Audiences can expect abundant entertainment at BYU Spectacular this fall when YouTube viral video library star Stephen Jones and popular professor Brad Wilcox emcee the annual Homecoming talent showcase Thursday and Friday, Oct. 7 and 8, in the Marriott Center.
The idea behind creating a stunning talent showcase is to feature BYU’s premier student performing groups who will bring their best and most popular production numbers to the stage. That means the acclaimed Ballroom Dance Company will perform the “Americana Suite” that gave the dancers their 19th international first place finish at the British Formation Championships. It means the Cougarettes will showcase their national award-winning collegiate dancing. And it means the Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the music it will play in the People’s Republic of China.
In all, seven of BYU’s finest groups will highlight their finest in an hour and a half of energized entertainment. Other than those listed above, the groups include the Young Ambassadors, Percussion Ensemble, Women’s Chorus and Contemporary Dance Theatre.
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are available at spectacular.byu.edu, the Marriott Center Ticket Office or by calling (801) 422-BYU1. Prices are $14, $20 and $25. Student tickets are $7.
BYU faculty and staff employees can still buy lower bowl tickets for the Thursday night performance for $15 by visiting spectacular.byu.edu and entering the promo code word "employee."
“Our student performers have been building bridges throughout the world for the past 30, 40 and 50 years,” said Randy Booth, executive producer. “The good will they generate is heartwarming, and at times, life-changing. This year, rather than ask them to create something that relates to the Homecoming theme, we have asked them to bring their best to the table and share it with the BYU audience.”
“What is emerging from that is some high energy enthusiasm,” added Janielle Christensen, artistic director. “We’re really letting the groups shine. The show is presented in a purely theatrical way to let them bring their finest without dictating parameters. Our Homecoming theme is ‘Dare to Discover,’ and we have encouraged them to discover for themselves what they believe the audience will most enjoy and what will be the most uplifting and entertaining.”
Included in the show will be the Young Ambassadors performing “Through Heaven’s Eyes” from “The Prince of Egypt.” This depiction of the children of Israel will be performed in South Africa and the Southern states in future tours. The group will also perform “Got So Far to Go” from “Hairspray.”
The Philharmonic Orchestra will perform “Jupiter” from “The Planets” by Gustav Holst and “The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto,” combined with traditional Chinese dancing. It is among the numbers the orchestra is perfecting for its China tour.
The Ballroom Dance Company will offer “Dance With My Father,” the Women’s Chorus will sing “Psalm 100,” the Contemporary Dance Theatre will present an original “Crunchy Granola Suite” and the Percussion Ensemble will perform “Head Talk.”
The evening will conclude with the full cast onstage for “When You Walk Through a Storm,” a reflection of 2010 Homecoming founder Harvey Fletcher, the father of stereophonic sound. “He was given a charge to go beyond these hills of Provo, yet to always remember who he was,” said Christensen. “He had to believe that whatever came his way, he would not be walking alone. I think it will be thrilling.”
“Here is an opportunity to see many of our talented performers at one time,” Boothe said. “It really is the best show in town.”
For more information, visit homecoming.byu.edu.
Writer: Charlene Winters
