Admission and entertainment is free.  Patrons can stroll along the tree-lined walkways near the water feature and browse the displays by local painters, artists, and crafters.  Food, including seasonal fruits and vegetables, will be available for purchase.

To commemorate National Poetry Month in April, the Utah State Poetry Society is sponsoring a youth poetry contest.  Gardening classes on a variety of topics such as growing and using fresh herbs or raising plants for the patio will be offered by the Plant Lady.

Organizers will also highlight special events and themes throughout the year.  These include the Fiesta Festival, April 16; Polynesian Festival, May 28; Native American culture, June 11; and a classic car show, May 14.  Additional highlights include the Rubber Duckie Race  for Cancer, July 23; Fine Arts Festival, September 24; Crazy for Quilt Festival, October 8; and Pumpkin Festival, October 25.

Additionally, visitors to the market can enter to win free tickets to Tuacahn’s concerts and theatrical productions.

Chris Graham, Tuacahn’s Gift Gallery Manager and Saturday Market organizer, says this can be a great opportunity for people looking for something fun to do on a Saturday morning and for crafters who want to earn additional income in the current economic climate.  “This is a fun weekend activity for locals and visitors alike,” she says.  “When the public comes together to support local artists and crafters it really helps builds a stronger community.”

This announcement comes as Tuacahn is in the middle of its most successful season featuring Disney’s Tarzan, CATS and the Gershwin musical comedy Crazy for You. Tarzan, based on the Disney film is breaking all box office records with over $2 million in sales surpassing Tuacahn’s 2008 production of Les Miserables. “The success of Disney’s Tarzan has contributed to receiving the rights to produce Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” says Scott Anderson, Tuacahn’s Artistic Director.

In its production of Disney’s Tarzan, Tuacahn has ten fly lines that carry actors over the audience, across the stage, and 867 feet above the canyon floor.  The production also makes use of the venue’s famous waterworks.  “The unique ability we have to move more than 18,000 gallons of water per minute creates the flood scene that sets the stage for the beginning of Tarzan,” says Kevin Warnick, Tuacahn’s Managing Director. Tuacahn plans to enhance and add to its waterworks effects for The Little Mermaid.

In preparing for Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Tuacahn has assembled a creative team who are developing several unique production elements that will take full advantage of Tuacahn’s outdoor environment.  “Audiences coming to see The Little Mermaid will see the stage and surrounding area shift between underwater and land scenes through a combination of exciting special effects that have never before been used together in the production of a full-length Broadway musical,” Mr. Anderson said.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid will perform each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from June 2 through October 21, 2011 and Grease will perform every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from June 9 through October 20, 2011.  Ticket prices for adults will range from $29 to $59 and for children from $23 to $49.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid is based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen.  Book by Doug Wright.  Music by Alan Menken.  Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater.  Tuacahn’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be directed by Scott S. Anderson, and is presented at Tuacahn through special arrangements with Music Theatre International and Disney Theatrical Productions.

Tuacahn opened in 1995 and has been entertaining audiences with professional, Broadway-caliber theatrical productions each year.  The amphitheatre, which has 1,920 seats, is also used for Tuacahn’s annual spring and fall concerts.  This year more than 160,000 guests will visit Tuacahn as new attendance records have been established with its productions of Disney’s Tarzan, Cats, and Crazy for You, the Gershwin musical comedy.  Tuacahn is located in Ivins, Utah, near St. George in the southwest corner of the state.  Tuacahn is approximately 120 miles north of Las Vegas near Interstate 15.

Tuacahn Amphitheatre is a major contributor to the Southern Utah economy as nearly 60% of Tuacahn’s guests visit from outside the region.  These guests stay in hotels, dine in restaurants, shop at local businesses, sightsee and participate in many of the additional tourism activities the area has to offer.  “With our record-breaking attendance this season, we anticipate that guests visiting Tuacahn this year will contribute more than $40 million to the area economy,” Kevin Smith, Tuacahn’s CEO said.  “The impact to the area’s economy could reach more than $50 million next year as we expect even more guests with great shows like Grease and Disney’s Little Mermaid,” Smith added.

