Normally, when one thinks of attending Boardway shows and other musical theatrical masterpieces, one would also think of being on Boardway in New York, in London, or in another major city in the world. Normally, one wouldn't think about being out in the middle of nowhere in a Utah canyon. At the Tuacahn Center of the Arts, one enjoys many performances like Disney's Beauty and the Beast and many other concerts, events, and musicals far away from the major cities.
The natural setting of the center couldn't be more stunning. It is nestled in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and surrounded by scores of other parks and conservation areas. Notably, the must-see Zion National Park (that really is worth the hype) is only a short drive away. Time one's visit to Zion National Park and enjoy a Broadway Show in the desert at the same time!
About The Tuacahn Center of the Arts
The Tuacahn Center for the Arts is located in the mouth of the Padre Canyon next to the Snow Canyon State Park in southwest Utah. It is a two-hour drive (or 127 miles) from Las Vegas or a 4 and a half-hour drive (or 310 miles) from Salt Lake City. This means it is far enough out of the cities to be in the middle of nowhere, while still being ok for a day trip from Las Vegas.
The closest city and gateway to the art center is the small city of St. George. It is a city of around 90,000 and has plenty of accommodation options.
While the Tuacahn Amphitheatre today is impressive nestled in the canyon as it is, it had a primitive beginning. The founders of the center were Orval Hafen, Doug Steward, and Hyrum W. Smith. They had dreams of producing a performing arts center out here in the desert. The center debuted in 1995 with the performance of Utah!
After four years of telling native and settler history of the state of Utah, they started to diversify their performances. In 1999 it really became the Broadway in the Canyon when they sold out with their performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
- Number Of Shows: Over 60 Broadway Shows
- Notable Past Shows: Les Miserables, Tarzan, Little Mermaid
- First Opened: 1995
The center boasts a number of facilities, these include:
- An Amphitheater: A 1,920 Seat Outdoor Amphitheater
- An Indoor Theater: 328 Seats
- A Black Box Theater & A Dance Studio: Mostly Used For The School And Not Theatrical Performances
- Tuacahn High School: An Arts Specialty High School
They also have a costume shop and a scene shop. Over the years they have accumulated many costumes and today many of them are even available for rent. See here for more details about renting their costumes. Not only are many of their customs available for rent, their facilities are often also available for rent and use by outside organizations.
The center has evolved from what it was initially envisioned. Initially, the vision was to tell the story of Utah but today it has grown to be the "Broadway in the Desert".
The Broadway Musicals listed on their website include:
- Disney's Beauty And The Beast
- Annie
- School of Rock
- The Count of Monte Cristo
- Million Dollar Quartet
- A Christmas Story
Other concerts and events on offer include Gentri - The Gentlemen Trio, Christmas in the Canyon, Kansas, Martina McBride, and others. See here for a list of shows everyone visiting Broadway in New York should consider.
Accommodation Near The Tuacahn Center of the Arts
The Tuacahn Center has a number of "preferred" hotels, where one can save on the tickets. It is also an easy drive for anyone staying in or around Zion National Park. These hotels are:
- Canyon Suites At Tuacahn
- The Inn at Entrada
- The Advenire
- Arcadia
- Clarion Suites
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To see the full list of hotels nearby and the Tuacahn Center's packages with them, see here.
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Dining At The Tuacahn Center
There is a cafe and restaurant at the center - the Tuachan Cafe.
- Cafe Hours: Monday to Friday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, Saturday: 9:00 am to 1 pm
- Show Hours: Monday to Saturday Evenings, Open At 5:00 pm
- Lunch and Dinner Menu: Offers Burgers, hot sandwiches, soups, salads, and kids menus (plus fries, drinks, potato dippers, etc.)
This is so much different from watching a Broadway Show on Broadway! Next time visiting Las Vegas or Zion National Park, consider watching a show here! To learn more about events, schedules, and prices - check out their website. Utah is a special state with so many unexpected attractions just waiting to be explored.