CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Have you been to the Bumbleberry Theater yet? Experience the comfort of Springdale’s premier indoor concert venue while enjoying a diverse lineup of performances that features both local talent and touring acts.
This month, audiences have the opportunity to choose from a variety of shows that offer a little something for everyone. Whether you prefer stand-up comedy or musical theater, there’s no better time to visit Zion Canyon for an evening of top-notch entertainment.
“One of the things we’ve tried to do this year is to get a variety of different bands and performers in so we can give people a different style every week,” Bumbleberry Inn owner Stan Smith said. “Just trying to mix it up so there’s a little bit of everything for everybody.”
The SimonFest Theatre Co., which brings Broadway comedies and musicals to Cedar City every summer, will present a special performance of “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Bumbleberry Theater. SimonFest founder Richard Bugg stars in this beloved musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein.
Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on the poor milkman Tevye and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, the musical’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.
Based on “Tevye and his Daughters” (or “Tevye the Dairyman”) and other tales by Sholem Aleichem, “Fiddler on the Roof” opened on Broadway in 1964 and became the first musical theater production to surpass 3,000 performances. It has spawned five Broadway revivals as well as a successful film adaptation and remains highly popular with audiences worldwide.
SimonFest will perform “Fiddler on the Roof” Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 22-24, with shows starting at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30 per person and are available to purchase by clicking here.
“‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is a classic, and it should be a wonderful evening of entertainment,” Smith said. “This is kind of an experiment to see if there’s an appetite for live theater in Zion Canyon, and we certainly hope there is.”
Heading up to Springdale this weekend? Catch comedian Paul Sheffield on Thursday, Aug. 15, and Southern Utah-based band Soul What!? on Friday, Aug. 16. Both shows start at 7 p.m. and are free to attend.
An audience favorite at Utah’s own Wiseguys comedy clubs, Paul Sheffield has been performing for 15 years and recently released his new full-length special, “In My Mind.” His other albums, “Sheffield Had it Worse” (2009), “Married to the Mic” (2010), “A Small H.R. Issue” (2014) and “Sanity at its Finest” (2018), are available to stream on Apple Music and Spotify.
Sheffield is also the host of the YouTube show “Best Thing on the Menu,” where he tastes entire menus while giving a comedic take on what to eat and what to avoid at every restaurant he visits.
Soul What!?, playing a high-energy mix of R&B, soul, funk and blues, is Southern Utah’s favorite classic lineup. After meeting at a local blues jam, its members cultivated a setlist that pays homage to legends like Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Al Green and Stevie Wonder, plus songs from Joss Stone, Duffy, Adele and other contemporary soul artists.
Drawing from decades of collective experience, the four musicians comprising Soul What!? (singer Alice Ericksen, guitarist Mike Moulton, bassist Elaine Stoddard and drummer Chris Flaig) create a colorful landscape of funk rhythms, soulful harmonies and masterful guitar leads. Each band member is a recognized and accomplished performer in their own right, and witnessing the combination onstage makes for a memorable experience.
“We hope people keep on coming,” Smith said. “The support is what keeps things going. The more support we have, the more acts we can bring in.”
The Bumbleberry Theater, located in the heart of Zion Canyon at the historic Bumbleberry Inn, is renowned for its intimate atmosphere and exceptional performances. Dedicated to featuring top-tier talent across various genres, the venue provides audiences with unforgettable entertainment experiences.
Visit bumbleberry.com to find out more about upcoming shows and purchase tickets.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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- Bumbleberry Inn | Address: 97 Bumbleberry Lane, Springdale | Telephone: 800-828-1534 or 435-772-3224 | Website.
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