Winter Series

BalletNEXT

Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 3:00 PM

Beginning the program is the Eccles premiere of the duet La Follia, by Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti. Commissioned and premiering originally in 2011, La Follia features strong ballet technique fused with modernism set to the Vivaldi sonata with the same name. The ballet, created on two powerful women summons serious balances, and the tensions by the baroque music demand and all-out performance that is sure to excite.

Second in the program will be the World Premiere of Michele Wiles’ Petrichor. Meaning the smell of rain, Petrichor is set to Max Richter’s Infra and once again features the company dancers of BalletNEXT and live accompaniment from the musicians of StringFX.

Completing the program will be The Devil Wears Pointe Shoes, a rousing western-themed ballet sure to delight, once again featuring the dancers of BalletNEXT and accompaniment from StringFX.

BalletNEXT founded in 2011 by former principal ballerina of American Ballet Theatre Michele Wiles, BalletNEXT is a platform to collaborate with world-class dancers, choreographers, and musicians, encouraging risk-taking as the company creates unexpected performances.

Puppy Pals

Saturday, April 20 at 7:00 PM
Made Possible with support from DD Morgan
In Partnership with Nuzzles & Co

Sit, Stay, and Get Ready for a Howling Good Time!

The Puppy Pals Comedic Stunt Dog Show is a hilarious presentation for the whole family and the dog lover; the spectacle stars mostly rescued dogs. From shelters to showbiz,  these pooches perform spectacular stunts and breathtaking feats. Wesley Williams leads the puppies and audience through challenging and comical tricks as they show everyone who is boss! Full of surprises and laugh-out-loud canine comedy, this performance appeals to children of all ages. This is not only a show but a family fun experience. In every performance, we invite the audience to participate in the show and step up on the stage.

Hub New Music featuring BalletNEXT

Saturday, May 18 at 7:30
Made Possible with support from Beano Solomon

Called “contemporary chamber trailblazers” by the Boston Globe, Hub New Music is a “nimble quartet of winds and strings” (NPR) forging new paths in the 21st-century repertoire. The ensemble’s ambitious commissioning projects and “appealing programs” (New Yorker) celebrate the rich diversity of today’s classical music landscape.

Founded in 2013, Hub New Music has grown into a formidable touring ensemble-driven by an unwavering dedication to building community through new art. Across its career, Hub has commissioned dozens of new works and continues to usher in a fresh and culturally relevant body of work for its distinct combination of flute, clarinet, violin, and cello. Hub is proud to collaborate with today’s most celebrated emerging and established composers and is equally proud to count many of them as friends.

Featured in this performance is the premiere of WHITE OUT a newly commissioned work by composer Nickitas Demos, which will be performed live by Hub New Music while BalletNext brings the composition to life through dynamic and innovative choreography.

An Evening with Bill Nye "The Science Guy"

Wednesday, October 30 7:00 PM

Bill Nye, scientist, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor, is a man with a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society, to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Making science entertaining and accessible is something Bill has been doing most of his life.

Bill currently speaks at colleges regularly and discusses a variety of topical science matters on news and television programs such as ABC World News, NBC Nightly News, CNN, Good Morning America, MSNBC, TODAY, CBS This Morning, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and more. He fights to raise awareness of climate change and the value of critical thinking, science, and reason. Through all his work, Bill hopes to inspire people everywhere to change the world.

This is a special event and is not a part of our regular programming. A limited number of youth and senior discounts offered only in Tier 3 of the theater. Book signing to follow the event.

Lalah Hathaway

Saturday, October 7

Lalah Hathaway is a 5x GRAMMY award-winning singer/songwriter and producer and 10-time nominee. Undeniable music royalty and a 30-year music industry veteran, Lalah's music transcends genre - from R&B ballads to pop standards and soulful jazz - she has collaborated with today’s top hitmakers, including Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Anderson Paak and Snoop Dogg. Lalah has also shared the stage with music legends, from Prince to Stevie Wonder to Anita Baker. Film and television credits include appearing as herself in the 2017 hit film "Girls Trip," as the wedding singer in the series finale of BET’s "Being Mary Jane," a cameo in Yvette Nicole Brown's film "Always A Bridesmaid," and features as a special guest on the latest season of “Family Reunion” on Netflix. 

Lalah headlined the Lincoln Center's Out of Doors summer concert series in 2019 with the sold-out show “Legacy: Lalah Hathaway Sings Donny Hathaway.” Lalah also served as a featured artist on the lost album of the legendary Miles Davis appearing on the single "So Emotional." This year, Lalah’s song "Show Me Your Soul,” from the hit documentary ‘Mr. Soul!,’ was featured on the Oscars 2021 shortlist for Best Original Song.

Arthur Brooks

Wednesday, November 8
Presented with the Cook Center for Human Connection

Arthur C. Brooks is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the popular “How to Build a Life” column. Brooks is the author of 13 books, including the 2022 #1 New York Times bestseller From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life and the 2023 #1 New York Times bestseller Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier with co-author Oprah Winfrey. He speaks to audiences all around the world about human happiness and works to raise well-being within private companies, universities, public agencies, and community organizations.

Mitch Rossell

Saturday, December 2

Mitch Rossell’s career is booming. His prolific songwriting and unique artistry have not only won over thousands of monthly listeners across streaming services but also caught the attention of Country music legend, Garth Brooks. Rossell joined Garth Brooks on his 2022 stadium tour with just an acoustic guitar, winning over thousands of new fans every night. In addition to opening for Brooks nationwide, Rossell has also written four of Brooks’ singles, including "Ask Me How I Know,” which he wrote by himself, landing his first #1 single.

