Tueller
Peggy L. Tueller
VERA SCAMMON MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND
The Vera Scammon Memorial Endowment Fund was created in 2008 by Michael Ballam, Founding General Director of Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre. This perpetual fund is intended to honor the memory of Vera Scammon, a brilliant soprano, generous teacher and extraordinary woman who deeply touched the lives of many. The fund will be used to continue Vera’s work in blessing the lives of young singers. We thank the following contributors:
Ruth Baker
Michael & Laurie Ballam
Sue Brown
Gail & John Carpenter
Janelle Erbschloe
Brenda Frye
Carl & Linda Gardner
Margaret Rush Hankins
George & Amy Hill
John & Amy Lawton
Thomas & Alice Lindblom
Miriam Ruth Linkimer
Horan & McConaty
Robert Miller
LEAVE A LEGACY
Daniel & Heather Narducci
Bernard & Hele Nefkens
Judith & John Pogge
The Rackley Family
Art & Patricia Van Dyck
Alan & Elizabeth Whaley
Lorraine E. Whiteman
We express sincere gratitude for individuals who, through estate planning, have left a legacy of support for Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre.
• Margueritte Caldwell Estate
• Glenn Howard and Karen Fugal Peterson
Charitable Remainder Unitrust
• Gary and Nancy Griffin Charitable Remainder Trust
• Lynne Paoletti Estate
• Kenneth Randall Bequest
• Donna Loy Gossner Fund
• Louise Childs Watts Estate
If you are interested in leaving a legacy through estate planning or in receiving information about planned giving options and tax benefits, please contact Annette Macfarlane in our Development Office at 435-750-0300 Ext. 109.
2023 Profiles
CONDUCTORS
JAMES M. BANKHEAD
Conductor, Elton John’s Aida, Sentimental Journey Concert North Logan, Utah
7th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah State University, Sam Houston State University, The United States Air Force BandWashington DC
ARTHUR BOSARGE
Conductor, Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder Fairhope, Alabama
3th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Opera Birmingham, Opera Memphis, Kentucky Opera, Florida Grand Opera
NICOLAS GIUSTI
Conductor, Verdi’s Aida
Boston, Massachusetts
5th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Opera Montecarlo, Rossini Opera Festival, Orlando Opera
KAREN KELTNER
Conductor, Oliver!
San Diego, California
25th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Washington National Opera, San Diego Opera, l’Opera du Rhin (Stasbourg, France)
ANDREAS MITISEK
Conductor, Lohengrin | Conductor, Our Town Long Beach, California
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Chicago Opera Theatre, Arena di Verona, New York City Opera
AUREY BABCOCK
Amneris, Verdi’s Aida | Mrs. Gibbs, Our Town
Hollywood, California
4rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Seattle Opera, San Diego Opera, Dallas Opera, National Symphony
VANESSA BALLAM
Sibella Hallward, Gentleman’s Guide | Nancy, Oliver! | Director, Our Town | Education Director | Associate Artistic Director
Logan, Utah
23nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Anchorage Opera, PCPAPacific Conservatory Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Indiana University
ASA BRADY
Ensemble, Our Town, Oliver!
Hyrum, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Premier Youth Events, Utah Festival Conservatory of Performing Arts
THOMAS CANNON*
Amonasro, Verdi’s Aida | Amonasro, Elton John’s Aida
Hahnville, Louisiana
ALSO: Arizona Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Opera Orlando
SARAH-NICOLE CARTER
Miss Shingle, Gentleaman’s Guide/ Mrs. Bedwin, Oliver!
San Juan Capistrano, California
8th UFOMT Season
ALSO: San Diego Opera, Bach Collegium San Diego, The Kennedy Center
MICHAEL BALLAM
Founder and General Director | Fagin, Oliver!
Logan, Utah
31th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Chicago Lyric Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, San Francisco Opera, Dallas Opera
BRANDON J. COLEMAN
Heinrich, Lohengrin | Ramfis, Verdi’s Aida
Bethesda, Maryland
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Stuttgart Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Opera Louisiane
2023 Profiles
MICHAEL CORVINO
Host & Soloist, Sentimental JourneyISABEL COSSA*
Ensemble, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida, Oliver! | Cover, Miss Barley et al, Gentleman’s Guide
West Valley City, Utah
ALSO: Utah Opera, University of Utah
STEFAN ESPINOSA
Monty, Gentleman’s Guide| Conservatory Director | Director, Les Miserables, Jr.
Tucson, Arizona
14th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Salt Lake Acting Company, PCPA Theaterfest, Lyric Repertory Theatre
BLAKE FRIEDMAN*
Simon Stimson, Our Town | Magistrate et al, Gentleman’s Guide
Chicago, Illinois
ALSO: Dallas Opera, Chicago Opera Theatre, Chautauqua Opera
THOMAS GLENN*
Role of Stage Manager, Our Town | Tenor Soloist, War Requiem
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ALSO: Canadian Opera Company, San Francisco Opera, The Metropolitan Opera
LEE GREGORY
Zoser, Elton John’s Aida | Mr. Webb, Our Town
Houston, Texas
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Portland Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Metropolitan Opera
JENNA GRISSOM*
Ensemble, Lohengrin, Verdi’s Aida, Our Town | Cover Elsa, Lohengrin
West Memphis, Arkansas
ALSO: Peabody Opera, Music on Site, Inc. Turner-Fischer Center for Opera
2023 Profiles
EMILY CHERIE HANSEN*
Warrior Woman, Lohengrin
ALSO: L’Elisir d’amore, Acis and Galatea, Opera Idaho, Madama Butterfly
SUZAN HANSON
Director, Lohengrin | Mrs. Webb, Our Town
Hollywood, California
10th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Arena di Verona, New York City Opera, Long Beach Opera
TAMRA HARKLEY*
Ensemble, Lohengrin, Verdi’s Aida, Elton John’s Aida
Moreno Valley, California
ALSO: LA Operaq, Desert Theatreworks, JCC Merge Productions Irvine
CARAMI HILAIRE*
Aida, Verdi’s Aida, Soprano Soloist, War Requiem
Brooklyn, New York
ALSO: Sarasota Opera, Teatro Nuovo, White Snake Opera Projects
PAUL LELAND HILL
Ensemble, Lohengrin, Verdi’s Aida, Our Town | Cover Herald, Lohengrin
Clinton, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Sarasota Opera, Opera on the St. James, University of Michigan
HAYDEN HÖGLUND*
Mr. Sowerberry, Oliver! | Ensemble, Lohengrin, Verdi’s Aida, Our Town
Logan, Utah
ALSO: Lyrical Opera Company, Lawrence Opera Theatre, Vienna Summer Music Festival
LEVI HOPKINS
The Artful Dodger, Oliver!, Ensemble, Elton John’s Aida
Nibley, Utah
5th UFOMT Season
ALSO: The National Jimmy Awards, Lyric Repertory Theatre, USU Theatre
VICTORIA ISERNIA
Bet, Oliver! 1st + Cover Nancy | Page, Lohengrin | Lady in the Balcony/1st Cover Mrs. Gibbs Our Town, Verdi’s Aida
Fernandina Beach, Florida
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Gulfshore Opera First Coast Opera, New York Philharmonic
JASMINE ISMAIL
High Priestess, Verdi’s Aida, Page/ Ensemble, Lohengrin, Ensemble, Our Town
Winston Salem, North Carolina
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Manhattan School of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berlin Opera Academy
MELINA JAHARIS*
Page/Ensemble, Lohengrin, Verdi’s Aida, Our Town
Chicago, Illinois
ALSO: Sarasota Opera, MIOpera, Teatro Grattacielo, Osford Philharmonic
CHRISTOPHER JOB*
Bill Sikes, Oliver! | King of Egypt, Verdi’s Aida
ALSO: The Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Carnegie Hall
BENJAMIN KRUTSCH
Mr. Bumble, Oliver! | Ensemble, Lohengrin, Verdi’s Aida, Cover Lohengrin, Lohengrin
Springville, Utah
4rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Arizona Opera, Opera Saratoga, Institute for Young
Dramatic Voices
JEANMARIE LAPOINTE*
Ensemble, Elton John’s Aida, Our Town, Oliver! | 1st Cover Amneris, Elton John’s Aida, 2nd Cover Nancy, Oliver!, 1st Cover Bet, Oliver!
