JOAN SPEAKMAN PETERSON

As a child my family and I went to an Old West Show and I fell in love with every aspect of it. I learned to play the violin, guitar, banjo and string bass; all parts of an old west band.

For years my Dad (who majored in music in college) and I talked about having our own old west theater. Four years ago he began the process by purchasing an old train station in Fillmore, Utah and began renovations. A few months later he had a stroke and passed away before realizing his dream.

The dream was still very much alive in me and as it does for many people, when someone has passed away with an unfulfilled dream, what they had hoped for seems even more important to those loved ones they leave behind. I felt very strongly about completing what my father began which was to bring music and laughter into people’s lives, by taking them back into time to the fun of the Old West.

Last summer I lived in Spain working on the island of Mallorca putting together a charity event, “Play For Good” hosted by Eva Longoria, honoring Golde Hawn and others who have done wonderful work in their personal charities. Paris Hilton, Fran Dressure and many others were in attendance to add their support to the event.

After returning, I decided it was time to finish the dream my father and I had started, incorporating my 20 years experience in the entertainment industry to create something wonderful for the public known as: Showtime Utah.

As a talent agent and casting director for over 10 years, I saw a real need for a place for the novice and professional entertainer to perform. Since there is always a want by the public for a family friendly, fun, and unusual place to go it seemed we could create something for everyone.

There are many theaters in Utah where the singer/actor can perform, but only a small amount of talented people are utilized. What makes Showtime Utah unique is that there are no plays; it’s all live variety entertainment. The singer and dancer can perform as well as the juggler, magician, ventriloquist and even a didgeridoo player who wants to entertain the public.

We provide a great door of opportunity for unknown/known talent. Our first night we had a young mother (23) Aimee Geddes who performed for the first time on stage. She rocked the house with her voice, music and personality. I asked her what her dream was, expecting to hear “a contestant on American Idol” but instead she just wanted to sing for fun, entertain people around her and eventually cut a Christian genre’ CD. But the most important was just to be a mom to her little baby.

Where else would someone like this mother get an opportunity to have the time of her life singing, making her dream of being on stage come true, and give an audience an hour of complete enjoyment? This truly is one of the reasons why fulfilling both mine and my father's dream is so important.

And so by fulfilling our dream, we can make other’s dreams come true as well, while keeping an audience entertained. How fun is that!

Showtime Utah is a culmination of my years of experience in film, theater, event coordination, my love of entertainment and the entertainer and the dream my father and I had of having our own theater. With 6 different types of shows, there’s always something for everyone either by being on stage or in the audience. What is even more enticing is a chuckwagon feast served as part of the evening show.

Showtime Utah is open on Friday and Saturday night. At 7 pm we fulfill my dream of having an Old West Musical show. The entertaining band along with Parley, the town prospector, and Miss Ruby, the spicy but wholesome distraction for the boys in the band, keeps the audience laughing, tapping their feet, and even singing. Here is where the delicious chuck wagon dinner is served.

Late night shows all begin at 10 PM. Friday’s are music of every kind. Saturday's include a comedy night, independent film night, karaoke and open Mic nights. These shows allow anyone and everyone their chance at fame. The novice singer, comedian, and even filmmaker get to show an audience what they themselves believe to be interesting and entertaining. Who knows, the next David Archuletta just might be found here!

After opening night we received the following note:

And that’s what it’s all about!

Click on the link below to view the Press Release.
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