Carolyn Murset is Delightful in Tales of Tila at Brigham’s Playhouse in St George, Utah

By Marilynn Wood

Tales of Tila presented at Brigham’s Playhouse in St George, Utah is the story of an ordinary woman, Tila, and yet the one-woman show is nothing but extraordinary.

Carolyn Murset takes her grandmother’s ledger and weaves a beautiful story through verse and song into Tales of Tila, an enchanting production.  While working on Harvey at the Electric Theater, Producer Wilford Brimley met Murset and found they had a New Mexico connection.  He listened to the CD of this show, fell in love with her stories and songs, and together with Co-Producer Beverly Brimley decided she needed to be onstage. 

With only two chairs, a guitar, and a trunk of props, Murset transports you to the tiny town of Taos, New Mexico in 1912.  The play opens with a whimsical number, “Tortillas by Tila”, about learning to make tortillas when she was only ten.  Gradually, you move through her grandmother Tila’s life: the ups and downs of everyday living.  Sometimes it is good, sometimes it is sad, sometimes it is frustrating.  Murset conveys all of these emotions through her words and songs such as, “Home, Home, Home” when Tila is away at boarding school and is homesick, or “The Life of a Wife” when she is frustrated—as a wife.  My favorite was “It Should Have Been Springtime,” which stirringly captures the absolute grief a mother feels when losing a child.  The song is morose and Murset portrays this beautifully.

Murset uses a Spanish accent throughout the play with a few Spanish words sprinkled throughout which gives the play authenticity.   It is mostly portrayed through the eyes of Tila.  Murset knows her grandmother well.  Her acting is sometimes tender, sometimes amusing, and sometimes feisty. Her singing is always stunning. Directed by Lauretta Swansborough, who states:  “It’s not often that one has the privilege of being part of such an engaging work of art.  Thank you my dear friend Carolyn, for trusting me with this piece of your heart.”

Tales of Tila at Brigham’s Playhouse in St George, Utah closing night is tonight, but it is well worth the effort if you can get there.  It is perfect for all ages.  The young and old will enjoy it.

Brigham’s Playhouse presents Tales of Tila, Written and Performed by Carolyn Murset.
Brigham’s Playhouse, 25 North 300 W, Washington, UT 84780
Contact: 435-251-8000
Closing night:  September 17, 2019 7:00 PM
Tickets: $17 – $23   
Brigham’s Playhouse Facebook
Tales of Tila Facebook Event