Utah Shakespeare Festival and Military Appreciation Days in Cedar City |
First responder appreciation and special tributes throughout the festival |
The Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City is spotlighting community heroes throughout September with a tapestry of celebration and gratitude.
As part of Military Appreciation Days, members of the military—both active and veterans—will receive complimentary tickets for select festival performances.
This annual event is more than just a gesture; it’s a heartfelt thank you to those who have served and continue to serve our country.
With increasing community awareness around the sacrifices made by both military and first responders, special tributes are woven into the festival calendar.
Festival officials report a particularly spirited response from locals this year, with many eager to participate in the festivities and to show support for neighbors, friends, and family members in uniform.
During the week, attendees are invited to experience celebrated musicals like "Something Rotten!" and beloved classics at the Randall L. Jones Theatre.
First responder appreciation is front and center, especially with a poignant presentation of Anne Nelson’s "The Guys" on September 11—crafted as a moving remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy and the fire chief who lost his crew.
Festival Artistic Director John DiAntonio and a notable festival cast will deliver a staged reading that aims to connect with the community’s deeper emotions and honor the courage of first responders.
The choice of play feels especially urgent and meaningful, resonating with those whose lives have been touched by service and sacrifice.
Across downtown Cedar City, new businesses have popped up catering to festival visitors, infusing local energy and creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests flocking in for the event.
Local leaders hope that these acts of recognition, along with economic upticks from increased visitors, will further strengthen Cedar City’s reputation as a community that cherishes its service members and reinvests in local growth.
This year’s blend of theater and community spirit promises to create lasting memories, with a special emphasis on unity, gratitude, and resilience.
For many, the magic of the Utah Shakespeare Festival isn’t just found on stage—it’s in the crowds, the celebration, and the enduring commitment to honoring those who step up in moments of crisis. |
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Really hope the turnout for The Guys is huge. First responders put everything on the line and one night of theater honoring them is the least we can do.
Cassandra J.My brother is a firefighter and he's been invited. Really hope his whole crew can make it out. They rarely get recognized like this.
Something Rotten is hilarious by the way. Great pick for folks who don't usually go to theater and want something fun.
The unity angle is what gets me. Cedar City has a way of pulling people together and the festival is a big part of that.
They should advertise the free military tickets more. I have a neighbor who's a vet and he had no clue this was happening.
tom_ironhorseTotally agree. I only found out because I happened to check the festival website. A simple flyer at the VFW or American Legion would go a long way.
John DiAntonio is a fantastic artistic director. Really glad someone in that role cares enough to pick something meaningful for September 11.
GloriaMAgreed. It would have been easy to just pick something crowd-pleasing for that week. Choosing The Guys for September 11 specifically shows he actually thought about it.
Honestly had no idea the festival did Military Appreciation Days. I've been living here three years and this is the first I'm hearing about it.
SteveOHSame! I found out through a friend who got free tickets last year. They really need to spread the word better because it's a great program.
I grew up in Cedar City and the Shakespeare Festival has always been the heartbeat of this town in the summer and fall. So glad they keep finding ways to give back.
Nice to see local businesses benefiting from the festival crowd too. Good for Cedar City all around.
That staged reading of The Guys on the actual anniversary of 9/11 is going to be really powerful. Bringing a box of tissues for sure.
DeniseWebbI was thinking the same thing. Saw a production of The Guys years ago and it wrecked me in the best way. On the actual anniversary it's going to hit completely different.
Free tickets are great but parking downtown during festival week is always a mess. Just a heads up for anyone coming in from out of town.
The community response being described as spirited this year tracks. Everyone I know in Cedar seems pumped about September events this fall.
Loretta VanceVisited Cedar for the festival last September and the vibe downtown was genuinely great. Can only imagine it's even better this year with all this added programming.
Every year I say I'm going and every year I miss it. This might finally be the year I actually go.
Wish they did something similar for teachers but I guess that's a different conversation. Still, good on them for honoring vets and first responders.
Randall L. Jones Theatre is such a beautiful venue. If you haven't been inside you are missing out.
My wife is an EMT and we are definitely going to The Guys performance. This is exactly the kind of recognition first responders deserve.
Marcus D.That's really sweet. Tell her thank you from a random stranger on the internet. Hope you both have a wonderful time.
New businesses popping up downtown is great news. That area needed some fresh energy for festival visitors.
Really love that they chose Anne Nelson's play for 9/11. That story about the fire chief losing his crew deserves to be told every year.
Took my dad to the festival two years ago on Military Appreciation week. He's a Vietnam vet and honestly hadn't been to live theater in decades. It meant a lot to him.
RonaldFThat's such a lovely memory. My uncle is a Korean War vet and I've been thinking about bringing him this year after reading this article. Your comment kind of sealed it for me.
Nice gesture but I hope the complimentary tickets are actually easy to claim and not buried in a bunch of hoops to jump through.
John DiAntonio doing a staged reading of The Guys sounds incredible. That cast is going to do it justice for sure.
Cedar City really does community events better than most towns its size. Always proud to live here during festival season.
Does anyone know which performances the free military tickets apply to? Trying to plan around my brother's schedule.
The Guys on September 11 is going to be incredibly moving. That play hits different when you really think about what those firefighters went through.
Something Rotten is such a fun show, glad they picked that one for this week.
So glad they're doing this again this year. My husband is a vet and last year was his first time at the Shakespeare Festival because of free tickets. He loved it.