This Day In Gay Utah History SEPTEMBER 11

September 11th

Alexander Hamilton

1779-Alexander Hamilton wrote to John Laurens, "Like a jealous lover, when I thought you had slighted my caresses, my affection was alarmed and my vanity piqued."

Daniel H. Wells

1871 - Counselor Daniel H. Wells tells Grantsville School of the Prophets that "a great many of our young men are abusing themselves by the habit of self-pollution: or self abuse, or as the Bible terms it, Onanism," which he regards as "one great cause why so many of our young men were not married, and it was a great sin, and would lead to insanity and a premature grave." However Polygamy is a likelier cause for prevalence of bachelorhood in nineteenth-century Utah. First, every national census lists more males than females in Mormon population. Second, 10 to 40 percent of Mormon men marry polygamously which demographically requires bachelorhood in Utah's majority population of males.

William Paddock's mother

1887 The People vs William Paddock; “Crime Against Nature”. Salt Lake Herald. William Paddock was a member of a gang of youthful Salt Lake Hoodlums who engaged in Sodomy. His mother was a prominent anti-polygamy crusader. He was sent to the state insane asylum to avoid a prison sentence but when released the state charged him with Sodomy. He was about 16 years old.

1892  In the Fourth District Court page 4 James Warren was arraigned and plead guilty to the charge of sodomy. He will be sentenced on Monday morning. John Mack indicted for sodomy was arraigned and took the statutory time to plead J D Murphy was appointed his attorney.Ogden Standard Examiner  James Warren was arraigned... pleaded guilty to the charge of sodomy. He will be sentenced on Monday morning. John Mack indicted for sodomy was arraigned and took the statutory time to plead. J D Murphy was appointed as his Attorney. Harry Merrill charged with assault with intent to kill to await trial on the 22d will return Monday morning with Al Wood charged with assault with intent to commit murder and John Mack charged with sodomy to plead before the Fourth District court. Salt Lake Herald

1922 Charles Marques of Wyoming was arrested by deputy Sheriff Whittaker plead guilty to the charge of sodomy before Judge Arnold and was sentenced to four years in the Penitentiary [Evanston Wyoming] Ogden Standard Examiner

1932-In a book review of "Sappho of Lesbos" by Arthur Weigell, reviewer Florence Finch Kelly praised the author for focusing on the beauty of her poems and not condemning her by current morality standards. The reviewer explained that since the Greeks "had no sexual morals whatever" Sappho was merely a product of her environment.

1950- John Anderson, a music teacher at Church owned Ricks College was fired from his position for having sexual relations with several male students.  Mormon First Presidency Counselor J. Reuben Clark when asked if a Ricks College professor should be excommunicated for a homosexual relationship which had been going on for years, replied, “thus far we had done no more than drop them from positions they held.” (1) A music teacher at

J Reuben Clark

Ricks College, a church-owned college  in Rexburg, ID, is fired for sexual relations with several male students.  However, President J. Ruben Clark of the Church’s First Presidency advises local church leaders not to hold a Church court because “thus far we had done no more than drop them[homosexuals] from positions they held.”  It “had been going on for several years.”(Jay Bell) Early in January 1947, John Anderson, the music department chairman, announced the college had purchased a two-manual pipe organ (six sets of pipes) for $750. The organ was installed by H.A. Howze, an expert from Salt Lake City. Anderson encouraged all stake and ward organists to enroll for organ lessons that he and Ruth Barrus would instruct. Before this acquisition, organ students and instructors had used the tabernacle to teach and practice. The organ was not completely installed in time for spring quarter classes, but it was ready and used for most of summer school.Idaho Stateman

Evelyn Hooker

1961-"The Rejected," the first television documentary about homosexuality, was aired on KQED, a San Francisco public station. Guests included anthropologist Margaret Mead, Episcopal Bishop of California Rev James Pike, several members of the Mattachine Society, and Dr Evelyn Hooker, the first psychologist to prove that male homosexuals were no more likely to suffer from mental illness than heterosexual males. Producer John Reavis had a budget of less than $100 to work with. The purpose was to challenge stereotypes and common misunderstandings about homosexuals.

