Laughter Returns To The Heritage Center Theater In Cedar City
The SimonFest Theatre Company is back in swing with four masterful plays to hit the boards this July. “Oh, boy, do we ever need this,” claims Founder and Artistic Director, Richard Bugg. “It is time to have shared experiences again—to experience these great theatrical journeys as a group—in the same room!”
Bugg seeks to ensure his audience that the SimonFest brand of storytelling will be unadulterated. “While the religion of political correctness has taken over much of our society, we won’t politicize our art,” explains Bugg. “We tell stories with which we invite our audience to go on delightful and cathartic journeys. The catharsis that we share, whether in a drama or comedy, expands our empathy. That increased empathy is the key to finding peace in our communities, our country, and our world. While occasionally one of our stories might deal with a political subject, we will always focus on the story and the personal discoveries that the characters make—never on punishing our viewers for having a different viewpoint or a different life experience.”
This Summer’s mix of romance, mystery, and mirth includes: Ken Ludwig’s comedy-mystery Baskerville: a Sherlock Holmes Mystery, directed by Utah Shakespeare veteran Brandon Burk and starring SimonFest favorite, Richard Hill; Ira Levin’s diabolically clever Deathtrap, directed by celebrity guest, Clarence Gilyard; Gordon & Caird’s charming and romantic musical-comedy, Daddy Long Legs, directed by SimonFest regular Douglas Hill and starring Sceri Ivers; and James Still’s graceful and moving, Looking Over the President’s Shoulder—Bugg will be directing the film and television star, Clarence Gilyard, in this one-man show about the life of Alonzo Fields – butler to presidents Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower.
While the company was forced to shut down last Summer, due to Covid restrictions, it hasn’t been idle during the pandemic, having mounted Driving Miss Daisy last October and It’s a Wonderful Life for the Christmas season. In fact, because of such an enthusiastic response, SimonFest plans to repeat these offerings this coming October and December.
The company of actors and artisans has gathered to build and rehearse in preparation for a July 7th opening. While still adhering to state safety recommendations, SimonFest will move forward with a live Summer season that will play a mix of matinees and evenings through July 31st at the Heritage Center Theater in Cedar City. Two of the shows, Deathtrap and Daddy Long Legs, will then travel to the Kayenta Arts Center in Ivins to perform during the first two weeks in August.
Show dates and ticket information can be found at www.simonfest.org or by calling 435-267-0194.
