BYU NewsNet - Showtime Utah's Night at the Indies

A new venue in Pleasant Grove will host up-and-coming independent films and other dinner theater events and is sponsoring its first Night at the Indies event Saturday.

This month, Night at the Indies will feature "CTU: Provo," an independent comedy film that is a Provo version of the television show "24." The film will begin at 10 p.m. and admission is free with the purchase of a drink and popcorn for $4.75.

"We created this event for low-budget independent films that don't have the money to show their films in the bigger venues," said Joan Peterson, executive producer of Showtime Utah. "These people put their heart, blood and soul into these films, and this event gives them a chance to show their work at no cost."

"CTU: Provo" was made on a budget of $15,000. None of the cast members were paid for appearing in the film.

"With such a small budget, independent film directors think about every expense," Peterson said. "We want to cut out the expense that the other independent film venues add."

The film starts when Provo is faced with an eco-terrorist threat that only the Counter Terrorism Unit with the help of few local die-hard fans of "24," can stop.

"The film is way too much fun for having done it on such a small budget," the film's director Alan Seawright said.

"I think this film came a lot from our love of the TV series '24,'" said Joel Hilton, actor in the film and former member of Divine Comedy. "We used to have viewing parties and watch entire seasons in one weekend."

Donny Osmond appears in the film as the villain, as well as radio personality Jimmy Chunga, actor Rick Macey and members of Divine Comedy.

"I play the jerk from Division who comes to lay down the law," Hilton said. "He thinks that his job is way more important than theirs."

"CTU: Provo" will screen regularly at Showtime Utah after its premier Saturday. Showtime Utah has been open for seven weeks and will be holding a number of events to provide more types of live entertainment. Other events include The Old West Dinner Adventure, Family Night Live, the Entertainment Hot Spot, It's Just for Laughs and Beginner's Luck. More information on these events can be found on their Web site at www.showtimeutah.com.