1971 In August the Gay Student Union, “a homosexual organization”, applied for recognition as a campus club at Cal State Fullerton. The senate of the Associated Students of CSF voted overwhelmingly to approve the club. However the Mormon President of the Associated Students of CSF, Brent Fairbanks Romney, overruled the senate with a veto. [Church News Institute Student leads campus- Deseret News 11 Sept 1971.

1976-The convictions of two California men arrested for lewd conduct for kissing in public were upheld. They were forced to register as sex offenders under California law.

Ben williams

1977 A KEGGER fundraiser was held in City Creek Canyon sponsored by the Imperial Court of Utah. Money went to support the Human Rights Fair that Gays were hosting to protest the Utah State Fair’s choice of showcasing anti-Gay activist Anita Bryant.

1986-Ben Williams was asked to withdraw from the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ, a Gay Mormon Church if he could not support Tony Feliz as prophet. Ben Williams withdrew.  First Restoration Church informal excommunication.

1986 Robin L. Jacobson age 45 died in Manhattan of Pneumonia. Native Utahn with Fine Arts Degree from U of U and interior designer.

1989- OutWeek published a second list of closeted homosexuals, this time with 31 names. Outweek No 12

1990 Tuesday- Hottest September 11th in SLC on record. 97 degrees! And it’s suppose to stay hot for the rest of the week.  Today is the primary runoff  and I thought about voting on the Republican ticket for Genevieve Atwood over Dan Marriott but the thought of voting Republican for any reason made me want to gag. 

1993 - The acclaimed AIDS drama And the Band Played On airs on HBO. Based on Randy  Shilts book of the same title.

1997 I am so angry I can't even think straight right now. I went down to the Utah Stonewall Center and saw a volunteer in the archives with a large trash can throwing material into it. I yelled for him to stop what he was doing and he said that he was told by Alan Ahtow to start cleaning out that room. The volunteer looked confused and didn't know who I was and he went and got Ahtow who I started to berate for interfering with the archives. He said he had permission from the board to start shutting down the center. I told him the archives did not belong to the center but was only housed there and he was enraged that I questioned his authority. He told me to leave or he would call the police to have me removed and I told him you just go ahead and throw me out of the center and you will have the community down on you like a ton of bricks. He knew I was not going to budge so he called Brook Heartsong who called Chuck Whyte. Talking to Chuck he said to calm down, to go home, and everything thing will be discussed tomorrow. With that assurance I went home still fuming. Journal of Ben Williams

1999-PFLAG ended its partnership with Barnes and Noble, apologizing to independent booksellers for supporting a corporation that has forced smaller stores out of business.

Mark Bingham

2001 The September 11 attacks resulted in 2,977 victims. The immediate deaths include 246 victims on the four planes (from which there were no survivors), 2,606 in New York City in the World Trade Center and on the ground, and 125 at the Pentagon.  About 292 people were killed at street level by burning debris and falling bodies of those who had jumped or fallen from the World Trade Center's windows. All the deaths in the attacks were civilians except for 55 military personnel killed at the Pentagon. Some immediate victims were not added to the list until years later. Many Gay people were killed in the attacks most noticeably New York Fire Department Catholic chaplain Father Mychal Judge. Judge, 68, who was killed while ministering to a fallen firefighter at Ground Zero and Mark Bingham, 31, a Gay passenger on United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania, who helped to thwart the plane's hijackers. September 16 is officially designated Mark Bingham Day in San Francisco.Gay Victims and Heroes of 9/11

