Thrillionaires - Utah’s Improv Theater

May 13th, 2008 by david lay

For two years running, The Thrillioniaires have been making up Broadway-style musicals and improvising other film and theater styles for Utah audiences. Using only suggestions from the crowd, The Thrillionaires are the perfect union of theater and improv and are happy to have found a home at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo.

Previously, they have been privileged to perform with musician/actor Kirby Heyborne and British theater veteran Orlando Seale. They have shared the stage with noted and award-winning performers such as Jenny Frogley, William Joseph, Jericho Road, Alex Boye, Mindy Gledhill and George Dyer. Even LaVell Edwards, Stephen R. Covey, and Mayor Lewis Billings have been in attendance to enjoy The Thrillionaires‘ special brand of entertainment.

If you haven’t seen The Thrillionaires perform, you are missing one of the most unique experiences live theater has to offer. It might make you laugh, it might be heart-wrenching, or it might be both. But, whatever happens, it will definitely be an unforgettable experience! Don’t hesitate to reserve your tickets today.

Additionally, most Tuesday nights at 8:00 at Covey Arts Center offer Cheap Thrills: The Thrillionaires‘ experimental (but experienced) improv group. This is your chance to see our up-and-coming cast showcase their talent. Missing are the costumes, sets and other trappings of our full-scale Thrillionaires shows but there is an abundance of heart, talent and laughs. It’s a night of live, improvised contemporary theater at a special price.

For more information, visit CoveyCenter.org.

Posted in Utah Concerts, Yada Yada, Events | 2 Comments

Coldplay Announces Utah Concert

May 9th, 2008 by david lay

Coldplay has just announced their Viva La Vida North American Tour in support of the their new album of the same name, which is set to drop on June 17th. The forthcoming tour will kick off on June 29th in Philadelphia and close out here in Utah at Energy Solutions Arena on November 22nd. Ticket information for the Utah concert is available at Coldplay.com and they will go on sale June 14th at 10 am.

Viva La Vida, Coldplay’s upcoming album, will be released by Capitol Music on June 17th. The album is produced by Markus Dravs and Brian Eno and is the follow up to X&Y, which debuted at #1 in 32 countries and has sold more than 10,000,000 copies worldwide.

Coldplay is one of the most popular bands on the planet, and I’m sure tickets will sell fast for their concert in Utah, so don’t wait too long to pick yours up!

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music | No Comments

Nine Inch Nails in Concert in Utah

May 7th, 2008 by david lay

Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails played an important role in bringing industrial music to the masses in the 90’s. Though often referred to as a “group” NIN is only officially made up of Reznor, the singer/instrumentalist/producer who is solely responsible for NIN’s direction in the same way that Dave Grohl is the Foo Fighters, despite other fairly regular band members.

In Reznor’s case, his innovative approach to industrial music helped open the ears of millions to the genre that was previously considered by many to be harsh or grating on the ears with its electronic beats and heavy distortion. He also resurrected the genre by adding a bit of a human touch and became a recognizable figure in the industry and offered fans someone to equate with the genre.

Nine Inch Nails will perform on September 3rd at the E Center along with Deerhunter. Tickets will be on sale Saturday, May 10 at Smith’s Tix Outlets and the E Center Box office. Ticket prices are $35 and $45.

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music | 1 Comment

Red Butte Gardens Concert Schedule Announced

May 6th, 2008 by david lay

I have said before that I think Red Butte Gardens amphitheater is my favorite venue for concerts in Utah. Its small size creates an intimate environment while its location (the middle of a botanical garden on the University of Utah campus) adds to its beauty.

Additionally, Red Butte Gardens has played host to some of the best musical acts to tour Utah, in my opinion. They tend to focus on slightly lesser known names in the alt. country, blues and jazz genres which fits in pretty well with the overall feel of the venue. Past shows at Red Butte include Indigo Girls, Ryan Adams, Son Volt, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, and Wynton Marsalis.

The amphitheater was renovated a bit this winter and the summer lineup was just released:

July 11	Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
July 15	Jonny Lang with special guest Dusty Rhodes and the River Band
July 20	Emmylou Harris with special guest Jimmy Gaudreau & Moondi Klein
July 22	Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi - Soul Stew Revival with special guest Scrapomatic
July 30	Los Lonely Boys & Los Lobos – “The Brotherhood Tour”
August 10	Alejandro Escovedo & Greg Brown
August 18	Wilco
August 19	A Prairie Home Companion: The Rhubarb Tour with Garrison Keillor
August 20	KT Tunstall
August 26	Bonnie Raitt with special guest Richard Julian
September 3	Al Green
September 11	G. Love & Special Sauce with special guest the John Butler Trio

I don’t think this is quite as strong as the last couple of years, but there are definitely some gems in there - Wilco, Derek Trucks and Prairie Home Companion would all be fun.

If you get a chance to check out one of these shows at one of Utah’s most unique and fun venues, and let me know what you think.

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Danny Gans - Entertainer of the Year

May 4th, 2008 by david lay

If you have been to Las Vegas in the past five or six years, and are observant at all, you are probably familiar with Danny Gans. Danny Gans took over for Sigfried and Roy at The Mirage after Roy Horn was attacked by the white tiger in October of 2003.

Gans is billed at The Mirage as “The Man of Many Voices” due to his Vegas show in which he mixes his knack for comedy and music to create a hilarious act as a musical impressionist. However, Gans did not begin his career as a singer or an aspiring entertainer.

Gans was a high school and college baseball star, being drafted by the Royals after high school and by the White Sox after college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he became an All-American. He played for a while for the Durham Bulls and was even on screen as a third baseman during a brief scene in Kevin Costner’s 1988 film, Bull Durham.

A knee injury had ended Gans’ career as a baseball player, but like any true superstar, he picked himself up, dusted himself off, and started all over again. Gans began a 15 year tour throughout the U.S. working as an impressionist and motivational speaker . Soon he was one of the hottest and most sought-after performers in the corporate world, playing for thousands of people for McDonald’s and IBM and various other Fortune 500 company events. He began to catch the eye of fellow entertainers such as Bill Cosby and Natalie Cole, and soon he was a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

Danny Gans has been in Las Vegas now for 12 years and has headlined at The Mirage for nearly six of those. He has won numerous awards during his career and has certainly earned the status of “Entertainer of the Year”. Next time you are in Vegas, look for his billboards, and try to check out his show at The Mirage.

Additional Links:

Danny Gans at The Mirage.
Danny Gans Official Site.
Book Danny Gans as a Motivational Speaker.

Posted in Baseball, Tribute, Utah Concerts, Yada Yada, Sports, Movies, Events, Music | 1 Comment