by BWW News Desk May. 20, 2019 Two Utah high school performers are on their way to New York City after winning the award for Best Actress and Best Actor in the ninth annual Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards held in the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City May 18. Abigail Edwards from Green Canyon High School in North Logan won for her role as Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” and Ethan Kelso from Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts won for his portrayal of Will Bloom in “Big Fish.” … Continued

By Cristy Meiners May 20, 2019, 2:00pm MDT SALT LAKE CITY — It’s fitting that one of the two Utah high school musical theater students on their way to New York to compete in a national competition would portray a character who sings, “I want adventure in the great wide somewhere.” … Continued

Posted: May 20, 2019 / 07:11 PM MDT SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4 News) – Utah Festival announced the 2019 Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards Winners Saturday night at Eccles Theater. Hundreds of students from two dozen high schools around Utah gathered at the event to celebrate their achievements, talents, and dedication to the performing arts. … Continued

Written by Shannon Martindale May 16, 2019 The Cache County Council reviewed recommendations Tuesday night for the RAPZ and Restaurant Tax awards for the coming year. “As in year’s past,” according to Council Chair Karl Ward, “the requests are nearly double what the funds available are. It’s very difficult to be able to make the decision as to where to place those funds.” … Continued

Written by Rod Boam May 6, 2019 The second graders at Bear River Charter School held an opera, written and performed by them, in the school gym … Continued

Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre is saddend by the passing of Jo Loesser on Sunday, April 28. “She believed in us from the very beginning. She took a big risk with us producing GREENWILLOW in ’97 and always made us (me) a part in every important event related to Frank. I will miss her … Continued

By Irma Mora staff writer Mar 14, 2019 Mountain Crest High School students and parents were treated to an opera produced by the Life Skills students last week. With the help from professionals from Opera by Children, 20 special education students went through the process of creating the theme and plot, writing the opera, writing the song and performing for their peers and parents … Continued

Written by Rod Boam February 25, 2019 The repurposed Utah Theater is more than a restoration project, it is a modern engineering masterpiece. The project took a rundown movie house and made it a state of the art theater complex that has multiple uses. … Continued

Written by Rod Boam February 14, 2019 Brigham City values its history, and as a result boasts two museums. Both are headed up by Kaia Michaelis, who serves as the Director and Curator/Historian for the Brigham City Museum of Art & History and … Continued

By Owen Sidwell • Aug 6, 2018 In 2003, a play called The Violet Hour, written by Richard Greenberg, premiered on Broadway. In 2018, writer Eric Price and composer Will Reynolds decided to turn the play into a musical. … Continued

Charlie Schill theater critic Jul 27, 2018 If nothing else, “The Secret Garden” proves that a musical about children doesn’t have to be childlike. As performed by Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, this is a dark but optimistic fable about finding the strength to choose life even in dire circumstances. … Continued

By Owen Sidwell • Jul 27, 2018 Walking down Main Street in Logan, I noticed something odd about the center street crosswalk. Getting closer, I noticed it had piano keys painted from one sidewalk to the other. I like to keep tabs on the art in Logan, but I had never heard from anyone that painted them. … Continued

Charlie Schill Theater Critic Jul 20, 2018 I generally dislike being preached at from the stage and “Amazing Grace” certainly has its fair share of holier-than-thou moments. On the other hand, the musical is a classic example of an under-appreciated theatrical experience being brilliantly performed by the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre company. … Continued

1st Place Winner & Audience Favorite (Awarded a $2,000 cash prize) Robert Gerold 2nd Place Winners (Awarded $750 each) Jenina Gallaway Olivia Yokers FINALISTS Leah Brzyski Jenina Gallaway Robert Gerold Jóhann Schram Reed Markel Reed Kyaunnee Richardson … Continued

Posted by UTBA Staff | Jul 18, 2018 LOGAN — I’ve been known to joke to friends that one can write a review of too many shows produced by Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre according to the following … Continued

Charlie Schill Theater critic Jul 12, 2018 In the interest of full disclose, I should confess that I love “Into the Woods.” I’ve seen a half-dozen different versions of this show over three decades and I like it more every time. You will too, after you’ve seen the ongoing production of “Into the Woods” by the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre. … Continued

Charlie Schill Theater critic Jul 12, 2018 Anyone who needs a reminder that opera can be fun need look no further than the ongoing production of “The Barber of Seville” by the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre. Under the direction of Curt Olds, this version of the light-hearted opera by Gioachino Rossini has it all: lively music, marvelous vocal performances and the show is a laugh riot to boot. … Continued

By Owen Sidwell • Jul 11, 2018 “My name is William Remmers. I am a conductor and performer at the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre this summer, the summer of 2018.” Remmers came to the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, or UFOMT, in a peculiar way. … Continued

By Deseret News Jul 10, 2018, 10:00am MDT LOGAN — Four musicals and an opera have taken over downtown Logan this summer as Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre presents its 26th season of high-level productions through Aug. 4. It’s an impressive and varied season, … Continued

Written by Jennie Christensen July 9, 2018 Last week the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theare kicked off its 2018 season. Founding Director Michael Ballam says all the works this year are based on literature that has shaped society’s perception of life over the last four centuries. Ballam says the festival, with its full stage productions along with concerts, special performances and related events, is also noted for the boost it brings each summer to Cache Valley’s economy. … Continued

July 9, 2018 By Julie Halverson Tate Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre is known for its stellar, professional productions and this year’s The Secret Garden is no exception. With book and lyrics by … Continued

July 9, 2018 By Cindy Whitehair, Perry Whitehair, and Perry S Whitehair When Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater announced their season for this year, I jumped on the opportunity to review this show, which is a favorite in our family. Written by Stephen Sondheim … Continued

