WIUM Local
(2007-07-16)
Children race to cut a log with a crosscut saw as part of the Pre-Show of "The Nauvoo Pageant."
"The Nauvoo Pageant" includes more about the variety of people who came to Nauvoo in the 1840s when the Latter Day Saings were building their town.
It also includes a pre-show: a replication of many of the activities that might have been found at a country fair of that period.
Bands play dance music, children compete at sawing a slab off a four-inch log, quilters invite gues to help tie off the batting.
Artistic Director David Warner says the emphasis is on family, whether in the church or not.
The pageant includes a cast of about 150 people who come from all over the world. Seven composers collaborated on a new music score.
Warner says the church is trying to stretch out the season to create fewer bottlenecks in the small town of 1,100 residents. Still, expected attendance could triple the town's population during an evening show.
Presentations begin Tuesday through Saturday with the pre-show at 7 p.m. About 90 minutes later, pipers will lead the audience to seats and the show will begin.
© Copyright 2013, wium
