OREM — James Arrington likes bringing Brigham Young to life. He enjoys making the early leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints real for people by portraying him with heart and humor.
"It's a near and dear thing," Arrington said as he prepares to perform a farewell five-day series Nov. 9-14 of "Here's Brother Brigham" shows in advance of leaving with his wife for an LDS Church mission to Nashville, Tennessee.
"There's some of it written on my bones," he said as he discussed the task of bringing the one-man show back after a 15-year hiatus for its 40th year anniversary.
"It's the first show I did where I made any money," Arrington said. "I'm very proud of it. I love the character."
"Here's Brother Brigham" focuses on President Young's sense of humor, his humanity, personal magnetism and intelligence. The LDS Church's second prophet, who led the Mormons to Utah, is portrayed as a three-dimensional man with flaws, courage, gifts and a strong personality.
Arrington said as he researched Young, he was careful to only select pieces that he could prove, discarding a lot of folklore along the way
"He deserves to be understood," he said.
Arrington has made a successful career of entertaining audiences with the Farley Family Reunion shows and his one-man shows. He retired recently as a professor in the drama department at Utah Valley University.
The shows scheduled at the SCERA Center for the Arts Nov. 9-14 will probably be the final shows.
"I'm glad to put a period on it if not an exclamation point," Arrington said.
"Here's Brother Brigham" has been performed to capacity audiences in Provo at Brigham Young University and in 32 states, England and Canada.
Arrington has also portrayed Brigham Young in other settings, including as grand marshal of the Days of ′47 sesquicentennial parade in Salt Lake City and while directing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as Brigham Young on another occasion.
The farewell shows will be recorded, Arrington said, so he can show his grandchildren who he was someday.
When he returns from Tennessee, he intends to write an opera about the Farley Family Funeral and keep involved in theater.
"(That's why) I didn't give away all the costumes and pieces I use in the Farley shows," he said. "I might still need them."
He's also packing his Brigham gear in his suitcase as he travels to Tennessee.
He'll work with his mission president if Arrington brings Brigham out to southern audiences.
"I hope the audience will leave the show believing they have experienced a first-class, eye-to-eye relationship with a man who didn’t pull any punches and told the truth," Arrington stated in a news release about the final shows.
If you go ...
What: "Here's Brother Brigham" 40th-anniversary performances
When: Nov. 9-14, 7:30 p.m.
Where: SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State, Orem
Tickets: $12 for general; $10 children and seniors; group rates available
Phone: 801-225-2787
Web: scera.org
Sharon Haddock is a professional writer with more than 35 years' experience, 17 at the Deseret News. Her personal blog is at sharonhaddock.blogspot.com.
Email: haddoc@deseretnews.com