Lynn, Massachuetts
ALSO: Plymouth State University
Continued on page 57
Continued
from page
2023 Profiles
CHANTRELL M. LEWIS*
Ensemble, Elton John’s Aida, Oliver!, Our Town | Cover Aida, Elton John’s Aida
Orange County, California
ALSO: Porthouse Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, Claire Trevor School of the Arts
LAYTON LOUCKS*
Ensemble, Lohengrin, Verdi’s Aida
SHARAÉ MOULTRIE*
Aida, Elton John’s Aida, | Tour Guide et al, Gentleman’s Guide
Conway, South Carolina
ALSO: Dreamgirls International Tour (Big League Productions), Little Theatre on the Square, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, North Carolina Theatre
VICTORIA OKAFOR*
Nehebka, Elton John’s Aida | Page, Lohengrin | Strawberry Seller/ Ensemble, Oliver!
Hyattsville, Maryland
KAREEM A. MACK
Ensemble, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida, Oliver!
Clinton, Maryland
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: University of Connecticut, Howard Community College, Temple University
ANNE MAGUIRE*
Ensemble, Lohengrin, Our Town, Cover Ortrud, Lohengrin
Washougal,Washington
ALSO: Utah Opera, Opera in the Heights, Miami Wagner Festival
TIMOTHY MCGOWAN
Frank, 1st Cover, George, Our Town | Ensemble, Lohengrin, Verdi’s Aida Champaign, Illinois
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Ohio Light Opera Company, Seagle Festival, Odyssey Opera
LANGELIHLE MNGXATI*
Ensemble, Lohengrin, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida | Cover Inspector et al, Gentleman’s Guide
South Africa, Ixopo
ALSO: Opera NEO, Tri-Cities Opera, Dallas Opera
BRIAN MONTGOMERY
Telramund, Lohengrin | Dr. Gibbs, Our Town
Seattle, Washington
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: The Metropolitan Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Arena di Verona
ALSO: Philadelphia Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, Shenandoah Symphony
CURT OLDS
The Family D’Ysquith, Gentleman’s Guide, UFOMT Director of Artistic Planning
Butte, Montana
6th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Broadway’s Riverdance, Cats, Phantom of the Opera World Tour, New York City Opera, Atlanta Opera, Carnegie Hall
ALEXANDRIA ORR*
Ensemble, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida, Oliver!
Las Vegas, Nevada
ALSO: Temple Theatre, EgoPo Classic Theatre, Positively Arts
MAISAH OUTLAW*
Ensemble, Lohengrin, Verdi’s Aida, Oliver!
ALSO: Indiana University Operaq & Ballet Theatre
AMY OWENS
Emily Webb, Our Town | Phoebe D’Ysquith, Gentleman’s Guide
Sante Fe, New Mexico
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: The Santa Fe Opera, Utah Opera, Dallas Opera
JOANNA PARISI*
Elsa, Lohengrin
2023 Profiles
JAMIE POWELL*
Ensemble, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida, Oliver!
New York, New York
ALSO: Temple University, Delaware Shakespeare
LANCE RAIKES*
Mereb, Elton John’s Aida | Ensemble, Our Town, Oliver! | Cover Magistrate, Gentleman’s Guide
New York, New York
ALSO: Lightning Thief Musical National Tour
TRYSTEN REYNOLDS
Miss Barley et al, Gentleman’s Guide
| Rose Seller, Oliver! | Ensemble, Our Town Cover Emily
New York City, New York
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Opera Del West, Opera Del West, Vital Theatre Company, City Lyric Opera
MICHAEL RICK*
Ensemble, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida, Oliver!
Janesville, Wisconsin
ALSO: The MUNY, Cedar Fair
Entertainment, Oklahoma City University
TANYA ROBERTS*
Mrs. Sowerberry, Oliver! | Lady
Eugenia et al, Gentleman’s Guide
Toronto, Canada
ALSO: The Ohio Light Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Edmonton Opera, Carnegie Hall
OLIVIA ROMINIYI*
Ensemble, Lohengrin, Verdi’s Aida, Our Town | Cover Aida, Verdi’s Aida
Virginia BVeach, Virginia
ALSO: Virginia Opera, Opera on the James, Des Moines Opera
JARED ROUNDS
Cover Fagin/Mr. Brownlow/ Ensemble, Oliver! | Pharoah/ Assistant Director, Our Town | Administrative Assistant
Spanish Fork, Utah
121h UFOMT Season
ALSO: Lyric Repertory Theatre, Music Theatre West, Logan High School Faculty
CALEB SAGER*
Ensemble, Lohengrin, Our Town, Oliver, Elton John’s Aida | Cover Bill
Sykes, Oliver!
Salmon, Idaho
ALSO: Virginia City Players, Idaho State University
IAN SAVERIN*
Sam, Our Town | Ensemble, Elton
John’s Aida, Oliver! | Cover Monty
Navarro, Gentleman’s Guide | Cover, Radamés, Elton John’s Aida
ALSO: Colorado Univeristy Boulder College of Music, Eklund Opera
THOMAS SMITH*
Inspector et al, Gentleman’s Guide | Ensemble, Elton John’s Aida, Oliver! Mays Landing, New Jersey
ALSO: Hale Theatre Arizona, Millbrook Playhouse, College Light Opera Company
MATTHEW SOIBELMAN*
Herald, Lohengrin | Ensemble, Verdi’s Aida, Lohengrin, Our Town | Cover Heinrich, Lohengrin
Tarzana, California
ALSO: The Julliard School, Opera North, Palm Beach Opera, Opera Memphis
VICTOR STARSKY*
Radamés, Verdi’s Aida | George Gibbs, Our Town
Richmond Hill, Queens, New York
ALSO: San Francisco Opera Adler
Fellow, New York City Opera, Carnegie Hall
ANDY STONER
Ensemble, Lohengrin
Logan, Utah
ALSO: LA Opera, UCLA, Pasadena City College
2023 Profiles
JORDANN STOUTE
Ensemble/Assistant Director, Assistant Choreographer, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida | Ensemble Oliver!
ALSO: SUNY Purchase College Opera, Dido & Aeneas
ADRIEN SWENSON
Amneris, Elton John’s Aida, Widow Corney, Oliver!
Salt Lake City, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Finding Neverland, the Musical-National Tour, The Forgotten Carols, National Tour
2015-2021 and 2020 film, Hale Center Theatre
AUBREY TAYLOR
Charlotte Sowerberry, Oliver! | Ensemble, Elton John’s Aid | Our Town, Oliver!
2nd UFOMT Season, Debut Full Company
ALSO: Centerpoint Legacy Theatre, Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards, UFOMT Conservatory
NATHAN TEMPLETON*
Joe, Our Town, Elton John’s Aida, Oliver!
Boise, Idaho
ALSO: Idaho State University, Boise Music Week, Nampa Civic Center
JOHN RICHARD TIBBETTS
Baritone Soloist, War Requiem |
3rd Noble, Lohengrin | Messenger/ Ensemble, Verdi Aida | Ensemble/1st Cover Mr. Webb, Our Town
Fernadina Beach, Florida
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Opera Grand Rapids, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Opera Aterlier, Amelia Island Opera, Gulf Shore Opera
CHARLIE TINGEN*
Radamés, Elton John’s Aida, Copley et al, Gentleman’s Guide New York, New York
ALSO: MY FAIR LADY National Tour, Anchorage Opera, Florida Studio Theatre
NINA WARREN*
Ortrud, Lohengrin | Mrs. Soames, Our Town New York, New York
ALSO: The Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Colon, Seattle Opera, Vienna Staatsoper
MALACHI WATSON*
Ensemble/1st Cover Mereb, Elton
John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida, Oliver! | Cover Copley, Gentleman’s Guide
Wictchita, Kansas
ALSO: Music Theatre Witchita, Festival 56, The Forum Theatre Company
ALYSSA WEATHERSBY*
Assistant Director/Assistant
Choreographer, Oliver!, Gentleman’s Guide/Ensemble, Milkseller, Oliver! | Cover Sibella Hallward/Cover
Phoebe D’Ysquith, Gentleman’s Guide/Ensemble, Elton John’s Aida Woodlands, Texas
ALSO: Opera in the Heights, Reagle Music Theatre, Seacoast Repertory Theatre
DEVIN THERESE WIESER
Ensemble, Elton John’s Aida, Oliver! | Cover Phoebe D’Ysquith, Gentleman’s Guide | Ensemble Verd’s Aida
Vacaville, California
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Sacramento Theatre Company, Portland State University, Missouri Street Theatre
YOUNG PERFORMERS *UFOMT
MASON BAST*
Child Performer in Oliver!
ALSO: Music Theatre West
MILO BIGGS
Child Performer in Oliver!
Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah Festival Conservatory of Performing Arts, UFOMT 2022 Season
2023 Profiles
SAGE BIGGS
Child Performance in Oliver!
Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Allegro Dance Studio, UFOMT 2022 Season
SCARLET BIGGS
Child Performance in Oliver!
