Driving through the Nevada desert, Jillian Butler is filled with excitement, anticipation, and a few nerves as she nears the iconic red mountains of Southern Utah where she will make her home for the next seven months. She’s not alone in her feelings — nor in her arrival — as part of the cast and crew that has recently descended on Tuacahn for the upcoming season of Broadway-level productions.
“This really is such a dream to perform in this theater,” said Butler, who will be taking on the roles of Glinda and Aunt Em in The Wizard of Oz, a mer-sister in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and understudy for Katherine in Newsies.
Although Butler has worked with Tuacahn before in the 2024 production of A Christmas Carol, this will be her first time as part of the Outdoor Amphitheatre cast, and the enthusiasm she exudes is almost palpable.
“I am elated!” Butler said. “These shows are so amazing, and to get to work with three different creative teams during the summer is amazing as an actor.”
The first couple of days on site include getting the actors settled into their apartments, music rehearsals and a welcome orientation where the creative teams share their vision for every aspect of this season’s musicals with the cast.
Among those seated in the orientation is James Everts, who many will remember from his role as Dmitry in last season’s Anastasia. This time, he’s living out a whole new dream in the role of Jack Kelly in Newsies, Eric in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and an ensemble member of The Wizard of Oz. Interestingly enough, it is the ensemble role that provided Everts with some of his most memorable moments during his first few days at Tuacahn.
“They’ve had me flying,” Everts said with excitement in his voice. “It’s a little intense and a little spooky the first time you’re up there. But every actor is fitted with a custom harness, and they train you on how to move comfortably and safely in the air.”
Back on the ground, Everts describes the general ambiance during the first few meetings and rehearsals as “high energy” and “fun” with everything feeling a little “hyper.”
“Everyone is an artist in the room,” Everts said. “Just to pop into a room where everyone is as passionate as you are, and to know everyone wants the same things — to make a great show — is really exciting.”
These excitement-filled moments are something the staff at Tuacahn has been prepping for since their return from the auditions tour; something Zoe Baird can speak to first-hand.
As the company manager for the Broadway season at Tuacahn, Baird is responsible for arranging travel, transportation and housing needs for all of the cast and crew. Once they arrive, Baird is the main point for contact for the cast and crew as they navigate their new home, answering questions ranging from where to find the nearest grocery store, to all the best hiking trails to explore. At the height of the season, Baird and her assistant Whitney Harrison are responsible for roughly 100 people.
“It’s such a weird job, and it’s something people don’t really think about needing, but all these people don’t live here, and someone has to get them here and we have to prepare them for life here,” Baird said.
Many of those settling in at Tuacahn hale from much larger cities, like New York, Los Angeles and others, so there is a bit of a culture shock upon arrival. However, in Baird’s experience, the vast majority of those she works with love the scenery, the change of pace, the people and the weather in Southern Utah.
Butler and Everts have a few more specific things they love as well.
“I can’t wait to go hiking; the first thing I packed was my hiking shoes,” Butler said. “And I love Swig. I still have my Swig cup from last time. Oh, and I get to shop at Harmons!”
Everts’ recalls several haunts he can’t wait to revisit this time around, including Kayenta, Feel Love Coffee and The Book Bungalow. And for him, nothing is better after a late-night show than an Iceberg shake.
More than any exploring in the area, however, these actors will be tasked during the next several weeks with putting up three separate shows. It’s an undertaking that is both daunting and invigorating, but when the cast of 32 has been selected from more than 1,000 actors, many of their resumes including roles on Broadway and a host of national tours, they are ready to rise to the challenge.
“I just want to thank the community for being so excited to have us as performers here with them,” Everts said. “Getting to perform these shows that people have such an emotional, nostalgic connection to, it’s something I don’t take lightly.”
Don’t miss the chance to see Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Wizard of Oz, and Newsies in the Tuacahn Outdoor Amphitheatre. The season opens May 2 and continues through Oct. 25. Get tickets online now at www.tuacahn.org.