Tickets for Tuacahn’s  2011 seasons are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.tuacahn.org or via telephone at 435-652-3300 or toll free 866-321-8051.

(Ivins, UT) The Tuacahn Amphitheatre will be transformed into an African jungle when the Broadway musical adaptation of the Disney film Tarzan begins performances Monday, June 7, at 8:30 p.m.  Based upon the classic story by Edgar Rice Burroughs, this live stage production boasts music by seven-time Grammy Award winner Phil Collins, including the Academy Award winning song “You’ll Be in My Heart.”  Tarzan will be performed each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night June 7—October 15 in the outdoor Tuacahn Amphitheatre.  Tickets, priced from $22–$56, are available at the Tuacahn box office, by calling (435) 652-3300/(800) 746-9882 or online at tuacahn.org.

Leading the cast of 38 in the title role is James Royce Edwards.  Edwards has starred on Broadway and on the national tours of Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Pippin, and All Shook Up.  Off-Broadway, James has starred in Altar Boyz, Matthew Passion, and Wanda’s World.

At his side in the role of Jane will be Summer Broyhill, a veteran of Hairspray on Broadway as well as the national tours of Hairspray and I Love a Piano.  About the opportunity to perform in Tarzan at Tuacahn, she says, “Even when you perform professionally, you still relish the moments when your jaw drops and you succumb completely to believing in a magical world with its own set of rules.  I think this production really has the potential to be that kind of magical.”

Broadway veteran Evan D’Angeles (Miss Saigon, Pacific Overtures) plays the role of Tarzan’s sidekick, Terk.  Additional cast members include Cessalee Stovall (Kala), Sam Zeller (Kerchak), Jerry Hoffman (Porter), and Todd Dubail (Clayton).  DuBail has been seen across the country in the national tours of Joseph… (Pharaoh, with Patrick Cassidy and Jon Secada), Grease (Danny, with Frankie Avalon, Chubbie Checker and Fabian), Leader of the Pack, and Jesus Christ Superstar (with Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson).

Rounding out the cast are Talon Ackerman, Kile Allen, Eli Bauer, Giovanni Bonaventura, Erica Bryce, Jeremy Carpenter, Olin Davidson, Molly DePola, Craig Donnelly, Carolyn Hartvigsen, Zachary Hess, Tammie Rose Johnston, Payton Kemp, Tommy Martinez, Troy McGee, Nicholas McGough, Ryan Nickels, Kyli Rae, Robert Reep, Eddy Schumacher, Kierstyn Sharrow, Alexis Smith, Shellie Telford, Joey Tierno, Veronica Yeager, and Lindsey Young.

Tarzan’s pop-rock music, exotic costumes, and conflicted love story will come together under the capable direction of Tuacahn’s Artistic Director, Scott S. Anderson.  Anderson also directed the Tuacahn premiere of Les Misérables in 2008 and has assembled an eclectic cast and crew to bring the show to life in its first production in the United States outside of New York.

“The greatest challenge in producing Tarzan is the flying,” says Anderson. “But some of the additions to our facility from our production of Peter Pan in 2006 helped accommodate the show’s technical needs. This, combined with the engineering talents of Flying by Foy, aerial choreography by Cees de Kok and Cathy Perquin, and stage choreography by Mic Thomson, has allowed us to overcome this difficulty in a thrilling way.”

Tuacahn’s producers have been working for two years to make this production a reality. “Having seen Tarzan on Broadway, I knew Tuacahn would be a great place for the show to make its regional premiere,” Anderson continues. “Originally the rights to present a local production of Tarzan were granted to another group of producers. Nevertheless, we continued to hope for our chance to bring it to life at Tuacahn. When Disney finally gave us the green light, we eagerly jumped at the chance!”

Tuacahn’s production of Tarzan is licensed through a special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions and Music Theater International in New York.

