Desert Star Players Are Happily Ever Faster

Addam Griffith, Corinne Adair, & Corey Brandenburger at the Ragnar Trail Relay

High in the Wasatch Mountains, 35 miles north of Salt Lake City, in the shadows of Mount Ogden, you’ll find Snowbasin Resort. Many may not know this world class ski resort has miles and miles of the most incredibly beautiful single track trails.  To enjoy these trails a few of Desert Star's own joined tens of thousands of people who flocked to Cache Valley this June to participate in the this years Ragnar Trail Relay.

Addam Griffith

The Ragnar Trail Relay format combines running with friends, camping and access to some of the most beautiful trails and destinations in the country.  Think of it as a 192-mile party with 12 friends.  Teams of 12 rock out to live bands, enjoy the wacky participant costumes, and make life-long friends with teammates and competitors.

This year Desert Star actors Corey Brandenburger, Corrine Adair, and Addam Griffith , were part of a 12 member team that ran the race with a fun twist.  The official team name was “Happily Ever Faster” and each of the runners had a cleaver name that followed this fairytale–racing theme.  Addam was Flynn Runner, Corey was Sprints Charming, and Corrine was Cinderagnar.  A few other names included Runpunzel, Runpelstiltskin, and Starting Belle.

Corinne Adair

Corey Brandenburger is currently playing Marshal Buck Sidesaddle in Desert Star’s newest comedy “The Lone Stranger.”  Addam Griffith is getting ready to start his new job this fall as Choir Director at Alta High School and will hopefully be back on the Desert Star stage soon.  Some of you may have been wondering what actress Corrine Adair has been up to since her last appearance in “Wicked-er.”  Corrine has moved to San Diego with her family and though we will miss her we are excited for her new adventure and wish her the best of luck in San Diego.

Snow Basin

These dedicated runners ran nearly 200 miles from Logan, over three mountain passes, past fields of alpine wildflowers, under the stars and finishes in fabulous Park City.  Congratulations to our fantastic actors!

The Lone Stranger Is A Runaway Hit!

Audiences are loving Desert Star's latest comedy "The Lone Stranger!" Don't take our word for it, read what some of our guests had to sat about the show.

The funniest show I've seen all year!

– Shanlee Jeppsen, Taylorsville

We laughed all the way home to Tooele reviewing the show.  loved the new talent in the show.

– Kristy Lynne Wallace, Tooele

Loved it!  My kids laughed so hard and I had tears streaming down my face. Great show!

– Wendy Danielson, Magna

Oh, DSP! You take my breath away-- literally. I laughed all through the Lone Stranger. Nothing like a rowdy western for summer enjoyment. 

– Pam Saley, Salt Lake City

The show was great fun, as always.  What a talented bunch of people!

– Clair Farrington , Salt Lake City

This was one of your best shows so far.  Very funny.  Great music and great audience participation. Loved it. 

– Kathy Jensen, Farmington

Slapstick comedy is always fun.  Our first time here, but definitely not our last!

– Phil Brueck, Saratoga Springs

It was our 1st time and what a great time and a great show. The service with food was great also.  Thanks.

– Bryce Leavitt, Sandy

The show was entertaining and funny.  Very clever.  Loved the Olio too.

– Joy Johnson, Draper

It was really funny, and we laughed a great deal.  I have yet to see a play that wasn't really good.

_ Janyce Syndergaard, Taylorsville

Absolutely great! ! Have enjoyed every show I've seen.  I love the olio afterwards.

– Rusty Davis, Salt Lake

Absolutely funny.   My wife and I thought it was one of the best plays we have been to at the Desert Star Playhouse.

– Allen Miller, Syracuse

I was very impressed with the creative play-write and also  impressed with the back drops and the use of props.  Keep up the great work!

– Kelly Carver, Plain City

We loved the show.  It was cleverly written  and very funny.  The cast was fabulous.

– Kristine Olsen, Murray

Always look forward to our "Desert Star Night Out" The Lone Stranger was very fun and funny. Thumbs up!!

– LaDean Savage, West Jordan

Excellent audience interaction.  Your cast always appears to be enjoying themselves.  Great theatre.  Every town should have a Desert Star.

– Neil Jorgensen, Sandy, UT

Absolutely Loved the Lone Stranger. It was hilarious.  Was a super fun evening.

– Tiffanie Birch, Taylorsville

We had a great time at "Lone Stranger"!  It kept us laughing all throughout the show.  Loved the Swing olio too.  

