My Funny Valentine Serves Up a Belly Full of Laughs at Rattlin’ D Playhouse Dinner Theater in Hurricane, Utah

By Linne Marsh

Rattlin’ D Playhouse presents My Funny Valentine at the Diamond Ranch Academy in Hurricane, Utah. This production is a must see. You are filled both physically, if you spring for the dinner, and emotionally by a show that is brimming with talent and riddled with humor. My Funny Valentine is a variety show similar to Saturday Night Live but with family friendly content. You can bring kids or even your grandmother and delight in an evening of laughter without fear of suffering a taboo moment.

Director and star Drew Durrant showcases the cast’s talent through a variety of songs, skits, jokes, parodies, and whatever you consider his character Romona to be. (She is simply too many things to be categorized. She must be seen to be understood.) Durrant, Stephen Michaud, Daniel Harvey, Keeley Garrett, Brittany Johnson, and Carolyn Murset each have a trove of musical talent. In a single evening, we experience the piano, guitar, ukulele, harmonica, spoons, banjo, trumpet, and harmonized vocals.

The show opens with a high-octane rendition of “Don’t Stop Me Now” as an 80s tribute. The outrageous Americana style leotards and wigs blend with the choreography to set the tone for the entire show. Throughout the night, the cast’s individual talents merge to engage and entertain the crowd. It is incredibly difficult to select which highlights of My Funny Valentine to share. However, here are few highlights: Michaud serenading the hall while playing the enchanting piano medley “Thinking Out Loud/Fall in Love Again”; Harvey telling the most incredible version of “Rindercella”; and Johnson and Murset enduring a rather interesting Gondola Adventure with Durrant at the helm. (If you go for no other reason, go for this skit.) The night was also full of tiny surprises like when Garret pulled out a trumpet during the song “Tonight You Belong to Me”. I couldn’t stop laughing. The scripted portions of the show are great, but the true genius of the production is the space where Durrant strategically leaves time for improve. Durrant has an uncanny ability to riff with the audience and draw out quirks he can reference throughout the show. This is not only entertaining, but it also ensures that none of the performances are ever the same.

It is clear that the cast shares a passion for performing, and they also work incredibly well together to create a show that will have you laughing out loud. Light and Sound Operator Dave Garrett was on top of the few mic issues and resolves the issue for the second half of the show.

The cast dazzles onstage, but the crew deserves credit for generating an atmosphere where the magic can happen. A big round of applause to Julie Durrant for creating costumes that enhance each number in the show. The “Shaving Cream” song has the best hillbilly costumes and wigs.  Additionally, choreographers Michaud and J Durrant are masterful when creating movement for the various numbers, especially “Stupid Cupid” where Harvey has everyone in stitches over his role as dancing cupid. Finally, Rod Peterson lends his artistic expertise by designing props and a stage that lend a subtle nod to the Valentine theme while enhancing the performance space.

Additionally, this fun troupe is opening a dinner theater in Wyoming, so when you go for your summer vacation to Yellowstone, be sure to catch a fun show + dinner this summer.

Photos: Rich Murset

Rattlin D Playhouse presents My Funny Valentine, directed by Drew Durrant.
Rattlin D Playhouse, 433 Diamond Ranch Pkwy Hurricane, Utah 84737
February 7-9, 11-16, 18, 21-23, Dinner at 6:00 PM, Show at 7:00 PM
Tickets: $17-30.95
Contact: 435-705-8598
Rattlin D Playhouse Facebook Page
My Funny Valentine Facebook Event