‘Saturday’s Warrior’ resurrects for new generation of Mormons
Many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can remember watching “Saturday’s Warrior” — on stage or the 1989 film version. Maybe they even sang along with the songs or listened to it on cassette.
And by 2016, they will be able to relive those memories, and the new generation of Mormons will be introduced to the cult classic as a remake hits theaters.
The musical, written by Douglas Stewart and Lex de Azevedo, tells the tale of the children of a Mormon family getting through this earthly life after making promises in the “pre-existence,” or previous, pre-mortal life.
In a promotional video for the new movie, de Azevedo said “Saturday’s Warrior” is “a musical fantasy based on the idea that we existed before this life,” along with the age-old story of the prodigal son — as two of the children experience personal struggles that help them realize their earthly missions.
“I think the stories and the songs struck a chord with people,” de Azevedo said in the video. “Actually, more than that, it filled a need.”
The live stage production began showing in 1974. Salt Lake City experienced a streak of 246 consecutive sold-out shows, and it sold more tickets in two hours in Phoenix than Elton John sold in two weeks, according to Meridian Magazine.
The remake will technically be the first feature film version of the musical, since the 1989 version produced by Bob Williams was staged. It will be set in 1970s San Francisco and features the talents of social media sensation Kenny Holland in the lead role of Jimmy Flinders, and Mormon Tabernacle choir member and YouTube star Alex Boye as the heavenly guide.
A photo posted by Kenny Holland (@kennyholland) on Sep 1, 2015 at 4:04pm PDT
Michael Buster, known for “17 Miracles,” “God’s Army” and “Saints and Soldiers,” will direct. “High School Musical” choreographer Bonnie Story will do the choreography.
“In the ’60s and ’70s, rock music had become the pulpit of our generation,” de Azevedo said in the video. “And the pulpit was preaching values opposed to what we believe. ‘Saturday’s Warrior’ was the first time that LDS people saw their culture presented through the medium of popular music. We had hymns, but that was it.”
De Azevedo hopes the film will show people “there’s more to life than just this life.”
A Kickstarter campaign is raising money for the film. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, $42,707 was raised out of a $100,000 goal. Production and filming has begun, and the movie is set to release in summer of 2016.
For more information, visit the film’s website or Facebook page.
Contact digital producer Sonja Carlson at 801-625-4229 or scarlson@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter @sonjacSE and like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SonjaCarlsonSE.
