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'City of Joseph' stages last performance in Nauvoo
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| The Coles family from Texas was part of the final production of "City of Joseph." From left are Kevin, Clara, Daphne, Marissa and Diedra Coles, and Nathan Davis, also of Texas, who portrays their son in the pageant. |
By Shannon Campbell/MVM News Network
NAUVOO, Ill. - The "City of Joseph" pageant began as one man's dream and passion. For nearly 30 years, hundreds of volunteers have participated in the play written by Don Oscarson.
Saturday night, when the spotlight went out on the pageant's final performance, writer Oscarson and composer Maughan McMurdie were in the audience.
Many performers shared memories about their roles in the pageant and the pageant's role in their lives.
For Cleo and Richard Unsicker, Pleasant Grove, Utah, the pageant has been a 28-year family commitment. In 1976, the year of the first outdoor production, their daughter, Debra, brought home a leaflet from school that called for volunteers to help in the first pageant.
"Our family, in one way or another, has been involved every year since," Cleo said. "We began with 150 people and came every Saturday to practice on the same stage the pageant is held on today. We (the first cast) acted, sewed all of our own costumes, made our own props and collectively funded all of the expenses for the production."
She recalled the music recorded for the production was actually one instrument, dubbed over again and again to create the orchestra sound in addition to the voices to create the sound of a choir. The Unsickers now share responsibility between the stage and backstage with their six children, their spouses and 29 grandchildren. During the last week of performances, the Unsickers celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary while working with their family.
The production, which depicts the founding of Nauvoo, is played out on a four-acre outdoor stage. The play centers around the prophet and leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith. The play is enhanced by state of the art lighting and sound as actors portray the Mormons and the challenges they faced. They settled in Nauvoo and built a city out of swamp infested land. Within a few years, the population had grown to rival large cities such as Chicago.
Costumes and stage props depict the era of the mid 1800s as the story is told through approximately 600 actors. Actors come from all over the world to volunteer their time while Nauvoo becomes their home for two weeks. Families with tents, campers and RVs can be seen throughout the field next to the stage.
Inessa Saakyan, 20, of Bulgaria, expressed her joy in working behind the scenes at the pageant.
"This is my 13th day in America," she said. Her sponsor asked if she would be interested in coming early to America and help out in the pageant. Saakyan will attend her freshman year at Brigham Young University this fall and plans to major in criminal justice.
"I want to be a lawyer and defend children," she said. "This whole experience has touched my heart."
Saakyan is the only one in her family that has had the opportunity to experience America. When asked if she would continue to stay or go back to Bulgaria, she said she would go back because of a promise she made to her grandmother.
Steve and Mary Ann McConkie, Colorado Springs, Colo., hold a special place in their heart for the pageant. Mary Ann is a direct descendent of John Taylor. Historical documents state Taylor was a trusted close friend of Joseph Smith and was also jailed with Smith before his death in Carthage.
"We came here to reinforce the traditions of our ancestory to our children," Steve said.
The McConkies have been a part of the pageant for two years.
"This experience has put us in touch with our roots. It has been very inspiring. The pageant allows you to visualize the sacrifice," Mary Ann said.
The McConkies portray German immigrant farmers in the production.
Steve Oscarson, son of Don Oscarson, has fond memories surrounding the pageant.
"My father's love of the past brought us to Nauvoo. We would come here and explore the cellars and ruins. During my teenage years, the pageant began and I loved the experience of being with people of my same faith," Steve said.
Ironically, a show that began with Steve's father is ending this year with Steve's four-month-old son, Joseph Knight Oscarson, as a cast member, the youngest one on the set. Steve plays Joshua Quincy of Boston.
Many of the cast members have returned to Nauvoo each summer to take part in the production. So many in fact, that over 3,000 individuals were turned away this year who came to help or act in the play. Many recall witnessing romance bloom between teenagers who returned later as families in addition to making "long time friendships" along the way.
A definitive answer cannot be recited as to why the production is ending.
"After 28 years, the show has been very successful," said Sister Barbara Renouf of the Nauvoo Vistors Center.
Saturday night, when the spotlight went out on the pageant's final performance, writer Oscarson and composer Maughan McMurdie were in the audience.
Many performers shared memories about their roles in the pageant and the pageant's role in their lives.
For Cleo and Richard Unsicker, Pleasant Grove, Utah, the pageant has been a 28-year family commitment. In 1976, the year of the first outdoor production, their daughter, Debra, brought home a leaflet from school that called for volunteers to help in the first pageant.
"Our family, in one way or another, has been involved every year since," Cleo said. "We began with 150 people and came every Saturday to practice on the same stage the pageant is held on today. We (the first cast) acted, sewed all of our own costumes, made our own props and collectively funded all of the expenses for the production."
She recalled the music recorded for the production was actually one instrument, dubbed over again and again to create the orchestra sound in addition to the voices to create the sound of a choir. The Unsickers now share responsibility between the stage and backstage with their six children, their spouses and 29 grandchildren. During the last week of performances, the Unsickers celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary while working with their family.
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Costumes and stage props depict the era of the mid 1800s as the story is told through approximately 600 actors. Actors come from all over the world to volunteer their time while Nauvoo becomes their home for two weeks. Families with tents, campers and RVs can be seen throughout the field next to the stage.
Inessa Saakyan, 20, of Bulgaria, expressed her joy in working behind the scenes at the pageant.
"This is my 13th day in America," she said. Her sponsor asked if she would be interested in coming early to America and help out in the pageant. Saakyan will attend her freshman year at Brigham Young University this fall and plans to major in criminal justice.
"I want to be a lawyer and defend children," she said. "This whole experience has touched my heart."
Saakyan is the only one in her family that has had the opportunity to experience America. When asked if she would continue to stay or go back to Bulgaria, she said she would go back because of a promise she made to her grandmother.
Steve and Mary Ann McConkie, Colorado Springs, Colo., hold a special place in their heart for the pageant. Mary Ann is a direct descendent of John Taylor. Historical documents state Taylor was a trusted close friend of Joseph Smith and was also jailed with Smith before his death in Carthage.
"We came here to reinforce the traditions of our ancestory to our children," Steve said.
The McConkies have been a part of the pageant for two years.
"This experience has put us in touch with our roots. It has been very inspiring. The pageant allows you to visualize the sacrifice," Mary Ann said.
The McConkies portray German immigrant farmers in the production.
Steve Oscarson, son of Don Oscarson, has fond memories surrounding the pageant.
"My father's love of the past brought us to Nauvoo. We would come here and explore the cellars and ruins. During my teenage years, the pageant began and I loved the experience of being with people of my same faith," Steve said.
Ironically, a show that began with Steve's father is ending this year with Steve's four-month-old son, Joseph Knight Oscarson, as a cast member, the youngest one on the set. Steve plays Joshua Quincy of Boston.
Many of the cast members have returned to Nauvoo each summer to take part in the production. So many in fact, that over 3,000 individuals were turned away this year who came to help or act in the play. Many recall witnessing romance bloom between teenagers who returned later as families in addition to making "long time friendships" along the way.
A definitive answer cannot be recited as to why the production is ending.
"After 28 years, the show has been very successful," said Sister Barbara Renouf of the Nauvoo Vistors Center.
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| WHS graduate, Marine serves in Afghanistan, Kuwait |
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