Young Ambassadors to showcase some old hits

PROVO — Contrary to popular belief, the Young Ambassadors from Brigham Young University are not necessarily focused on being young.

They started as the Brigham Young Ambassadors and, over the year, the Brigham in the name was dropped.

"I'm the only old ambassador," said artistic director Randy Boothe. "I've been with them as the director since 1978."

Boothe said the song and dance numbers included in the upcoming revue represent what he call the Young Ambassador era, from 1969 when Janie Thompson founded the group to now.

"A lot of times we've gone further back for music, but we wanted this to focus on music from the 1960s to the present," he said. "It's a wonderful review of the best American songs from that time period with music of all genres — pop, country, Broadway and movies."

The "New American Songbook" celebrates hits by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Carole King, Stevie Wonder, Diamond Rio, Billy Joel and Disney.

There are 26 performers in the group and another 10 in the accompanying show band, made up of keyboards, drums, bass and guitar players. There are also nine sound and light technicians.

"It's quite a crew, and they all go on tour," Boothe said.

The Young Ambassadors head to Australia in April for a 10-day tour. Over the past 38 years, they have performed in dozens of foreign countries, including Ireland, the British Isles, China and Scandinavia.

Members of the Young Ambassadors are chosen through a rigorous audition process, and each member buys his or her own tour outfits and shoes. Members also pay approximately $750 toward tour expenses and rehearse at least twice a week for four to five hours at a time.

Prior to an international tour, the Young Ambassadors study the language and cultures of the countries they will visit so they can converse and interact more easily with the people in those countries.

---

If you go . . .

What: The Young Ambassadors revue

Where: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU campus

When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10-12; 2 p.m. matinee Jan. 12

Cost: $10/$3 discount for students

Phone: 422-4322

Web: performances.byu.edu

---

E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com