TARZAN

The Stage Musical
Based on the Disney Film

Music and Lyrics by Phil Collins            Book by David Henry Hwang

based on the story “Tarzan of the Apes” by Edgar Rice Burroughs

and the Disney film “Tarzan”

Originally presented on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions

TARZAN ARTISTIC STAFF

Director—Scott S. Anderson

Choreographer—Mic Thompson

Aerial Choreography—Cees de Kok and Cathy Perquin

Tumbling Choreography—Adam AhQuin

Scenic Designer—Doug Ellis

Costume Designers—Nancy Hamblin, Wilma Mickler, Rory Scanlon

Lighting Designer—Joseph L. Eddy

Music Direction—Camille Villalpando Rolla

Sound Designer—David Swenson

Hair Designer—Matthew Reeves Oliver

Makeup Designer—Guy Smith

Production Stage Manager—Monica Dickhens

Associate Producer—Jeffrey Martin

Producers—Scott S. Anderson, Kevin M. Smith, Kevin E. Warnick

BROADWAY IN THE DESERT: TARZAN AND CATS

Tarzan is the first production in Tuacahn’s annual theatre season, presented in the outdoor Tuacahn Amphitheatre each June through October.  The show will play in repertory with Cats through the middle of August. Crazy for You will then replace Cats and will be performed in repertory with Tarzan through October 16.  Cats features the same cast of actors as Tarzan with the addition of Grammy Award winner Lisa H. Seegmiller, who will play the role of Grizabella.  Seegmiller also received a Tony Award for her portrayal of Mimi in Baz Luhrmann’s Broadway production of La Bohéme in 2003.

Tuacahn’s 2010 season is sponsored by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation; Utah Office of Tourism; Washington County CVB; Split Rock Development Group; Wells Fargo; Parr, Brown, Gee, & Loveless; Entrada; Boulevard Home Furnishings; Marriner Eccles Foundation; Deseret News; St. George Ford; SkyWest Airlines; Canyon Media Broadcasting; Kayenta; The Salt Lake Tribune; The Spectrum; Rocky Mountain Power; Brent & Bonnie Beesley Foundation; Crossroads Equipment; Executive Car Sales; Ivins City; Ruby’s Inn; Snow Canyon Motor Sports; Sun Country Chrysler; Utah Arts Council; Snow, Christensen & Martineau; Best Western Abbey Inn; Zions Bank; America First Credit Union; Painter’s Sun Country Mitsubishi; and State Bank of Southern Utah.

Tuacahn is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

The Festival will be open from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings through December 23. A reenactment of the nativity scene is presented in Tuacahn’s outdoor amphitheatre twice nightly at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. The Live Nativity features as many as sixty volunteer actors on stage along with an assortment of live animals, including the camel used by Will Smith in the film Independence Day. (NOTE: Due to Tuacahn’s “Christmas in the Canyon” concert, which is presented in the outdoor amphitheatre, the Live Nativity will not be performed Friday, December 4.) Tickets for the nativity cost $2.00 per person or $10.00 per family and are available at the door or by calling the Tuacahn box office.

On the plaza, patrons can savor hot cocoa from the concessions stand as they sit around an open fire, or stroll through the Tuacahn Gift Gallery stocked full of holiday presents and delights. Santa Claus will visit the plaza beginning at 6:30 pm. The Festival of Lights also offers rides on the Old Salty Train provided by Ruby’s Inn for only $1.00 per person. Local performance groups will also perform throughout the month on the outdoor plaza stage at 6:30 p.m, 7:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. (contact the Tuacahn box office for schedule).

