By Jay Wamsley, Deseret News Published: Monday, August 1, 2016 Audiences can be taken to magical places as well as examine a bit of American history in this season’s offerings from the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, now underway in Logan. ‘Peter Pan’ UFOMT founding director Michael Ballam explained in a previous article that … Continued

By Jennie Christensen, Cache Valley Daily Published: Thursday, July 28, 2016 Michael Ballam says he has lost a dear friend and the world has lost a marvelous musician with very special talents in the death of Marni Nixon. Ballam, who is founder and general director of Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, learned of Nixon’s … Continued

Congratulations to the winners of the 8th annual Michael Ballam Concorso Lirico International Opera Competition on July 27, 2016. This year two 1st Place Winners were chosen to go to Italy: Errin Brooks Anastasia Talley Thank you to all of the talented artists who gave their best in the competition, and a special thanks to … Continued

By Javier Laboy, The Herald Journal Published: Saturday, July 23, 2016 One dog’s impression on its owner led to a small fundraiser, which has turned into a popular musical attraction that lures more people each year. Lisa Shaw is the director of Four Paws, a nonprofit and no-kill shelter dedicated to the rescue of homeless … Continued

By F. Ross Peterson, The Herald Journal Published: Saturday, July 23, 2016 On Monday, July 18, we sat with several hundred of our dearest local and summer-citizen friends in the Logan LDS Tabernacle. The Noon Concerts on Mondays are performed by members of the Utah Festival Opera-Musical Theatre Company. Kenneth Overton, a visiting artist with … Continued

By Jennie Christensen, Cache Valley Daily Published: Friday, July 22, 2016 You’ll have a chance to go back to the 1920’s now at the newly-revamped and remodeled Utah Theatre. Gary Griffin, general operations manager for Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre (the organization which now owns the facility), says the theater is now ready to … Continued

By Elise Hanson, Utah Theatre Bloggers Published: Tuesday, July 19, 2016 LOGAN — When I was a pre-teen, my stepfather used to walk around the house bellowing, “Bess, you is my woman now; you is–you is,” in his lovely baritone voice. That, along with the iconic “Summertime” were my introduction to America’s classic Porgy and … Continued

By Charlie Schill, The Herald Journal Published: Thursday, July 14, 2016 If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it’s probably a duck. The show now being staged by the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre under the title “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” was adapted in recent years to supposedly make … Continued

By Charlie Schill, The Herald Journal Published: Thursday, July 14, 2016 As the opening pitch of a Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre season filled with the promise of on-stage magic, Logan impresario Michael Ballam tossed local audiences a curveball by presenting an operatic oddity. That throw was nevertheless right over the plate for a … Continued

By Dan Rascon, KUTV Published: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 Logan, Utah — (KUTV) Every summer they come by the hundreds across the country to the small northern Utah town of Logan, bringing millions of dollars in revenue and turning the town into a mini-New York City, Broadway-style event. … Watch Video

By Elise Hanson, Utah Theatre Bloggers Published: Tuesday, July 12, 2016 LOGAN — At its core, Ragtime is a story about America. Not at its best, but at its most hopeful. Hope that someday—someday—things will change. People will be more kind, the world more gentle, governments more compassionate, and systems more malleable. As I write … Continued

By C. T. Lewis, Utah Theatre Bloggers Published: Monday, July 11, 2016 LOGAN — In 1992, I was forced to forego my first opportunity to see a touring Broadway show in Salt Lake City to go to scout camp. To a theatre-obsessed twelve-year-old boy growing up in Brigham City, this was nothing short of an … Continued

By Chuck Nunn, The Herald Journal Published: Thursday, July 7, 2016 From still-relevant messages on race and class presented in theater classics to a fresh, empowering take on one of the stage’s oldest controversial portrayals, the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre’s 2016 season is addressing a number of social issues that have been front … Continued

By Chuck Nunn, The Herald Journal Published: Tuesday, July 5, 2016 It’s been a long time since the Utah Theatre has been the location of a live performance — a very long time. “Eighty-two years it’s been, since any live performance took place on that spot,” said Michael Ballam, director of the Utah Festival Opera … Continued

By Charlie Schill, The Herald Journal Published: Friday, July 1, 2016 It feels entirely appropriate that a new chapter in the life of the historic Utah Theatre in downtown Logan should open with a light-hearted production of the beloved musical “Peter Pan.” The delightfully dated show being staged by the Utah Festival Opera & Musical … Continued

By Jay Wamsley, Deseret News Published: Friday, June 10, 2016 LOGAN — The opening of a decadelong refurbishing project to the public and the staging of what founding director Michael Ballam calls the “most resource-intensive opera” the company has ever produced are among the highlights of the upcoming season of Utah Festival Opera & Musical … Continued

By Katie Peikes, The Herald Journal Published: Thursday, June 9, 2016 A historic theater stood stationary on Center Street for several months after closing in 2006 until members of the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre decided they wanted to reopen it. Built in the 1930s, the Utah Theatre was built as a gorgeous, classy … Continued