Chad Keller

2002 Chad Keller RE: Pride Meeting Dear Fellow Board Members of Utah Pride, Inc. Today I am in receipt of a very interesting piece of correspondence.  And I quote: "September 4, 2002 Dear Chad: The Executive Committee of Utah Pride, Inc formally requests your presence at a meeting on September 12, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center.  If you wish to change the time, please do so within 24 hours of the day you receive this letter by contacting Donna Jensen-Wysinger, the Executive Committee Secretary.  If you choose not to attend this meeting, the Executive Committee will immediately meet with the full Board of Directors to cast a vote for your removal from your position on the board of Utah Pride, Inc.  This action is based on the mutual inability to work in a professional and responsible manner with one another. Please act accordingly. Sincerely, Sherry J. Booth" Executive Co-Chair Utah Pride, Inc."  First I must say that I am not surprised, I realized something was up when I was shut out of discussions, and my questions and concerns were not being addressed in emails, or telephone calls.  It is unfortunate that we have tried to stifle not only debate, but conflict.  Conflict is a natural part of humanity, and can provide to us strength and growth. Unfortunately, The Executive Committee has chosen a date that I am already scheduled to be at another meeting.  They were fully aware that September 12th was The GBLT Community Leadership Forum.  Of which Pride is a participant. Further, I will not be subjected to another Character Assassinations session similar to that of June 3, 2002, where it is my personal life is trial, and the issues are being address from only the side of the EC. [Sherry Booth had referred to Chad Keller as the most creative alcoholic in town]  Therefore I request to meet with the full board to address all issues at this time, and not from a select few.   If there are issues then they will be addressed in a forum conducive to professionalism, under the rules of good debate, and in manner of which if fair to all parties involved. While I am busy September 12, 2002, I will make time in the future provide that notice is given in a manner that is more dignified, more upfront, and respectful to my contributions to Utah Pride, Inc. than a sneaky certified letter.  Perhaps as earlier indicated by the community I was not so far wrong about the now visible agendas. Therefore,  I ask all of you to met together to discuss what is bothering you once and for all.  I will not be issuing an apology of any type, as I stand firm in my belief that exposing the merger, and confronting Ms Booth, and Mr. Hobbs on the issue and inadequacies was the right thing to do. Action had to be taken on behalf of the community. I am available to meet with you Tuesday September 24 at any location but the GLCCU at 8:00 pm.  And if you wish to meet with me it will not be a closed meeting the public will be welcomed to attend.  I am not ashamed of any issues that people have with me.  I am fully aware of my personal short comings and my personal failures.  I am also aware on my personal potential, and my personal inner strength. The decision is now up to you, my fellow members of the board.  The time is at hand for us to do for the organization what has been neglected for years. In making your decision to meet or not to meet, I hope that you remember my contributions as well as the short comings of others, as both contribute to the issues at hand. Gay Pride is not about anyone of us, it is about the community of which we serve. Sincerely, Chad.

• Chad Keller to Dave Thometz Subject Pride Day 2002: I know today is not the best time

  

