Utah Musical Theatre Company Presents Utah Premiere of SIDE SHOW, 1/18

Utah Musical Theatre Company will present the Broadway musical SIDE SHOW on Jan. 18 - Feb. 2, 2013 at Echo Theatre in Provo, Utah.

This production of SIDE SHOW is a Utah premiere and the inaugural production of the newly formed Utah Musical Theatre Company.

"SIDE SHOW will be an exciting theater event in Utah because its message of love and acceptance is a universal theme that Utah audiences can easily relate to," said Johnny Hebda, Utah Musical Theatre Company producer. "The musical also features tremendous performances, beautiful contemporary music, a great band, colorful costumes, a top-notch set, and powerful choreography."

SIDE SHOW created much Broadway buzz at its 1997 opening when it earned positive critical recognition and hugely devoted fans. The show earned four high-profile Tony Award nominations during a highly competitive Broadway season.

Johnny Hebda is the director of SIDE SHOW with choreography by Cooper Howell.

"SIDE SHOW is based on the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, their journey from tawdry side shows to stardom, and their search for love and acceptance in spite of their physical condition," Hebda explained.

The musical was authored by Bill Russell (book and lyrics) and Henry Krieger (music). Krieger is best known for writing the music for Dreamgirls (1981 Broadway premiere and 2006 film opening) and The Tap Dance Kid (1983). Russell wrote the book and lyrics to Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (1990) and Pageant (2008).

Tickets can be purchased at the company's website at http://utahmusicaltheatrecompany.com/purchase-tickets/

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Jan 18, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26, 28, 31; Feb 1, 2, 2013 with two matinees at 2 p.m. on Jan 19 and Feb 2, 2013.

Tickets for are $12 for adults, $10 students/seniors/children, and $8 for groups of 10 or more. On Monday, Jan. 21, the company will host a "pay what you will" night.

Follow the company on Facebook at facebook.com/UtahMusicalTheatreCompany. Utah Musical Theatre Company is a non-profit organization with a 501(c)(3) designation.

The company's introductory slogan is Utah Musical Theatre Company: Entertaining. Unexpected. Illuminating.

Photo of Adrien Swenson and Angela Jeffries by Alex Weisman/icewolfphotogaphy.com

Blair Howell's career is in the professional publishing arena (for more years than he cares to remember), with a longstanding interest in theater. He found it to be great fun to live in New Canaan, Connecticut, with easy access to the Great White Way. But now, Blair lives in Salt Lake City (a long, not interesting story). The much-lamented move has allowed him to be more active in regional theater. He now covers theater and the arts for the Deseret News, Utah's oldest, continuously-published metro daily newspaper, and has written for various theater-related national magazines and websites.

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