At 7:00 pm on Friday, December 4t, Tuacahn presents “Christmas in the Canyon,” a delightful and upbeat holiday concert in the outdoor amphitheatre featuring singer/songwriter Sam Payne, Jenny Jordan Frogley, and BYU’s award-winning cappella ensemble, Vocal Point. “The idea behind this concert is to present a unique blend of professional musicians in a hometown tribute to the Christmas holidays,” says Kevin Smith, Tuacahn’s CEO. “This concert has become one of the highlights of the holidays.” For more information about Tuacahn’s Festival of Lights and Live Nativity, visit seeitoutside.com or call (435) 652-3300/(800) 746-9882.

Tuacahn High School of the Performing Arts will also present the holiday-themed musical production Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Dec. 3-5, 7, and 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information to this production, call (435) 652-3201.

RubberBand is a perfect name for Ryan Shupe and his band of amazing musicians. The group is known for its ability to stretch out musically in all directions, pinging back and forth with a joyful spontaneity most bands could barely imagine, let alone achieve. Each member possesses years of experience on his respective instrument and when the band comes together on tunes like the bouncy “Don’t Leave Me Lonely,” or the frenetically fun, “Last Man Standing,” their collective talent is explosive and undeniable.

The five man band, hailing from the Salt Lake City, is a breath of fresh air in an age where much of the music is over-produced. Their organic approach to performing has built them quite a following, not only through the West but around the rest of the country as well. Lead singer Ryan Shupe originally formed the band as an outlet for his songwriting but it soon took on a life all its own, becoming bigger than anything he could have originally imagined.

Songwriter Peter Breinholt has been delighting audiences with his self-styled acoustic music for more than a decade. He has sold out every major concert hall in his home state of Utah many times over, including Kingsbury Hall, Tuacahn, Sundance, Thanksgiving Point, and BYU’s de Jong Concert Hall, among others. His credits also include six albums, a concert DVD, guitar songbooks, film scores, Pearl Awards, songwriting awards, and concerts with several symphony orchestras and choirs, including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Writing of his music, The Independent said that “anyone familiar with Breinholt’s vibe will find a lot to enjoy here—heavy investment in big neo-folk grooves, with Breinholt’s clear voice sharing center-stage with his articulate and confident acoustic guitar work.” You’ll surely feel the same way when Peter Breinholt and Ryan Shupe come together for a night of great music in Southern Utah’s most spectacular setting.

Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband and Peter Breinholt will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2009, at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre. Tickets, priced at only $15.50, are available at the Tuacahn box office by calling 435.652.3300/800.746.9882 or online at tuacahn.org.

This is the 4th year that Tuacahn has sponsored the drive. In past years, Tuacahn has donated an average of 7100 pounds of food each season.

“It’s something that we enjoy doing,” says Kevin Smith, Tuacahn’s CEO. “It gives people the opportunity to participate in giving service to those in need, our patrons enjoy a great discount to a quality production, and we fill our theater seats.”

From it’s two previous charity events this year, Tuacahn’s donations to the Dixie Care and Share have reached 4,855 pounds.

Kara Coop, director of the Dixie Care and Share, says the food bank was appreciative of the donations received last year. “We’re always overwhelmed by the abundance of food we receive from Tuacahn’s drives. Last year, the truck was so weighed down I thought the tires would pop.”

Tuacahn’s current productions are Annie, Footloose and Aida which will show until October 17. For more information, contact the Tuacahn Box Office by calling 800-746-9882 or 435-652-3300 or visit www.tuacahn.org.

A mainstay on the rock scene since the late 1960s, Frampton has enjoyed a career full of accolades and 20 Top Ten hits including 1970s guitar anthems “Baby I Love Your Way,” “Do You Feel Like We Do,” and “Show Me the Way.” He is particularly proud, however, of his 2007 all-instrumental album Fingerprints, which earned Frampton his first GRAMMY® Award, for “Best Pop Instrumental Album.”

“I’ve never done a complete collection of instrumentals,” the Britain-born, Cincinnati-based Frampton says. “This is something I’ve been needing to do for myself for a long time. I wanted to play with people from all over the world, and I wanted to make the selections as diverse as possible. I didn’t want to make a smooth jazz album where the rhythm section plays the same on every tune.”