  David Thometz

  to bring all of this up....but time moves on....and so must the battle. It has been 90 days as of September 7 2002 since the close of Pride.  As a member of the board I have been totally shut out, which leads me to believe the rumor of my removal from the board may be true.  It will be interesting to see who sent the certified letter from 84103. I reflect at the point when Toni Fantis called Pride on the carpet with a letter to the editor of the Pillar regarding the $11,000.00 and its status.  Billy [Lewis] had prepared a letter in response. Darrin [Hobbs] and Sherry [Booth]were against printing it, stating that the community would forget about it as soon as they read it, if they paid attention to it at all, reminded of it last night as people confronted me at the Center after the RCGSE [Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire] meeting with the fact that nothing has yet been disclosed, and that as a community we are being shut out, by the elite few that are far from a representation of the whole.  All in the name of filling an agenda.  This town is sitting quietly, upset as they are, afraid to take action with out those brave enough to confront the giant, and the elite few with the money. With that money, also comes the power and backing to squash the dreams and projects of those lesser and beneath them is this screwed up social structure know as the Utah GLBT community.  Lord knows none of us would like a visit from Mike Marriott to express (demand) the Bastian’s wishes or cut funding. I ask that you continue to help me keep this issue in front of the community, in their minds.  Pride is owned by this community, I don’t know if I have the personal strength to again be beat down by the deep pocketed establishment.  It through a journey that I must contribute to, if only to keep Pride as a Community event.  I’m not even sure if we as a community have options in stopping any of what is or already has occurred.  One thing for certain....they have underestimate me, and the community on this issue. SO....HELP!!! CK.
• Chad Keller to Craig Miller: not a wise move by your counter parts.....I thought you and pride had more integrity than that, and that Pride functioned not for its personal benefit but for the benefit of the community.  The only inability to work in a professional and responsible manner lies in the inability for the EC, (you excluded) to take and deal with criticism.  Life is cannot always be non confrontational, and cannot always be pleasant.  To try to make it so is dysfunctional. Please await my official response, as I am waiting on the advise of members of the community and importantly my attorney.  I will not be subject to another of her and Darrin’s character ambush and assassinations sessions as was the case of June 3.   If you want me to resign, perhaps Craig you should just call the vote, and reap the consequences.  Proving once and for all the hidden agenda, and that Pride is about the Elite and deep pocketed few.
• Sherry Booth Regarding Pride Meeting In response to this e-mail, I will say that an open board meeting is absolutely an option here. Despite the claims to the contrary, there is not an organization that exists that doesn't hold private, members only meetings periodically. YET, the meeting held to discuss the financial and organizational Status of Pride 2002, was an open meeting up until voting took place.  That is fully in line with our bylaws and organization. Sherry Booth.
• Chad Keller Regarding Pride Meeting AAAAHHHHH SHE LIVES! This response makes no since.....and up until you can get your faculties together and collective  decide together to meet on the terms presented, or just lop my head off  I would tread lightly as this is all can be made quite public quite fast.  And I wouldn’t care! Any vote on any issue bold enough to be brought forward whether it be me or you will be done in publicly in front of any of our peers brave enough to venture into the Viper Pit. You soon will realize Pride is the community's not the select elite deep pocketed few. You should tell your minions to be more quite about what your up too. 
• Chad Keller to Sherry Booth And I just got word from the attorney....our bylaws aren’t worth the Paper they are printed on....so bring on the bylaws that you have manipulated at will...that have not been updated or reviewed publicly for years.....I’m ready! CK.
• Bob Childer to Chad Keller: Calm down. I think that last e-mail from her was not a real attack. As I read it, she said an open meeting is an option, did she not? Just be careful what you put in print my friend. Our words have a tendency to bite us in the rear. Maybe I read it wrong, is she saying an open meeting IS NOT and option? I'm confused.......................But I am only an Emperor.

 2003 Ladies and Gentlemen, I am thrilled about the discussions regarding the salt lake Mayor's race. The more we discuss this up front, the better educated we will be in our choices. We must remember that most of the power within City Government lies with the City Council. The Utah Stonewall Democrats are sponsoring a Forum for the Salt Lake Council race on September 23 at the Main City Library (downtown) in the auditorium beginning at 6:00PM. We will be asking very pointed questions of the candidates in an attempt to learn their views on our issues. This will not be a "debate", but more of an information exchange. I believe we have much to gain in this election and must do all we can to make the Council more favorable to our concerns and needs as a community. Please pass his on and ask everyone you know to attend. Mike Picardi, Chair, Utah Stonewall democrats