By Melissa Allison, Cache Valley Daily Published: Saturday, June 4, 2016 The Utah Theater came to life Friday night as it welcomed the many benefactors who made the renovation possible. Ben Clawson is a member of the board of directors for the theater. “It’s been 10 years in the waiting,” Clawson said. “We’re really excited … Continued

By Melissa Allison, Cache Valley Daily Published: Friday, June 3, 2016 “It’s like one of those Shakespearean tragedies,” said Gary Griffin, the managing director of the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre (UFOMT). “‘Anything that could go wrong, has gone wrong.’ But we’ve overcome.” After a decade filled with setbacks, the Utah Theater on Center … Continued

By Clayton Gefre, The Herald Journal Published: Friday, June 3, 2016 In the summer of 2007, New York native bass-baritone performer Earl Hazell delayed a planned European tour to perform a creatively challenging repertoire at the Utah Festival Opera. At the same time, Arizona State University vocal graduate student Alexis Davis was recommended by her … Continued

By Katie Peikes, Utah Public Radio Published: Friday, June 3, 2016 When Michael Ballam, the founding general director of the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, came home from sabbatical in Italy 10 years ago, he saw the Utah Theatre at 18 W. Center St. – closed at the time – and knew instantly he … Continued

ABC4 Utah Published: Thursday, June 2, 2016 LOGAN, Utah (ABC4 Utah) After nine years and $11 million in renovations a cultural icon in Cache County is finally ready to reopen. The Utah Theatre in Logan shut down in 2007 when those renovations began. At the time, the iconic movie house had become run down. Now … Continued

By Katie Peikes, The Herald Journal Published: Thursday, June 2, 2016 Nine years and $11.5 million later, the Utah Theatre at 18 W. Center St. will finally open to the public June 24. Michael Ballam, the founding general director of the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, was on a yearlong sabbatical in Italy over … Continued

By Jennie Christensen, Cache Valley Daily Published: Saturday, May 14, 2016 Nine years after the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre Company purchased the abandoned Utah Theater in downtown Logan, the theater is almost ready to re-open for cultural events. There were construction complications along the way but Gary Griffin, operations manager, says the public … Continued

By Rachel J. Trotter, Standard-Examiner Published: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 OGDEN — Excitement was in the air Saturday, May 14, at Ogden High School’s Spencer Fox Eccles Auditorium as the Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards went into full swing. Students from 26 high schools in Utah were nominated for a range of awards and … Continued

By Rachel J. Trotter, Standard-Examiner Published: Friday, April 22, 2016 OGDEN — Vanessa Ballam had the dream of taking the Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards to different venues around the state and now this year her dream is becoming reality as the show moves to Ogden High School. Ballam is one of the directors … Continued

By Brian Fryer, Utah Stories Published: Friday, February 19, 2016 It could be said that the revival of Logan’s historic Utah Theatre was made possible by an organ donation. Built in 1936 and originally named the Roxy, the one-screen art deco movie house sat for decades as neighboring theaters such as the Capitol and the … Continued

By Lis Stewart, The Herald Journal Published: Saturday, September 26, 2015 You could call him the Michelangelo of the Utah Theatre. Italian master painter Nino de Robertis has been working on the interior of the Art Deco theater for several weeks now, nearly finished on his part of the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre’s … Continued

By Jerry Earl Johnston, Deseret News Published: Saturday, August 15, 2015 The ovation went on and on. Michael Ballam had just sung “The Impossible Dream” from Utah Festival Opera’s “Man of La Mancha” and – true to form – he refused to break character as people clapped and whistled. The clamor was for the song, … Continued

By Jennie Christensen, Cache Valley Daily Published: Monday, August 3, 2015 You have only until Saturday, August 8 to attend offerings of the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre’s 23rd season and founding Director Michael Ballam says so far it has been one of the most successful seasons ever for the Company. Ballam says because … Continued

Congratulations to the winners of the 7th annual Michael Ballam Concorso Lirico International Opera Competition: Marlen Nahhas – 1st Place Winner & Audience Favorite Andrew Thomas Pardini – 2nd Place Winner / Alternate Thank you to all of the talented artists who gave their best in the competition, and a special thanks to our audience … Continued

By Katie Roundy, Utah Theatre Bloggers Published: Thursday, July 16, 2015 LOGAN – For 500 years, Miguel de Cervantes’ tale of Don Quixote has captivated readers. Now, half a century later, the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre pays proper homage to the time-honored classic in their rendition of playwright Dale Wasserman, composer Mitch Leigh, … Continued

By Andy Foree, Utah Theatre Bloggers Published: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 LOGAN – How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying has become an iconic look at the 1960’s workplace through the lens of musical theatre. It’s satirical, stereotypical, and sexist. Instead of resisting the temptation to tone down the now-obvious social faux pas and … Continued

