Shakespeare lights
up Cedar City, bringing an average of 120,000 visitors every year.
"It's huge," said Scott Jolley, the president and CEO of
the Chamber of Commerce. "Guests come for the festival and eat
at our restaurants, buy gasoline and stay in our hotels, with an
impact on the local economy of more than $35 million annually."
And those numbers
are expected to increase with at least one of the offerings in the
indoor Randall Theatre.
"It's selling
off the charts! People who have never come to USF are now about to be
first-timers," Adams said.
He's referring to
the production of "Les Miserables." First produced for the
Royal Shakespeare Company, when producers learned an American
Shakespeare festival wanted it, they granted the rights. And the
musical will take the original format, no turntable.
"No need for
it — our cast members have brilliant voices. When Melinda
Pfundstein sings 'I Dreamed a Dream,' there will not be a dry eye in
the house," Adams said. He is over-the-moon about the stunning
voice of J. Michael Bailey, who portrays Jean Valjean.
Here is an overview of this year's
schedule:
In the Adams Shakespearean Theatre
June 21 through September 1
Evening performances
In the Auditorium Theatre
July 7 through September 1
Matinee performances
August 9 through August 31
10 a.m. performances
In the Randall L. Jones Theatre
June 25 through September 1
Scapin
To Kill a Mockingbird
June 26 through October 20
September 21 through October 20
Hamlet
Stones in His Pockets