Show Mormon Miracle to open on July A cast of is now rehearsing the Mormon Miracle Pageant in preparation for eight nightly performances of the famed production production pro pro- production in mid The pageant will have performances July 14 and 15 and then again July 17 through 22 on Temple Hill in Manti Pageant officers are suggesting that families plan to attend the July performance in a group as a part of their Family Night activities They are also suggesting that people in the immediate area attend week mid-week showings if convenient so th 1 a t th thC ose t frivol r avelin in or lon 1 nr tic dis- dis u UV LA uy LU g glances g lances will have better opportunities opportunities opportunities to obtain parking and seating Seating however is not expected expected expected ex ex- to be a major problem this year We will this year be able to seat within the gates R. R Clair Anderson Ander Ander- son pageant general manager said A number of trees have been removed from Temple Hill so that there will be an unimpeded view of the stage for that many spectators Rehearsals began Monday night and will continue until July 14 according to Mrs Macksene Rux the director Group practices will be held six nights a week until July 1 when we will start to put it all together Mrs Rux said We plan to double cast the principal parts and may even double cast some of the groups in order to give more people an opportunity to participate she added People from the Gunnison Sanpete South Moroni Moroni Moroni Mor Mor- oni and Sanpete North Stakes are in the cast Some are driving driving driving ing 40 miles to rehearsals The response and the enthusiasm of the local people are wonderfuL won won- Mrs Jane Braithwaite and Mrs Helen Dyreng are assisting assisting assisting as as- Mrs Rux with the re re- In addition to the improved seating other major changes have been affected in the prep prep- The wooden stage on which the tableaux have been presented presented presented pre pre- has been replaced with witha a stage which has been landscaped landscaped landscaped land land- into the south slope of Temple Hill in terrace form and Several thousand dollars have been spent to improve the lighting Arrangements are b being being be be- ing made to better handle the parking of the thousands of vehicles that are expected in Manti ManU during the pageant week Based on The Mormon Miracle Mir Mir- Miracle acle a dramatic reading written and presented before numerous audiences by Miss Grace Johnson the present script is the adaptation of Mrs Rux who has had many years experience in in radio television and the theater She said this years year's script has minor modifications but that it will still present the basic narrative of Latter-day Latter Saint history and doctrine The tableaux will continue to be presented by live performers performers performers per per- formers before a sound tape which carries the voices of the narrators the background music music music mu mu- sic and the sound effects The tape has been enhanced with music provided by the Mormon Mormon Mormon Mor Mor- mon Youth Symphony an and Chorus The pageant was first pr presented presented pre pre- in 1967 before about 2000 spectators Last years year's s audiences totalled about 80 SO- For the pageant staff each summer is a learning experience experience experience Mr Anderson said We try to pick up where we left off and go on from there not only in such mundane matters matters matters mat mat- as food and parking and housing for our visitors but also in the dramatic and spiritual spiritual spiritual impact of the production itself We think the audiences who view this summers summer's performances perform perform- ances of the Mormon n Miracle Pageant will see a superb production pro pro- production on which will enrich their lives |