'Attic' Turns to Local Talent

Tiffany's Attic, Salt Lake's only theater restaurant, will return to its drama-comedy presentations with "My Three Angels," which opens Nov. 21.

The production will be directed by H. E. D. Redford, who has at least 35 years of experience in acting, directing and producing Utah presentations. He is on the directing-instructing staff of the University of Utah.

"We will use all Utah members of Equity in the cast and for the technical staff," Redford said. "Equity is a union of stage actors with rather stringent rules for membership. By using such performers and technicians, we assure professionalism. and the management of Tiffany's Attic is showing that it has faith in Utah talent by allowing us to carry out this project."

Eric Stilson, owner and operator of Tiffany's Attic, has said that Utah talent, which has been used in previous productions, is equal to the performers who have been brought into the state.

The cast includes Gene Pack, whose acting days stretch back more than 30 years and who has been dubbed "one of the best natural actors in the state;" Alan Nash, who has appeared on most stages in Utah's major cities; and Richard Jewkes, a comparative newcomer in the local scene, with many credits to his name.

These three will have the leading parts of the convicts - a swindler and two murderers - who help out a family at Christmas time. The convicts have "sunny natures, sleepless brains, warm hearts and clever hands and believe in the Robin Hood of man," according to Redford.

Besides the three leads, the cast consists of a family made up of Don Gomes, Elaine Vetterli-Brown and Charon Levitan, all with several local credits. Others are James Fleming, who plays a nasty old uncle, and David Page as his nasty son. Also in the cast are Cherryl Hannock and Art Moldenhauer.

The technical staff consists of Shane Nelson, designer; and Valerie James, costumes.

Stilson said that Tiffany's Attic is happy to be inaugurating the policy of presenting shows with
local talent "to furnish a stage where they will be able to make money while sharpening their talent."

He said that frequently some of the "name" stars that have been brought in have not been as capable as local performers. "They have attracted audiences because of their names, but some of them have not appeared on stage before. They have just had television and film experience. We have a well of talent in Utah to draw on for the productions."

He said Tiffany's will continue to present a vaudeville or variety show or two, but most of Tiffany's productions will feature local talent.