1820 The Musical is LIVE at the Covey Center in Provo, Utah, from August 6 through September 11, 2021.
You can get your tickets and learn more about the show by clicking here.
Playbill located HERE.
REVIEW: 3.5 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The score was very well done overall (see below). There were a few numbers that felt out of place (and music has to be spot on to help this type of stage production rise to where it wants to go). The mics and sound in the Covey Center left a lot to be desired. Again, the audio can make or break these types of experiences, and it was not clean or clear at this venue on this night.
“Objection” was the piece I enjoyed the most. The choreography of the head turns, the gun barrels clacking against the stage floor in unison, etc. That scene was very well done and executed flawlessly.
I felt if I didn’t know the story of Joseph, Emma, and the Restoration already, I would have been confused. Without context, it would have been hard to understand and track the events occurring. Also, the way the stage play rehearsed the story (trying to be new and edgy) felt raw and real in a few places and fell very flat other times.
There were some great parts that caused me to rethink history and characters in Church history—Joseph when he was wondering if he was still chosen before he was visited by Moroni, Joseph/Emma and polygamy, Emma and her role in the restoration, etc. I enjoyed being introspective (and even challenged) on these front.
Outstanding individual performances?
Conlon Bonner was a ray of light. Conlon is very special on the stage.
Aitana Alapa in “Who is This Man?” was incredible. That was a rousing song with choreography to match.
OBA Bonner did well also as judge and ensemble member.
Overall?
3.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A new contemporary musical premiering at the Covey Center in Provo, Utah looks to tell the story of the Restoration through the eyes of Emma Smith. It is a historical look at the faith, love, and trials experienced by Emma and her husband Joseph, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in modern times.
1820 The Musical was created by a team with Broadway and Billboard chart success, including the show’s award-winning director George Nelson. “It’s kind of been written as a counter to The Book of Mormon Musical. They make fun of almost everything we believe in and what we’ve tried to do here is say, look these are things that are important to us spiritually,” Nelson told KSL News. The show doesn’t shy away from difficult topics surrounding Emma and Joseph’s life while still building on a foundation of faith. “We’ve tried to address in a non-apologetic way, really, the things Joseph has been accused of throughout his life,” Nelson said.
After the pandemic delayed the show in 2020, the cast and crew worked hard to produce the official soundtrack, which is available to download and stream on Spotify, Apple iTunes, and Amazon Music. It includes all 19 songs written by the show’s songwriting team: Kendra Lowe Holt, Doug Lowe, and Kayliann Lowe Juarez.
Official Soundtrack
The Official Soundtrack for 1820 The Musical is available NOW to download and stream on digital platforms. Sing along to this multi-genre soundtrack of 19 songs written by hit writing team Kendra Lowe Holt, Doug Lowe and Kayliann Lowe Juarez. Let us know which songs are your favorites by tagging us on social media @1820musical.
Guest Author
dyejo