The landmark moments haven’t stopped there for Rossell. In December of 2022, Mitch received a surprise introduction from Garth Brooks at his Grand Ole Opry debut, where he performed his singles “Son” and “All I Need To See.” With another standing ovation in the books, Mitch’s original music continues to capture the hearts of many, garnering over 91 million all-time streams with songs like "All l Need To See", "2020" and "Ran into You" feat. Trisha Yearwood - which contributed over 39 million streams on Spotify alone.

The Greatest Showman Sing-a-long

Wednesday, December 27
In Partnership with PC TOTS

Step-right-up and sing-a-long to the Greatest Show on Earth at The Greatest Showman Sing-A-Long!, featuring a special version of the hit movie musical with onscreen lyrics so that you can sing-a-long to all the catchy tunes, including “This is Me,” “Rewrite the Stars” and “Never Enough,” and wear your best circus-inspired costume and you could win a prize!

The Greatest Showman is a bold and dazzling movie musical that celebrates the birth of show business and the sense of wonder we feel when dreams come to life. Inspired by the ambition and imagination of the legendary P.T. Barnum (Tony-winner Hugh Jackman), creator of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, The Greatest Showman tells the story of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a mesmerizing spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. Directed by Michael Gracey, The Greatest Showman is a wildly entertaining, gloriously over-the-top musical extravaganza filled with showbiz razzle-dazzle, a message of tolerance and acceptance, and a slew of wildly popular songs like “Rewrite the Stars” and the Oscar-nominated “This is Me,” by songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, Dear Evan). Also starring Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya. (Dir. by Michael Gracey, 2017, USA, 105 mins., Rated PG)

BalletNEXT

Sunday, January 7th, 2024 3:00 PM

The January 7 program will feature Night Realms with choreography Michele Wiles and music by Claude Debussy and Ottorino Respighi played by Koji Atwood accompanied by opera singer Beau Soir Jinxiang. 

The evening’s program will also include the Eccles debut of Between the two, a stunning new piece of choreography by Brian Reeder, exclusively created for BalletNEXT. With music by Caroline Shaw performed by Salt Lake string ensemble StringFX, the performance offers a captivating glimpse into the dynamic interplay between dance and music. This complex ballet marks the fifth collaboration between Michele Wiles and Brian Reeder since 2013. Between the Two highlights the dancers as a community as they explore the intricate relationships that bind dance and music together.

The final piece will be the Eccles debut of "Translucent Materials” which is choreographed by Michele Wiles and set to the minimalist pieces of composers Max Richter and Ludivico Einaudi. This piece takes you an emotional journey and showcases the talents of the individual BalletNEXT dancers. Translucent Material features evocative solo harp melodies performed by Bridget Jackson. 

BalletNEXT founded in 2011 by former principal ballerina of American Ballet Theatre Michele Wiles, BalletNEXT is a platform to collaborate with world-class dancers, choreographers, and musicians, encouraging risk-taking as the company creates unexpected performances.

Dr. Wendy M. Troxel, PhD - Sleep Well to Live Well

Thursday, February 8

Sleep. It’s that thing we do every day that occupies about one-third of our lives, and it is literally one of the most important things we do every day. Anyone who’s ever slept poorly for a few nights in a row can attest to that. But for many, sleep is often the first thing to be sacrificed when juggling the many other demands of living.   Culturally, we’ve even come to see sleep deprivation as some sort of symbol of strength, whereas our need for sleep is seen as a sign of weakness or laziness.  

But here’s the truth: Sleep is a fundamental biological need. When we sacrifice sleep, our bodies, our brains, and our behavior suffer. On the flip side, getting healthy sleep is a cornerstone of healthy living. In short, sleep is good medicine for mind, body and spirit.

Dr. Wendy Troxel, internationally recognized sleep researcher and clinician and author of the book “Sharing the Covers: Every Couple’s Guide to Better Sleep” will provide practical, concrete, and evidence-based strategies to maximize the quantity and quality of your sleep and will answer those burning questions you may have about sleep. Through this talk, Dr. Troxel will demonstrate the vital importance of sleep for your health, well-being, and productivity and small steps you can take to improve your overall sleep health. 

Nella

Saturday, February 17
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARK CITY CHRISTIAN CENTER

Nella is a new voice from the Venezuelan island of Margarita.

Born in Venezuela, Nella catapulted to international recognition driven by her powerful voice and indisputable presence. In a short time, she went from graduating from Berklee College of Music to winning the 2019 Latin GRAMMY® for Best New Artist. That same year, their debut full-length, Voy, composed and produced by multi-award-winning composer, producer, and guitarist Javier Limón for Casa Limón Music and distributed worldwide through The Orchard, received recognition from NPR and produced the hit “Me Llaman Nella.”, which surpassed 1.4 million downloads on Spotify and 1.4 million views on YouTube.

In addition, the album's title song was ranked #14 of the 54 best songs of 2019 according to The New York Times.

Fusing the folkloric roots of Venezuela, modern production, and Andalusian inspiration; Its sound resonates in every corner of the world. Not only has it sold out stages in the United States, Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom; but He has also accompanied Alejandro Sanz, Jennifer López, Carlos Vives, Luis Enrique, Susana Baca, Los Amigos Invisibles, Monsieur Periné, Caramelos de Cianuro and Guaco as a soloist.

