Deseret News | Shaw comedy, '60s rock on Utah stages

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Shaw comedy, '60s rock on Utah stages

Children's favorite 'Seussical the Musical' also opening in S.L.

By Ivan M. Lincoln

Deseret News

Published: Friday, Oct. 21, 2005 4:15 p.m. MDT

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Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. on Oct. 30, with one additional matinee on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for general admission and $5 for all students (581-7100 or the Kingsbury Hall ArtTix outlet).

• "LEADER OF THE PACK," a 1984 Broadway musical showcasing the work of 1960s songwriter Ellie Greenwich, will have its Utah premiere Thursday through Nov. 1 in Utah Valley State College's Ragan Theatre, Orem. James Arrington is directing a cast that includes Amberly Hermansen as Greenwich and John Fifield as her husband and co-writer, Jeff Barry.

Greenwich was a major influence on '60s rock 'n' roll, and one of the most successful songwriters of the era, earning 25 gold and platinum records. Her work, including "Chapel of Love," "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Be My Baby" and "Leader of the Pack," were performed by such groups as The Shangri-Las, The Ronettes and The Shirelles.

This production will feature a live jazz band from the school's music department.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and Tuesday-Saturday the following week. The Ragan Theater is located in the Sorensen Center. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for senior citizens, students and children and $6 for UVSC students (863-8797).

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• "THE RAT PACK REMEMBERED," a musical tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., is having "soft" opening this week — a series of "preview" performances at Desert Star Dinner Theater, 4861 S. State, Murray — prior to the show's formal opening Nov. 4. The show was written and directed by Scott Holman, who also plays Martin.

Previews begin Thursday. For the next four weeks "The Rat Pack" will alternate with the final performances of "My Big Fat Utah Wedding," which is closing its 75-week run on Nov. 19.

"The Rat Pack," in its current form, will play through Nov. 25, after which it will be revamped slightly for the holiday season and retitled "The Rat Pack Celebrates Christmas," playing in repertory with Desert Star's all-new "Home for the Holidays." After the first of the year, "The Rat Pack Remembered" will return for for an open-ended run.

In addition to Holman, the cast includes Dan Larrinaga as Sammy Davis Jr. and Dominic Quin-Harkin as Frank Sinatra.

Admission ranges from $26.99-$29.99, depending on the full-course meal chosen.