Power of biblical musical grows

Colette Call believes in the power of hope. She believes in the power of redemption. And the power of compassion. Above all, she believes in the power of love.

So it is not surprising that those themes are woven through her musical theater production, "The Power in His Touch." The fictional story of the woman in the Bible who was taken in adultery that plays out against the backdrop of the final events of Christ's life has become become a popular Easter production.

The nondenominational Christian musical debuted in 2005 and was repeated in 2006. It is back this year, even bigger and better, Call says.

"We are very excited to be doing it this year at Cottonwood High School. We had previously done it at Rose Wager, but this gives us a bigger stage, so we'll have a larger cast. And we're also able to bring prices down."

The performances will take place March 21, 22 and 24.

Call is also excited about the "top-notch" talent assembled for this year's production. "We have a great cast this year," she says. The two romantic leads will be filled by Jessie Clark Funk and Casey Elliott, both of whom have performed in national Broadway touring productions. "Jessie is such a beautiful person, inside and out, and Casey's just back from a phenomenal tour of 'Aida'."

Baritone Gary Sorenson will play the fictional antagonist, Tyras, and Brigham Young University Young Ambassador Jared Young has been cast as Judas Iscariot. Daniel Beck will reprise his portrayal of Christ. Other leads include Ruben Galloway, Jessica Mortimer and Jeff Long.

The play also represents the directorial debut for local tenor George Dyer. "George has been a riot to work with," Call says. "He's very fun. But he's also very professional. He really makes it come alive."

One of the changes that Call is most excited about this year, however, is the fact that all proceeds from the show will go to benefit the Utah Food Bank.

"This show is about a woman who feels she's reached a 'dead-end' in her life. But through the kindness of friends around her, she learns to trust in a higher power and finds renewed hope and peace. The Utah Food Bank serves those among us who are most in need of hope. What better time than Easter for our community to come together to support those who are struggling?"

The story of the woman featured in the play has always intrigued Call. "She's mentioned in one verse. I always wondered how she got to that point in her life, and what happened to her afterward." Obviously, "mine is a fictitious story," she says, but she hopes it will make other people think about those events in a new light.