Dr. Danielle McGuire - The Past is Never Dead

Thursday, February 29 at 7:00 in the Black Box
In Partnership with Peace House

Celebrate Black History Month with Dr. Danielle McGuire, a storyteller extraordinaire, in the Black Box and learn from the experiences that shaped her life into an acclaimed historian. Recognized by Oprah Winfrey, her book, "At the Dark End of the Street,” told the surprising history of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which began when Rosa Parks investigated the rape of Recy Taylor in 1944. Join us for this incredible opportunity to dive into an American story everyone thinks they know. Plus, learn how a high school history teacher’s assignment helped a white girl from Wisconsin become a go-to source for the Civil Rights Movement.

American history has never been more popular, nor more contested. From bestselling books and blockbuster movies to podcasts and travel, the appetite for historical content is soaring. At the same time, we are also witnessing a troubling trend of historical censorship, as 44 U.S. states, including Utah, attempt to restrict what we can teach and learn about American history.

Danielle McGuire, PhD, an acclaimed author and historian known for her groundbreaking work on the civil rights movement, as she dives into an American story everyone thinks they know–Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott–to show how the ways we perceive and teach history influences our understanding of the present and can shape our shared future.

BODYTRAFFIC

Saturday, March 9 at 7:30
Made Possible with support from the Li Family

BODYTRAFFIC uses the creative spirit of its Los Angeles home as a backdrop for delivering performances that inspire audiences around the globe to simply love dance. Since its founding in 2007 by Artistic Director Tina Finkelman Berkett, the company has held fast to its mission of championing contemporary dance, educating audiences, and inciting positive change. Its goal is simple: get the world moving.

A forward-thinking company, BODYTRAFFIC is not one driven by a single choreographic voice. It aims to endorse established and new voices and be a home for an eclectic range of styles and perspectives that tell vital stories. By commissioning renowned choreographers, including Kyle Abraham, Ohad Naharin, Hofesh Shechter, Victor Quijada, Arthur Pita, Fernando Magadan, and Micaela Taylor, it cultivates opportunities for artists to fully embody their creative practice and conceive new, contemporary pieces. Connecting individuals of vastly different life experiences through dance, BODYTRAFFIC has toured the world and continues to deepen its investment in its home city of Los Angeles.

Cirque Mechanics - Zephyr

Friday, March 15 at 7:00 PM
MADE POSSIBLE WITH SUPPORT FROM George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation

It is an emotive and exhilarating tale about humans' choices regarding our planet and its resources.  In Zephyr – A Whirlwind of Circus by Cirque Mechanics, audiences will witness the unrelenting tug of war between man and nature.

Humans have been harnessing the power of the wind for thousands of years. The beauty and efficacy of that timeless and ingenious process inspired the creative team at Cirque Mechanicsto create Zephyr. This theatrical circus show harnesses human power instead of wind to generate an energetic, acrobatic experience.

Cirque Mechanics has designed and built a performance windmill to serve as the multi-functional mechanical centerpiece of our story. Mounted on a turntable, the windmill combines modern and older, more picturesque elements. This turntable transforms the scene and creates unexpected flight.

Inspired by a visit to the Whissendine Windmill, a working windmill in central England, Zephyr (gentle breeze from the Greek god of the west wind, Zephyros) tells the story of Nigel. Our mill owner and operator have a complicated relationship with wind, the natural resource that powers his flour mill. His reliance on wind is tested, and in turn, he is lured by fuel as his primary energy source in the name of progress. His choices cause elation and disruption.  Aptly represented by the community, the mill serves as a dynamic and lyrical circus act. Nigel grapples with tough choices and unintended outcomes with humor and optimism. This approach leads to acceptance, coexistence, balance with wind, and ultimately, progress in his community.

Mike Libecki

Friday, March 22 at 7:00 PM
Made Possible with support from The Rosh Family Foundation

First Ascent Junkie. Global Explorer. Reality Bender.

Mike Libecki defines himself in two ways: an explorer obsessed with climbing the world's most remote and untouched mountains, knocking off several first ascents every year, and a dedicated father of an equally adventurous daughter who wants to save the world. National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Dell Ambassador, and Adidas Athlete Mike has completed more than 85 major global expeditions with a personal goal of 100. He has summited from Afghanistan to Antarctica, Greenland to Guyana, Siberia to Socotra Island to Yemen, and everywhere in between, paddling with polar bears and climbing the highest peak of Antarctica on his “joyineering” expeditions. He explains pre-joy and joy throughout his presentation.

Farrell Dillon

Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 PM
Made Possible with support from the St. Regis Deer Crest Club

Farrell Dillon’s new show inside Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club is a hilarious and mystical look into the magical arts.

As a Chavez School of Magic graduate, Farrell Dillon was on all eight seasons of Masters of Illusion, The Today Show, and many others. Hollywood's famous Magic Castle has also nominated him for the Best Stage Magician of the Year award.

His arsenal of tricks includes sleight of hand, dangerous stunts, and much more. Farrell Dillon will bring his live show to Park City, which plays in Las Vegas at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club.

Parsons Dance

Saturday, April 15, 7:30 PM

PARSONS DANCE Known for their remarkable athleticism and stunning ensemble work, Parsons Dance brings exuberance, joy and passion to any stage. Flawlessly fusing the gestures and movements that comprise modern dance with the discipline and precision of a classical dance company, Parsons Dance is internationally renowned. Stunning works, like the iconic Caught, exemplify this company’s innovation and huge audience appeal.

Fran Lebowitz

Saturday, April 8, 7:30 PM

In a cultural landscape filled with endless pundits and talking heads, Fran Lebowitz stands out as one of our most insightful social commentators.

