By Jennifer Mustoe

A musical is made up of three types of performing: singing, dancing, and acting. Most Utah community theater shows usually have strong female singers, okay dancing by pretty much everyone, and often really great acting. Most shows have a combination of these three pieces, and often the weakest aspect of a show is the dancing.

Such is not the case for Sugar Factory Playhouse’s Curtains, playing now at the Midvale Performing Arts Center. Most of the cast are not trained dancers. You can tell this because they aren’t as precise and disciplined as trained dancers. However, this cast really did a great job of staying together with moves that weren’t completely simple. There was number after number of really cute dances, and choreographer Kassidy Gull has her actors really bringing movement to the stage in a truly delightful way. I thoroughly enjoyed all but a little bit of Beyonce moves that didn’t seem to work for the show’s time period.

Curtains is a play within a play. The “inside” play, Robbin’ Hood, is a horrific combination of the Wild, Wild West and Robin Hood. It’s being played in Boston but all the actors are equity and could be on Broadway, working for far more money. Why are they working for such low rates? This is the question that a funny, wanna be actor police lieutenant asks. Deaths happen, people fall in love with each other, songs are sung. And lots of lots of laughs accompany every scene. The crowd last night was great–especially for a Thursday night in Midvale. They loved it and were laughing their heads off.

Kris Karns plays the drama-loving Lieutenant Frank Cioffi. Karns is a funny fellow who had pretty good timing with the many jokes he was given. (Great part.) He loses track of his mystery all through the show because he’s more interested in making suggestions for changes to Robbin’ Hood‘s blocking and songs. Karns was very fun and a great addition to the cast.

One of the stand outs in this performance was Kelsi Jeffery as Niki Harris. Jefferey is lovely, sweet, graceful, all smiles and a great singer. A huge favorite and her tender budding love with Cioffi is darling. They had the cutest song in the show–just two people onstage.

Choreographer Kassidy Gull also played Bambi Bernet and was completely lovable. Gull knows how to steal a scene. Her facial expressions were a hit. The other standout was class act Carmen Bernstein, played by Jen Crabb. Crabb has such style and spunk as the hard as nails but with a heart of gold producer and had some of the best songs.

Music Director Colyn Quinn had wonderful success with the ensemble numbers that blended beautifully. Director Denise Gull made good use of the rather small stage (and I love this venue, by the way, except it was REALLY, REALLY COLD!) Costumes by Denise Gull were fabulous. The cast looked very professional.

I will say, there are a few risque comments and quite a few “damn’s”, but there’s so much fun going on in this show, I don’t think I can legitimately say, don’t bring your kids. However, don’t bring little ones. This show was a whopping two and a half hours long. And as I said, it’s cold. Bring a jacket.

If you want a night that is seriously inexpensive ($5-8!) and lots of fun, come to Midvale and see Curtains. It’s a fun time.

Sugar Factory Playhouse presents Curtains, Book by Rupert Holmes, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Music by John Kander
Midvale Performing Arts Center, 695 W Center St., Midvale, UT 84047
June 22-24, 26, 29-30, July 1 7:30 PM
Tickets: $5.00-8.00
Sugar Factory Playhouse/WJ Theater Arts Facebook Page