Tuacahn is Crazy for You in 2010

According to Tuacahn Center for the Arts: "Winner of the 1992 Tony Award for Best Musical, Crazy For You tells the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930’s playboy, whose dream in life is to dance. Heir of a New York banking family, Bobby is sent by his mother to Deadrock, Nevada, on an errand to foreclose on the town’s Gaiety Theatre. Once he arrives, however, he manages to fall in love with Polly, the daughter of the theatre’s owner, and becomes involved in a plan to rescue the doomed venue by producing a spectacular show to pay off the building’s mortgage. Will he save the day by rescuing the doomed theatre? And will this city slicker win the heart of the girl he loves?

Experience the magic of this timeless story when Tuacahn’s desert setting is transformed into a decaying Nevada village with the dream of keeping its beloved theatre alive. Memorable Gershwin tunes include "I Can't Be Bothered Now," "Bidin' My Time," "I Got Rhythm," "Naughty Baby," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "But Not for Me," "Nice Work if You Can Get It," "Embraceable You," and "Someone to Watch Over Me." Crazy for You is a high-energy comedy featuring plot twists, mistaken identity, fabulous dance numbers, and classic Gershwin music. This award-winning musical homage to one of the greatest songwriting teams of the twentieth century will delight the entire family.

Tarzan Comes to Tuacahn in 2010

According to Tuacahn Center for the Performing Arts, the jungle will come to life in the desert when Tuacahn Amphitheatre presents the regional premiere of Tarzan—the Broadway musical based on the popular 1999 Disney film and beloved story by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

This classic tale begins when an early 1900 shipwreck leaves an infant orphaned on the West African shore. The helpless baby is taken under the protection of a gorilla tribe and becomes part of their family. When he eventually encounters his first human--Jane Porter, a curious young explorer--both of their worlds transform forever.

Tarzan features the songs from Disney’s film as well as nine new songs written specifically for the Broadway production. The show’s Grammy® Award-winning musical score, written by singer/songwriter Phil Collins, propels the energy and imagination of this literary favorite, making this a "must see" at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre in 2010.

You'll want to come back to southern Utah after the Utah Rotary District Conference, May 13-15, 2010 to see "Tarzan" at Tuacahn Center for the Arts.

Tuacahn Announces 2010 Summer Shows

"I was awestruck," wrote Orval Hafen, upon first seeing the area now home to the Tuacahn Center for the Arts. He and his wife, Ruth, bought an eighty-acre parcel in the box canyon and built a cabin below the pristine red rocks. Describing the scene at the turn of the 20th century, he stated: "There before me lay a scene of indescribable beauty: wild, primitive, unspoiled, largely unknown, waiting to be enjoyed, waiting to inspire folks." Within these "towering red sandstone cliffs," he desired that "others [might one day] share this beauty and drink of the inspiration that is here."

Orval Hafen’s vision came one step closer to reality in 1993 when Doug Stewart, noted playwright and St. George resident, stumbled upon the spot as he was searching for a location for an outdoor amphitheatre in the St. George area. "The stunning beauty and perfect surroundings stopped me in my tracks," Stewart recalled. "I was brought to tears when I first stood there, and after taking it in for some time – envisioning an amphitheatre and a stage with an awesome backdrop of 1,500 foot red rock cliffs, and hearing the sounds of music echoing from the canyon walls – I literally flew back to town and straight to the county recorder’s office to see who the land belonged to."

From that magical moment in the canyon, Tuacahn Center for the Arts became a reality as a 42,000 square foot facility featuring a 330-seat indoor theater, dance studio, black-box theater, a recital hall, costume and scene shops, studios and classrooms, a gift shop, and a 1920-seat outdoor amphitheatre - the home of "Broadway in the Desert." In its 2010 summer theater season, Tuacahn will perform "Tarzan," "Cats" and "Crazy for You" from June 4 - October 15.

The summer shows will not be playing when Rotarians are here for the 2010 Utah Rotary District Conference, but stay tuned for information about one Tuacahn show you'll want to see while you're here May 13-15, 2010. It's one you won't want to miss!!!