Her essays and interviews offer her acerbic views on current events and the media – as well as pet peeves including tourists, baggage-claim areas, after-shave lotion, adults who roller skate, children who speak French, or anyone who is unduly tan. The New York Times Book Review calls Lebowitz an "important humorist in the classic tradition." Purveyor of urban cool, Lebowitz is a cultural satirist whom many call the heir to Dorothy Parker.

Lebowitz worked odd jobs, such as taxi driving, belt peddling, and apartment cleaning (“with a small specialty in Venetian blinds”), before being hired by Andy Warhol as a columnist for Interview. That was followed by a stint at Mademoiselle. Her first book, a collection of essays titled Metropolitan Life, was a bestseller, as was a second collection, Social Studies. By turns ironic, facetious, deadpan, sarcastic, wry, wisecracking, and waggish, Lebowitz’s prose is wickedly entertaining. Her two books are collected in The Fran Lebowitz Reader, with a new preface by the author. The Fran Lebowitz Reader has been published in nine languages including French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish. Lebowitz is also the author of the children’s book, Mr. Chas and Lisa Sue Meet the Pandas.

Between 2001 to 2007, Lebowitz had a recurring role as Judge Janice Goldberg on the television drama Law & Order. She also had a part in the Martin Scorsese-directed film, The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). A raconteur if ever there was one, Lebowitz has long been a regular on various talk shows including those hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Conan O'Brien, and Bill Maher. In an interview with the Paris Review, Lebowitz said, “I’m not a nervous person. I’m not afraid to be on TV. I’m only afraid when I write. When I’m at my desk I feel like most people would feel if they went on TV.”

She can also be seen in various documentary films including the American Experience series on New York City, as well as Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures (2016), Regarding Susan Sontag (2014), and Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1990), among others. In 2010 Martin Scorsese directed a documentary about Lebowitz for HBO titled Public Speaking. A limited documentary series, Pretend It's a City, also directed by Martin Scorsese, premiered on Netflix in 2021, and was nominated for the 2021 Emmys in the Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Series category.

Lebowitz was named to Vanity Fair’s International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 2008. She remains a style icon. Lebowitz lives in New York City, as she does not believe that she would be allowed to live anywhere else.

BalletNEXT

Sunday, March 26, 3:00 PM

This performance will include Different Homes, danced to the music of Benjamin Britten, the world premiere of Night Realms to the music of Claud Bebussy, and an encore of Surmisable Units to the music of Steve Reich. All to live music performed by Kaitlin Findlay and Vedrana Subotic.

BalletNEXT founded in 2011 by former principal ballerina of American Ballet Theatre Michele Wiles, BalletNEXT is a platform to collaborate with world-class dancers, choreographers, and musicians, encouraging risk-taking as the company creates unexpected performances.

Alex Boyé

CANCELLED

Alex Boyé is known for his dynamic African-infused music that has gained over 1 billion views on YouTube. After being named 2017 Artist of the Year and grand prize winner in a music contest sponsored by Pepsi & Hard Rock Cafe, he performed a half-time show for NFL's Monday Night Football this past December in Miami.

Alex’s voice was featured in “Cruel Summer”, a short film by Kanye West that premiered at the Cannes Film festival.

He is a uniquely versatile artist with a style that appeals to all ages. He has shared the stage with many notable artists including Jay-Z, Tim McGraw, George Michael, Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake, The Beach Boys, and opened for Olivia Newton-John at the world-renowned Royal Albert Hall, fulfilling a lifetime dream. As an innovative YouTube artist.

Alex was raised in London and is of Nigerian descent, and became a U.S citizen on Feb 12th, 2012. He is an official ambassador for many causes including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

His remarkable studio recordings, viral videos, film appearances, and solo performances led to his unforgettable first audition on

NBC’s 'America’s Got Talent where judge Howie Mandel stated, “In my six years here, this is my favorite music act ever—it really is!”

Les Ballets De Trockadero De Monte Carlo

Saturday, March 11, 7:30 PM

Part of the Park City Institute Equity Initiative

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo was founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts for the purpose of presenting a playful, entertaining view of traditional, classical ballet in parody form and en travesti, Les Ballets Trockadero was first performed in the late-late shows in Off-Off Broadway lofts. The TROCKS, as they are affectionately known, quickly garnered a major critical essay by Arlene Croce in The New Yorker, and combined with reviews in The New York Times and The Village Voice, established the Company as an artistic and popular success. By mid-1975, the TROCKS’ inspired blend of their loving knowledge of dance, their comic approach, and the astounding fact that men can, indeed, dance en pointe without falling flat on their faces, was being noted beyond New York. Articles and notices in publications such as Variety, Oui, The London Daily Telegraph, as well as a Richard Avedon photo essay in Vogue, made the Company nationally and internationally known.

Made Possible by a Generous donation from Beano Solomon.

L.A. Theatre Works - Lucy Loves Desi: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom

Sunday, March 5 at 3:00 PM

The hilarious, true story behind one of America’s most beloved TV comedies.

Playwright Gregg Oppenheimer, son of “I Love Lucy” creator Jess Oppenheimer, spins this fast-paced, witty tale of Lucy and Desi’s battles with CBS over the pioneering ideas that changed the face of television forever.

For one, Lucy insisted Desi Arnaz, her Cuban-born bandleader husband, be her TV co-star instead of the “All-American” leading man preferred by the network. Additionally, the couple wanted the show filmed in Hollywood, where they planned to raise a family, not broadcast live from New York like other major TV programs of the time. They demanded and won the right to own the show themselves. Their writers incorporated Lucy’s real-life pregnancy into the program’s storyline—an absolute taboo in 1950s America—resulting in the highest audience share ever recorded. And they proposed the unheard-of notion of airing “reruns” on the network to accommodate Lucy’s mid-season maternity leave—an experiment that ultimately turned the entire TV industry’s business model on its head.

