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“White Star” Shines as New LDS Musical
By Laurie Williams Sowby

It began with "Saturday’s Warrior" more than three decades ago. Now Doug Stewart, the same man who started the LDS musical genre with his popular story (which follows a family from pre-existence through the trials of earthly life) has teamed up with Janice Kapp Perry to write "The White Star."

The musical takes its title from a symbol for Jesus Christ, who gives light to the world and to individual lives as well. The 90-minute production, directed by George Nelson, is fast-paced, entertaining, and chock full of good tunes sung by able performers. It’s tighter and shorter than "Saturday’s Warrior" but still carries a message of love and caring on opposite sides of the veil.

This time, the LDS family is not quite so perfect. Although there is a teenaged seminary dropout, Matt, who is a touch rebellious (played convincingly by Jared Young), he is just following the wishes of his returned-missionary-turned-inactive father (Alan Humpherys) — who would much rather see him accept a college tennis scholarship than serve a mission. The father’s position naturally causes friction with other, more faithful members of the family, including his wife (Margo Watson), daughter (Anna Kaelin) and younger son (David Warr).

The engaging Josh Tenney nearly steals the show as Luke, the young, ebullient, scripture-quoting convert who lives next door and doesn’t understand his neighbors’ lack of enthusiasm for anything religious. He provides many comic moments in a story with serious overtones.

A tormented young man seeks help from beyond the veil in the musical production “White Star.”

As it was in "Saturday’s Warrior," it is the teenaged son who brings things to a head — after he sees in his dreams ancestors who prod him toward a testimony and urge him to make sure his father isn’t left out of the family chain. Matt and his entire family gain strength from reading the experiences of their ancestors in a journal they find.

Those scenes featuring the ancestors, as well as one in Jerusalem at the time of the Crucifixion are memorable. Audiences can also relate to the tension caused by other plot events and relationships among the characters.

The well-chosen cast features outstanding singing voices. Kudos go to A.J. Longhurst, Chuck Gilmore, Matt Dobson, David Weekes, Shoni Winkel, Laurel Warr, Katie Tenney, Leslie Nelson and Lucas Charon, as well as the "family" and "Luke."

The music varies from high-energy production numbers to tender solos and duets with fluid melodies. Although most fit nicely with the scenes, the segue from a tender scene toward the end into a rollicking gospel-rock-style number is jarringly out of character with the preceding scene. Still, it was the one the BYU Education Week audience applauded the most.

Other LDS audiences of all ages will likely enjoy "White Star" just as much.

"White Star" premiered during BYU Education Week and is set to travel in the western states after performances Sept. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at Timpview High School in Provo, Utah. Tickets and performance information are available online at www.whitestarmusical.com.

(One note to everyone: Please take that S off the end of Young Women!)

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