What is The Book of Mormon Family Musical ?
An original full-length musical, based on the Book of Mormon, written and directed by Carrie Maxwell Wrigley. The full title is: "Press Forward: A Book of Mormon Family Musical."
What Is It About?
The musical follows the life of the prophets Lehi and Nephi, from Nephi's early teens to his senior years. The musical shows the prophetic calling of Lehi in Jerusalem; the 8-year wilderness journey of their family; Nephi's growth as a prophet in his own right; and the establishment of two unique civilizations in the New World.
The personal struggles, family dramas, triumphs and heartaches of the men and women of this family are also shown, giving strength to faithful souls in our time, seeking to "press forward" through our own unique challenges.
When Was It Performed, and Is It Available on Video?
The musical was originally performed on April 28-30, 2016, at the LDS Conference Center Theatre, in Salt Lake City, Utah. A DVD of the show was released January 2017, and is now available for viewing on YouTube here.
Is There a Cast Recording Available?
A live soundtrack of the songs, featuring the original cast, was released on audio on May 7, 2021. This recording includes all the audio from the video, both the songs and spoken parts. You can listen to the soundtrack, or to download the mp3 tracks for no charge, here. The audio version is divided into 3 parts, downloadable from 3 different webpages, as follows
- Part 1 - The Departure (40 minutes, 24 tracks) - Based on 1 Nephi 1-4
- Part 2 - The Journey (38 minutes, 15 tracks) - Based on 1 Nephi 5-16
- Part 3 - The Promised Land (64 minutes) - Based on 1 Nephi 17 - 2 Nephi 33
What Is the Style of the Music?
The music is a rich mix of styles, reflecting the variety of character and themes in the story. Musically, the show has been described as "a mix of Les Miserables (dramatic and emotional); Next to Normal (gritty and modern); and Savior of the World (elegant and spiritual). Styles range from classical oratorio, to heartfelt ballad, to percussive rock tune - depending on the character and context.
Who Was Involved In Producing This Musical?
The production wias produced by the Sandy East Stake in Sandy, Utah. It was written and directed by Carrie Maxwell Wrigley, and produced in consultation with staff and stage crew at the LDS Conference Center Theatre. A large Development Team from the stake provided input on the production, and the script and music were workshopped for over a year by the core cast.
The full production required a large, varied cast of men, women, youth, and children, from infants to older adults. In addition, backstage help was needed for sewing costumes, painting sets, doing publicity, and a host of other tasks. As hoped, many families in this faith community chose to participate in the show together, as a way of strengthening unity, sharing faith, and building solid community.
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What Is the Purpose of This Musical Production?
This production, "Press Forward: A Book of Mormon Family Musical," is designed to bring to life the inspiring characters and stories from the first portion of "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ." It brings humanity and richness to these historical characters - both the men, and also the women. It explores their relationships as family and community members. It captures their griefs, conflicts, sorrows, heartbreaks, struggles, and joys. It is designed to reflect the faith, strength, and hope of these ancient heroes in their time, in order to inspire continuing courage in the challenges and opportuniites of our own time.
Is This Show Related to Broadway's "Book of Mormon" Musical?
Only in the name. This musical is a faith-building, family-friendly work, true to the content, characters, and message expressed in the Book of Mormon. Broadway's production was designed as an entertainment-oriented, satirical, commercial work which had little in common with the original text of the Book of Mormon. This musical seeks to bring that sacred text to life, with reverence and appreciation.
What Is the Purpose of This Website?
Originally, this site was created as a resource for cast and crew members, with resources to assist in the development of the show in early 2016. Over time, the site is being expanded and repurposed,to inform audience members about the show, as it gets released in video and CD format; as well as providing information to other future casts who may be interested in doing the show.
The Guiding Vision for This Project: Ezra Taft Benson, 1988
"I have a vision of artists putting into film, drama, literature, music, and paintings great themes
and great characters from the Book of Mormon....
I have a vision of the whole Church getting nearer to God by abiding by the precepts of the Book of Mormon.
-- "Indeed, I have a vision of flooding the earth with the Book of Mormon." --