“Lucy Loves Desi: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom” tells all of these stories and more, with as much heart and humor as an episode of “I Love Lucy” itself. This crowd-pleasing show, written for L.A. Theatre Works, played to sold-out houses during its world premiere run at the James Bridges Theater in Los Angeles in 2018.

Gregg Oppenheimer, who co-authored his father’s memoir, “Laughs, Luck...and Lucy,” and produced the award-winning “I Love Lucy” DVD series, is one of the world’s foremost authorities on this classic sitcom. He received valuable input on this project from Lucy and Desi’s daughter, Lucie Arnaz, who served as technical advisor.

Under the leadership of Producing Director Susan Albert Loewenberg, L.A. Theatre Works (LATW) has been the foremost radio theater company in the United States for four decades. L.A. Theatre Works is broadcast weekly in America on public radio stations, daily in China on the Radio Beijing Network, streamed online at www.latw.org, and aired internationally on the BBC, CBC, and many other English language networks.

National Geographic Live - Secrets of the Whales

Friday, March 3, 7:00 PM

Celebrated National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry has spent nearly four decades exploring and documenting the world’s oceans. For his latest project, he turns his lens to one of the world’s most beloved animals to illuminate groundbreaking new insights into their lives and culture. Skerry spent more than two years in 24 locations around the world capturing remarkable images and video for a landmark National Geographic book, magazine story, and television series, Secrets of the Whales.

Hear his behind-the-scenes stories straight from the field and get an inside look at the groundbreaking science of whale culture—and its startlingly human parallels—across four different species. Discover the hunting techniques and international cuisines of orca pods and the multi-generational childcare systems and female-led families of sperm whales. Explore the culture of singing competitions among humpback whales and meet charming beluga whales in Canada that journey each summer to their “vacation resort.” Through Skerry’s mesmerizing work, uncover what these majestic creatures can teach us about ourselves and our planet.

Legally Blonde the Musical

Saturday February 18, 7:30 PM

NOTE: Due to unforeseen mechanical issues with one of the tour buses, the company cannot make the previously scheduled Friday, February 17 show. Ticket holders will be reissued new tickets for a similar seat for the Saturday night show.

America’s favorite blonde, Elle Woods, is ready to prove who’s in charge (again) as Legally Blonde – The Musical takes America by storm! The ultimate Broadway tribute to girl power, Legally Blonde will take you from the UCLA sorority house to the Harvard halls of justice with the timely coming-of-age story of Broadway’s brightest heroine.

Based on the beloved movie, Legally Blonde follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams, and proves that you can be BOTH legally blonde AND the smartest person in the room.

Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down, however, when her boyfriend dumps her so he can start getting more serious about his life and attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle uses her ingenuity and charm to get into Harvard too. School begins with endless struggles, but with the help of her new friends, Elle quickly realizes her potential, and her true assets, as she sets out to prove herself to the world and make everyone a believer. This contemporary, sassy musical moves at a breakneck pace driven by memorable songs and explosive dances. Legally Blonde warms the heart by proving that self-discovery never goes out of style!

Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents

Saturday, February 11, 7:30 PM

Part of the Park City Institute Equity Initiative

The JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS touring initiative provides an opportunity to present great jazz programming, featuring up-and-coming musicians who have been identified as rising stars by JALC. The initiative also allows for the expansion of the mission of JALC “to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy.”

Songs We Love was first presented as the 2016 Season Opener at Jazz at Lincoln Center.  Songs We Love is a journey through the first 50 years of jazz song. Under the musical direction of Riley Mulherkar, 3 guest vocalists will join an all-star band made up of New York’s rising stars. Combining their distinct talents, the group will sing their way through four decades of music, beginning with the early blues and jazz of the 1920s and ending in the early 1950s. Iconic singers to be explored include Ma Rainey, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland.

Hub New Music

Featuring balletnext
Sunday, February 5, 3:00 PM

Part of the Park City Institute CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES

Called “contemporary chamber trailblazers” by the Boston Globe, Hub New Music is a “nimble quartet of winds and strings” (NPR) forging new paths in the 21st-century repertoire. The ensemble’s ambitious commissioning projects and “appealing programs” (New Yorker) celebrate the rich diversity of today’s classical music landscape.

Founded in 2013, Hub New Music has grown into a formidable touring ensemble driven by an unwavering dedication to building community through new art. Across its career, Hub has commissioned dozens of new works and continues to usher in a fresh and culturally relevant body of work for its distinct combination of flute, clarinet, violin, and cello. Hub is proud to collaborate with today’s most celebrated emerging and established composers, and is equally proud to count many of them as friends.

Highlights in 2022-23 include concerts throughout the U.S. with presenters such as Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center, Soka Performing Art Center, Celebrity Series of Boston, and Brigham Young University. The group also has upcoming residencies at the University of Michigan, the University of Southern California, and Brown University.

Joining Hub New Music will be Michele Wiles and Matt Helms of BalletNEXT for the world premiere of a new collaboration of dance to the music of Joy Boy by Julius Eastman.

