By Spencer W. Belnap | [email protected]

The Salt Lake Valley is ripe with a myriad of local performing arts groups. From theater to dance to choral to opera and more, the capital city and surrounding areas are teeming with options for arts patrons. 2019 was another great year for many local groups and artists, and 2020 doesn’t appear to be any different. 

Here’s a preview of many of the performances that will take place beginning in January. Please visit individual websites for additional and updated details and ticket sales. The new seasons, which starts in the fall for many organizations, will typically be announced in the first quarter of the year. 

Theater

Wasatch Theatre Company (124 S. 400 West at The Gateway): Wasatch Theatre Company, or WTC, has been around for 21 years, and recently relocated to the shifting scene at downtown’s The Gateway. The former mall is growing, and now has a resident theater company in established WTC. They offer an eclectic array of rare and original theater in an intimate black box setting. www.wasatchtheatre.org

Feb. 21-29, 2020: “Ready Steady Yeti,” a play by David Jacobi

Summer 2020: Page-To-Stage Festival, Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival

The Grand Theatre (1575 S. State St. at Salt Lake Community College): The Grand is a semi-professional company that has been entertaining SLC audiences for decades. Their large space at the main Salt Lake Community College campus gives all ages a chance to see great theater in a grand setting. Their season typically begins in the fall and ends in the spring. They also have various touring and musical acts at affordable prices. www.grandtheatrecompany.com

Feb. 13-March 7, 2020: “The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!),” music and book by Eric Rockwell

March 26-April 11, 2020: “To Kill A Mockingbird,” the new version by Aaron Sorkin

May 14-June 6, 2020: “The Producers,” music by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan

The Box (124 S. 400 West at The Gateway): Stemming from Wasatch Theatre’s space is a collaborative endeavor called The Box, offering a home for new and experimental works. www.wtcblackbox.com

First quarter of 2020: episodes of “Open Syrup”

Jan. 2020: “Coriolanus,” presented by New World Shakespeare Company

Local playwright, actress, and director Elise Barnett-Curran is putting on a serial play called “Open Syrup” at The Box. 

“It’s a farce in the vein of ‘Fawlty Towers’ with a touch of absurdism thrown in,” Barnett-Curran said. She appreciates the affordability and flexibility of a performing arts space like The Box. “The effort to make a space where anyone, even poor starving artists, can come do their show is something I believe in wholeheartedly.”

Salt Lake Acting Company (158 W. 500 North): Salt Lake Acting Company, or SLAC, has been giving theatergoers contemporary slices of brave performances for almost 50 years. Their eclectic lineup usually offers regional premieres and some local playwright pieces. And of course, every summer, their satirical take on local politics and culture in a mocking musical known as “Saturday’s Voyeur.” www.saltlakeactingcompany.org

Feb. 5-March 8, 2020: “A Doll’s House,” Part 2, a play by Lucas Hnath

April 8-May 10, 2020: “How To Transcend A Happy Marriage,” a play by Sarah Ruhl

June 17-Aug. 23, 2020: “Saturday’s Voyeur,” by Allen Nevins and Nancy Borgenicht

Pioneer Theatre Company (300 S. 1400 East at University of Utah): Pioneer Theatre Company is one of the premiere professional theaters in town, with Broadway-caliber plays and musicals. Comedies and the occasional Shakespeare balance out the big musicals and regional premieres. www.pioneertheatre.org

Jan.10-25, 2020: “Mary Stuart,” a play by Jean Stock Goldstone and John Reich

Feb. 27-March 10, 2020: “Once On This Island,” book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty

March 27-April 11, 2020: “Ass,” a play by Ellen Simon

May 8-23, 2020: “Something Rotten!,” music and lyrics by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick 

Pinnacle Acting Company (1275 E. 1700 South at Westminster College): Pinnacle has been producing a range of classic and contemporary theater since 2006. They perform in Sugar House at Westminster’s Dumke Black Box. www.pinnacleactingcompany.org

Jan. 2-18, 2020: “Mauritius,” a play by Theresa Rebeck

Feb. 27-March 14, 2020: “At The Bottom,” a play by Christopher Madsen

Westminster Theatre Department (1275 E. 1700 South): Westminster College has performances throughout the year. Their theater students perform for the public from fall until spring. www.westminstercollege.edu

Feb. 27-March 7, 2020: “Gloria,” a play by Branden Jenkins-Jacobs

April 2-11, 2020: “Sweet Charity” 

April 20 and 21, 2020: One Act Festival

University of Utah Theatre Department (240 S. 1500 East): University of Utah has an eclectic theater department with various performances throughout the school year on campus. The Babcock Theater below Pioneer Theater and Studio 151 in the Performing Arts Building are their primary performing spaces. www.universityofutah.edu

Jan. 16-19, 2020: “She Kills Monsters,” a play by Qui Nguyen

Feb. 14-March 1, 2020: “Floyd Collins,” music and lyrics by Adam Guettel

March 27-April 4, 2020: “Tartuffe,” classical satire by Molière

Dance

Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) (138 W. 300 South at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center): RDT is one of the oldest repertory dance companies in the nation, offering SLC audiences modern dance for over 50 years. www.rdtutah.org

Jan. 3-4. 2020: “Emerge”

March 7, 2020: “Regalia,” a fundraiser

April 16-18, 2020: “Earth Tone”

Odyssey Dance Theatre (1395 E. President’s Circle at Kingsbury Hall): Odyssey, or ODT, has been around since 1994. Their Halloween dance spectacular, “Thriller,” has become a seasonal sell-out hit. They employ 30 dancers, more than half of which are from Utah. www.odysseydance.com

Feb. 27-29, 2020: “Shut-Up & Dance-A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Vegas”

October 2020: “Thriller” 

Westminster College Dance Department (1840 S. 1300 East): Westminster College also has a busy dance department, providing public performances from the elegant Dumke Student Theatre. 

March 20-21, 2020: Westminster Dance Company Show

April 24-25, 2020: “Kaleidoscope”

University of Utah Dance Department (240 S. 1500 East): The U has ballet, modern dance, and screendance performances for fellow students as well as the public. They also have competitions and guest performances throughout the school year. 

Feb. 20-22, 2020: Modern Dance Student Concert

March 5-19, 2020: The School of Dance Gala

April 2-18, 2020: Modern Dance Senior Concert

April 29, 2020: Senior Ballet Show

Choral

Utah Chamber Artists: Based in Salt Lake City, Utah Chamber Artists is a group of singers and musicians that believe in performing meaningful music for all. They perform around the valley, primarily the Libby Gardner Concert Hall on the University of Utah’s campus. The group has been performing since 1991. www.utahchamberartists.org

Feb. 24, 2020: Winter Concert

May 4, 2020: Spring Concert

Salt Lake Choral Artists (SLCA): This non-profit organization believes in providing an opportunity for singers of all ages, backgrounds, faiths and vocal abilities. They have been singing and playing music for audiences since 2004. www.saltlakechoralartists.org

Feb. 15, 2020: “My Funny Valentine: Love Songs Through The Ages”

Feb. 22, 2020: “Our Heart’s Delight: A Musical Dim Sum”

March 21, 2020: “Look at the World: Youth Honor Choir Festival”

April 24-25. 2020: “Amadeus!” Requiem by Mozart

May 7, 2020: “The Moon, the Stars, the Music”

June 27, 2020: Salt Lake Vocal Artists “Bon Voyage” Concert