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Noah's Flood to come to Kent Concert Hall By
Dan Chase
But don't worry--Noah will be there along with his ark and nearly 100 other actors and actresses as they portray "Noah's Flood." "We've been thinking about doing (the play) for many years," said Bonnie Slade, producer of the show and artistic director for the Cache Children's Choir. "Finally all the necessary things came together this year and we felt it was a good way to celebrate the millennium." According to Dr. Will Kesling, the play is actually a miracle play, written by composer Benjamin Britten. "The people, because they were illiterate in the Middle Ages, mostly, would learn the stories from the Bible by watching these mystery plays, or miracle plays as they were called," said Kesling, who will direct the play's 75-member orchestra. "So here, Benjamin Britten, a 20th century composer, looks back over his shoulder at this old form of the Middle Ages and actually draws the old, poetized text from the Middle Ages. It's a significant work and a really interesting piece." Slade said the play is much "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," but more difficult. "I wouldn't have ever picked anything if I didn't feel that it had some weight to it," said Slade. "Everybody's time is valuable and we need to provide experiences for young people. "(Experience) is probably one of the most important things they'll get," Slade added. "They get a chance to work with and observe professional singers and musicians, and they can, by watching, soak up some of the aura that goes with creating something really different and really special that they couldn't do in any other way." Despite the format of the miracle play, Slade said many will recognize the storyline. "It's just like the biblical account, really," Slade said. "The story opens with the opening hymn, which sets the scene of the world in chaos. "Then we have God's voice that comes in and He starts complaining about all the bad things that are going on in the world," Slade added. "Then He tells (Noah) how to build the ark." Among cast members are Utah Symphony first violinist Judd Sheranian, USU vocal performance director Dr. Cindy Dewey, and Slade's husband, Larry, who play Noah, Mrs. Noah and God, respectively. The rest of the cast is made up of children. Despite a long preparation period, Slade said she's optimistic about this weekend's performance. "This is probably the biggest project I've ever attempted," Slade said. "But I feel like with so many wonderful people backing it up that eventually all of these elements are going to come together and we will have built the ark' so to speak." "Noah's Flood" runs this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall. A matinee will also be held Saturday afternoon at 2:30. Tickets may be purchased at Keepsake Kottage, The Book Table, both
Lee's Marketplace locations and at the door. Prices are $5 for an individual
ticket and $15 for an immediate family pass. |
Archived Months:
September
1998 |
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