Logan, Utah
ALSO: Allegro Dance Studio, UFOMT 2022 Season
VIVIAN ESPINOSA
Child Performer, Our Town
Pocatello, Idaho Stage Debut/ 1st Season UFOMT
BOSTON CLEMENS
Child Performer in Oliver! and Our Town
Kaysville, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: CenterPoint Legacy Theatre, CenterPoint Academy, Davis High School
McKAY CLEMENS
Child Performer in Oliver!
Kaysville, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: CenterPoint Legacy Theatre, CenterPoint Academy, Kaysville Junior High
ROSS CLEMENS*
Title Role in Oliver!
Kaysville, Utah
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre, CenterPoint Academy, Columbia Elementary School
RUBY CLEMENS*
Child Performer in Oliver!
Kaysville, Utah
Davis Dance Academy
SEBASTIAN ESPINOSA
Child Performer in Oliver! | Lohengrin
Pocatello, Idaho
4th UFOMT Season
ALSO: UFOMT 2022 Season, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Idaho State University
ABEL GUSTIN*
Child Performer in Oliver!
Providence, Utah
ALSO: Utah Festival Conservatory of Performing Arts, Valley Dance Ensemble, Cache Children’s Choir
EMMANUEL GUSTIN
Child Performer in Oliver!
Providence, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Cache Theatre Company, Cache Children’s Choir, UFOMT 2022 Season
ROMANE GUSTIN*
Child Performer in Oliver! and Our Town
Providence, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah Festival Conservatory of Performing Arts, Cache Children’s Choir, Valley Dance Ensemble
ALINE LARANJA*
Child Performer in Our Town River Heights, Utah
ALSO: Utah Festival Conservatory of Performing Arts, Cache Theatre Company, The Biz Academy of Music
LUNA MAJZLIN
Child Performer in Oliver! and Our Town
Culver City, California
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah Festival Conservatory of Performing Arts, Actor’s Gang (Culver City), National Children’s Chorus
2023 Profiles
GEORGE MCCONKIE*
Child Performer in Oliver!
ROBERT MCCONKIE*
Child Performer in Oliver!
SOREN PEDERSON
Child Performer in Oliver!
Providence, Utah
ALSO: Music Theatre West
MONROE RIGBY
Child Performer in Our Town and Verdi’s Aida
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah Festival Conservatory of Performing Arts, UFOMT 2022 Season, Cache Theatre Company
STEIN ROCKWOOD
Child Performer in Oliver!
North Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: UFOMT 2022 Season, Green Canyon Band
MASON ROSARIO
Child Performer inVerdi’s Aida
SAMUEL RUSCH
Child Performer in Oliver!
2nd UFOMT Season
Hyde Park, Utah
ALSO: Cache Children’s Choir, Cache Valley Civic Ballet, American Festival Chorus Children’s Chorus
AJ SLEE
Child Performer, Oliver!
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: UFOMT, Les Misérables, Jr, DaVinci Academy
NIXON THEDELL*
Child Performer in Oliver!
ALSO: Unicorn Theatre
DREW WILLIAMS*
Child Performer in Oliver!
North Logan, Utah
ALSO: Cache Theatre Company, The Old Barn Theatre, Four Seasons Theatre Company
LUCAS ROSARIO.
Child Performer in Verdi’s Aida
2023 Profiles
DIRECTORS/CHOREOGRAPHERS
*UFOMT Debut
VANESSA BALLAM
(See Artists Section)
STEFAN ESPINOSA
(See Artists Section)
JOHN DE LOS SANTOS
Director/Choreographer, Verdi’s Aida, Director/Choreographer, Elton
John’s Aida
Bulverde, Texas
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Santa Fe Opera, Minnesota Opera, San Diego Opera
DESIGNERS
*UFOMT Debut
ERIN CARIGNAN*
Costume Designer, Verdi’s Aida
Fort Collins, Colorado
ALSO: Arkansas Shakespeare Company, Pioneer Theatre, Salt Lake Acting Company
MICHAEL FRANCIS*
Projection Designer for Gentleman’s Guide
ALEXANDER GRAHAM
Scenic Designer for Our Town
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, Surflight, Western Illinois University
DENNIS HASSAN
Scenic Designer for Oliver! and Gentleman’s Guide…
12th UFOMT Season
Logan, Utah
ALSO: Fulton Theatre, Maine State Musical Theatre, Hale Center Theatre
PATRICK LARSEN
Scenic Designer, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida, Lohengrin
MEREDITH MAGOUN*
Costume Designer for Our Town
Norfolk, Virginia
ALSO: ODU Rep Theatre, The Village Theatre, Green Mountain Opera Festival
JOHN MITCHELL*
Lightning Designer, Lohengrin, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida, Our Town, Oliver!, and Gentleman’s Guide
New York City, New York
ALSO: Pittsburgh Opera, Lincoln Park Performing Arts, Syncopated Ladies 2022
SUZAN HANSON (See Artists Section)
GEORGE PINNEY
Director/Choreographer, Oliver!| Director/Choreographer, Gentleman’s Guide
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
4rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: BLAST on Broadway (Tony Nomination in Choreography), Adirondack Theatre Festival, Indiana University
STEPHANIE NGUYEN*
Costume Designer for Oliver!
Flagstaff, Arizona
ALSO: East West Players, Wilmette Center for the Arts, Purdue Theatre
JASON ORLENKO
Costume Designer for Elton
John’s Aida
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
ALSO: Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee
Repertory Theatre, Indiana University Theatre & Dance
MALLORY PRUCHA
Costume Designer for Lohengrin
Lubbock, Texas
7th UFOMT Season
ALSO: USA, Local 829 IATSE
BRYAN Z. RICHARDS
Sound Designer for Lohengrin, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida, Our Town,
Oliver!, and Gentleman’s Guide
Farmington, Utah
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Disneyland Resort, Netflix Studios, Goodspeed Musicals
SYDNEY E. SOUSA*
Projections Designer, Lohengrin, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida
ALSO: University of Texas at Austin, NETworks, Feld Entertainment
MELYSSA SWENSEN
Wig and Makeup Designer, Lohengrin, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida, Our Town, Oliver!,
Gentleman’s Guide
Lakewood, California
12TH UFOMT Season
ALSO: The Old Globe, Seattle Opera, Jersey Boys, Vegas Company
2023 Profiles
JESS WALLACE
Costume Designer, Gentleman’s Guide |
Director of Costumes/ Wardrobe
Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah State University, Old Lyric Repertory Company, Hale Center Theatre Sandy
MUSIC STAFF
*UFOMT Debut
DALLAS K. AKSOY
Coach/Pianist/ Chorusmaster/Associate
Conductor, Lohengrin, Elton John’s Aida | Pit
Pianist, Elton John’s Aida
| Accordion, Oliver! |
Concept & Pianist, The Pianists!
River Heights, Utah
13th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah State University, Utah Opera, Opera Idaho
ARTHUR BOSARGE
Pianist/Chorus Master/ Associate Conductor, Oliver! (see Conductor credit)
Fairhope, Alabama
3nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Opera Birmingham, Opera Memphis, Florida Grand Opera, Sarasota Opera
AMY GLENN*
Principal Pianist, International Vocal Competition Semi’s & Finals
| Principal Pianist, Britten’s War Requiem
Chehalis, Washington
ALSO: Calgary Opera, San Francisco Opera, West Bay Opera
MICHAEL HUFF
Coach/Pianist, Sentimental Journey
Ephraim, Utah
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Snow College, Utah State University, University of Utah
CHLO
E JIHEE KIM*
Associate Conductor/ Pianist, Verdi’s Aida, Our Town
South Korea
ALSO: Florida Grand Opera, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera
AARON NASH*
Coach/Pianist, Gentleman’s Guide | 3rd Keyboard, Elton
John’s Aida
Logan, Utah
ALSO: Utah State University Opera Theatre, Hopebox Theatre
NICHOLAS POTHIER
Coach/Pianist, Oliver!, Lohengrin | 2nd Keyboard, Elton John’s Aida
Derry, New Hampshire
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Lyric Theatre at Illinois, Opera Saratoga, Opera NEO
MATTHEW STEPHENS*
Coach/Pianist/ Chorusmaster, Our Town | Associate Conductor, Gentleman’s Guide
ALSO: Lincoln Center, 54 Below, Sound of Music
National Tour, Utah Symphony, NYMF
ORCHESTRA
*UFOMT Debut
ANGELA ALLEN*
Violin
Hickory, New York
ALSO: Western Piedmont Symphony, Salisbury Symphony, Winston Salem Symphony
DOUGLAS AMOS*
Trumpet
Toledo, Ohio
ALSO: Erie Philharmonic,
Jackson Symphony, Lima Symphony
MEGAN AMOS*
Horn Toledo, Ohio
ALSO: Toledo Symphony Orchestra, New England Conservatory
JOSIAH BOOTHBY
Horn
2nd UFOMT Season
Seattle, Washington
Yakima Symphony, Boise
Philharmonic, Land of the Sweets
CHRISTIAN BOTT*
Guitar
San Clemente, Calafornia
ALSO: USU Jazz Orchestra
DOUG BROWN
Bassoon
8th UFOMT Season
Phoenix, Arizona
ALSO: Phoenix Symphony, San Diego Symphony, San Francisco Symphony
MARILYN COLE
Oboe/English Horn
Billings, Montana
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Broadway Company, Utah Symphony, New Jersey Symphony
JAROM COLEMAN
Clarinet
Cedar City, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Southern Utah
University, Tuscaloosa Symphony
JOSIAH CORDES
Cello
Logan, Utah
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO:Utah State University
GIANLUCA FARINA*
Trumpet
Smithtown, New York
2023 Profiles
ALSO: Sarasota Orchestra, Florida Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra
BELLA FAUSETT*
Violin
Holladay, Utah
ALSO: USU Orchestra
NATHAN FRANTZ
Viola
Sarasota, Florida
5th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Sarasota Orchestra, Spoleto Festival
Charleston, Dallas Opera
SARA GUNNELL
Violin
Mount Pleasant, Utah
UFOMT Season
ALSO: Brevard Music, Snow College
EMILY HAGEE
Horn
Washington D.C.
