Remembering USF's Fred Adams

KUER 90.1 | By Doug Fabrizio

Published February 14, 2020 at 8:50 AM MST

Back in the early ’60s, Fred Adams had a dream. His dream was rooted in Cedar City, which at that time was home to more livestock than people, so the idea of starting a festival there devoted to the plays of William Shakespeare probably shouldn’t have worked. But Adams was a visionary. Through his persistence, tenacity, and his ability to inspire others, he built an annual event that grew and grew until eventually his dream became reality. Sadly, Adams died last week. As friends and family gather at his memorial this Friday, we’re offering a tribute to the man whose dream gave us all the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

GUEST

Scott Phillips, executive director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival from 2007-2017

Arts, Theater & Film

Doug Fabrizio

Doug Fabrizio has been reporting for KUER News since 1987, and became News Director in 1993. In 2001, he became host and executive producer of KUER's RadioWest, a one hour conversation/call-in show on KUER 90.1 in Salt Lake City. He has gained a reputation for his thoughtful style. He has interviewed everyone from Isabel Allende to the Dalai Lama, and from Madeleine Albright to Desmond Tutu. His interview skills landed him a spot as a guest host of the national NPR program, "Talk of the Nation." He has won numerous awards for his reporting and for his work with RadioWest and KUED's Utah NOW from such organizations as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Public Radio News Directors Association and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

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