Review By M.T. Bennett, Front Row Reviewers
In South Salt Lake City the Big Con is on the small stage. The illustrious Parker Theatre is presenting the second play of their 2025 season, The Sting. The play has been adapted from the Academy Award winning movie starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Robert Shaw. Set in the 1930s with the backdrop of the Great Depression, it follows a collection of grifters and con men looking for a big score and revenge. With snappy dialogue, and a storyline full of moving parts, Parker Theatre’s The Sting keeps you right in the action until the curtain falls.
The Parker Theatre is the perfect place to show this production, first of all, because the historic building is decorated with authentic 1930s styles, complete with an in house bakery and soda shop that you have to check out before the show. The themed menu is always a favorite of mine, this time with treats like the “Blue Plate Special for Two”, “It’s a Gamble” Sundae (with every sundae different), “Double Layer Diner Chocolate Cake”, and more. This attention to detail and immersion is part of what makes The Parker so much fun. The theatre is a family business and one always feels so welcome. The theater itself is large enough to attract some of Utah’s greatest talent, yet not so big that I feel removed from the action. It always feels like an intimate production,one where you are drawn into the show. The heavy use of actors in the aisles for this show also adds to the fun.
Johnny Hooker, a young small-time grifter, is pushed to attempt a big con due to a personal tragedy and his own hubris. Hooker is played by the talented Spencer Hohl who is also the Artistic Director at The Parker–I have seen his production work before as director or sound designer for other plays. This was my first time seeing him on the stage and he is phenomenal. With a Conan O’Brian swooped hairdo that stays perfect under all the period hats, he embodies Hooker, a character who is hungry to prove himself. He puts on a façade of confidence while struggling to fit in. Hohl’s emotional characterization is incredible: his eyes, face, voice, and body language and llooking at him you knew immediately how his character felt.
Playing next to Hohl is the immense talent of Roger Dunbar who portrays Henry Gondorff. Dunbar seems to have slipped into the skin of Paul Newman for this character. He is a master of the play’s snappy dialogue and commands a presence that is at times comedic and at other times heartfelt. From the first moment he is on stage, Gondorff is a world-weary, street-smart leader who mentors Hooker into learning how to run a Big Con. He is believable, funny, and has incredible chemistry with Hohl and the rest of the cast.
Essential to running the con is Billie, played by Mackenzie Pedersen. Billie is an important character in a play dominated by a huge cast of male characters. The machismo and sexism of the time period are on display in the first scene and in this story many of the female roles reflect this, except Billie as a business owner is integral to running the con. Pedersen plays Billie with a fun flair and brings a needed balance to the team. Pedersen brings an authenticity that balances out the plot.
The play’s main antagonist, Doyle Lonnegan, played by Owen Richardson Jr., has a very successful illustration career, especially art for book covers. We are blessed to see his commendable acting talents on display. He fills the stage with a slow deliberate menace, cold and intimidating. I thought it was interesting at first to have Lonnegan, who is usually controlled and reins in his emotions, play against Hooker who wears them on his sleeve. However, as you watch Richardson’s portrayal, you notice a lot of subtle choices in gesture or tonal inflection that speak volumes to Lonnegan’s thoughts and feelings.
The Sting necessitates a huge cast and this production manages so many people without losing one of them. With clever use of wigs and costumes, actors play several roles. Nevertheless, The Sting employs many players and they are all spectacular. Parker veteran Brinton Wilkins brought a fatherly warmth to Luther. Mike Hohl plays my favorite character Kid Twist to perfection. Duane Stephens and Mitch Wardell commit to the physicality of their roles. James Parker plays Agent Polk so well that I started second guessing my recollection of the character, thinking maybe the play added a twist or was going to take creative liberties with the plot. These and others in the cast are amazing in setting this very complicated stage and story.
Director Joanne Parker wrangled all the moving parts of this play to create a stylish, colorful, entertaining, tense high-stakes operation. J. Parker is a fount of knowledge, talent, and experience and all of that is very evidently put to full use in this production. The support of Stage manager Chrissy Knaras is seen as well. The play involves fog, blank bullets, thousands of props, one Scooby-doo style chase sequence, and many moving parts that have to be just right. It all comes together flawlessly.
Executive Director James B. Parker does a superb job with set and lighting design. On this production, his skills are well displayed. The absinthe green glow of the roulette table, shining streetcar lights in the city haze are two of the effects that mesmerize the audience. One always feels immersed when viewing the Parker stage. The sound design, done by Hohl, also contributes to the effect.
The final steps in setting this period piece is in costume, hair, makeup, and props. Costume Designer Rebecca L. Fenton must have had a an amazingly delightful experience finding all the hats, dresses, suspenders, and other costume pieces one expects from an early 1900’s gangster piece. Hair and Makeup Designer Shannara Jones always does a spectacular job but really nailed all the wigs and looks. This production is full of detailed props from Erin Oliphant. The Parker Theatre social media shows some fun behind the scenes look at the creation of the props.
This production is a nostalgic love-note to the original movie. It truly is a thrill to see it live and with such a great talent paying great homage to the source material. My friend who accompanied me was able to follow the story and became a fan of the show as well. If you want a fast-paced,thrilling, comedic show, or a period piece with clever dialogue, then The Sting is for you, and there is no better place to see it than The Parker Theatre.
Parker Theatre presents The Sting
3605 South State Street, South Salt Lake, UT 84115
March 29-May 3, 2025 (Fridays at 7:30 and Saturdays at 3:30 & 7:30)
Tickets: Adults $31, Child $22
Contact: 801-532-6000, boxoffice@parkertheatre.org
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