5th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Sarasota Opera, Virginia Symphony, Boise Philharmonic
KIM HAIN*
Violin
Los Angeles, California
ALSO: Atlanta Opera, Pacific Opera Project, 3D Theatricals
STEVE HUNTER
Trombone
Hyrum, Utah
ALSO: Ballet West, Crosstown Big Band
MARY KAUSEK*
Oboe/English Horn
Claremore, Oklahoma
ALSO: Great Lakes
Theatre, Pittsburgh Opera, CityMusic Cleveland
LORI KESNER
Flute/Piccolo
Annapolis, Maryland
13th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Maryland Lyric Opera, Annapolis Symphony, Alexandria Symphony
HANNAH MACGILLIVRAY*
Bass
Calrgary, Alberta
ALSO: Lubbock Symphony
MAX MATZEN
Trumpet
Logan, Utah
5th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Geva Theatre, Florida Theatre, Music Theatre West
MICHAEL E. MCNICHOLAS
Orchestra Production
Manager, Percussion
Dallas, Texas
19th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Dallas Winds, Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony
JOSHUA OWENS*
Oboe/English Horn
Austin, Texas
ALSO: Manhattan School of Music, University of Texas/ Austin
DAVID PESHLAKAI*
Cello
Hillsdale, Michigan
ALSO: Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Grand Rapids
LUKE PFEIL
Bassoon
Salt Lake City, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Pioneer Theatre, San Juan Symphony, Idaho Falls Symphony
DREW POWELL*
Flute/Piccolo
Spokane, Washington
ALSO: San Francisco Opera, Opera San Jose, Utah Symphony, Utah Opera
ENRIQUE TELLEZ
Tuba
Salt Lake City, Utah
7th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Olympus Brass Quintet, Salt Lake Symphonic Winds
ANDREW WARFIELD*
Horn
Nashville, Tennessee
ALSO: San Antonio Symphony, Mid-Texas Symphony
ORCHESTRA (CONCERTS ONLY)
THIAGO ANCELMO DE SOUZA*
Clarinet
São Paulo, Brazil
ALSO: São Paulo Opera House, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Iowa City Opera
PARKER BOWLES*
Percussion
Syracuse, New York
ALSO: Assistant DirectorSkyview High School
CLAIRE CARDON*
Violin
Logan, Utah
ALSO: American Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Music Theatre West, Roanoke Symphony
JOEL CARDON*
Logan, Utah
ALSO: American Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Lyric Repertory, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
CHRIS CASTELLANOS*
Horn
Las Vegas, Nevada
ALSO: Co-owner/Arranger/ Hornist-Boston Brass
MELISSA DAYLEY
Viola
Idaho Falls, Idaho
11th UFOMT Season
2023 Profiles
ALSO: Idaho Falls Symphony, Vietnam National Opera and Ballet, El Paso Symphony
EMILY ASHCROFT
DENSLEY
Percussion
Hyde Park, Utah
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Music Theatre West, Cache Theatre Company, Utah State University
Opera and Theatre
BOYD EDWARDS*
Violin
North Logan, Utah
ALSO: Pittsburgh Ballet, Music Theatre West, USU Orchestra
DONNI EVANS*
Violin
Wellsville, Utah
ALSO: Our Planet Live, Music Theatre
West, Utah Vocal Arts Academy
JASON FINDLAY*
Violin
Orem, Utah
ALSO: Nachtmusik, American Festival Orchestra
JON GUDMUNDSON
Bari Saxophone
Logan, Utah
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Strange Angles, Harry James Band, AMP
JEIRAN HASAN*
Flute
Logan, Utah
ALSO: Utah State University, Theatre Cedar Rapids, Revival Theatre Company
DENNIS HIRST
Bassoon
Logan, Utah
4th UFOMT Season
ALSO: American Festival Orchestra, Heifetz International Music Institute, Utah Symphony
HALSEY HOLT*
Violin
Logan, Utah
ALSO: American Festival
Chorus and Orchestra, Ensign Symphony, BYUIdaho Symphony Orchestra
LAUREN HUNT
Horn
McLean, Virginia
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah State University Faculty, New England Conservatory
ESTELLE RHODES
Violin
Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah State University
JOSHUA SKINNER
Bass
Moscow, Idaho
12th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Walla Walla Symphony, Spokane Symphony, University of Idaho
JUSTIN SLACK*
Trombone
Hyrum, Utah
ALSO: Music Theatre
West, American Festival Orchestra, 23rd Army Base
MARIE SMITH*
Horn
Tulsa, Oklahoma
ALSO: Tulsa Opera Company, Idaho Falls
Opera Theatre, Eastman
Opera
MATTHEW TROY*
Viola
Hickory, North Carolina
ALSO: Western Piedmont
Symphony, Oklahoma City
Philharmonic, Greensboro Opera
PAUL TULLIS
Viola
Ft Worth, Texas
16th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Dallas Opera
ALSO: Music Theatre West, Capitol Theatre, Crestmark Productions
STAGE MANAGEMENT
*UFOMT Debut RACHEL DANE*
Production Stage Manager, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida
Washington D.C.
ALSO: The Israeli Opera Tel Aviv-Yafo, Opera Lafayette, The Atlanta Opera
CARSON GILMORE*
Production Stage Manager, Lohengrin, Our Town, Late Night Cabarets
Los Angeles, California
ALSO: Fort Worth Operas, The Industry, Opera Southwest
MARISA KILGALLEN*
Production Stage Manager, Oliver!, Gentleman’s Guide Sayerville, New Jersey
ALSO: Surflight Theatre, Winnipesauke Playhouse, Adirondack Theatre Festival
MIE (MIA) JIN*
Assistant Stage Manager, Lohengrin, Our Town Harbin, China
ALSO: Contemporary American Theatre Festival, University of Cincinnato Conservatory of Music, China Central Television Channel 3
MEGAN ROSS
Assistant Stage Manager, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida
2nd UFOMT Season
Layton, Utah
ALSO: Arizona Opera, Canterbury Summer Theatre, Santa Fe Opera
LEXIE SECRIST*
Assistant Stage Manager, Oliver!, Gentleman’s Guide
Los Angeles, California
ALSO: The Mark Taper Forum, The Fountain Theatre, Dezart Performs
CRYSTAL ESPINOZA*
Production Assistant, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida Corona, California
ALSO: Cal Poly Pomona Department of Theatre & New Dance
RACHEL TILLOTSON*
Production Assistant, Lohengrin, Our Town Tremonton, Utah
ALSO: Utah State University, Music Theatre West
CHRISTOPHER VLAMAKIS*
Production Assistant, Oliver!, Gentleman’s Guide Helper, Utah
ALSO: Utah Valley University, USU Eastern, Tuacahn Center for the Arts
SEASONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STAFF
*UFOMT Debut
MEGHAN RICHARDS* Orchestra Librarian
River Heights, Utah
ALSO: Music Theatre
West, American Festival
Chorus & Orchestra, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
ELISE CARTER*
Box Office Assistant
Logan, Utah
ALSO: Logan High Theatre
2023 Profiles
LARRICK*
Youth Performer Liason, Electrics
Clermont, Florida
ALSO: Ball State University
CLAIRE ARMSTRONG*
Assistant Company Manager, Library Assistant Logan, Utah
ALSO: USU University
Symphony, USU Opera
ANNA BLANCHARD
Box Office Assistant
Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Logan High Theatre
MCKENNA FINLEY
Company Management
Associate, Education
Assistant, Broadway Bound Summer Program
Stage Manager, UHSMTA’s Les Miserables, Jr.
