A favorite story from the Book of Mormon is set to music in "Abinadi," which takes the stage this week at BYU.

The new musical tells the story of Abinadi, as he stood up for his beliefs and spoke against the wicked reign of King Noah, and paid for it with his life.

"The story of Abinadi is one of inherent drama," said Meredith Ryan Taylor, BYU alumnus and writer of the music for the production. "It focuses on the Savior and the opportunity he affords each of us to change and to be forgiven. The message is timeless and immortal."

Taylor, who also plays King Noah in the musical, said Abinadi teaches people not to judge one another because God looks on people's hearts.

"What may be invisible to all others, God can take and turn into something quite beautiful, if we let him," said Taylor.

Marianne Ohran, 27, a graduate student in lighting design from Idaho Falls, Idaho, did the lighting design for the musical.

"The show is well done and is interesting to see because it is a story that we all know on paper," Ohran said. "It is something we have learned in church our whole lives and is based on our religion."

Ohran said that while it is a hard to fit the whole story into an hour and a half it is easy to follow and is something students don't have the opportunity to see everyday, even on campus.

"It brings a story we read on paper to life," Ohran said.

"Abinadi" shows through Saturday in the de Jong Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at $9 or $3 off with a BYU or student ID in the Fine Arts Ticket Office.



Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Jun 2003