THE ‘GROWN UP LULLABIES’ OF GABRIEL ROYAL
Onstage Ogden’s 2023-24 season shines with a diverse series of showstopping acts in beautiful venues all over the city.
NEWS / CONCERT REVIEW
Photography by Austin Luckett/Iron Pine. ironpine.company
On September 28, Brooklyn-based cellist and singer/songwriter Gabriel Royal sang “grown up lullabies” as a beautiful orange sunset illuminated the historic window panes at The Monarch in Ogden.
Royal’s poetic words and music, inspired by commuters in the New York City subway, enchanted an intimate crowd of concert-goers, seated cozily on The Monarch’s canary-yellow couches and semi-circle of chairs that gave the show an intimate, living room feel. Beautiful acoustics and a bar with adult beverages were the icing on the cake. Royal told stories about the songs he performed, mostly about love, while alternating between his cello and a grand piano. “Past the Flowers” were two standouts with heartwarming lyrics from the one-man subway symphony—”There were times in my life when I was important, but right now ain’t one of them times / There were times in my life when I wanted more than, but right now I’m feeling just fine.” “G Major Suite” also hit a chord.
Children in the Ogden School District also experienced the music; Gabriel Royal did community outreach at selected schools for two days before the Thursday night concert.
Photography by Austin Luckett/Iron Pine. ironpine.company
Onstage Ogden’s 2023-24 season brings diverse shows for all ages and interests with comedy, dance, and music. It continues on Thursday at The Monarch with genre-bending grassroots band Twisted Pine. Big upcoming shows are coming to Peery’s Egyptian Theater and the Browning Center at Weber State University.
Puddles Pity Party, a larger-than-life musical clown known for his unique take on popular songs is at Peery’s Egyptian Theater on October 20. Then, Cirque Mechanics performs at Browning Center on October 21.
The Utah Symphony makes seven appearances in Ogden this year, including multi-Tony and Grammy Award-winning Audra McDonald on November 9. Ballet West returns this holiday season with their production of "The Nutcracker."
"We are incredibly excited to bring such a diverse lineup of performers to Ogden for our 2023/2024 season," said James Fredrick, Executive Director of Onstage Ogden. "Whether you're a long-time fan of the Utah Symphony, jazz or you're looking for something new and exciting to experience, we have something for everyone this season."
Onstage Ogden is a nonprofit arts and entertainment presenter in Weber County founded in 1949.
Tickets for the 2023/2024 Season and can be purchased online at OnstageOgden.Org or by contacting the box office at 801-399-9214.
Special thanks to Austin Luckett at Iron Pine for the photography.
Onstage Ogden’s 2023/2024 Season List:
Dvořák’s New World Symphony w/Utah Symphony, Thursday, September 14, Browning Center @ WSU
Tres Souls Friday, September 15, Peery’s Egyptian Theater
BYU World of DanceSaturday, September 23, Browning Center @ WSU
Garbiel Royal, Wednesday, September 27, The Monarch
Twisted Pine, Thursday, October 12, The Monarch
Puddles Pity Party, Friday, October 20, Peery’s Egyptian Theater
Cirque Mechanics, Saturday, October 21, Browning Center @ WSU
Beethoven Symphony No. 9 w/Utah Symphony, Thursday, November 2, Browning Center @ WSU
Audra McDonald w/Utah Symphony, Thursday, November 9, Browning Center @ WSU
Ballet West’s The Nutcracker, December 1 thru 3, Browning Center @ WSU
Here Comes Santa Claus w/Utah Symphony, Tuesday, December 12, Browning Center @ WSU
Potted Potter, Thursday & Friday, January 18 & 19, Peery’s Egyptian Theater
Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 1 w/Utah Symphony, Thursday, February 1, Browning Center @ WSU
BYU Men's & Women’s Choruses Saturday, February 3, Browning Center @ WSU
Casablanca w/Utah Symphony, Thursday, February 8, Browning Center @ WSU
International Guitar Night, Thursday, February 15, Peery’s Egyptian Theater
Jazz at Lincoln Center, Saturday, February 17, Browning Center @ WSU
Lone Piñon, Friday, March 1, The Monarch
Peter & the Wolf w/Utah Symphony, Thursday, March 14, Browning Center @ WSU
Chad Lawson, Saturday, March 23, The Monarch
Five Browns w/Chamber Orchestra Ogden, Friday, April 19, Browning Center @ WSU
Anderson & Roe Thursday, May 2, The Monarch
For more information, visit onstageogden.org.
