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Utah Shakespeare Festival leaders preview seven-show season for Iron County audiences
Summary
Festival representatives told the Iron County Commission that the upcoming season includes seven productions — three Shakespeare plays, a Tony-winning musical and other comedies and dramas — and described local discount programs and outreach to students and lodging partners.
John D'Antonio and Michael Barr, representatives of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, previewed the festival's seven-show 2025 season at the Iron County Commission meeting.
D'Antonio outlined the season's lineup, saying the festival will present Shakespeare's As You Like It, Macbeth and Anthony and Cleopatra alongside a returning musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest and Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise. He described Dear Jack, Dear Louise as "the true story of how his parents met" and said it will be staged in the festival's 200-seat Ains Theater.
D'Antonio and Barr also described ticketing and local-discount programs aimed at making the festival accessible to residents. D'Antonio said the Iron County Pass allows patrons to buy six plays for $200 and that same-day tickets are available at half price; he also highlighted a $40 Student Access Pass that allows students to attend multiple shows during the season. He called out Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and Importance of Being Earnest as top sellers and said Macbeth is drawing strong interest.
Festival leaders said they have met with county and city stakeholders, the Chamber of Commerce and the Lodging Association to coordinate marketing and to strengthen the festival's ties to Iron County. The presenters asked the commission to consider the festival part of the county's cultural and economic fabric and encouraged commissioners to attend performances as community leaders.
Commissioners thanked the presenters for the early report; no formal action was required or taken on the festival presentation.
The presenters said they would continue outreach with lodging and tourism partners and noted that the festival is seeking to grow student attendance through the Student Access Pass.
