Utah playwright's 'Exposed' to tour

The entire state of Utah was downwind of most of the 928 nuclear bombs set off in the Nevada desert by the U.S. government between 1951 and 1992. Mary Dickson's award-winning original play, "Exposed," explores those issues and the aftermath.

"Exposed" was named "Best Drama" in 2007 by the Deseret News, "Best Original Play 2008" by Salt Lake City Weekly and was nominated for the Steinberg Award for "Best New American Play Produced Outside New York" in 2007.

Now, thanks to a grant from the Compton Foundation, Plan-B Theatre Company and "Exposed" will hit the road doing a series of free staged readings.

From Logan to St. George, the tour will feature the original six-member cast. All performances are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Each reading will be followed by a discussion with the cast, director and playwright.

Here is a list of the tour stops. All shows begin at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.:

Ogden: Thursday, Nov. 6, Jefferson Hall, 2604 Jefferson Ave.

Logan: Friday, Nov. 7, Utah State University department of fine arts, Black Box Theatre.

St. George: Monday, Nov. 10, Dixie College's Fine Arts Center.

Salt Lake City: Tuesday, Nov. 11, The Leonardo, third floor, 500 S. 200 East

Moab: Friday, Nov. 14, ACME Theatre Company, Star Hall, 159 E. Center St.

Here are the other shows opening this week:

"Alice in Wonderland," Friday through Nov. 29, Children's Theatre & School of the Arts, 237 S. State.

Adapted for the stage by Joanne Parker, the beloved classic novel by Lewis Carroll brings the whimsical forest to life. Starring Mary Hohl, Gabriel West and Emily Trulson Parker.

Shows are Friday, 7 p.m., and Saturdays, 1 and 4 p.m. Tickets are $12 (801-532-6000 or www.childrenstheatreandschool.org)

"Much Ado About Nothing," Wednesday through Nov. 16, Babcock Theater, basement of the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre on the University of Utah campus.

Set in Messina, Ariz., this Wild West tale of love, mischief, deception and redemption is sure to entertain. "Much Ado" remains timeless because it speaks to the lover and clown in all of us.

Shows are Wednesdays through Sundays, 7:30 p.m., with Saturday matinees available. Tickets are $7-$13 (801-581-7100 or www.kingtix.com)

"Shining Armor," Monday night only, Theatre Arts Conservatory, Rose Wagner Center, 138 S. 300 South.

This is the second play commissioned by the TAC New Play Program, which works to support local talent and create new, quality age-appropriate scripts for young actors. Written by Matthew Greene, "Shining" explores the relationships of six college students hoping to discover their true "knights in shining armor."

The performance is at 7 p.m.; recommended for ages 10 and up; admission is free (www.theatreartsconservatory.com).

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E-mail: ehansen@desnews.com