Utah Shakespearean Festival

CEDAR CITY — Utah Shakespearean Festival Founder Fred Adams was surrounded by those who love him most, his wife, Barbara, his four children, and members of the 45th season’s company June 26 when he was honored by the unveiling of a statue of himself on the east lawn of the Randall L. Jones Theatre.

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., and state lawmakers were on hand, as well. Gov. Huntsman signed House Concurrent Resolution 6, a bill especially drafted to honor the accomplishments and contributions of Adams. In signing the resolution, the governor noted that since its founding, the Utah Shakespearean Festival has brought more then $67 million into the state.

The celebration marked the recent Festival leadership transition. Adams announced in December he is stepping aside as executive producer to devote his time to the fulfillment of his dream, the completion of the Festival Centre for the Performing Arts.

Allen Anes, Festival board of governors chairman offered welcoming remarks, followed by comments by R. Scott Phillips, Festival director, and William J. Byrnes, dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts at Southern Utah University, which hosts the Utah Shakespearean Festival.

Adams’ children, Dorcas Adams Woodward, Glynis Adams Never, Addison James Adams, and Joshua Hunter Adams unveiled the statue of their father, an eight-foot bronze statue provided by the John and Terry Grove family and sculpted by nationally recognized artist Stanley J. Watts of Salt Lake City. The Adams statue now stands as one of a collection of statues that grace the SUU campus, and is surrounded by statues of Shakespearean characters that will grace the Festival Centre.

"The work of Fred and Barbara Adams has taken us all on a magical journey and enriched our lives beyond measure," Anes said. "They have been involved in every aspect of the Festival."

Representative Bud Bowman recalled when the Cedar City Chamber of Commerce donated $1,000 to the first season of the Utah Shakespearean Festival.

"Fred came to us with a dream, and all of our lives have been made better for it. There has been joy and jubilation here for 45 years now, and we know that we are bequeathing to the generations a deep sense of humanity."

Phillips, who welcomed dignitaries, company members, family and friends to the unveiling, has served as managing director of the Festival for 29 years. As executive producer he takes over many of Adams’ responsibilities and will work closely with Adams as the Festival Centre progresses.

Calling the resolution and the statue, "a wonderful tribute," Adams said much of the credit for the success of the Festival should go, not to him, but "to those who have labored for long hours over the years to bring the plays to the stage – stitchers, dyers, actors, and designers.

"I simply surround myself with talented people and get out of their way," he said.

Adams faces raising $10 million dollars, which will be added to the $7.5 million already raised for the Festival Centre.

The Utah Shakespearean Festival’s 45th season includes three plays by the bard: "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "Antony and Cleopatra," and "Hamlet;" Gilbert and Sullivan’s "H.M.S. Pinafore" (in which Adams plays a featured role); Ernest Thompson’s "On Golden Pond," and the hilarious "Room Service" by John Murray and Allen "Boretz."