Provo audience is small but emotional

PROVO — Tears were streaming down Anne Flinders' face at the Wynnsong Theater in Provo Tuesday as she watched the Michael Jackson memorial service on the big screen with a few other fans.

This 44-year-old Orem resident grew up listening to the King of Pop and said he inspired her dancing career.

"I was dancing and singing to Michael Jackson since I was a little kid," Flinders said. "I've always admired him as a performer. As soon as I heard Michael Jackson, I just wanted to get up and dance. "

Flinders was in musical theater from age 14 to 25 and remembers going dancing every weekend, practicing Jackson's moves. Her favorites were his pop-and-lock moves and spins.

"I wasn't aware of how much impact his moves had on me until a few years ago," Flinders said. "He was brilliant."

Even though only four of Jackson's Utah fans came to the theater to watch the service, those who did were visibly touched by the ceremony.

Flinders laughed when Magic Johnson spoke of sharing Kentucky Fried Chicken with Jackson, she clapped when the Rev. Al Sharpton called Jackson "the greatest entertainer that ever lived" and she wiped streaming tears off her face when Jackson's daughter, Paris, said her dad was "the best father you could ever imagine."

But something she didn't expect was how religious the service was.

"It was so spiritual, so focused on Jesus Christ," Flinders said.

Jason Wright, a 25-year-old Provo resident, was already at work on Tuesday when he found out about the showing at the Wynnsong, but he told his boss he had to go to it. He said experiencing it on the big screen was the next best thing to actually being at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Wright had hoped to experience the service with other M.J. fans and was disappointed more people didn't show up. He thinks there was a lack of publicity.

He said the service helped him to see Jackson as more of an individual than just as an entertainer.

Jenny Dang, 17, and Marlene Monroy, 16, also decided to go to the theater. The Provo friends said they grew up listening to Jackson's music.

"I wanted to be a part of his last moments," Dang said before she became too emotional to speak.

Monroy said she got her love for the pop star's music from her mom, who took her to one of Jackson's concerts when she was only 3.

"I really thought he was a great person as well as a great singer and dancer," Monroy said. "There will never be another Michael Jackson."

E-mail: slenz@desnews.com