OREM — Salt and Pepper at Utah Valley University is a deeply moving re-definition of Theatre for Young Audiences directed by Scott Savage. The story by Jose Cruz Gonzales follows a 10 year old boy named Salt, his brother Andy, their grandpa (referred to as “Old Man”), their mother Hannah, and a new friend in town Pepper. Andy and Salt’s mother, who appears in dreams and memories, left them years ago to pursue a music career, but the Old Man keeps many secrets about what happened on her journey before she passed away. When Andy joins the military, Salt takes on his old responsibilities, and learns more about the Old Man. Pepper – which you cannot have without Salt –brings in a new perspective and helps Salt navigate his new feelings and findings.
Editor’s Note: Production Photos have not yet been received by UTAJ. When they are, they will be added to this review. Photos can be provided through this form.
I had the privilege of seeing this show performed in the Jones Theatre at UVU on Saturday, October 24th. It will tour with UVU’s Theatre for Youth and Education to elementary schools around Utah and Salt Lake counties for the next month and a half.
The show was staged in the round, with spike tape dictating the playing space. The actors would sit in the far corners of the space, designed to be exits and entrances, as they waited to step onto the “stage”. The “in the round” setting served the story well because the script is so personal, unfiltered, and real. Both children and adults alike will benefit from this intimate staging as it allows everyone a closer look into learning accessibility issues.
One of my favorite parts of this production was the staging when Hannah was on stage or when experiencing a character’s dream. Lillian Sampson, the assistant director and stage manager, took inspiration staging these sequences from the UK based theatre company, Frantic Assembly. “The Frantic Method” includes moments of touch and character tasks connecting in a dance-like sequence. While these dream scenes are not as choreographed as the Frantic Assembly productions, the intentions and staging shone just as bright. The audience would see Andy in his military uniform in one corner of the space, Hannah in the other, and the Old Man or Salt in the middle. Andy and Hannah would read their postcards as action unfolded on center stage. Even the slow, seated moments reflected this careful direction. Such as when Hannah once sat back to back with Andy as she played her guitar, and Salt plopped himself next to Andy. Acting blocks painted as set pieces created dynamic levels heightening the powerful imagery. It forces the audience to see the parallel between Hannah leaving to pursue music and Andy leaving to join the military.
Sound is a beautiful connecting point in every scene. Between the brothers’ vocal mimicry of fighter jets, the old fashioned radio playing songs from the 1950’s, and Hannah’s ethereal lullabies played by Claire Mallory including a sung theme of “Hush-a-Bye”, every element of the soundscape worked together creating an emotionally evocative experience. Towards the beginning, the music was a playful element to introduce Hannah was and how the Old Man viewed her. These earlier sequences depict Hannah as carefree, dreamlike, and selfish. In the end, the music became something connecting the family. One of the most effective moments of sound included Hannah and Andy singing “Hush-a-Bye” together while Salt and Pepper played “war”–which included more fighter jet mimicry. This text is especially interesting because it includes older lullabies, like “Hush-a-Bye”. The songs aren’t written for the script, but aid in moving the story along.
The acting was also done very well. Cole Hixon as Salt was especially impressive. As soon as Hixon came on stage, it was apparent that he was portraying 10 year old Salt through both body and voice. Hixon often walked with childlike indirection and playfulness, and spoke with a higher pitch and lots of sincerity. Hixon did especially well portraying Salt’s guilt and need to fix the problems around him. Specifically, when the Old Man crumpled and threw the bills, Salt anxiously tried to straighten out one of the papers. Those moments of guilt and desperation allowed Hixon’s adaptability and skill to shine through meeting the challenge of making a 10 year old from the 1950’s that believable.
When Pepper, played by Taylor Porcelli, came into the story, the two together played very well off of each other. Porcelli played Pepper with sass and grit that gave her line delivery and fight choreography intensity. Her portrayal of spicy Pepper juxtaposed Salt’s childlike sincerity, creating a new and exciting character dynamic. Overall the acting in Salt and Pepper was done very well, but I found that the enunciation from actors was sometimes lacking. I believe as the actors grow more confident in their line memorization and performance while touring elementary schools their enunciation will improve.
The remaining cast helped in performing a great show. Gavin McLelland executed the Old Man’s character arch with poise and authenticity and Claire Mallory enchantingly emulated both the dreamlike and literal aspects of Hannah. Brady Thompson captured Andy’s courage and heart as he engages in military service.
One critique of the performance is that some of the actors seemed unmotivated in the first five to ten minutes of the show. The stakes of the earlier moments seemed unimportant. It took the intimate moment of Andy, Salt, and Hannah all sitting together before Andy leaves for the military to have each actor participate wholeheartedly.
All in all, the cast and crew of Salt and Pepper present a show worth congratulations and praise. Cole Hixon gave life to the earnest Salt and Taylor Porcelli was the perfect amount of spunk and compassion in order to complete the iconic duo. And finally, the careful and prolific direction from Scott Savage and his assistant director Lillian Sampson was essential to the productions success. Savage’s vision supported the beautiful text and stayed consistent throughout. Salt and Pepper will certainly be a great seasonal and nourishing add to those attending the touring production in Utah and Salt Lake Counties.
MORE INFO: SALT AND PEPPER is produced by the UVU Theatre for Youth and Education Center and played on October 24th at the Jones Theatre on Utah Valley University Campus. The production is now touring through elementary schools in Utah and Salt Lake Counties. A free public performance will play November 9th, 2026 at 7:00pm at the American Fork Library. For more information visit https://www.uvu.edu/arts/events/tye.html.
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