The Second City Swipes Right: An Incomplete Guide to the Ultimate Date Night

Friday, January 13, 7:30 PM

It’s love at first laugh with The Second City! Bring your partner, lover, significant other, spouse, friend with benefits, friend with EXTRA benefits, platonic BFF, or your spectacularly single self to The Second City Swipes Right: An Incomplete Guide to The Ultimate Date Night, the brand-new experience you’ve been aching for. Spend a naughty 90 minutes with our caliente cast of comedians as they (consensually) annihilate everything that turns us on—and off—about love, dating, relationships, and everything else in-between the sheets!

Parental Guidance Suggested - 18 and Over Please - No Student Passes, No Youth Tickets

BalletNEXT

Sunday, January 8 at 3:00 PM

BalletNEXT will make its debut at the Eccles Center Stage in Park City. The program will take you on a musical journey from Tchaikovsky to Steve Reich. One of the highlights will be the Park City premiere of Surmisable Units which is set to Steve Reich’s “Piano Phase” and opens with a solo by Wiles, who is then joined by a cast of 5 BalletNEXT dancers.

The music will be played on two pianos with one pianist, Vedrana Subotic, who is an award-winning Professor-Lecturer of Music at the University of Utah, and a Visiting Professor of Piano at the University of Chile. Choreography by Brian Reeder former dancer with William Forsythe, NYCB, and ABT.

BalletNEXT was founded in 2011 by former principal ballerina of American Ballet Theatre Michele Wiles, BalletNEXT is a platform to collaborate with world-class dancers, choreographers, and musicians, encouraging risk-taking as the company creates unexpected performances.

TAPE FACE

Wednesday, December 21 7:30

Every once in a while, something magical reminds us that we all have an inner child that must be fed. Through simple, clever, and charming humor aimed at satisfying that hunger, Tape Face has created one of the most accessible and enjoyable shows the world has ever seen.

Mime with noise, stand-up with no talking – drama with no acting.

Tape Face has to be seen to be believed.

So what does he do exactly? Simply mentioning any aspect of this diverse show would be a disservice – the less you know the more you will enjoy this show.

Tape Face is a character with universal appeal. Delightful, wry, many-layered and hilarious, he transcends the barriers of language and culture.

You’ll laugh, you’ll scream, and ultimately end up like Tape Face – lost for words.

Made Possible by a Generous donation from the St. Regis Deer Valley.

Canadian Brass

Sunday, December 18, 3:00 PM

Part of the Park City Institute CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES

With an international reputation as one of the most popular brass ensembles today, Canadian Brass has truly earned the distinction of “the world’s most famous brass group.”

With a discography of over 130 albums and an extensive worldwide touring schedule, Canadian Brass is an important pioneer in bringing brass music to mass audiences everywhere. They have sold well over 2 million albums worldwide, with 1.2 million sold in the Nielsen Soundscan era alone (since 1991). They continue to score Billboard chart positions — like with their rousing recording of patriotic songs and marches, Stars & Stripes: Canadian Brass Salute America, which spent 8 weeks in the Top 25 on the Billboard Classical Chart, peaking at #2!

Masters of concert presentations, Canadian Brass has developed a uniquely engaging stage presence and rapport with audiences. Each of their concerts shows the full range from trademark Baroque and Dixieland tunes to new compositions and arrangements created especially for them – from formal classical presentation to music served up with lively dialogue and theatrical effects. The hallmark of any Canadian Brass performance is entertainment, spontaneity, virtuosity and, most of all, fun – but never at the expense of the music. Whatever the style, the music is central and performed with utmost dedication, skill, and excellence.

Mark O'Connor Appalachian Christmas

Saturday, December 17, 7:30 PM

Grammy-winning composer and fiddler Mark O’Connor has created several arrangements of Christmas classics and fashions a wondrous mixture of both instrumental and vocal music in the bluegrass and other American music genres. Concertgoers are treated to fresh takes on traditional songs with a few original compositions included. His renditions are playful and joyous but can be strikingly earnest too.

Having toured An Appalachian Christmas for ten years, O’Connor and his ensemble have dynamic energy on stage that brings their individual expertise to holiday themes and classics in the most delightful and musically satisfying way! Mark O’Connor’s touring ensemble includes his wife Maggie O’Connor on fiddle and vocals.

Mark O’Connor’s An Appalachian Christmas album (2011) reached the #1 ranking on Billboard’s Bluegrass Album charts. Hailed by critics from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times as a top 10 album of the holiday season, it has become a perennial classic Christmas recording.

“All Christmas music should be played so elegantly on violin" -- Boston Globe

"Heavenly" - Associated Press

“Elegant” – New York Times

National Geographic Live - Life on the Vertical

Friday, December 9, 7:00 PM

Mark Synnott is a man ever on the brink of new discovery. A big wall rock-climber of the highest order, he’s made legendary first ascents of some of the world’s tallest, most forbidding walls, from Baffin Island to Pakistan. Today, he uses his skills to break scientific ground, reaching incredibly inaccessible environments in search of rare species. It’s all in the spirit of adventure and exploration in order to educate about these sites of strange, remote beauty.

Utah’s Repertory Dance Theatre

Saturday, December 3, 7:30 PM

Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT), founded in 1966 in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a professional modern dance repertory company dedicated to the creation, performance, perpetuation, and appreciation of modern dance. For over 50 years, RDT has pushed the boundaries of modern dance, while preserving and celebrating its legacy.

Known worldwide for its collection of dance treasures, RDT is both a museum and contemporary gallery representing the scope and diversity of modern dance, past and present. From the early pioneers of the art form to today’s cutting-edge choreographers, the company maintains one of the largest collections of modern dance classics in the world. As a repository for this rich heritage, RDT is a resource center and laboratory for contemporary dancers, choreographers, visual artists, writers, and composers.

