A curious spectacle unfolded at The Eccles Center, not the usual premiere crush, thankfully, but McPolin Elementary’s production of “Finding Nemo Jr.” A veritable sea of floral arrangements, judging by the list of parent volunteers – Emily Hagn and Molly Miller, admirable commitment, truly – suggested a considerable investment in felt and glitter. The ambition, while sweet, felt…overexposed. One suspects the Kimball Art Center's children's workshops have a similarly enthusiastic, if less publicly announced, fervor. The Park City Education Foundation’s Running with Ed event, slated for May 16th, is, predictably, the engine driving such endeavors, and one applauds the fundraising, however discreetly. Jena Schmidt, the director, deserves credit for her vision, though the double-casting of leads felt less about inclusivity and more about logistical necessity. The sheer volume of names listed—Denine Therrien, Richard and Valerie Schmidt, and a small army thereafter—suggests a tightly wound network. The step-and-repeat red was notably absent, replaced by a lobby slideshow. A rather democratic arrangement, one concedes. Still, the effort was commendable, if a touch… earnest.
Cable #2430April 15, 2026
Small Stages, Large Efforts
One trusts the Park City Institute maintains a running tally of the sheer number of productions vying for attention, even at the elementary school level.