ALSO: Utah Festival
Conservatory of the Performing Arts, The Antics
Comedy Improv, USU Theatre
AFTON MURRAY*
Box Office Assistant
Logan, Utah
ALSO: Logan High Theatre
KYRA PETERSON
Company Management
Associate, Box Office Assistant
North Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: USU Eastern, Green Canyon High School
RILEY RITCHIE
Company Management
Associate-Housing, Pre- & Post-Season Logisitics, Shuttle Coordinator
ANNA WALKER*
Production Scheduler, Assistant Production Manager
Chicago, Illinois
ALSO: Piven Theatre Workshop, Griffin Theatre Co, Otterbein Summer Theatre
P.A. WANAMAKER*
Youth Performer Liason, Oliver!, Our Town, Verdi’s Aida
Butte, Montana
ALSO: Southwest Summer Theatre Institute, Port Peck Summer Theatre, University of Montana Theatre
DILLAN WRIGHT
Box Office
Smithfield, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: The Dance Source, SkyHigh Players, North Cache Theatre
AUDIO/VISUAL
*UFOMT Debut
CHLOE PATE*
Audio Engineer (A2)
Lafayette, Indiana
ALSO: Purdue Theatre, North Mantgomery Theatre, Vanity Theatre
BEN PETERSON
Audio Engineer (A1)
2nd UFOMT Season
Logan, Utah
ALSO: USU Eastern Theatre, The Antics
Comedy Improv, Cache Theatre Company
BRYAN PIVARAL*
Audio Engineer (A1)
Miami, Florida
ALSO: University of Cincinnati, California Institute of the Arts, Florida International University
MIELEE PRETTYMAN*
Sound Tech
Price, Utah
ALSO: USU Eastern Theatre, Carbon High
School, Carbon County
Community Theatre
LANDON WEEKS*
Video Engineer
Nibley, Utah
ALSO: Cache Theatre Company, Music Theatre West, The Siegfeld Theatre
COSTUMES/WARDROBE
*UFOMT Debut
AMELIE BOISSONAS*
Dresser
ALSO: Westminster College
Opera Studio, Westminster College Musical Theatre, Sun Prarie High School
MICHELLE BRADFORD*
Stitcher
Logan, Utah
ALSO:
MANDOLYNN
BROWNING
First Hand
Aztec, New Mexico
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Old Lyric Repertory Company, Sandstone Productions, Bottom of the Barrel Theatre Company
JENNIFER BYINGTON* Dresser
AMANDA CHIARO*
Studio Assistant Costumes
Cape May, New Jersey
ALSO: Haddonfield
Plays&Players, Myer’s Dinner Theatre, Millbrook
Playhouse
CHEYENNE DAVIES*
Stitcher
Spanish Fork, Utah
ALSO:
ARLEY DEL TORO*
Crafts Assistant & Dresser
Glendora, California
ALSO: Cal Poly Pomona College
ALERIE DEMEERLEE*
Costume Design Assistant
Moscow, Idaho
ALSO: University of Idaho
DAWNETTE L. DRYER*
Cutter/Draper
Bloomington, Indiana ALSO: Indiana University, SMIC Private School, Beijing, China, Indian Valley Academy
KAREN EARLY*
Stitcher
Logan, Utah
GRETCHEN EDWARDS*
Stitcher
Logan, Utah
AMANDA GEYER*
Costume Design Assistant
Sterling, Virginia
ALSO: Round House Theatre, Imagination Stage, Live Arts Theatre
TAYLOR GRIFFITHS*
Stitcher
Logan, Utah
ALSO: Idaho State University
HILARY HAYES*
First Hand
Seattle, Washington
ALSO: Penn State Centre Stage, Opera Santa Barbara
CRYSTAL HERMAN
Cutter/Draper
6th UFOMT Season
Cloudcroft, New Mexico
ALSO: Weston Playhouse, Chickasaw Arts Academy, Ohio State University
SANDY HUNTER*
Stitcher
ALSO: Ballet West Orchestra, Crosstwon Big Band, Orchestra at Temple Square
SHAUNA JENSEN*
Stitcher
Logan, Utah
SIDNEY JOHNSON*
Dresser
ALSO: Logan High School, Mount Logan Middle School, UFOMT
CLOVER KELLY
First Hand
Grand Rapids, Michigan
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: University of Utah
School of Dance, Opera in the Ozarks, Shakespeare & Company
DEBI KING*
Stitcher
North Logan, Utah
AUGUST MAYER*
Costume Design Assistant
Vail, Colorado
ALSO: Colorado State University, VIlar
Performing Arts Center, UFOMT
ADDILYN MICKELSEN*
Dresser
ALSO: Mountain Crest
EMMA MORLINO*
Stitcher/Dresser
Buffalo, New York
ALSO: Chautauqua Institute Dance Company, State University of New York at Fredonia
KAIA MORTENSEN*
Stitcher
ALSO: Oklahoma State University, Tulsa Ballet, Oklahoma State University
Theatre Council
MURCHISON MURRAY*
Dresser
ALSO: Theatre of Gadsden, Jacksonville Opera Theatre, JSU Department of Theatre & Film
2023 Profiles
BRONWYN O’HARA*
Stitcher
Logan, Utah
JILLIAN PRICCO*
First Hand
Long Beach, California
ALSO: South Coast Repertory, California
Repertory Company, CSUFDepartment of Theatre & Dance
REGAN SHAW*
Wardrobe Supervisor
ALSO: Mary Moody
Nothern Theatre, National Broadway Tours, St. Edward’s University
ALYSSA SHUMAKER*
Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor
ALSO: University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Zilker Theatrical Productions, Kids Acting
Austin
EMILY SINATRA*
Stitcher
Roswell, Georgia
ALSO: Roswell Cultural Arts
Centewr, Kennesaw State University Department of Theatre, Alfred University Arts Program
CATHERINE SOUCY*
Cutter/Draper
Farmington, Utah
ALSO: Soucy Freelance
ELI SUMMERS*
Costume Studio Assistant/ Dresser
Little Rock, Arkansas
ALSO: Arkansas
Shakespeare Theatre
TAYLOR VANAMAN*
Stitcher
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
ALSO: Shenandoah University, Mar-Le-Nie Dance Studios
BETH WALLACE*
First Hand
Elkhorn, Wisconsin
ALSO: Indiana University, University of WisconsinPlattville, The Grand Opera House
FREDERICK WINDROSS*
Craft Artisan/Stitcher
Port Saint Lucie, Florida
ALSO: Alabama
Shakespeare Festival, Wetumpka Depot Players, A.C.T. Studio Theatre
ELECTRICS
*UFOMT Debut BRIANA CASTILLO*
Electrician
Laredo, Texas
ALSO: Texas State University, Laredo Theater Guild International, Laredo College’s Opera Workshop
SEAN DEUEL*
Lighting Programmer
Santa Ana, California
ALSO: South Coast
Repertory, Summer
Theatre Festival, University of California, Irvine
JAZZ GRANT*
Electrician
Salmon, Idaho
ALSO: Idaho State University
WILLEM HINTERNHOFF
Associate Lighting Designer
Atlanta, Georgia
ALSO: Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, Theater
MITU580
GISELE JOSEPH*
Electrician
Miami, Florida
ALSO: Florida International University Theatre Program
ANNE LLOYD*
Electrician
Gaithersburg, Maryland
ALSO: Virginia Tech
JOSEPH LOATS*
Assistant Lighting Designer
Lawrence, Kansas
ALSO: California State Polytechnic University –Pomona
SARAH LONG*
Head of Electronics
Scotland
ALSO: Texas State University
GABE WHITNACK*
Assistant Head Electrician
Durham, North Carolina
ALSO: Otterbein University, Des Moines Metro Opera
SAGE WUERTZER*
Assistant Head of Electrics
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
ALSO: Otterbein University, Mills James, Illinois High School Theatre Festival
SCENIC
*UFOMT Debut
ANTHONY ARZATE*
Carpenter
Santa Ana, California
ALSO: Cal Poly Pomona
Department of Theatre, Cal Poly Pomona Department of Theatre, Cal Poly
Pomona Department of Theatre
ADREAHNA BROWN*
Crew - Swing Technician
Cleveland, Georgia
ALSO: Young Harris College
Theatre Department, White County High School
Theatre Department, Utah
Festival Opera and Musical Theatre
ZACHARY CARY* Tech
RYKER CHILDS*
Carpenter
DANIELLE GONZALEZ*
Early Build Tech
OLIVIA HALLE*
Scenic Artist
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
ALSO: University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, Lakeshore Productions Inc.
