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Show Page t: THfc DAILY HtRAJ.Il Cri Aa Friday. ProwJ. I lah. Friday. Oclober 30, 'Trail' playvvfigte By Tht Daih HraU cf. The playwrights of OREM the original pioneer musical "The Trail of Dreams" are stars in the production in a personal portrayal of his ancestor,, Join Brown (Brigham Young's scout and the first Mormon pionee to see the Salt take Vaiteyk encourages those who have genealogical ties to pioneers listed; in, the story to contact SCERA between 10 am and 5 pjn. weekMarvin Payne, who searthin for living relatives of the those pioneers whose journals provided the true experiences --and uctuat" words for their script. James Arrington,. Marvin Payne and Steven Kapp the inspiration to pen the stories and songs for their days drama than d Z25-256- & Pratt Young, Priddy Meeks, Mary Ann Weston Maugrtan, Lyman Shurtliff, Norton, Jacob tevi Jackman William Empey. Solomon Chamberlaia, George Albert Smith M.M. Benson Lew. Savage. Patience loader, Susan Noble, Emetine Grover Richv John Stucki Lucy Ashby Clark, Langley Bailey, John Ctuslett John Benson, Dan Jones, Ephraim Hanks, Peter Howard McBride. Daniel McArthur, Efca Lyman, Martha Spence Heywood, Nathan Staker, Eliza R, Snow, Erastus Snow, John Johnson Davies, Frederick Ptercy, Jean Baker, Jane Richards, Sarah Staker, Alien Stout Lorenzo Young, William Clayton, John Watkins, Mary Brannigan, Mary Bathgate, Mary Lightner, David John, Mary Ann Hafei Joet Johnson, Joseph Ellis Johnson, Appleton Harmon and Helen Mar Kimbal Whitney. 60 pioneers ranging from Erigham Young to Marvin t Payne's real-lifgrandfather, John Brown. The play runs at SCERA's new indoor showhouse in e Orsc !Ciing, from the journals of more ; at (801 The written memories of the following pioneers are depicted in "The Trail of Dreams": John Brown, Mosiah Hancock, Ellen Wasden, AJtred Lambourne, Sarah Rich, Jens Nielson. Elsie Nielson. Caroline Grant Jedediah Ml Grant Robert Pearca Henry Grow, David. Osbowv Wandte Mace, Zadoe Judd Brigftara Perry-gaine- d critically-acclaime- looCiooig fop ireDsiwes great-grea- rt Orem. Recently, a group of people who went on the Mormon Trail Wagon Train last year got together for a trek reunion and attended "The Trail of Dreams a show for which they feel a discount wilt be offered to those relatives who attend showing of The Trait of Dreams, A great connection, says Earl Gillmore, handcart captain of the "True to the Faith team whose actual trek handcart is on display in SCERA's lobby, branded with the name of the states it went through. "James and Marvin came out during the trek and observed and participated and then modified the play to reflect what a Gillmore they experienced said. "When we saw their final product, it was like seeing pieces of ourselves there." SCERA President Norm Nielsen saw the show last week and said he was touched. "Whoever has a pioneer and all of us have some sort of "pioneer in our ancestry, must see this show. It's about those that have come before who made sacrifices for future generations. "You can expect breadth, depth, history and an emotional attachment to your ancestors which fills the mind, enlarges the heart and stirs the soul. In a day of eroding values, cultural decline and sensationalism, this production strikes an overwhelming fore-bear- blow for goodness." r phtK Courtjfsy descendants: Clockwise from top, playwrights Marvin Payne (standing), James Arrington and Steven Kapp Perry are searching for relatives of those pioneers' journals on which their musical drama "The Trail of Dreams is based. Searching for Although numbers are often considered dry subject matter, the second half of "Trail of Dreams" begins with a dramatic telling of pioneer statistics that leaves one in awe of the challenges overcome by those that came before us. 1? pSooneeo's For example, the number of pioneers was 70,000. The number of pioneers who walked the entire trail was well more than half. Number of deaths per Length of company was the journey for most was an arduous 7,828 miles. The number of pioneers bora as