By Keolanani Kinghorn
The Good Shepherds, a new musical opening in Syracuse, Utah on August 18th, is addressing both the good and the corruption within established Christian churches. In a time when inflation is rising and the wealth gap is ever increasing, composer David Nolan and script writer Chris Metz have created a musical that importantly asks what role can wealthy churches and their members play to battle this problem? And are they doing enough? While the plot of this musical is set in Salt Lake City, and centers around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the writers believes any church with means could be substituted. Their intent is not to single out just one denomination in The Good Shepherds, but provide an example of how denominations can do more to understand and help communities around them.
The plot follows Laura (Krystal DeCristo), an undercover news reporter from New York who joins a team of four who have just landed their dream jobs at the LDS Church’s headquarters in Salt Lake City. Her three compatriots are Mckenzie (Savannah Cordova), Nick (Alx Stewart-Johnson) and Shantahl (Brandy Pehrson). Laura is introduced to Utah’s quirky and yet endearing culture—we even see coworkers dancing “The Electric Slide” at a work party. Laura quickly realizes that she will have to stop swearing so much around her new friends so she’ll fit in, but she doesn’t expect to actually like her new co-workers. Mckenzie and Nick are different: they don’t judge Laura, they make sure she feels welcomed when she has no other friends and they accept her for who she is. Laura learns that the Church sometimes prioritizes their wealth over meeting basic human needs, to tragic effect. But Laura realizes there’s more to the Church than meets the eye.
There were several scenes that had a similar vibe to the musical Rent and I think that audiences who enjoy the complexity and storytelling of Rent will also enjoy this musical. I attended a dress rehearsal of this show, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey that co-directors Metz and Stacee Perry took me on. As an active member of the Church, The Good Shepherds made me critically self-reflect on what I am doing to make my community a place of peace and unity for all. I know I can do more to improve. With that said, I know that a lot of church-going members may be offended or upset by some content in this musical. The Good Shepherds has the potential to do good. It’s a buffer zone for people to talk about issues within Church culture. There is no growth without honest reflection.
One of my favorite characters was Nick, described as a Black man and “recent convert” on The Good Shepherds website, someone who “grew up in a rough neighborhood.” Nick is unique because he is led by his faith and yet “he is uncompromising in his belief that even church authority must be checked against corruption. However, he feels that God’s hand is guiding the LDS Church more than any other church he knows.” (The Good Shepherds Website). Stewart-Johnson has a smooth voice and a flawless rap. I connected to his character perhaps more than any of the others. Stewart-Johnson is genuine and honest. Nick’s character reminds me of the recent social media trend I have seen among members of the Church that tells others “I stay [in the Church] because …” He admits that not everything is perfect within the Church, but it does good and has the potential to do more good, if given the chance.
The set at the Syracuse Amphitheatre is uniquely covered with framed and canvas art pieces and one very large custom centerpiece of City Creek Mall in Salt Lake, with tall buildings and picturesque snow-capped mountains. It’s a really beautiful piece. There are also marble columns and stairs and set pieces that are moved about the show under the direction of Tanner Jackman, Stage manager. The set reminded me of the opulence of the Salt Lake Capitol building. The pieces filled the large stage well.
One exciting aspect of this musical is the original music composed by Nolan and music directed by Randy Wellbaum. Nolan also plays one of the leads, Logan, the boss of LDS Church’s headquarters, and he has a killer voice. Many of the songs were inspired by experiences Nolan went through. Nolan knows what he is doing when it comes to music; it is really beautiful.
There are so many important and heavy topics The Good Shepherds addresses: overcoming adversity, loss of faith, self-acceptance, learning to find a voice when you have been silenced, the wealth gap, world hunger, homelessness, abuse within marriage, and more. Through original songs like “I Beat The Odds”, “Tears of the Fallen”, and “Look Down On Me”, we experience some of these heart-wrenching experiences. Laura (DeCristo) is featured in a solo for “Everything I am Not” at the end of the first act. This song has a huge range, but DeCristo is up to the challenge; Her voice blew me away.
Other cast members that deserve a shout-out are Cordova as Mckenzie, whose journey of finding her voice is heartwarming. Pehrson plays two characters, one of Laura’s office mates and Dianna, a homeless nurse who left an abusive marriage. Pehrson is a breath of fresh air on the stage. She has a natural presence onstage even while addressing hard topics and can sing and rap beautifully. Madeleine Curletto nails her role of Amy the New York boss, but it is her smooth vocals that really stood out to me.
I am excited about the artistry of this musical and the dialogue it’s generating. I hope people of all denominations come see The Good Shepherds with an open heart. Even those who know nothing about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it is a good opportunity to learn about Utah and its culture.
There is a lot of Church vernacular in this musical, and if you are unfamiliar with LDS church culture you might find yourself thinking, wait…what did they say? So, I have compiled a few terms I heard them say.
Mormon Standard Time: The event will start late–probably 10-15 minutes late.
Nauvoo: a small city in Hancock County, Illinois. The Church settled here from 1839-1846 and built a thriving and dynamic city on a bend of the Mississippi River in swampy conditions. Nauvoo provided the Latter-day Saints with rest for several years until religious persecution again forced their departure in 1846.
CTR: Choose the Right
Saturday’s Warrior is a religious/Christian musical written by Douglass Stewart and Lex de Azevedo about a family who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The musical follows a group of children from heaven to earth as they are born into a Latter-day Saint family after making various promises in heaven.
Mission President: The presiding leader over a geographic area (or mission) of missionaries.
I recommend bringing sunglasses and a hat to this outdoor theater since this outdoor theater faces the sun and a pretty bright sunset faces the audience for the first half hour of the show, making it difficult to see the stage.
The Good Shepherds is a worthy piece to show the great and destructive in modern Christian churches. I think you’ll have a lot to think about and a lot to like with this production.
Syracuse Amphitheater 357 S. 1550 W, Syracuse, UT 84075
Aug 18-20, 2022S7:30 PM
Tickets: $9.95-$29.95, Free Parking
The Good Shepherds Facebook Event
I recommend ages 15 and up (*Language content warning)
Check out their music.
The Good Shepherds (the musical): Official Trailer
To read more about this musical go to:
Washington Post News Article
Salt Lake Tribune News Article
The Herald Journal
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