Fingerprints features Frampton having exhilarating musical conversations with a who’s who of the pop world, including Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready and Matt Cameron, original Shadows Hank Marvin and Brian Bennett, Allman Brothers/Gov’t Mule slide slinger Warren Haynes, Nashville pedal steel virtuoso Paul Franklin and gypsy guitar maestro John Jorgenson. Peter is currently working on the follow up to this Grammy Award winning album to be released in January 2010.

Peter Frampton will take the stage at 8:00 p.m. on September 16, 2009, at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre. Tickets, priced from $49 -$69, are available at the Tuacahn box office by calling 435.652.3300/800.746.9882 or online at tuacahn.org.

(Ivins, UT) The Tuacahn Amphitheatre will be transformed into an Egyptian oasis when Elton John and Tim Rice’s popular Broadway musical adaptation of Verdi’s classic 1871 opera, “AIDA,” opens the outdoor venue’s fall season later this month. The final production in Tuacahn’s 2009 “Broadway in the Desert” season, “AIDA” will be performed each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening, August 25 through October 17. Tickets, priced from $20 – $49, are available at the Tuacahn box office, by calling 435.652.3300/800.746.9882 or online at tuacahn.org.

Elton John And Tim Rice’s “AIDA” is a contemporary musical rendition of a classic tale, a story of the love between a soldier and an enslaved princess—a love that condemns them both to death, but ultimately transcends the vast cultural differences between their two warring nations, heralding an unprecedented time of peace and prosperity. As Radames, captain of the Egyptian guard, returns from a successful war campaign, he gives a slave, Aida, as a gift to his fiancé, the princess Amneris. Unknown to the soldier, Aida is actually the princess of Nubia, and her presence in the Egyptian court allows Radames to fall in love with her. The ensuing love triangle ultimately forces him and both princesses to make difficult, irreversible choices.

“AIDA”’s pop-rock music, exotic costumes, and conflicted love story will come together under the capable direction of frequent Tuacahn artist Tim Threlfall. The show marks Threlfall’s tenth production at the venue, and his expertise in giving breath to larger-than-life stories in Tuacahn’s expansive amphitheatre will be on display for all to enjoy. Threlfall, director of the music-dance-theatre program at Brigham Young University, has helmed many of Tuacahn’s most well-received productions including last season’s “Big River,” as well as “My Fair Lady,” “South Pacific,” and Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Also a successful actor, Threlfall appears in the upcoming feature film “One Good Man,” scheduled for theatrical release this fall.

Speaking of the show, Threlfall says “‘AIDA’’s power lies in its universal themes and metaphors. The brutality of imperialism, hope in the midst of desperation, and the ultimate triumph of truth and love over the tyranny of ambition and greed, allow ‘AIDA’ to resonate with today’s audience in the same way it did for Verdi’s audience that embraced his work commissioned for the 1869 opening of the Suez Canal.”

Taking on the title role of Aida is Jacqueline Rene, a native New Yorker who now calls Los Angeles home. Rene has performed on Broadway and throughout the world in numerous shows, including the Broadway production of “The Lion King.” Filling out the other parts of the story’s love triangle are Laura Dickinson as the Egyptian princess, Amneris, and Josh Adamson as Radames, the captain of the Egyptian guard. Dickinson has been playing the role of Vi Moore in Tuacahn’s “Footloose” all summer long and has also lent her voice to various television shows and feature films including “American Idol,” Disney’s “Cinderella III” and much more. Australian actor Adamson has appeared in productions of “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Oliver” in his home country and currently performs the role of Rooster in Tuacahn’s production of “Annie.” All three actors appear courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.

