Drama making debut at UVSC

An all-new drama will be at Utah Valley State College as part of a senior project this week, and two versions of Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" will be playing in the south end of Salt Lake Valley.

• RINGS OF THE TREE, a new script by Utah County playwright Mahonri Stewart, will debut Thursday-Saturday in the Black Box Theatre (Room 631 of UVSC's Gunther Trades Building).

It's the story of Diana Applesong, a Victorian who shuts herself off from the world after experiencing tragic events. When a group of young explorers enters her life, she embarks on a life-changing journey of self discovery.

Directed by Sarah Stewart, the cast includes Jamie Dennison, Jordan Cummings, Sara Preston, Penny Omer, Daniel Whiting, Bryn Dalton, Bryce Bishop, Matthew P. Davis and the playwright.

All tickets are $5, available in advance from UVSC's Campus Connection box office (863-8797). Performances will be Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with one Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.

• THE MUSIC MAN, Meredith Willson's classic musical, is being staged by the Draper Arts Council Friday through Sept. 15 in the Juan Diego Catholic High School auditorium, 300 E. 11800 South, Draper.

The cast includes Jeremy Wing as professor Harold Hill and Kimberly Alldredge as Marian Paroo.

Performances are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and Sept. 10 and 13-15, with one matinee at 2 p.m. this Saturday. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children, available at the door or in advance at Draper City Hall and the Albertsons on Draper Parkway.

• THE MUSIC MAN JR., an all-youth version of "The Music Man," will be staged Thursday-Saturday at 7 p.m. by the Sandy City Arts Guild at Sandy Amphitheater, 9400 S. 1300 East.

The cast includes Kooper Campbell as Harold and Megan Graul as Marian. Cindy Swan is directing.

Tickets are all general admission — $7 for chairs and $4 for seating on the lawn. Tickets are available at all Smith'sTix outlets or online at www.sandy.utah.gov or www.smithstix.com.

• MAN OF LA MANCHA, the Broadway musical about aging playwright-poet Miguel de Cervantes weaving the tale of Don Quixote as his defense during a kangaroo court in a dank Spanish dungeon, will run Friday through Sept. 29 at the Heritage Theatre, 2505 S. Highway 89, Perry.