– Melissa Andrew, Payson

Loved all of it! Great prices on food and tickets. The improve is my favorite! Don't change a thing.

– kala lund, Salt Lake City

That was probably the best play I have seen at Desert Star for a long time !!!

– Jolie Tanner, Murray

Very funny and well done.  We're looking forward to the next one.

– Pat Powell, Taylorsville

It was one of the funniest we have seen in a while.  Very entertaining.

– Mark Faerber, Kaysville

We've been season pass holders for 2 years and the Lone Stranger was one of the best yet.  Great job!

– Ron Perkins, Kaysville

I loved the show! You guys always put on a hilarious play! I can't wait to see "Hungry Games!"

– Minon Buck, West Jordan

We had a wonderful time. I always love the olio but especially loved this olio. 

– Kyle Foulon, Tooele

We laughed till our sides were sore and our cheeks were killing us.  We loved the comment about Mitt Romney when the crowd booed 

– Nicole Asay, Ogden

We always enjoy the plays you put on.  The actors were great. We loved the Olio. The sets were really good and your pianist is the best.

– Frederick Austin, Sandy

Way better than Johnny Depp in the Lone Ranger!  We enjoyed the whole play and we were quoting lines from it all weekend long.

– Colleen Ruff, South Jordan

It was one of the funniest shows we have seen anywhere.  There were hilarious moments throughout the show.  Thanks, Mike

– Mike Stewart, Orem

What a Hoot! Laughed right out Loud! Keep up the great work!

– Joree Beauchamp Felker, Las Vegas

Very clever and entertaining.  I loved all the references to well known music.  Your actors are amazing.

– Janet Craven, 

The show was wonderful and the food was good.  We will be back 

Thanks again!

– Barbara Landers, Layton

My family and I all loved this show. It was the best one so far. You guys all do a great job to make people laugh. Keep it up. Thanks!

– DeDaun DeJesus, 

Dinner was good, service excellent, and the show was so great!  I am so glad someone introduced me to Desert Star.  We laughed and chuckled and smiled through the whole show.

– Catharine Newman, Stansbury Park

Always so funny and the actors are phenomenal!  We love their expressions and the singing is amazing and fun!  

– Joni Justice

I had a great time laughing through the performance of the Lone Stranger. The hero was valiant, and the villain was despicable... and hilarious.

The show is a great!

– Stoney Mather, Las Vegas

I absolutely LOVED the show! It's SO refreshing to find hilarity without vulgarity!

– Suzanne Bawden, South Jordan

My husband & I loved it.  One of the best we have seen at the playhouse.  great cast and outstanding scenery....

– Edna Staley, Taylorsville 

Don't miss your chance to see this comic adventure

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Laugh Lines From "The Lone Stranger"

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Auditions At Desert Star Playhouse

Desert Star Playhouse, long known for its hilarious family friendly comedies, is holding auditions for the remaining productions in their 2013 season.  All roles are open.  Adult actors 18 and older are invited. Rehearsals will be held at night Tues, Wed and Thurs from 6-11PM and on Saturday mornings (times may vary).

Audition Date: 
Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Audition Time:  
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Callbacks:  
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 7:00 PM

Audition Protocol:  
Call for Appointment, 801-266-2600  10 AM – 9 PM

Audition Location:  
Desert Star Theatre, 4861 So. State Street, Murray, UT

Headshot/Resume:  
Required

Prepare:  
A minimum 2 minute comic monologue, joke or story that showcases any and all abilities to perform different characters and impersonations., and 16-24 bars of an upbeat song for a vocal audition.  Sheet music required.  Accompanist will be provided.  No minus tracks or a cappella singing.  

Actors Needed: 
Males and females, ages 18 and older.  Must be familiar with comedy and strong singers are preferred; some dance experience is helpful.

Payment: All roles are paid

Run Dates:

The Hungry Games: Show Dates August 29–November 9

(Rehearsals through the month of August)

A Christmas Carol Part 2: Show Dates November 14–January 4

(Rehearsals beginning middle of October)

If you would like more information, contact Mary Parker Williams, Assistant Director by 

email at mwilliams@desertstar.biz.

Call 801.266.2600

Desert Star Theatres

4861 S. State Street, Murray, UT  84107

 www.DesertStar.BIZ 

The Deseret News Raves About The Lone Stranger

Sharon Haddock from the Deseret News recently attended a performance of "The Lone Stranger" and we thought it would be fun to share what she thought about Desert Star's comic western.  See what Sharon wrote in her review below.

