Every 18 Months

Daughter, Angela and baby Sutton

Every 18 months a small team of us living here in the Irvine Stake organize, write, direct and cast a production that involves a bit of acting, tons of singing, and a dance or two. The committee is Robin Utley (stake music director), Linda Simmons (choreographer), myself and creative people to include Bret Simmons (pianist), and Jared Scott (tech). We have been permanently installed as this production committee. It all started in 2006 with Lights On Broadway 2006. I enlisted Cooper to create the name and logo, and because of my huge inventory of musical scores and backing tracks, we were able to create some exciting productions. It has been fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owReY1yNCV8
We have tried to mix it up a bit with a fun, light musical review-type program with spiritual - every other year. Our biggest production (expenses-wise) was the production from Salt Lake City, Utah called "Savior of the World." Our stake did an incredible job with an amazing piece. This production was the collaboration of talented Church Music Committee people and the Twelve Apostles. With their combined efforts, the production was spiritual for all involved, and many  lives were touched. I loved directing the 121 angel choir, and Angela sang the role of Mary Magdalene. Some nights I was so involved with listening to her sing that I almost forgot to bring the choir numbers in. I would tear up every night, especially when the birth of Christ was depicted and the angels were singing "Glory to God!" 

LOB 2008

This year we have been asked to take on the usual light, fun musical review-type production to start rehearsals September 10th. However, our assignment this time is to have some sort of theme -leaving the audience with an uplifting message. This has been a personal struggle because I was very much looking forward to doing another Lights On Broadway 2011. Definitely a labor of love due to having to coordinate everything from song selections to scripting with a team. Talented people definitely are strong with their opinions - in a good way because we are all members of the church - but that is the way with artists. It will still be a fun show, and friendships will be made, nerves frazzled, but what I will miss most is the chance to work side-by-side with Angela. Angela has always directed the youth - YM/YW. She has moved to Utah with her family. So those moments we had together in 2006 and 2008, and of course, Savior of the World, will be treasured and thought of often. I'm glad we recorded those two shows because it just won't be the same this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfI6ii2janc&feature=grec_index