Posted by Sara Claverie | Jul 8, 2018 LOGAN — This year’s Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre had a wonderful opening night with Amazing Grace. The ambiance was fantastic and the music beautiful, and I especially enjoyed the performance of world-renowned opera singer and director of the festival, Michael Ballam. … Continued

July 7, 2018 By Penelope Glaittli Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre’s production of The Barber of Seville, at the beautiful Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan, Utah, is, in a word, breathtaking. … Continued

Written by Jennie Christensen July 7, 2018 Not only is Dr. Michael Ballam the founding director of Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, he is also the star of one of this season’s sure-to-be favorite productions: Amazing Grace. … Continued

By Owen Sidwell • Jul 6, 2018 In 1911, a book called The Secret Garden was published. At the time it didn’t receive much attention, but over the years it would grow to become a children’s classic. … Continued

Written by Jennie Christensen July 6, 2018 It opened Thursday with The Barber of Seville and before the 26th anniversary year for the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre ends there will be other productions along with concerts, classes, lectures and special events. … Continued

Written by Jennie Christensen July 4, 2018 It’s time for Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre and its 26th season opens on Thursday, July 5th with the delightful premiere of Mozart’s “The Barber of Seville.” Festival founder and director Michael Ballam says that show will be followed by the opening … Continued

By Charlie Schill Jun 29, 2018 The premier parade of kid-friendly shows by local theater companies continued last weekend with a sweetly nostalgic revival of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” by the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre. … Continued

Posted by Maren Scriven | Jun 26, 2018 LOGAN — To kick off their musical theatre season, the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre has chosen You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, based on the comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, with book, music, and lyrics by Clark Gesner … Continued

June 24, 2018 By Debbie Ditton You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, presented by Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre at the historic Utah Theatre, is definitely not just for children. … Continued

By Amy Macavinta staff writer Jun 13, 2018 The heart of Logan was buzzing with its usual mid-morning chaos Wednesday when artist Mallory Prucha walked up to the Utah Theatre on Center Street with a bag over her shoulder and a substantial collection of chalks. … Continued

Sean Dolan staff writer Jun 12, 2018 The Cache County Council awarded $2.6 million in RAPZ and Restaurant Tax funding to 43 nonprofits and governmental entities on Tuesday. … Continued

By John Zsiray staff writer Jun 8, 2018 In less than a month the stage at the Ellen Eccles Theatre will be ready for the summer season, and the ongoing major upgrades to the infrastructure of the 1923 building will pause before resuming the day after the opera season ends … Continued

By Kevin Opsahl staff writer May 29, 2018 During a welcoming orientation on Tuesday, Jill and Dave Windahl were among the few who stood up in the packed Taggart Student Center Ballroom indicating they were newcomers to Utah State University’s Summer Citizens program. … Continued

By Katherine Taylor staff writer May 28, 2018 Cinderella’s evil stepmother was a completely new role for Logan High School senior Klara Ricks, but that didn’t stop her from giving an award-winning performance. … Continued

By Deseret News May 14, 2018, 11:15am MDT Court Mann SALT LAKE CITY — Local high school productions of “Les Miserables” and “Tarzan” received the night’s top honors at the 2018 Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards … Continued

Posted: May 14, 2018 / 08:50 PM MDT SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (News4utah) – From long hours of rehearsals…to that shining moment in the spotlight, it all comes down to this…the annual Utah High School Musical awards held Saturday night at the Eccles Theater. … Continued

by BWW News Desk May. 13, 2018 Two Utah high school performers are on their way to New York City after winning the award for Best Actress and Best Actor in the eighth annual Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards held in the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City … Continued

May 10, 2018 More than 600 students from 24 high schools take to the Eccles Theater stage for the eighth annual Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards May 12. The awards represent a musical theatre scholarship program that rewards excellence at the high-school level. … Continued

by BWW News Desk May. 8, 2018 More than 600 students from 24 high schools will take the Eccles Theater Stage for the eighth annual Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards May 12. The Awards represent a musical theatre scholarship program that rewards excellence at the high school level. … Continued

Watch Video

Jan 5, 2018 The Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre will honor Thomas Monson, the late president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Matthew Hillyard, the late son of state Sen. Lyle Hillyard. … Continued

Written by Jennie Christensen November 15, 2017 LOGAN – The vote was unanimous Tuesday when the Cache County Council agreed to a one-time financial request of $80,000 to the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre. … Continued

By John Zsiray staff writer Nov 14, 2017 On Tuesday night the Cache County Council approved a one-time funding allocation of $80,000 help support the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre. … Continued

By John Zsiray staff writer Nov 10, 2017 On Tuesday, the Cache County Council will open the 2017 budget to address a one-time funding request of $80,000 to help the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre. … Continued

By John Zsiray staff writer Oct 25, 2017 If Cache County approves a one-time funding request next month from the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, valley taxpayers will contribute $230,000 to the cash-strapped institution for its upcoming 2018 season. … Continued

By Katherine Taylor • Oct 23, 2017 At Tuesday’s meeting, the Logan City Council announced their decision to give the Utah Festival Opera the $150,000 the opera has requested. However, the donation comes with strings attached. … Continued

Oct 18, 2017 By Sean Dolan After several weeks of debate and consternation over the long-term viability of the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, the Logan Municipal Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve $150,000 in one-time funding assistance for the 25-year-old opera company. … Continued

Written by Jennie Christensen October 18, 2017 The vote was unanimous when the Logan Municipal Council decided on Tuesday to approve a one-time $150,000 funding request from the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre. … Continued