 2003 Anyone can be a historian at Utah society's annual meeting A specially built, 12-horsepower wagon brings the main section of the Brigham Young Monument to the intersection of Main and South Temple streets in Salt Lake City. (Tribune archive photo) By Michael Yount The Salt Lake Tribune Sheri Murray Ellis knows what is buried beneath South Temple. Edward Cooper was asleep next door when Austin Cox Jr. shot his final victim in Ogden 60 years ago. Each year the Utah State Historical Society offers the chance for historians -- from professionals like Ellis to amateurs like Cooper -- to present papers at its annual meeting. Ellis and Cooper are just two of the three dozen scheduled to speak today and Friday. The new Salt Lake City Public Library will play host to each session, which is free and open to the public. Today's schedule includes a certified local government workshop followed by a reception for the society's new director, Philip F. Notarianni. The opening night concludes with the "Utah History Address" by F. Ross Peterson. The Utah State University professor will present a paper titled "Blind Side: Utah on the Eve of Brown v. Board of Education." Friday's sessions are loaded with presentations like Ellis' discussion of South Temple. Ellis, an archaeologist with SWCA Environmental Consultants in Salt Lake City, is conducting excavations as part of the ongoing construction project on the Salt Lake City street. So far, the project has revealed a trash heap in front of the Beehive House that dates back to the Brigham Young era, rails from the city's original trolley line, portions of cobblestone road and the site of a former cooperative slaughterhouse. Nothing museum- worthy there, but the work offers a glimpse of the city's early days. "When you're driving over the streets you don't know what really is under there," Ellis said. "The written history says the tracks were pulled up, but for much of street the tracks were just paved over." Where South Temple meets Virginia was known as Butcherville, which served as a slaughterhouse for area butchers. Ellis has excavated bones from horses, cows and pigs. Discussions are not limited to Salt Lake City or archaeological research. There are plenty of papers on rural Utah like Daniel Mullins' paper on mining towns and prostitution and Jessie L. Embry's discussion of baseball in Sanpete and Sevier counties. But Cooper's account of the Ogden tragedy is rare because of his connection to the story. Cooper may be classified as an amateur historian, but he is a retired "rocket scientist" who worked on the Apollo program. "I figured I'm probably the last of Mohicans -- the last of the people that knew anything about this," Cooper said of his decision to chronicle the murder. On the eve of Pioneer Day in 1943, Cox shot seven people, killing five. Upset over a divorce judgment, Cox shot six and killed four at a home where he thought his former wife was staying. He then went after the judge in the case, District Judge Lewis V. Trueman, fatally? shooting him through his bedroom window. Cooper, now 69 and living in South Weber, remembers the night well. His grandmother lived next to the Truemans, and he spent many of his childhood days there. "The Truemans didn't have any kids, and they became sort of like an aunt and uncle to me," Cooper said. The night of the murder, Cooper's family had driven to his grandmother's house from their home in Salt Lake City for the next day's parade. He was jolted from his slumber when the fatal shots were fired and the judge's wife ran hysterically next door, yelling, "Mrs. Cooper, somebody shot my husband." Cox was executed less than a year later, and a report from the Utah Peace Officers Association claimed he tried to kill a guard with a sharpened spoon in prison. "Justice was pretty fast in those days," Cooper said. "[In June 1944], the old firing squad, they gave him some of the same." If You Go Utah State Historical Society 2003 Annual Meeting Salt Lake City Public Library, 210 E. 400 South  Today's Schedule 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. -- Certified local government workshop 5:30-6:30 p.m. -- Reception for new director Philip F. Notarianni  and 2003 award recipient 7-8:30 p.m. -- Utah History Address, "Blind Side: Utah on the Eve of Brown v. Board of Education" by F. Ross Peterson, Utah State University  Section B  David Walden, "A History of St. Mark's Hospital"  Carma K. Miller and Barbara Mandleco, "A History of Children's Hospitals in Utah"  Ben Williams, "Utah's Response to the AIDS Epidemic 1981-86"

2003 Page: B3 RAZ/PAC backs Frank Pignanelli for SLC mayor By Heather May    The Salt Lake Tribune WEST VALLEY CITY  --  Another Latino organization has endorsed Frank Pignanelli.  Members of RAZ/PAC, or Raza Political Action Coalition, announced Wednesday that they back the chief political opponent of Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. Their reasons are similar to the ones given by leaders of the Hispanic Democratic Caucus, which also endorsed Pignanelli. The two groups share some leaders. Joe Gonzalez, RAZ/PAC's vice chairman, said Pignanelli has committed to hire minorities for Cabinet-level positions. "We believe the [current] administration doesn't support our community," he said. here are 48 RAZ/PAC members, half of whom live in  Salt Lake City. Anderson has increased the number of minorities working at City Hall, but RAZ/PAC maintains that minorities are hired for low-level jobs. At the end of August, the city employed 324 minorities in full-time salaried jobs, out of 2,579 positions. There were 84 minority administrators, professionals or technicians out of 809 positions. There were 150 minorities out of 1,000 office/clerical, skilled craft workers and service maintenance posts. Robert Gallegos, chairman of RAZ/PAC, said the city should have hired more minorities. He made an issue that one of the minority