They will be joined on stage by Jenn Aedo, Kile Anthony Allen, Maria Allen, Ronald L. Brown, Frank Bryant, Brian Conway, Liliana Corona, Cathy Ford, Kyle Fowler, Jesse Gonzales, David Kirk Grant, Stacia Hardy, Vincent Harris, Casey Harward, Danielle Hobbs, Thayne Jasperson, Bryanna Karratti, Lego Louis, Aaron Meadows, Chase Nichter, Allyson Pace, Kyli Rae, Katie Ribis, Tim Roberts, Dan Rosenbaum, Eddy Schumacher, Becca Schwartz, Allysa Shorte, Tino Smith, Dominique Stay, Jennifer Stone, Terrence Thomas, Ben Tichy, George Tobey, Kristin Wetherington, Bart Williams, and Chloe Ray Wood.

“AIDA” ARTISTIC STAFF
Producers—Scott S. Anderson, Kevin M. Smith, Kevin E. Warnick
Director—Tim Threlfall
Choreographer—Deanna Dys
Scenic Designer—Brad Shelton
Costume Designer—John Titensor
Lighting Designer—Joseph L. Eddy
Music Direction—Camille Villalpando Rolla
Sound Designer—David Swenson
Hair and Makeup Designer—Karine Ivey
Production Stage Manager—Monica Dickhens

“ANNIE” AND “FOOTLOOSE”

Tuacahn’s current productions of “Annie” and “Footloose” will continue to perform in the amphitheatre on select dates through October 16, with two notable changes to the cast.

A new little girl will don Annie’s brightly colored hair starting September 4 when Ellie Smith joins the company. Smith played the role of Mary Lennox in “The Secret Garden” at the Utah Shakespearean Festival this summer. “Annie” will be performed August 28, September 4, 9, 11, 18, 23, October 2, 7, 9, and 16.

Veteran actor David Kirk Grant assumes the role of Reverend Shaw Moore in Tuacahn’s popular production of “Footloose” this fall. Grant has performed in the national touring productions of “The Music Man” and “42nd Street,” as well as a production of “The Secret Garden” in New Zealand. “Footloose” will be performed August 26, 31, September 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 30, October 5, 12, and 14.

Ronald L. Brown, SuEllen Estey, Thayne Jasperson, Kylie Rae, Bart Williams, and more than fifty actors from throughout the local area and across the United States will perform in Tuacahn’s productions for the fall season. Many of these actors have prominent credits in New York, on TV, and in film. Thayne Jasperson, a Tuacahn vet who played Mungojerrie in “Cats” at Tuacahn in 2006, continues in the role of

Ren in “Footloose.” Jasperson was a finalist on the FOX television show “So You Think You Can Dance” last summer.

Tuacahn’s 2009 season is sponsored by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation; Utah Office of Tourism; Washington County CVB; Split Rock Development Group; Wells Fargo; Parr, Brown, Gee, & Loveless; Entrada; Boulevard Home Furnishings; Marriner Eccles Foundation; Deseret News; St. George Ford; SkyWest Airlines; Canyon Media Broadcasting; Kayenta; The Salt Lake Tribune; The Spectrum; Rocky Mountain Power; Brent & Bonnie Beesley Foundation; Crossroads Equipment; Executive Car Sales; Ivins City; Ruby’s Inn; Snow Canyon Motor Sports; Sun Country Chrysler; Utah Arts Council; Snow, Christensen & Martineau; Best Western Abbey Inn; Zions Bank; America First Credit Union; and State Bank of Southern Utah.

Tuacahn is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Tickets prices range from $20- $49 depending on the date and seat location and are now on sale online at tuacahn.org or by calling 435-652-3300.

The ever-popular Annie will alternate nights with Footloose as part of the outdoor venue’s summer series. Both shows play in repertory Monday through Saturday, June 8–August 15. The two productions will also have continued performance dates through October 17 for the venue’s fall season, which adds Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida to the lineup starting August 25.

Ronald L. Brown, Laura Dickinson, SuEllen Estey, Grace Etzkorn, Thayne Jasperson, Kylie Rae, Christian Whelan, Bart Williams, and an additional fifty-five actors from throughout the local area and across the United States will perform in the 2009 season.

