Paul Tan is an actor, writer, local film producer, financial consultant, and past, present, and future director of the Park City Follies. The Follies is an annual musical spoof of topical issues in Park City, Utah. This irreverent live stage show, performed at the historic Egyptian Theatre on Park City’s Main Street, runs in the spring and pokes fun at local issues in a humorous, appreciative way. Essentially, “the audience is the story and we are making fun of the audience,” says Tan. The show started as a one-night event in 2001. But after the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic games, they had so much material to work with that the show gained recognition and became even bigger and better. It’s now a sold-out show that runs for a week and a half every year with an avid, almost cult-like following.

Like many, Paul Tan and his family moved to Park City to enjoy the coveted lifestyle that offers small-town intimacy wrapped in a rich cultural fabric, with great outdoor recreation all year round. While building his financial consulting business, Paul became involved in the local improv, film, and theatre. His passion is creating stories and telling those stories. “There are two aspects that have to come together when telling a story - art and science,” explains Tan. The art is creating a story to tell. The science part is the structure, format, and rules. “You also need to have some history,” says Tan. After close to 20 years of living in Park City, he can tell some stories…

FAVORITE LORE ADVENTURES FROM THE HISTORY BUFF

1. YOU’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PARK CITY FOLLIES FOR MANY YEARS - TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE FOLLIES. WHAT KIND OF IMPACT DID IT HAVE AND WHY? HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR TOPICS?

My favorite Follies is always the next one coming up! The beauty of a live stage production is that it lives for that moment in time, becomes a part of the experience of the community, and then becomes a memory. Working on the next production is like trying to solve a problem. What are the big topics in town, what are people talking about, what will be relevant in April and May* when the show goes on stage? The next step is to involve the actors, the community, the Egyptian Theatre, and then try and make it funny. If we're lucky, the story reflects the attitudes and conscience of Park City locals. In a topical show like the Follies, you always need to be looking forward.

2. What is unique about your storytelling?

One of the secret sauces of the Follies is that it’s organic and dynamic - it doesn't happen and then just exists in the digital ether like so many other things. In our "pics" or "it didn't happen" world, it's nice to be able to share an experience together at an event that both introspectively looks at ourselves while having fun doing it. As great as Park City is, it's not a perfect place; it has its challenges; and, sometimes it takes a slightly different angle to find a solution. We try to use humor to look at our little town and shed light on some of the issues we face in Park City.

3. You mention in your work in storytelling and production that you see yourself in many ways as a marionettist. Can you expand on that?

A favorite phrase with the Follies is that "comedy is serious business". What appears to be all fun and games for the Follies family, is really a labor of love that requires an incredible amount of blood sweat and tears. It’s a show that takes a thousand details to pull off. The marionette example is only accurate if you give credit to the other 30 marionettists. I find inspiration from almost any performer that puts themselves out there and takes the risk to create. Creating original material is always a process of climbing out of that comfort zone and being willing to fail repeatedly to finally (hopefully) succeed.

4. What is your favorite Park City ghost story, folklore or historical fact?

I had a client who would tell me stories about riding in the mining cars through the old mining tunnels to get up on the mountain and ski. They would wear wool sweaters; the water would drip on them as they made the hour-long, 2.5-mile journey through the tunnels, and freeze when they emerged atop the mountain; and, then they would ski with leather boots and wooden skis - some of these items you can check out at Park City Museum or Alf Engen Museum!

5. What are you looking forward to in Park City’s future?

It's fascinating to watch a city evolve and how people react to changes. For better or worse, Park City is going to continue to change and look different. It's fun to try and chronicle the past and predict the future in a show. The Park City Follies is a show about our past, our future, ourselves; and, it's a comedy, so don't be too serious...