Experience a sacred musical drama that depicts the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ at the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on June 20, 21, 22 and 24.
“The production is about the life of the Savior, but seen through the eyes of those around him [and] those who lived at the same time,” Ron Loynd, director of the Savior of the World production said.
Loynd fell in love with the music years ago and wanted to put on the play. He directed it twice in Washington and later moved to Blackfoot where he felt he needed to direct it again.
“The community here needed it, it’s not something they’ve ever done before,” he said.
Loynd gets to work alongside his daughter, Kirsten Fairbanks, who is the producer of the production. He said she did a lot of work getting permission from local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to put it on. After she got their approval, many people were kind enough to help pay for the production costs.
This is Fairbanks’ first time putting on a production. She said it’s challenging, but also enlightening and fun.
The play is considered a sacred musical drama because people are acting on stage on behalf of someone else in a sacred and religious way, Loynd explained. There will be a lot of scripture spoken throughout the musical to explain the life of the Savior.
Loynd said he’s experienced many miracles while putting this production together.
He shared the experience of needing the right person for a particular character. After 90 people auditioned, he still was not satisfied. Finally, Fairbanks thought of one last person to audition. That particular individual ended up being the one they were looking for.
Another miracle happened when they were shopping for fabric. Fairbanks found boxes of fabric that would have likely been thousands of dollars, but she ended up paying $125 for it.
“There’s been miracles all along the way that helped me see that Heavenly Father really wanted this to happen,” he said.
When people watch the production, they will see the joys and pains of those who were a part of the Savior’s life.
Many people throughout Eastern Idaho have gotten involved in the production. There are around 70 cast members and a live orchestra.
“I did want this to be a ministering opportunity, which is why we encouraged the families to do this together,” Fairbanks said.
She wanted to involve other faiths, so she is asking them to open the production with prayer. It is free to the public, and no tickets are needed.