HAILEY HAYMOND
Paint Charge
2nd UFOMT Season
West Jordan, Utah
ALSO: Utah State University Theater, Utah State University Eastern Theater, Desert Star Theater
MORGAN INNES
Scenic Artist and Run Crew
2nd UFOMT Season
Price, Utah
ALSO: Utah State University Eastern, Helper Clamper Society
BENJAMIN JOHNSON*
Carpenter, Run Crew, & Company Management
Bigfork, Montana
ALSO: Atlantic Theatre Company, Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Bigfork Summer Playhouse
KOI JOHNSON*
Scenic Artist
Waco, Texas
Stephen F. Austin State University
BENJI LOOKATCH*
Carpenter
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
ALSO: University of Cincinnati CCM
CHRIS LUBITZ*
Carpenter
Port Orchard, Washington
ALSO: University of
2023 Profiles
Montana, Dennison
Theatre, South Kitsap High School
PATRICK PAULK
Carpenter
2nd UFOMT Season
Price, Utah
ALSO: Utah State University Eastern
JORDAN “PETEY”
PETERSON
Master Carpenter
2nd UFOMT Season
Idaho Falls, Idaho
WESLEY SEIDERMAN
Early Build Tech
JAXYN SPARKS*
Role/Crew Swing
ALSO: Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, Music Theatre West, Cache Theatre Company
REBECCA STOCK
Early Build Tech
ANDY STONER
3rd UFOMT Season
Ensemble in Lohengrin and Oliver!
BRAYDEN SUMMERS
Carpenter
2nd UFOMT Season
Tooele, Utah
ALSO: USU Eastern, Empress Theatre, Stansbury High
PROPERTIES
*UFOMT Debut
VIOLET BORDIN*
Props Artisan
San Francisco, California
KRISTAL FREW*
Properties Assistant
ALSO: Spoon River College, Western Illinois University, Maples Repertory Theatre
CLARE C. KELLY*
Head of Props
Memphis, Tennessee
ALSO: Opera Memphis, University of Memphis
Department of Theatre and Dance, Charlottesville Opera
BRYNN LARSEN*
Properties Assistant
Roosevelt, Utah
ALSO: USU Eastern Theatre Department, The Vernal Theatre Live, Unicorn Theatre
RAINE SAARI*
Properties Assistant
Granstville, Utah
ALSO: Lyric Repertory Company, Snow College
GEORGIA TSOLAKIS*
Properties Artisan
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
HAIR & MAKEUP
*UFOMT Debut
ASHTON CHALLIS
Hair & Makeup Tech
North Logan, Utah
MEGAN HANKINS*
Hair & Makeup Artisan
Pocatello, Idaho
SCYLER SMITH
Hair & Makeup Artisan
Murray, Utah
MELYSSA SWENSEN
Wig/Makeup Designer
12th UFOMT Season
Lakewood, California
ALSO: The Old Globe, Seattle Opera, Jersey Boys
Vegas Company
EMMELINE SWINK
Hair & Makeup Artisan
Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Opera Idaho, Idaho State University, Old Town
Actor’s Studio
ALYXAINE “ALYX” VETTER*
Assistant Hair Designer & Show Supervisor
San Francisco, California
ALSO: The Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, Opera Idaho, Walt Disney Company
UTAH FESTIVAL OPERA & MUSICAL THEATRE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2022 – 2023
Debbie Cutler, President
Michael L. Ballam
Ben Clawson
Pamela March
Karl Ward
Teresa Basset, Treasurer
Jack Shouse
Lyle Hillyard
Diane Summers
Vanessa Ballam
Annette Macfarlane, Secretary
HONORARY NATIONAL COUNCIL
2023 - 2024
Fred C. Adams, in memoriam
Shari Badger
Vanessa Ballam
Jonathan Bullen
Bryan Burr
Marion Campbell
Gary L. Carlston
W. Boyd Christensen, in memoriam
Clark N. Cutler
Barbara Fjeldsted
Nathan Gunn
Sheldon Harnick
Senator Orrin Hatch, in memoriam
Lyle W. Hillyard
Julie Hollist Terrill
Ronald W. Jibson
Shirley Keyes
Don L. Lind, emeritus, in memoriam
Jo Loesser, in memoriam
Jay W. Mitton
Ann Mortenson
Cheri Murdock
Gordon L. Nelson
Kelli O’Hara
Loraine Pace
Glenn H. Peterson
Hal Prince, in memoriam
Carolyn Nebeker
2023 Profiles
Rasmussen
John Reed, O.B.E, in memoriam
Walter B. Rudolph
Theodore G. Schmidt, Jr.
Hyrum W. Smith, in memoriam
Jim M. Wall
John Worley III
FULL-TIME ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT STAFF
MICHAEL BALLAM
Founder & General Director
31st Season at UFOMT
VANESSA BALLAM
Associate Artistic Director
23rd Season at UFOMT
KENDAL BATES
Creative Director
13th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Rocketbox Creative
NANSI BLAU
Director of Ticketing
23rd UFOMT Season
TIANA BLAU
Box Office Manager
3rd UFOMT Season
CHARLOTTE CANTWELL Controller
29th UFOMT Season
EMILY CHALLIS
STEFAN ESPINOSA
Conservatory Director/ Artistic Associate
14th UFOMT Season
PAMELA L. GEE
Opera By Children Director
26th UFOMT Season
GARY GRIFFIN
Managing Director
18tth UFOMT Season
BRENT INNES
3rd UFOMT Season
Technical Director
ALSO: USU Eastern, Tuacahn, Carriage House Theatre
LINDSEY KELSTROM
UFOMT Conservatory Business Manager
CAROLYNN LARSON
Director of Orchestra
Management
14th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Music Theatre
West, American Festival Orchestra
ANNETTE MACFARLANE
Development Director
5th UFOMT Season
BRIAN S. NEWMAN*
Director of Production
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
ALSO: Cal Poly Pomona, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Cirque du Soleil
CURT OLDS
Director of Artistic Programming
6th UFOMT Season
ALSO: see artist profile
JARED ROUNDS
Administrative Assistant
12th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Logan High School Theatre Teacher, Lyric Repertory Company, Music Theatre West
JACK SHOUSE
Artistic Consultant Emeritus
25th UFOMT Season
KYLE STEIN
Assistant Technical Director
25th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Lyric Theatre, Lyric Theatre
JESS WALLACE*
Director of Costumes & Wardrobe
ALSO: Lyric Repatory
Theatre, Utah State University Theatre, Hale Center Theatre-Sandy
HONORARY NATIONAL COUNCIL
2023 - 2024
Fred C. Adams, in memoriam
Shari Badger
Vanessa Ballam
Jonathan Bullen
Bryan Burr
Marion Campbell
Gary L. Carlston
W. Boyd Christensen, in memoriam
Clark N. Cutler
Barbara Fjeldsted
Nathan Gunn
Sheldon Harnick
Senator Orrin Hatch, in memoriam
Lyle W. Hillyard
Julie Hollist Terrill
Ronald W. Jibson
Shirley Keyes
Don L. Lind, emeritus, in memoriam
Jo Loesser, in memoriam
Jay W. Mitton
Ann Mortenson
Cheri Murdock
Gordon L. Nelson
Kelli O’Hara
Loraine Pace
Glenn H. Peterson
Hal Prince, in memoriam
Carolyn Nebeker
Rasmussen
John Reed, O.B.E, in memoriam
Walter B. Rudolph
Theodore G. Schmidt, Jr.
Hyrum W. Smith, in memoriam
Jim M. Wall
John Worley III
OPERA BY CHILDREN
Kristen Day
Becca Gee
Sarah Gee
Pamela Gee
Kelin Gibbons
Rachel Goates
Dana Gossner
Nancy Griffin
Becky Hainsworth
Chelsea Hernandez
Lygia Johnson
Angela Kotter
MarLyn McKinley
Madeline Norman
Tracey Norton
Lori Pomeroy
April Ricks
Lisa Saunderson
Emily Shaw
JeniSage Sidwell
Marianne Sidwell
Janene Wirthlin
Lori Wood
CONSERVATORY INSTRUCTORS
Jeremey Adriano- Musical Theatre Masterclass
Samantha Capener- JR Creative Drama, SR Spring Production
McKenna Finley- JR Fall Production, SR Spring Production
Grant Fuller- Tap Intensive
Lindsey Kelstrom- Musical Theatre Masterclass, JR Fall Production
Annalee Roberts- Musical Theatre Dance
Jocelyn van Wyk- JR Fall Production, JR Musical Theatre Vocal Prep
UFOMT would like to take the opportunity to include some additional program material and adjustments that were inadvertently left out of the season playbill. We want to make sure we properly acknowledge the amazing artists listed below, without whom the festival would not be possible. UFOMT salutes the entire 2023 Festival Company.