Americans was only one in every four. The journals of Danish immigrants Jens and Elsie Nielson played by Davison Cheney and Jan Felt, combine firm conviction with robust humor as pioneers featured: prominently in the production. Hundreds of their descendants have come from as far as Blanding and northern Idaho to applaud their family heroes, and have played in subsequent productions of "The Trait of Dreams" in their own towns. Prize-winnin- rf-- science fiction g author Lee Allred, descendant of Reddick Allred, who- helped rescue the 1856 stranded handcart companies, says he found the production stunning. To see depicted the pioneer's first halting steps across the trail helped me live the stories and appreciate those steps that unite all of us," he said. "We'd love to find those who live here in these valleys now because their pioneer ancestors walked here. We've met these pioneers on paper and in our imaginations and it would be wonderful to see the faces of those for whom they dreamed and sacrificed. Said Payne: "Taking a moment to acknowledge before each evening's performance those descendants who may be in our audience could lead to a beautiful blending of realities. You know, a moment of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers.' Theatre can be part of that turning." He says he feels a strong connection to his character and t grandfather, John great-grea- Brown. "What I have learned about captaining pioneers is so like being the director of this play. I love my company in a way that Courtesy pholo David Whitlock portrays Robert Pearce, a handicapped pioneer whose journal is one of 60 on which the musical drama the trail: On 'The Trail of Dreams" is based. I imagine is something like how he loved his, and want them to pull together for the reward of excellence. Reading John's journals, I am surprised to feel not 'I understand this man, but this man understands me." 7:30 through 16 on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and K Nov, Mondays Whaw: The SCERA. Showcase indoor theater, 745 S, State St., Orem Coat: $9 in advance, $11 same day. Tickets aft available 10 a.m.-- 5 p.m. weekdays at the SCERA Center, or by calling 225- 2569 or Special group rates are available for church, civic and family groups of 10 or more. David Whitlock, who plays the handicapped Robert Pearce, says his role and his experience in bringing these true stories to life has been inspirational. "The feeling within the cast is that our trek, our purpose is not as physically or emotionally difficult as those we portray, but we strongly feel that keeping this piece of history in front of an audience is just as important," he says. . 225-ART- BlMrjBMBIBMr Celebration of health Foundation and McKay Events Center present.. 1 l i1 SPRINGVILLE'S FULL SERVICE ART GALLERY CUSTOM FRAMING i 1 1 1 "HANG WITH THE BEST" Come meet the owners and staff on October 3L 19Q8 from 11:00 am to 6:00 p.mr THE FIRST 50 VISITORS TO OUR SATURDAY OPEN HOUSE WILL RECEIVE A $50.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE TOWARD FUTURE ART PURCHASES OR FRAMING (LIMIT ONE PER FAMIL Y) 13 1 invite you to drop in and see our selection offine art originals, prints, and bronzes. The finest selection of custom and commercial moldings available to frame your original art prints, photos and keepsakes. Superb workmanship, committed to customer satisfaction. Art consultants available ; to assist you with all your art needs, We fr. rew Pnjvwii f Monday, Nov. 2 & Tuesday, Nov. 3 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm Adult $12 Child $5 V.I.P. Adult $15 Child $7 (1st 10 rows on ftoor and 1st section on each i m m 1 H m Commercial and residential consultation available durixg regular hours or by appointment m : m dc of the stage) m m Tickets may be purchased at the McKay Event Center, all Smith 's Tix locations Call S t W (mtVei fci ctftri!: West) tfTOr- , Sponsored by: The Daily Herald Courtyard Marriott - Provo Provo Marriott Hotel X m Pamily Pass $35 (limit of 8) 801-764-5HO- 1 A F1 Hct I 4 ... - KUWB TV-3- x rr & 0 Provo lowne Centre! USPortrlm POOI |