Sim Gill

employees  --  prosecutor Sim Gill  --  is "not even an American minority. He's Indian from India." Ana Archuleta, a RAZ/PAC vice chairwoman, said Anderson hasn't been better at hiring minorities than former Mayor Deedee Corradini. But according to Human Resources, minorities made up 10.7 percent of the full-time salaried work force under Corradini, who had 50 fewer employees than the city had at the end of August. Minorities make up 12.6 percent of that work force under Anderson. Archuleta also said qualified minorities  --  including members of her group  --  have been overlooked for city jobs.  "You have qualified minorities who can do those jobs. They aren't taken very seriously," she said. Anderson's hiring of Blythe Nobleman as a minority affairs coordinator continues to be a sore point. She is white and a lesbian. RAZ/PAC wanted someone of color to fill the post. It also felt the group's leaders were "attacked" by Anderson after they criticized him for hiring Nobleman. "It's not an issue that she's gay," Archuleta said, noting the group wanted someone who would understand minority issues. "Someone who can't hide [their minority status]," added Gonzalez. Anderson also has Latino supporters. Some of them recently held a rally for him at Centro Civico Mexicano.

2004 LUCIE BLUE TREMBLAY IN CONCERT Sept 11, 2004 Salt Lake City  Don't miss Lucie Blue Tremblay, a lesbian singer/songwriter from Quebec who has an incredibly beautiful voice, in concert at South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society on Saturday September 11 at 7:30.  Utah singer/songwriter Kathryn Warner will open.  Tickets are $20, $10 for students and children 14 and under are free.  No one will be turned away if they can't afford those prices -sliding scale is available.  Its a fundraiser for the South Valley Intern Fund (we hope to be able to afford an intern minister in the by next fall).  The church address is 6876 South 2000 East. Call 944-9723  for tickets or information

Syren Vaughn

2005 Sunday-Warm up those taste buds because  Empress 29 Syren Vaughn & Michelle From Hell bring you "Hells Kitchen" @ Try-Angles.  They are cooking up Mexican style foods for your eating pleasure!!!  Cost is $5 and proceeds will benefit the RCGSE People with AIDS Christmas Fund.

2005 Sunday Sep 11th - Center Golf Classic "Drive for Diversity" - Stonebridge Golf Course ( 8am ) Early bird registration ends August 31! Register TODAY for the Center's 6 th annual Golf Classic fundraiser. Your $85 gets you breakfast, lunch, 18 holes of golf, golf cart, ditty bag, prizes AND you get to support the Center! This is an exciting and fun event! Download the application form at www.glbtccu.org or call jennifer 539.8800.13