UFOMT would also like to thank Mills Publishing for helping to provide this insert. UFOMT and Mills Publishing have enjoyed a very long partnership. We are extremely grateful for their expertise and assistance each season.
2023 FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
*UFOMT Debut
ANGELA ALLEN*
Hickory, North Carolina
ALSO: Western Piedmont Symphony, Salisbury Symphony, Winston Salem Symphony
DOUGLAS AMOS*
Trumpet
Toledo, Ohio
ALSO: Erie Philharmonic, Jackson Symphony, Lima Symphony
MEGAN AMOS*
Horn
Toledo, Ohio
ALSO: Toledo Symphony Orchestra, New England Conservatory
MEGHAN BIRMINGHAM
Viola
Dallas. Texas
8th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Dallas Opera
JOSIAH BOOTHBY
Horn
2nd UFOMT Season
Seattle, Washington
Yakima Symphony, Boise
Philharmonic, Land of the Sweets
CHRISTIAN BOTT*
Guitar
San Clemente, California
ALSO: USU Jazz Orchestra
DOUG BROWN
Bassoon
8th UFOMT Season
Phoenix, Arizona
ALSO: Phoenix Symphony, San Diego Symphony, San Francisco Symphony
SAMUEL BRYSON Percussion
Ogden, Utah
16th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Weber State University, Ballet West, New American Philharmonic
MARIA BUONVIRI
Bassoon
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
17th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Academy of Vocal Arts, Reading Symphony Orchestra, Gettysburg Symphony Orchestra
NATHAN BUONVIRI
Percussion
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
18th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Temple University, Polkadelphia, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
MARILYN COLE
Oboe/English Horn
Billings, Montana
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Broadway Company, Utah Symphony, New Jersey Symphony
JAROM COLEMAN
Clarinet
Cedar City, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Southern Utah Symphony, Tuscaloosa Symphony
JOSIAH CORDES
Cello
Logan, Utah
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah State University
LIZ FALLIS
Flute
Park City, Utah
12th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Leaping Lulu Celtic Band, Classical Music Festival (Austria), Okanagan Symphony (Canada)
TODD FALLIS
Trombone
Park City, Utah
31st UFOMT Season
ALSO: Okanagan Symphony (Canada), Classical Music Festival (Austria), Ballet West (Utah)
GIANLUCA FARINA*
Trumpet
Smithtown, New York
ALSO: Sarasota Orchestra, Florida Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra
BELLA FAUSETT*
Violin
Holliday, Utah
ALSO: USU Orchestra
NATHAN FRANTZ
Viola
Sarasota, Florida
5th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Sarasota Orchestra, Spoleto Festival Charleston, Dallas Opera
CATHERINE GATEWOOD
Clarinet
St Petersburg, Florida
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Naples
Philharmonic, Nu Deco Ensemble
AMELIA GUERTLER
Violin
Providence, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah State University Opera, USU Theatre
J. MICHELE GUNN
Viola
Houston, Texas
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, Carrefour Collaborative Music Project, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra
SARA GUNNELL
Violin
Mount pleasant, Utah
ALSO: Brevard Music, Snow College
EMILY HAGEE
Horn
Washington D.C.
5th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Sarasota Opera, Virginia Symphony, Boise Philharmonic
KIM HAIN*
Violin
Los Angeles, California
ALSO: Atlanta Opera, Pacific Opera Project, 3D Theatricals
ERIC HATCH
Clarinet/ Alto Saxophone
North Logan, Utah
18th UFOMT Season
ASLO: American Festival
Chorus and Orchestra, Music Theatre West, USAF Band
STEVE HUNTER
Trombone
Hyrum, Utah
ALSO: Ballet West, Crosstown Big Band
ROGER KARREN
Trombone
Smithfield, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Music Theatre
West, Larry Smith Kicks
Big Band, American Festival Orchestra
MARY KAUSEK*
Oboe/English Horn
Claremore, Oklahoma
ALSO: Great Lakes
Theatre, Pittsburgh
Opera, CityMusic Cleveland
LORI KESNER
Flute/Piccolo
Annapolis, Maryland
13th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Maryland Lyric
Opera, Annapolis
Symphony, Alexandria Symphony
STEFAN KOCH
Cello
Ann Arbor, Michigan
14th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Lansing Symphony, Detroit Opera, Richard Stöhr Project
CAROLYNN LARSON
Concertmaster, A
Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Sentimental
Journey, King of Pangaea
Director of Orchestra
Management
North Logan, Utah
14th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Music Theatre
West, American Festival Orchestra
NICHOLAS LEMON*
Percussion
Dallas, Texas ALSO: Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, SMU Meadows Symphony Orchestra, SMU Meadows
Wind Ensemble
HANNAH MACGILLIVRAY*
Bass
Calgary, Alberta
ALSO: Lubbock Symphony
STEPHEN MADANCY
Trumpet
New York, New York
20th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Sarasota Orchestra, Metropolitan Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic
MAX MATZEN
Trumpet
Logan, Utah
5th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Geva Theatre, Florida Theatre, Music Theatre West
BRETT MCALLISTER
Violin/VIola
Logan, Utah
20th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Orchestra at Temple Square, American Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Glacier Symphony
ERIC MCALLISTER
Violin
Las Vegas, Nevada
28th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Las Vegas
Philharmonic, Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, Opera Las Vegas
JAYME McKENNA
Viola
Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: American Festival
Chorus and Orchestra, Northern Utah Symphony, Cache Symphony Orchestra
MICHAEL E. MCNICHOLAS
Percussion
Dallas, Texas
19th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Dallas Winds, Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony
AMANDA NIX
Concert Master, Lohengrin, Verdi’s Aida, Oliver!, Our Town
Sarasota, Florida
9th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Opera, My Fair Lady National Tour-Troika
NATE OSTERMILLER
Guitar
Logan, Utah
10th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah State University, Utah Symphony
JOSHUA OWENS*
Oboe/English Horn
Austin, Texas
ALSO: Manhattan School of Music, University of Texas/Austin
DAVID PESHLAKAI*
Cello
Hillsdale, Michigan
ALSO: Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Grand Rapids
LUKE PFEIL
Bassoon
Salt Lake City, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Pioneer Theatre, San Juan Symphony, Idaho Falls Symphony
DREW POWELL*
Flute/Piccolo
Spokane, Washington
ALSO: San Francisco
Opera, Opera San Jose, Utah Symphony, Utah Opera
ALISON READ
Harp
Dallas, Texas
16th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Dallas Theatre Center, Abilene Philharmonic, University of Texas at Dallas
PAULA REDINGER
Flute/Piccolo
Tucson, Arizona
19th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Arizona Opera, Florida Grand Opera, True Concord Voices & Orchestra
MEGAN RICHARDS
Cello Orchestra Library Manager
River Heights, Utah
12th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Our Planet Live in Concert National Tour, Music Theatre West, Royal Conservatoire in Scotland
NICHOLAS SCALES
Bass
Amarillo, Texas
10th UFOMT Season
ALSO: West Texas A&M University, Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, Amarillo Opera
WILL SHACKELTON
Violin
Fort Wayne, Indiana
5th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Jacobs School of Music, American Festival Orchestra, Music Theatre
West, Glacier Symphony
STEPHEN SHULMAN
Trombone
New York City, New York
14th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Greenwich (CT) Symphony Orchestra, New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, Broadway
NATHAN SOUTHWICK
Concert Master, Elton
John’s Aida
Greensboro, North Carolina
8th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Greensboro Symphony, Wake Forest University, Western Piedmont Symphony
MALLORY TABB
Violin
Ann Arbor, Michigan
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Detroit Opera, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra
ENRIQUE TELLEZ*
Tuba
Salt Lake City, Utah
7th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Olympus Brass Quintet, Salt Lake Symphonic Winds
ANDREW WARFIELD*
Horn
Nashville, Tennesse
ALSO: San Antonio Symphony, Mid-Texas Symphony
CYNTHIA WARREN
Oboe/English Horn
Akron, Ohio
4th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Pittsburgh Opera, Akron Symphony, Canton Symphony
ORCHESTRA (CONCERTS ONLY)
THIAGO ANCELMO DE SOUZA*
Clarinet
Sao Paulo, Brazil
ALSO: Sao Paulo Opera House, Cedar Rapids
Opera Theatre, Iowa City
Opera
CHERYL ANN BLACKLEY
Saxophone
Logan, Utah
10th UFOMT Season
