Review By Ashlei Havili Thomas, Front Row Reviewers
Sentinel Theatre’s Circle Mirror Transformation is a production by theatre lovers for theatre lovers. This quirky, subtle piece by Annie Baker follows an adult creative drama class at a community center in a small town in Vermont. Over the six-week course, the group of five get to know each other and the dynamics of the group shift and evolve. Sentinel Theatre’s production—performed at the Hive Collaborative in Provo, Utah—is funny, unconventional, and moving in ways you won’t expect. Take a break from your holiday shopping to catch this sweet play this November 2025.
Circle Mirror Transformation follows Marty (Dani Klappoth) and her class of four as they go through an adult creative drama class. Theresa (Madison Beck), a former actor and semi-new resident of the town, takes the course with recently divorced carpenter Schultz (Wayne Keller III), high school junior Lauren (Leah Carr) and Marty’s husband James (Dustin Parmley). The group is awkward and disjointed at first, but by the last week, they’ve shared their vulnerabilities, secrets, and lives with each other, finding moments to be present and open to this newfound microcosm of community theatre. Marty is sweet, evoking what the audience may call “mom energy.” Klappoth does a wonderful job orchestrating almost imperceptible shifts in the group’s energy, all while giving the audience little glimpses into Marty’s fragile emotional balance. In the words of an overheard audience member, James is “totally believable as a political conspiracy theorist.” Parmely is frenetic, energetic, and morose, causing massive shifts in emotion that shock the audience and lure them into engaging more fully in the performance.
Theresa is peppy and sweet. Beck does a wonderful job creating a beautiful character arc with understated choices that seem to take Theresa from a 2D construct to a 3D, living, breathing person. Beck’s transformation is masterfully crafted. Keller does a brilliant job as the socially awkward divorcee. Keller is often the comedic element in the play, timing each moment for the utmost hilarity for the audience. When Keller isn’t being a comic, they create a compelling character that audiences cheer, watching Schultz become confident and self-assured. Lauren is an amazing storyteller, often without words. Lauren has the least lines, but Carr runs with it, creating bright and cheeky comedic moments that the audience loves. This ensemble cast is peculiar in all the right ways, working together in perfect harmony to capture the audience’s attention and heart. This show, combined with out-of-the-box lighting design by Caleb Wallengren and under the direction of Andrew Jeffries, equates to a lovely, eccentric piece of art giving back to those who keep community theater alive and well in Utah Valley.
Sentinel Theatre’s Circle Mirror Transformation is a delightful piece and a refreshing break from the holiday season. This play does contain some mature themes that may not be suitable for children, with brief mentions of possible sexual assault. And yet, this play is charming, whimsical, and a love letter to those searching for themselves and their home in the world. This play is the last production of Sentinel Theatre in its current iteration, before they take over Timpanogos Community Theater in 2026. Come see the wonderful final encore of a top tier local theatre group: Sentinel Theatre Company’s Circle Mirror Transformation.
Sentinel Theatre Company presents Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker.
The Hive Collaborative, 290 W 600 S, Provo, UT 84601
November 14-15, 17, 20-22 7:30PM
Tickets: $15-25
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