Although Brigham Young University’s Homecoming 2009 Founder Eugene Lusk Roberts died in 1953, his footprints easily will be evident at the annual “Spectacular!” extravaganza in the Marriott Center Thursday and Friday, Oct. 22 and 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at byutickets.com.
As the man who was BYU’s first athletic director and a legendary hiker, Roberts will be celebrated in a show that reflects the Homecoming theme, “Reach for the Summit.” Even the emcee, former BYU Young Ambassador James Conlee, will direct the show as Roberts.
Conlee will also sing his own composition, “Stand Just Like a Mountain,” and will join some of BYU’s most talented students from the Young Ambassadors, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, Vocal Point, Ballroom Dance Company and Wind Symphony.
Roberts provides much of the inspiration for this talent showcase. Although not well-known to contemporary audiences, Roberts was a colorful innovator during the early partof the 20th century. Among other things, he brought physical education to the student body and introduced social and other forms of dance to the campus.
“Audiences will get a glimpse of Roberts’ humor, vision and intellect,” says Michael G. Handley, producer. “Additionally, his great respect and reverence for the mountains is reflected in ‘Reach for the Summit,’ our Homecoming theme. His example and inspiration in connecting us to those sacred mountains encourage us to strive for excellence.”
The show will open with the overture, “Rocky Mountain Holiday” by the Wind Symphony. Vocal Point’s Western medley of “When It’s Springtime in the Rockies,” “On the Trails of Timpanogos,” “There’s a Long, Long Trail,” and “On the Trail of the Y” will follow.
Also included in the show will be the Utah Regional Ballet offering the pas de deux from the “Legend of Timpanogos” ballet and the Wind Symphony performing “Aspen Jubilee,” reminiscent of the Aspen setting Roberts loved. The other BYU performing groups will showcase their finest work.
The finale will bring the groups together for Mack J. Wilberg’s arrangement of “High on the Mountain Top.” A highlight will be new aerial footage of Mount Timpanogos.
For more information, visit homecoming.byu.edu.