S&D Music Studio, USU
Alumni Band, Salt Lake Symphony
PARKER BOWLES*
Percussion
Syracuse, New York
ALSO: Assistant Director Skyview High School
CLAIRE CARDON*
Violin
Logan, Utah
ALSO: American Festival
Chorus and Orchestra, Music Theatre West, Roanoke Symphony
JOEL CARDON*
Cello
Logan, Utah
ALSO: American Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Lyric Repertory, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
CHRIS CASTELLANOS*
Horn
Las Vegas, Nevada
ALSO: Co-owner/ Arranger/Hornist-Boston
Brass
MELISSA DAYLEY
Viola
Idaho Falls, Idaho
11th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Idaho Falls
Symphony, Vietnam
National Opera and Ballet, El Paso Symphony
EMILY ASHCROFT DENSLEY
Percussion
Hyde Park, Utah
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Music Theatre
West, Cache Theatre Company, Utah State University Opera and Theatre
BOYD EDWARDS*
Violin
North Logan, Utah
ALSO: Pittsburgh Ballet, Music Theatre West, USU Orchestra
CHELSIA EVANS*
Violin
Logan, Utah
ALSO: American Festival Chorus and Orchestra
JASON FINDLAY*
Violin
Orem, Utah
ALSO: Nachtmusik, American Festival Orchestra
JON GUMUNDSON
Bari Saxophone
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Strange Angles, Harry James Band, AMP
JEIRAN HASAN*
Flute
Logan, Utah
ALSO: Utah State University, Theatre Cedar Rapids, Revival Theatre Company
DENNIS HIRST
Bassoon
Logan, Utah
4th UFOMT Season
ALSO: American Festival Orchestra, Heifetz
International Music Institute, Utah Symphony
HALSEY HOLT*
Violin
Logan, Utah
ALSO: American Festival Orchestra,Ensign Symphony, BYU-Idaho Symphony Orchestra
LAUREN HUNT
Horn
McLean, Virginia
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah State University Faculty, New England Conservatory
MICHEAL REEDER
Saxophone
Brigham City, Utah
11th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Larry Smith Kicks Band
ESTELLE RHODES
Violin
Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah State University
LORI SCALES*
Bass
Amarillo, Texas
ALSO: Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, Amarillo Opera, Roswell Symphony Orchestra
JOSHUA SKINNER
Bass
Moscow, Idaho
12th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Walla Walla Symphony, Spokane Symphony, University of Idaho
JUSTIN SLACK*
Trombone
Hyrum, Utah
ALSO: Music Theatre
West, American Festival Orchestra, 23rd Army Base
MARIE SMITH*
Horn
Tulsa, Oklahoma
ALSO: Tulsa Opera Company, Idaho Falls Opera Theatre, Eastman Opera
MATTHEW TROY*
Viola
Hickory, North Carolina
ALSO: Western Piedmont Symphony,Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Greensboro Opera
PAUL TULLIS
Viola
Ft Worth, Texas
16th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Dallas Opera
GREGORY J WHEELER
Saxophone
Logan, Utah
6th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Music Theatre
West,Capitol Theatre, Crestmark Productions
ADDITIONAL ARTISTS COLIN ANDERSON*
ARTISTS AUDREY BABCOCK
Amneris, Verdi’s Aida I Mrs. Gibbs, Our Town Hollywood, California
4th UFOMT Season
ALSO: Seattle Opera, San Diego Opera, Dallas Opera,National Symphony
EMILY CHERIE HANSEN*
Warrior Woman, Lohengrin
ALSO: L’Elsir d’amore, Acis and Galatea, Opera Idaho, Madama Butterfly
COSTUMES/WARDROBE
AMELIE BOISSONNAS*
ELECTRICS
WILLEM HINTERNHOFF*
Associate Lighting Designer
Atlanta, Georgia
ALSO: Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, Theater
MITU580
SARAH LONG*
Co-Head of Electrics
Scotland
ALSO: Texas State University
GABE WHITNACK *
Co-Head of Electrics
Durham, North Carolina
PROPERTIES
CLARE KELLY
Lohengrin, Oliver!, Elton
John’s AIDA, Verdi’s AIDA, Our Town, Gentleman’s Guide
SEASONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STAFF
ESTER BIGGS
Seasonal COVID Officer and Logistics Coordinator
KYRA PETERSEN
Company Management Associate, Box Office Assistant
North Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
Ensemble, Lohengrin, Elton John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida
1st Cover Amonasro, Elton
John’s Aida, Verdi’s Aida Bloomington, Indiana
ALSO: Jacob’s School of Music, MSMF
EDWARD BRENNAN
Dresser ALSO: Westminster College Opera Studio, Westminster College Musical Theatre, Sun Prairie High School
VALERIE DEMEERLEER*
Costume Design Assistant
Moscow, Idaho ALSO: University of Idaho
DESIGNERS
JESS WALLACE
Costume Designer, Gentleman’s Guide | Director of Costumes/ Wardrobe
ALSO: Otterbein University, Des Moines
Metro Opera
SAGE WUERTZER*
Co-Head of Electrics
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
ALSO: Otterbein University, Mills James, Illinois High School Musical Theatre Festival
FULL-TIME ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT STAFF
EMILY CHALLIS
Facilities Manager
3rd UFOMT Season
CHRIS PULLEY
ALSO: USU Eastern, Green Canyon High School
SOUND BEN PETERSEN
Audio Engineer (A1)
2nd UFOMT Season
Logan, Utah
ALSO: USU Eastern Theatre, The Antics
Comedy Improv, Cache Theatre Company
STAGE MANAGEMENT MIN (MIA) JIE*
Assistant Stage Manager, Lohengrin, Our Town Harbin, China
Lohengrin, Lohengrin
Charleston, South Carolina
3rd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Cedar Rapids Opera, Charleston Opera Theater
Logan, Utah
2nd UFOMT Season
ALSO: Utah State University, Lyric
Repertory Company, Hale Centre Theatre Sandy
Facilities Assistant
3rd UFOMT Season
MUSIC STAFF
CHLOE JIHEE KIM*
Associate Conductor/ Pianist, Verdi’s Aida, Our Town South Korea
ALSO: Florida Grand Opera, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera
At the time of printing, the following entries appeared incorrect:
Chorus Master Matthew Stephens Our Town
Bet Victoria Isernia Oliver!
Ensemble Tamra Harkley Elton John’s AIDA
Princess/Ensemble Monroe Rigby Verdi’s AIDA
Ensemble Kareem Mack Verdi’s AIDA
Assistant Director Jared Rounds Our Town
Assistant Director Ben Ballam Lohengrin
Choreographer Kareem Mack Our Town
ALSO: Contemporary American Theatre Festival, University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, China Central Television Channel 3
Oh Behave
Utah Festival Etiquette and Policies
We want every guest to have the best time ever. To make sure we’re one big happy family, please obey these golden rules:
1. No crinkling. We know those hidden Bluebird chocolates are calling your name, but please don’t open the bag during the performance. If you might possibly need a lozenge, breath mint, or whatever, please unwrap it before the show begins.
2. Cell phones. Please turn them off. Even on silent, they will interfere with the sound system.
3. Texting. Your phone does not possess secret powers that make the screen invisible to everyone but you. Please don’t annoy or distract your neighbors. Feel free to tweet the universe about your amazing Utah Festival experience, but please do it during intermission or after the show.
4. Talking. This theatre has amazing acoustics and 316 other people can hear every word you say. The performance begins when the music starts, not when the curtain goes up. Show the orchestra some love—the overture is their time to shine.
5. Kids. We love them, but babes-in-arms and children under 5 are not allowed. This stuff is just too cool for them. Also, take your other youngsters (or spouse, etc.) out if they disturb the peace.
6. Tardiness. We’d love to hold the curtain for you, but if you’re late, we will seat you at intermission or at the first appropriate interval. In the meantime, relax and watch the show on the TV in the lobby, which is better than missing the whole thing.
Policies: Boring but Necessary
Backstage. Don’t go backstage, or on stage.
Cameras and Recorders. Both are strictly prohibited without written permission.
Exchange Policy. Tickets may be exchanged at least 48 hours in advance for another performance of the same production. No exchanges for a different production or if the performance date has passed.
Free Parking is available at Logan High School (on 100 South between 100 and 200 West) and on the corner of Center Street and 100 West.
Greet the Artists. Meet our company members after each performance outside at the Café des Artistes, on the south side of the theatre (when you’re facing the stage, head out the left door).
Hearing Devices. Borrow a sound enhancement headset free of charge on a firstcome basis in the theatre lobby.
Informances. Informal discussions take place in the theatre one hour before every performance. Learn plot and background details about each production.
Refund Policy. There are no refunds.
Smoking. No smoking.
Wheelchair Seating is available. When ordering tickets, please advise the box office that you have a wheelchair. Arrive 30 minutes before curtain time to obtain assistance from the House Manager.