The Provo YSA Multistake Choir presents
Standing on the Promises
Set in 1800s Kirtland, this epic choral work follows the lives of Parley and Thankful Pratt as they navigate the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society and discover the true reason for their faith in the Lord’s restored church.
About the Show
Standing on the Promises is a choral work written by Cristian Torres, with music by Kevin West. It features many hymns from the new hymnbook, including Standing on the Promises, When the Savior Comes Again, Look Unto Christ, and Softly and Tenderly. It also features music by CJ Madsen, including I Saw A Pillar of Light and Ask of God. The production runs about 1 hour and 15 minutes long.
The music is orchestrated in a style that is both folksy and cinematic. You can listen to a thrilling snippet of the overture here. The choir sings in the majority of the songs, and many characters also have short solos. Characters include: Thankful and Parley P. Pratt, Sister and Brother Allen, Joseph and Emma Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Grandison Newell, a midwife, Warren Parrish, John Taylor, Mary Fielding, Thomas Marsh, David Patten, and William Smith.
The story is narrated by Thankful Pratt, the wife of Parley P. Pratt, and follows Parley's character arc as he suffers great losses from the collapse of the Kirtland Safety Society, becomes disaffected from the prophet Joseph Smith, explores the reasons for his own faith, converses with his Canadian converts and fellow apostles, and ultimately makes his way back to the body of the Saints. Audience members who are experiencing their own crises of faith will find strength and validation in Parley's experience—while family members and friends of those being tested will also learn about what it means to support those on their own faith journey.
Production Team
Rebecca Miess, choir director
Rebecca Shaw, soprano section leader
Rachel Fonseca, acting director
Rachel Fonseca, acting director
Rebecca Shaw, soprano section leader
Rachel Fonseca, acting director
Erica Mildenhall, stage manager
Rebecca Shaw, soprano section leader
Rebecca Shaw, soprano section leader
Rebecca Shaw, soprano section leader
Rebecca Shaw, soprano section leader
Rebecca Shaw, soprano section leader
Joanna Armstrong, alto section leader
Joanna Armstrong, alto section leader
Joanna Armstrong, alto section leader
Dan van Ormer, tenor section leader
Joanna Armstrong, alto section leader
Joanna Armstrong, alto section leader
Benjamin Dunford, bass section leader
Joanna Armstrong, alto section leader
Benjamin Dunford, bass section leader
Walker Alldredge, tech director
Joanna Armstrong, alto section leader
Benjamin Dunford, bass section leader
Development Team
Cristian Torres, writer
Alia Rampton, sheet music
Cristian Torres, writer
Kevin West, composer
Alia Rampton, sheet music
Cristian Torres, writer
Alia Rampton, sheet music
Alia Rampton, sheet music
Alia Rampton, sheet music
Alyssa Call, editor
Alia Rampton, sheet music
Alia Rampton, sheet music
Annie Ogden, editor
Elizabeth Rampton, editor
Elizabeth Rampton, editor
Elizabeth Rampton, editor
Elizabeth Rampton, editor
Elizabeth Rampton, editor