In addition to public performances, RDT produces a variety of community-based programs and has a long-standing commitment to arts-in-education. Outreach activities include lectures, informal performances, teachers’ workshops, open rehearsals, annual summer workshops and year-round classes which all serve to train and ignite the creative voice in people of all ages. At its home in the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, the company contributes to the cultural, social, and economic vitality of the community. RDT remains committed to building bridges of understanding that de-mystify the art of dance.

Nobuntu

Tuesday, November 22, 7:30 PM

Part of the Park City Institute Equity Initiative

Nobuntu has drawn international acclaim for its inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro Jazz to Gospel. The ensemble’s concerts are performed in multiple native languages and dialects with pure voices, augmented by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as the Mbira (thumb piano), and organic, authentic dance movements. They sing with an uncanny vocal blend, precision, and joy which is palpable and yet always sounds fresh and spontaneous.

The word Nobuntu is an African concept that values humbleness, love, unity, and family from a woman’s perspective. The ensemble represents a new generation of young African women singers who celebrate and preserve their culture, beauty, and heritage through art. The ensemble’s mission is the belief that music can be an important vehicle for change, one that transcends racial, tribal, religious, gender, and economic boundaries. Back at home, Nobuntu holds a number of community initiatives, one of which is The Nobuntu Pad Bank where they gather sanitary pads for young women in the arts in underprivileged communities. Nobuntu has released three recordings – Thinain 2013, Ekhayain 2016 and Obabes beMbube in 2018. The group has made dozens of television and radio appearances throughout Africa and Europe promoting these recordings and the culture of their homeland.

National Geographic Live - Invisible Wonders

Saturday, October 8, 7:00 PM

In photographer Anand Varma’s hands, a camera is not just a tool to capture what he sees—it’s a way to illuminate the layers of beauty and complexity that are otherwise hidden from our naked eye. He has devoted years of his life to developing innovative techniques—even building some of his own equipment—to create intimate, dramatic, and surprising images of nature. His ultimate goal: to spark a sense of wonder about our world. 

Through his work, Varma highlights creatures whose incredible details typically go unseen. From the secret life cycle of the honeybee to the lightning-fast behaviors of hummingbirds, his photos slow down the fast, speed up the slow, and magnify the miniature to reveal life at the edge of our perception. Join him for a rare and fascinating glimpse of our world’s hidden wonders.

Grupo Fantasma

Parte de la iniciativa de equidad del Park City Institute

Grupo Fantasma, ahora en el décimo año de su viaje musical, es conocido como la orquesta latina más funk, mejor y más trabajadora que ha salido de los Estados Unidos en la última década. La banda es una orquesta de funk latino ganadora de un premio Grammy de once integrantes de Austin, Texas. Se formaron en 2000 a partir de la fusión de dos actos de Austin, The Blue Noise Band y The Blimp. Grupo Fantasma es mejor conocido por sus exuberantes conciertos en vivo y su reciente asociación con Prince y su club 3121 en Las Vegas. Ellos han apoyado a Prince en varias presentaciones, incluida la de los Premios ALMA en 2007 y, a menudo, actúan en sus sesiones de improvisación después del espectáculo. El grupo ha vendido más de 20.000 discos con sus cinco álbumes publicados.

Dance Theatre of Harlem

Part of the Park City Institute Equity Initiative

Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim, encompassing a professional touring company, a leading studio school, and a national and international education and community outreach program. Each component of Dance Theatre of Harlem carries a solid commitment towards enriching the lives of young people and adults around the world through the arts. Founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook, Dance Theatre of Harlem is considered “one of ballet’s most exciting undertakings” (The New York Times). Shortly after the assassination of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mitchell was inspired to start a school that would offer children— especially those in Harlem, the community in which he was born—the opportunity to learn about dance and the allied arts. Now in its sixth decade, Dance Theatre of Harlem has grown into a multi-cultural dance institution with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence that continues to set standards in the performing arts. Dance Theatre of Harlem has achieved unprecedented success, bringing innovative and bold new forms of artistic expression to audiences in New York City, across the country, and around the world.

Sō Percussion

For twenty years and counting, Sō Percussion has redefined chamber music for the 21st century through an “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam” (The New Yorker). They are celebrated by audiences and presenters for a dazzling range of work: for live performances in which “telepathic powers of communication” (The New York Times) bring to life the vibrant percussion repertoire; for an extravagant array of collaborations in classical music, pop, indie rock, contemporary dance, and theater; and for their work in education and community, creating opportunities and platforms for music and artists that explore the immense possibility of art in our time.

An Evening with Stephanie Land 

Part of the Park City Institute Equity Initiative

New York Times Bestselling Author Stephanie Land’s debut memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive recounts her harrowing saga as a single mom navigating the poverty trap. Her unflinching and inspiring testimony exposes the physical, economic, and social brutality that domestic workers face, all while radiating a parent’s hope and resilience.  Land’s work clarifies the systemic class barriers and inequalities, dispelling the myth that poor people are responsible for their own predicament, and just need to try harder. Instead, Land reveals the real culprits of the situation: domestic violence, untenable minimum wages, high housing costs, and government assistance programs that fail the people they ostensibly serve. The book is being adapted for television by John Wells, the showrunner behind ER and The West Wing. The series stars Margaret Qualley, and is currently filming in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and is expected to premiere in 2021. In a thoughtful talk, Land will offer insights on what steps might right the wrongs of a system that seems built to reinforce—rather than alleviate—poverty. 