Many of the actors this year have prominent credits in New York, on TV, and in film. For example, Thayne Jasperson, a Tuacahn vet who played Mungojerrie in Cats at Tuacahn in 2006, returns this season as Ren in Footloose. Jasperson was a finalist on the FOX television show So You Think You Can Dance last summer.

Other members of the cast include Ashley Adamek, Josh Adamson, Jenn Aedo, Ryan Anderson, Sophie Beckstrand, Jan Broberg, Monique Brog, Erica Bryce, Ceili Burdick, Dane Camp, Anna Carothers, Mary Carothers, Aliya Cazier, Aubree Christensen, Emeline Christensen, Brian Conway, Madalyn Durbin, Alexandra Fisher, Kyle Fowler, Alexa Freeman, Drew Freeman, Jesse Gonzales, Billi Hale, Stacia Hardy, Casey Harward, Amy Hauck, Danielle Hobbs, Keola Holt, Kassidy Quin Jones, Bryanna Karratti, Kaitlyn Kidman, Cynthia Klumpp, Caroline Labrum, Troy McGee, Aaron Meadows, Micajah Milne, Allyson Pace, Kyli Rae, Karli Marie Rasmussen, Tim Roberts, Dan Rosenbaum, Eddy Schumacher, Becca Schwartz, Alexis Smith, Amy Smith, Ellie Smith, Mikell Smith, Tino Smith, Dominique Stay, Jennifer Stone, Terrance Thomas, Ben Tichy, George Tobey, Kristin Wetherington, Chloe Ray Wood, Abby Wuehler, and Veronica Yeager.

Scott S. Anderson, Tuacahn’s Artistic Director and director of Annie says, “We are extremely fortunate and pleased that our cast of Annie is populated by a talented group of Broadway and regional talent, sprinkled with a heavy dose of local children filling the roles of the orphans.” This talented group of actors, combined with a strong behind-the-scenes creative team, made this “the perfect year to finally bring Annie to life in this beautiful canyon.”

Derryl Yeager, a frequent Tuacahn collaborator who is directing Footloose this year, is equally excited about the coming season. He hopes audiences will take the message of Footloose to heart and knows people will be surprised “at just how timely and relevant the story remains today.”

Deanna Dys, director/choreographer of Tuacahn’s production of 42nd Street, returns to provide choreography for Annie. The design team also includes Doug Ellis (scenery), John Titensor and Wilma Mickler-Sears (costumes), Joseph L. Eddy (lights), Karine Ivey and Matthew Reeves Oliver (hair and makeup), David Swenson (sound), Brad Shelton (Properties), and Monica Dickhens (PSM). Music direction is provided by Camille Villalpando Rolla.

For more information or to purchase tickets call (800) 746-9882 or visit tuacahn.org.

The marketplace will open each Saturday this spring from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. during the summer, June 13-Sept. 5). Admission and entertainment is free. Patrons will be able to stroll along the tree lined walkways near the water feature and browse the displays by local painters, artists, and crafters. Food, including seasonal fruits and vegetables, will be available for purchase. Each week local PTA groups will sponsor a pancake breakfast from 9:00–11:00 a.m.

To celebrate the opening of the weekly market, local country musician Eric Dodge will provide free entertainment on the outdoor plaza stage May 9 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. For information about Eric and his music visit ericdodge.com.

Additionally, on May 9, patrons can enter to win two free tickets to Annie, Footloose, or Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida, Tuacahn’s upcoming productions. Tickets will be given away every fifteen minutes from 9:00–11:00 a.m.

Tuacahn Gift Gallery Manager and Saturday Market organizer, Chris Graham, knows this can be a great opportunity for people looking for something fun to do on a Saturday morning and for crafters who want to earn additional income in the current economic climate. “This will become a fun tradition in St. George for locals and visitors alike,” she says. “It will really be a fun event year-round for the whole family. Our hope is that this event will become a staple in the community.”

For more information or for a vendor application please call (435) 652-3218 or visit tuacahn.org.