"One Life"- Act 1

Introduction-- We had a wonderful orchestra, directed by Sylvie.  (Many other stakes use lots of the members of our stake for their orchestras, so it was nice to have one of our own.)  Her niece, Seanessy, was the youngest member, but did incredible.  Each night began with the introduction from Elizabeth, our director. 

Act 1, Scene 1

w/Grant as the Judge 

Judge- "Joseph Smith, this court now releases you on a writ of habeas corpus."

"The Wolf is at the Door"

"The wolf is at the door again, just like he's been before again... there is no rest for weary sheep, God's plan moves on, with more in store..."

This was the hardest scene for me.  We really had to work hard to act terrified the whole scene.  The kids did a great job!  I love their facial expressions in these pictures. Tierra and Sariah's expressions are my favorite!!

 Act 1 Scene 2 and 3
"One Life"
"...How fragile life seems now, when faced with death somehow, I hunger for the peace I felt before... endless hours spent on bended knee, God knows the deep desire of your plea...  my days may not be long upon this land... one life..."
This was a very touching duet between "brothers."

Act 1 Scene 4
Flashbacks begin...
"I Have Seen Them"
"I have seen them, the Father and the Son.  I have seen them, standing brighter than the sun.  And because they came to speak to me and even knew my name, nothing in my life will ever be the same!"  (This line was quoted by many members of the cast, referencing that nothing in their lives would ever be the same after participating in this play.)
I loved Taylor's sweet voice singing this sweet song.  He did a wonderful job!  It seriously made me want to cry when everyone was taunting him ("You're a nobody and a fool!") because he looked like he was about to cry and I imagine that must've been so hard for the real Joseph Smith.

The kids did great at the freeze, especially little Aurora!  I received several comments on how impressed people were by how good she did holding still for so long.  You can see her in the 4th picture, frozen with her arms up.

Act 1 Scene 5
"You've always been a truthful boy, Joseph."

Act 1 Scene 6
"Come Away With Me"
"To Squire Tarbill's!  To be married!"

Act 1 Scene 7
"Out of the Dust"
"...A treasure buried in the earth, a jewel of infinite worth, a message written for our day..."
This scene was really neat.  Some of the members of the Spanish branch played the angels during this scene.  I enjoyed catching up with my friend, Joe S, who played one of them, as well.

Act 1 Scene 8
"Dear Father"
"All is lost, what am I to do... How will I live?  How will I find the strength to give?"
Liz and Ian both did an incredible job during this difficult scene, when the baby dies.  I was amazed!

Act 1 Scene 9
"Dear Father" Reprise
Martin loses the manuscript pages.  I loved this reprise.  The Spirit was very strong when Ian and Sariah/Lucy sang it.  I especially loved Lucy's part of this song and the tender way which Sariah (both Sariah's loved meeting another person with their same name) delivered it, "Joseph, you will live and you can ask him to forgive, your heart is true, the Lord has not forsaken you.  You have not lost your soul, for surely He will make you whole."
Joseph- "Now I pray, and all my heart is in my plea.  Dear Father, please be merciful to me."

Act 1 Scene 10
"Out of the Dust" Reprise
Angel Moroni- "But God is merciful, He has forgiven you.  You are His chosen one, you have a work to do."
I absolutely loved the piano part in this song... it was incredibly beautiful!
Also the guy who played Oliver Cowdery embraced his parts so well and gave his heart.  Each night, during the Zion's Camp scene, he sang back stage since he wasn't on stage during that part.  He never missed it and sang with such conviction. 

Act 1 Scene 11
"Now We'll Sing With One Accord"
"Never to be Forgotten"
This was such a fun and happy scene... one of my favorites!!  I thought Riana did an especially great job keeping in character for this scene.  I also loved all the jokes that were written into this song.   And the all men, missionary, part.  I loved how Grant added in his own little things with his character, like on this part... "But we only left one book with somebody named Young!"   He walked up and they handed him the Book of Mormon.  Another part I loved on this song was when the missionaries left and we all waved to them and then when they came home, Aurora would always get so excited to see her Daddy/Logan (who totally looked the part for her Daddy, since they both have matching hair color.  Logan, Brooke, and Aurora were the cutest little family.

"(All) These are days never to be forgotten, never to be forgotten is the praise that we shall sing, never to be forgotten, these precious days of spring... (Joseph) The ensign of the Lord is now unfurled and what you now must understand is that this church will fill this land, and I forsee that it will fill the world!  ... (All) Never to be forgotten, these bless-ed lat-ter days!!"

 

Act 1 Scene 12
One of my favorite parts of being in "One Life" was that each and every person gave their all for their part!  I thought everyone was perfect for their part!  That was really neat to me to see how much their part meant to them and how much they poured into the role.  I think this picture embodies that well.

"We'll go back to Nauvoo, be with the Saints and our families, and then await the Lord's will."

INTERMISSION