"This is truly an 'LOL' production. Not just a chuckler or a smiler, but seriously a 'laugh-out-loud' show, as Pronto, the Lone Stranger’s sidekick, tries to get around without a horse (because it’s a one-horse town, you know, and the marshal has it already) and help Buck Sidesaddle prevent crime.

Matt Mullaney makes the most of his part, wearing face-stripes, a rubber ducky on his head and 24-inch braids as he delivers some great comic lines. He brings out a folded, “blankety-blankey” at one point and consistently cracks everybody up.

Jeff Jensen is Marshal Buck Saddle-sore, or Space-shuttle or whatever the villain wants to call him. He also becomes The Lone Stranger, but because he wears a mask, no one recognizes him. (Wink. Wink.)

Matt Kohler plays the part of Finius Thermador, the baddest villain around, and he plays it deliciously with the wicked laugh, the evil eye and genuinely rotten attitude. 'I’m not happy unless you’re not happy,' he declares.

He’s trying to stop Ma Roper (Kerstin Davis) from saving her property and using a couple of really dim outlaws (Spud, played by Bryan Dayley, and Beans, played by Chelsea Hubbard) as his partners in crime.

Ma Roper is mostly 'spitting mad,' evident in the rocking spittoon behind her. And she has a fun twang to her speech.

A couple of bits in the second half have the audience roaring: when the scenery behind the train shows Pronto hopelessly trying to keep up with what appears to be a full-size locomotive coming down the track toward the damsel in distress (Miss Ellie Greening, played by Mekenzie Heaton).

There are also plenty of local jokes and puns, targeting the usual suspects: BYU, the Utah Jazz, plenty of boos (booze) in Utah and the governor, who doesn’t know a crime’s been committed until after it’s too late.

Some are just so stupid it hurts and others are very clever, the kind you don’t see coming.

'Give, Said the Little Stream' gets some stage time, and Flossie, the barmaid played by Carli Christoffersen, breaks into song at every turn so you hear a little 'I Will Follow Him' and similar rock ’n’ roll ditties thoughout the show.

Here’s a rollicking fun show for the summer followed by olios that include a song that makes fun of the local language and songs that show off the vocal talent and range in this crazy cast.

Sharon Haddock is a professional writer with 

more than 35 years’ experience, 17 at the Deseret News. 

Her personal blog is at sharonhaddock.blogspot.com.

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A Sneak Peek at The Lone Stranger!

The citizens of Tumbleweed Junction are being bullied by a corrupt mayor and must turn to a mysterious masked man and his Cheyenne sidekick to fight injustice and save the day.  Desert Star’s newest comedy, "The Lone Stranger: Trigger Happy", sees the Man with the Silver Bullets through new comic eyes.  Here's a sneak peek!

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The Lone Stranger Now Playing!

The citizens of Tumbleweed Junction are being bullied by a corrupt mayor and must turn to a mysterious masked man and his Cheyenne sidekick to fight injustice and save the day.  Desert Star’s newest comedy, "The Lone Stranger: Trigger Happy", sees the Man with the Silver Bullets through new comic eyes.  Executive producer Mike Todd says the show will be fresh every day with new jokes and asides inspired by the news of the day.  “If it’s in the news this morning, it’ll be on our stage tonight,” said Todd. 

This show tells the tale of how Buck Sidesaddle, with the help of his Native American friend, Pronto, is transformed into a hero of the Old West.  

This Summer, Disney is releasing it’s next blockbuster, “The Lone Ranger”--from the same team that brought you "Pirates of the Caribbean," and starring--you guessed it--Johnny Depp.  If you haven’t seen pictures online of Johnny dressed as Tonto with a bird nesting on his head, you've already missed a good laugh and Desert Star takes this comedy to the next level.  With the upcoming movie in mind, Director Scott Holman says the timing of Desert Star's show is no coincidence.

"Our motif at Desert Star is western, so this show is a natural," Holman said. "The Lone Stranger” will have updated material inspired by the movie and is changed up so even those who've seen the show before will find it new.  Lots of time, people say we copy the movies. This time, we think Hollywood copied us," he adds.

The audience is taken on a runaway train of surprises and over-the-top comedy as the two unlikely allies must learn to work together and fight against the greed and corruption  of the villain Finius Thermador and his witless friends.

"Between them, these henchmen have just enough brains to almost make one brain," Holman said.  “I think this is going to be a great family show for the summer."

Join the adventure this summer and see this great comedy!

Call 801-266-2600 or CLICK HERE to buy ticketsa online