2006 The Saint of 9/11 Screening September 11, 2006 THE SAINT OF 9/11 narrated by Sir Ian McKellen commemorating the 5th anniversary of the World Trade Center tragedy Monday, September 11, 2006, 7:00 pm Westminster College Vieve Gore Concert Hall 1840 South 1300 East "Saint of 9/11" presents the turbulent, restless, spiritual and remarkable journey of Father Mychal Judge. Compassionate champion of the needy and forgotten, a beloved Fire Department Chaplain, rousing Irish-American balladeer and iconoclast, Father Judge was a humble parish priest who wrestled with his own private demons while touching others in powerful and miraculous ways. In an enduring photograph of September 11th, a team of rescue workers carry a Franciscan priest’s body from the World Trade Center. The world came to know Father Mychal Judge, Chaplain, FDNY, in death as a symbol of courage and sacrifice. Throughout his career as a friar, he lived a life of witness, action and love. He provided hope, warmth, compassion, and acceptance. Mychal Judge also knew the pain of loss and suffering. He struggled with alcoholism and was an outspoken AA advocate. Through his own vulnerability, imperfection and fragile humanity, he was able to reach people in their pain, shame and fragility. Father Judge was a gay man who loved his priestly work. “Saint of 9/11” weaves interviews with friends, colleagues, congregants and archival footage with Father Judge’s words. Saint of 9/11 portrays his life as a spiritual adventure and an honest embrace of life, where alcoholism and sexuality were acknowledged. Saint of 9/11 is the story of a life’s journey interrupted. Inspired by his life, the documentary embraces his full humanity. This film and this special Salt Lake Film Center screening are made possible by the generosity of the Bruce Bastian Foundation and Westminster College.

2006 Review: Beefy take on greed lacks narrative yoke By Ellen Fagg The Salt Lake Tribune Eric Samuelsen's new play "Miasma" thoughtfully mines the drama of a family ripped apart by a father's corporate vision. Its ripped-from- the-headlines themes are thoroughly plowed - dwelling on the exploitation and stench of the beef packing industry, built on the backs of a workforce of immigrant laborers. But less well planted are the people at the play's center, who just keep talking and talking, never resisting a chance to explain themselves. Plan-B Theatre Company presents an interlocking narrative puzzle, built around daughter Claire's three visits home to her increasingly smelly Nebraska hometown to borrow money on behalf of estranged family members. Her father, Ben, a former rancher turned meat producer, smells money in that stench. "Beef seasoned with terror, adrenalized to perfection," says daughter Claire (April Fossen). "We all can smell it, the miasma, the smell of cow dung." "Smell it! It's marvelous tonight! Rich and full of life. Rich with death," is what Ben (Ron Frederickson) smells. The four-person cast, under Adrianne Moore's direction, offers some strong turns, particularly Joe DeBevc as the gay Hispanic foreman, Jorge, who does whatever his employer asks so the secret of his sexuality and his illegal immigration status won't be revealed. DeBevc braces his body, sturdy as a shovel, inside his self-hatred as his people's Judas. Fossen's character is built on sharp gestures, the way she turns her head away from everything she despises. She's convincing in the story's most complicated plot twist, her platonic intimacy with Jorge, a relationship that keeps her tied to her hometown and her father. On opening night, more problematic were the characterizations of Christine Thurmond and Frederickson. Thurmond masters the quicksilver shifts in blouses, hairstyles and physical stances to play three roles, yet needs to pull back and rely on the variances of each of the women's voices, rather than overacting in the small theater. Over the course of the production, Frederickson should emphasize the fire of the businessman's ruthlessness, rather than the geniality of the family patriarch. "Miasma" is notable because of the willingness of a local playwright - Samuelsen teaches at Brigham Young University and has had 19 regional and national productions - to grapple with the changes transforming the American West. We are living, he tells us through Claire, in a place that stinks from greed, from the desire to extract a rich living from breeding "cow versions of couch potatoes, cow versions of fast-food customers." The play doesn't seem interested in creating a dramatic narrative out of a realistic place and the believable characters who populate it, instead serving up talking heads who directly address the audience rather than interacting as characters. As an artistic choice, this doesn't particularly work, creating walls of words that bludgeon the audience rather than implicating us. And yet, "Miasma's" ambitions add up to an interesting failure, worth seeing for theatergoers who want to consider the complicated muck of contemporary lives. ---ELLEN FAGG Review Miasma WHERE: Plan-B Theatre Company at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City. WHEN: Friday; plays Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Sept. 24, with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. RUNNING TIME: 85 minutes, no intermission TICKETS: $15 ($10 students); BOTTOM LINE: Talky drama about a family beef business offers meaty subjects to chew on, but not enough character development to savor.