National Geographic Live - Terry Virts - A View from Above

Sometimes, a little distance is all you need to see things in a brand new way. For astronaut Terry Virts, his newfound perspective was from the International Space Station (ISS), where he installed the Cupola module, granting an unprecedented 360-degree view from the station. When he later became the commander of the ISS, he made good use of the Cupola, taking more photographs than any astronaut who came before him. Many of those images were later used in the National Geographic book View From Above and IMAX film A Beautiful Planet, but to hear Virts tell it, no photo can capture the perfect shade of blue from a sunrise viewed from outer space. 

Heather McGhee
CANCELED

Heather McGhee has informed the Park City Institute that she is canceling her in-person events for the next month due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the CIVID-19 Virus. We are currently working with her agency to find a new date, we hope to schedule Heather McGhee for our upcoming 2022-23 Main Stage Series.

VIVA MOMIX

MOMIX returns to the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts for two shows. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary, MOMIX has been transporting audiences from their everyday lives to a fantasy world through its trademark use of magical lighting and imagery, thrilling fans in over 22 countries, and has been featured on stage, screen, and television. In an endless search for another gravity, Artistic Director Moses Pendleton combines athletic dance, riveting music, outrageous costumes, inventive props, and pure talent to create an entertaining multimedia experience that will surprise, enchant, and astonish. Experience the Exceptional…Expect the Unexpected!

Mark O’Connor - An Appalachian Christmas

Grammy-winning composer and fiddler Mark O’Connor has created several arrangements of Christmas classics and fashions a wondrous mixture of both instrumental and vocal music in bluegrass and other American music genres. Concertgoers are treated to fresh takes on traditional songs with a few original compositions included. His renditions are playful and joyous but can be strikingly earnest too.

Having toured An Appalachian Christmas for ten years, O’Connor and his ensemble have dynamic energy on stage that brings their individual expertise to holiday themes and classics in the most delightful and musically satisfying way! Mark O’Connor’s touring ensemble includes his wife Maggie O’Connor on fiddle and vocals as well his son Forrest O'Connor on mandolin, guitar, and vocals.

Mark O’Connor’s An Appalachian Christmas album (2011) reached the #1 ranking on Billboard’s Bluegrass Album charts. Hailed by critics from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times as a top 10 album of the holiday season, it has become a perennial classic Christmas recording.

“All Christmas music should be played so elegantly on violin" -- Boston Globe

"Heavenly" - Associated Press

“Elegant” – New York Times

National Geographic Live - Spinosaurus: Lost Giant of the Cretaceous

Meet Spinosaurus, the largest predatory dinosaur yet discovered—larger than T. rex—and hear the incredible story of how this prehistoric giant was almost lost to science, before being uncovered again with the help of paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim. 

Originally discovered in Morocco more than half a century ago by German paleontologist Ernst Stromer, Spinosaurus’ fossil remains were lost in the Allied bombing of Germany during World War II. But recent fossil discoveries in the desert, along with Stromer’s own data and drawings, helped Ibrahim and contemporary scientists reconstruct a full skeletal model of Spinosaurus, which has been featured on the National Geographic Channel and presented in the National Geographic Museum. 

With an amazing video recreating the lost world of the Cretaceous-era Sahara, Ibrahim will tell the story of Spinosaurus’ discovery, loss, and rediscovery, and explain what—other than its size—makes this ancient monster unique.

The Best of The Second City

Chicago’s legendary sketch and improv comedy troupe come to Eccles Center for the Performing Arts with “The Best of The Second City.” This must-see show features the best sketches and songs from The Second City’s history made famous by superstars like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, and more--as well as their trademark improvisation. Come see where it all began during this special engagement.

Fresh, fast, and always spectacularly funny​,​ The Second City is celebrating nearly sixty years of producing cutting-edge satirical revues and launching the careers of generation after generation of comedy’s best and brightest.

Danny Seraphine And CTA Take Me Back to Chicago Tour 

CHICAGO INITIALLY gained fame opening for music legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, and the Beach Boys, hitting its stride almost immediately after their debut effort, Chicago Transit Authority, a double album, came out in 1969.

From the beginning, Seraphine, as the drummer, was always the backbone of the operation. It was his job to keep everyone in time and on balance. He set the pace and carried it through to the end, no matter what. In 1990, after 23 years of performing, composing, and recording albums with Chicago, Seraphine experienced a jarring parting of ways with the bandmates that he considered brothers. The rift threw his life into chaos. Together they had toured the world and created one of the most enduring American songbooks of all time. 

In 2007, spiritually and creatively reinvigorated, Seraphine returned to the stage with his new jazz-rock powerhouse group, California Transit Authority (CTA) often described as “Chicago on steroids”—and he made peace with his past with the refreshingly candid memoir Street Player: My Chicago Story (Wiley).

Critically acclaimed as an instrumentalist and a composer, Rolling Stone magazine has ranked “the father of jazz rock” as one of the top 100 drummers of all time.

National Geographic Live - Ami Vitale - Wild Hope

Photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale shares her personal odyssey—from documenting the heartbreaking realities of war to witnessing the inspiring power of an individual to make a difference. Her award-winning work illuminates the unsung heroes and communities working to protect our wildlife and find harmony in our natural world. Hear her awe-inspiring stories of the reintroduction of northern white rhinos and giant pandas to the wild, as well as Kenya’s first indigenous-owned and run elephant sanctuary.

Join her as she shares the incredible images and adventures that have transformed her into a celebrated global storyteller, photographer, and filmmaker.