By Katie Peikes, The Herald Journal Published: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 A local theater company’s renovations to the historic Utah Theatre are nearing completion, coinciding with the company’s intentions to re-open the theater this fall. The Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre (UFOMT) is currently in the process of preparing to repaint the theater’s walls. … Continued

By Jay Wamsley, Deseret News Published: Monday, July 13, 2015 LOGAN – For many, the highlight of summer in Logan is the arrival of hundreds of musicians, dancers, singers and actors to tackle musical theater and high opera as presented by Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, now in its 23rd year. This season holds … Continued

By Peter Harrison, Utah Theatre Bloggers Published: Saturday, July 11, 2015 LOGAN – The Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre has a history of producing some great works of theatre that draw hundreds of patrons every summer. The festival brings to the stage both a mix of classic operas and musical theatre offerings that appeal … Continued

By Jeff Hunter, The Herald Journal Published: Friday, July 10, 2015 Like a lot of girls, Leah Edwards had big dreams while growing up in Richmond, Virginia. She wanted to be an elite gymnast. And a professional ballet dancer. And a renowned pianist. But unlike most girls, she accomplished all of those goals before she … Continued

Studio 5 – KSL.com Published: Wednesday, July 8, 2015 In Logan, the five week long summer festival bursts onto the stage with four blockbuster events you won’t want to miss. Michael Ballam, Founding Director of the Utah Festival Opera shares all the details on this years performances. … Watch Video

By Kelsey Schwab, Deseret News Published: Saturday, June 27, 2015 Nearly 280 professional performers from Broadway, the Metropolitan Opera and other organizations around the world are spending the summer in Logan to perform at the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre. “They don’t come for the pay; they come for the experience,” said Michael Ballam, … Continued

The Herald Journal Published: Thursday, June 25, 2015 The Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre’s 23rd season will burst onto the stage July 8 to Aug. 8, at the Ellen Eccles Theatre. More than 250 musicians, performers and crew members will come from renowned stages across the nation, including Broadway and the Met, to the … Continued

The Herald Journal Published: Saturday, May 16, 2015 Two Utah high school performers are on their way to New York City after winning Best Actress and Best Actor in the fifth annual Utah High School Musical Theater Awards in Logan on May 9. On Friday, the winners were announced, with Abby Watts from Woods Cross … Continued

By Jennie Christensen, Cache Valley Daily Published: Tuesday, May 5, 2015 More than 200 performers from 24 high schools across Utah will perform and compete in the fifth annual Utah High School Musical Theater Awards on Saturday, May 9th. The finalists, including ensembles and individuals, will perform in front of the live audience at 7 … Continued

By James Sohre, Opera Today Published: Friday, August 8, 2014 Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre has gifted opera enthusiasts with a thrilling Barber, and I don’t mean . . . of Seville. At a time when few companies risk devoting resources to lesser-known lyric theatre, this enterprising operation has gambled, and won, with a … Continued

Reviews » A beautifully sung production of the ultra-popular “Les Misérables” tops the bill. By Robert Coleman, The Salt Lake Tribune Published: Saturday, August 2, 2014 Logan • Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre’s 22nd season includes four ambitious, superbly produced mainstage shows, with Schönberg’s and Boubil’s ultra-popular “Les Misérables” topping the bill. All four … Continued

By Ali Snow, Utah Public Radio Published: Thursday, July 31, 2014 Have you ever considered what an amazing act of faith it is, as a conductor, to do an upbeat and come down and expect sound to happen? We now introduce a fearless Karen Keltner, resident conductor of the San Diego Opera, who has helped … Continued

Congratulations to the winners of the 6th annual Michael Ballam Concorso Lirico International Opera Competition: Peter Scott Drackley – 1st Place Winner Jon Jurgens – Alternate Rachel Sparrow – Audience Favorite Thank you to all of the talented artists who gave their best in the competition, and a special thanks to our audience for your … Continued

By Maren Scriven, Utah Theatre Bloggers Posted: Monday, July 28, 2014 LOGAN — Oklahoma! was the first musical that the very popular team of Rodgers and Hammerstein created together, and through the years it has been the subject of critical acclaim, awards, and accolades. Because of this, the show is one that is done by … Continued

By Kevin Opsahl, The Herald Journal Published: Saturday, July 26, 2014 Stefan Espinosa of the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre was talking to patrons about fight choreography on Tuesday when one of the festival artists walked in and announced he had a beef with Espinosa. Samus Haddad said he had scheduled a time to … Continued

By Jay Wamsley, Deseret News Published: Saturday, July 19, 2014 It’s easy to see which of the four offerings of the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre season is considered the blockbuster, the one to see. Check out the schedule: “The Student Prince” is set for five showings, and “Vanessa” is scheduled for four. “Oklahoma!” … Continued

By Charlie Schill, The Herald Journal Published: Thursday, July 17, 2014 Three of the four offerings of the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre’s 2014 season comprise an enjoyable lesson in the evolution of Broadway shows in the 20th Century. “The Student Prince,” which opened July 11, is a prime example of an operetta, a … Continued