An inside look at 'The Forgotten Carols'

By Stephanie H. Olsen

Michael McLean will be returning to Logan to spread some Christmas spirit through his annual musical, The Forgotten Carols.

The Forgotten Carols is a two-hour production that tours the country beginning the first of November and ends a few days before Christmas each year. The positive response the show has received from people during the past decade has come as a surprise to the popular songwriter/author.

"I'm not sure what really brings people back year after year. My guess is that the magic that comes with this time of year lets people experience things that they normally won't allow themselves to feel," McLean said.

Not only has McLean been surprised by the popularity of the musical, but also by its creation. Deseret Book asked McLean for a Christmas album, but McLean was reluctant.

"How do you outdo Oh Holy Night, or write a better carol than White Christmas? In my mind, all of the great Christmas songs had already been written," McLean said.

Then, while sitting in his office one night, McLean began to wonder how the Innkeeper must have felt once he realized he had turned the Christ Child away, and the first forgotten carol, Let Him In, was born.

Others soon followed as McLean pondered the concept of other forgotten, but real, characters in the Christmas story. What did Joseph experience? Who helped Mary care for her new baby? How did the shepherds react? One by one the songs flowed from McLean's hand.

However, the songs were not written to be preformed on stage.

"I never intended The Forgotten Carols to be preformed. It was meant to be a storybook with correlating songs on a cassette tape to be played at certain times. I began performing it just to get people interested in the book. I never dreamed it would turn into what is has," McLean said.

In the beginning McLean told the whole story, switching back and forth between all the different characters from Uncle John to Connie Lou. But McLean never felt confident in his own acting and singing talent, so during the years he has added others to help improve the production.

"I suffer from industrial-strength depression. I have been in therapy for years and have even started taking medication. The songs I write is a process that helps me work things out. Songs like You're Not Alone or Hold on the Light Will Come or Ninety and Nine are a part of the person I am struggling with or trying to be," McLean said.

McLean feels it's life experiences such as these that allow him to feel deeply for others, and is part of the reason why his songs inspire people. He feels that is his mission in life.

"I'm not really sure what I expected my career to become. I thought I would be some big movie producer, or have hit songs play on the radio. But there will come a point in everyone's lives when they will have to ask themselves if they are willingly to do what the Lords wants them to do with the talents He has given them. I hope my music can touch those who wouldn't be touched otherwise," McLean said.

This goal is especially true for The Forgotten Carols. McLean's desire is that people will come and let life stand still while they take time to remember.

The Forgotten Carols will come to Kent Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3. Tickets are on-line at www.deseretbook.com, $15 each.

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