"THE POWER OF HIS TOUCH," Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, through Saturday (801-355-2787).
"The Power of His Touch" is about hope and acceptance, says its creator, Colette Call.
The inspirational musical, which is returning for its second year and debuted at a private showing Tuesday night, is for "anyone who has faced struggles and has been lifted by Christ's love," she says. "The message of Christ is that you can begin again. We all make mistakes, but his love covers that. And our acceptance and love of each other should, too."
The musical is Christian but it is nondenominational. It grew out of a CD that Call released in 2002. Over the next few years, with the help of her writer-brother Mike, the story evolved into a staged reading and finally a musical stage show, with not only dialogue but also twice as many songs as were on the original CD.
The Calls hope it will be a gift to the community, both because of its message and because all proceeds beyond production costs will be donated to local charities.
The story traces the lives of two women — Kendra, a modern unwed mother, and Sarah, a woman living in Christ's time. Both feel inadequate and unworthy. Interwoven is the story of Judas Iscariot, who grew up with a zealot father and came to follow the man called the Messiah in hopes of overthrowing the tyrannical Romans.
A secondary theme running through the story is that people should not be defined by a single moment or one action — as Judas often is, or as is the woman taken in adultery in the Bible (Sarah, in this production). This show fleshes out their story.
Katrina Nelson and David Osmond bring strong voices and a nice chemistry to their roles of Kendra/Sarah and Jason/Nathaniel. They capture the emotion and feeling of the unfolding story well.
The supporting cast is equally impressive. Daniel Beck effectively portrays a gentle, loving Jesus. Rock H. White is appropriately crafty and malicious as Tyrus, the husband of Sarah; and the passion and drive of Judas comes through in Kelly Griffiths' portrayal. Sterling Brimley was also very good as Sarah's father Eli, bringing a sweet tenderness to their relationship.
The music is stirring and moving and carries the show along seamlessly. A simple set effects the change from modern to biblical times nicely, as well.
But the greatest strength of the production is its message, a powerful and timely one for this Easter season.
E-mail: carma@desnews.com