Thanks, Fred C. Adams, for the fun times!

Okay folks.  Here is my take on inevitable removal of The Adams Shakespearean Theater from planet earth.  I can only assume that Fred C. Adams has given his blessing to the newer/bigger facility that is now under construction just across the street to the east.  The new place will still offer the "under the stars" experience; however it will have a retractable roof that may be used in case of cold, wet weather.  

You may know that Cedar City is 7,000 above sea level.  Winter comes early and lasts a long time.  Audiences will be thrilled when that first snow falls and the mighty roof closes.  Anyway, this feature alone will enable a longer Shakespearean season, thus bringing increased revenue to both town and university.  

I was sad to learn that the name of Fred Adams would not be on the new arena, as he was the one conceived the idea of a festival decades ago.  Even today, he is the life and soul of the event.

The new building is to be called the Engelstad Theater, since the Engelstad Foundation of Las Vegas contributed 5 million dollars to the project - a very noble donation, for sure. 

There are a lot of photos of this old theater on the internet, but here are some of my own.  

 

I will miss the roomy seats on the main floor.  They were more costly, but to a person of my size, they were heaven sent.  I hope the architects of the Engelstad Theater designed roomy seating.  I will miss the stationary stage.  The directors had to be creative in their staging techniques.  The new theater will probably have new state-of-the-art props, including movable walls, thus allowing for even greater creativity.

I will miss the quaint balcony with the hanging lanterns, but I will not miss the rickety stairways leading up to it.  I will not miss the poorer sound up yonder - unless the performers really projected their voices, their words were not understood.   Yeah, I get it - the original Shakespearean performers didn't have amplification, but I hope the new area will have a good sound system.

Did I say that I will miss the hanging lights?  Yeah, I did.  Well I will not miss the long walk to the restroom at intermission time. 

 

So farewell to the grand ol' outdoor theater, and welcome to new.  It could be that I will enjoy the festival for many years to come, and it could be that I will even overcome my apprehension about the coming changes, but I will always remember the good times and great entertainment I experienced in the Adams theater.  Thanks, Fred C. Adams, for the fun times!

 

 

 

A delightful weekend excursion

 

 

  

 

Six friends once again gathered for dinner and games.  Though parted by distance, the bond remains tight as evidenced by smiles and laughter throughout the evening.  This gathering was the catalyst for a delightful weekend excursion.

Debbie was the "grand champion" as she won both Greed and also Five Crowns.

The number 3 was the curse of the evening, while doubles were really hard to come by for everyone.

 
 

At our rest stop in Fillmore, Mike bought some potato wedges.  I think this is his favorite stop on I-15. 

One sad note is that Bev's favorite rest stop, the creamery in Beaver, was closed.  Now, I don't want to lead anyone astray, as we were all disappointed.     

We stayed at this place in Cedar City.  We were happy with the buffet breakfast - definitely a reason to consider coming back.  We also enjoyed the roominess of facility. 




As always, the Green Show, is a highlight of the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City.  FYI, it is called thusly because the patrons sit on grass in the midst of large cedar trees.  Bev and I were fortunate to find a little bench to sit on, which we turned around to face the little stage.   

Performers dance around the maypole, as the little girl steadies it.  Notice the evergreens in the background. 

The dancers presented a 'tour of Italy' for us, and we were delighted with their energetic performance.  Now,for a few photos of the Green Show performance:

An excellent violist, for sure.



Happy dancers.

An appreciative audience.

 



FYI - the little girl never gets wound up with the stringers.

At the end of the Green Show, the student performers gather on the ramp of the Adams theater, a horn is sounded and the crowd begins to enter the main arena.  In my next posting, I will offer my perspective as to the coming demolition of this delightful outdoor theater.  I promise my review will be positive, so be sure to check back in a few days.