OAKLAND, Calif. — Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Oakland Temple Pageant continues to captivate the imagination as the presentation — rich in history — sweeps across the centuries.
"And It Came to Pass" tells the story of nearly two millennia of Christian history, covering the period from the New Testament through the Reformation to the Restoration. Its focus, however, is the mid-1800s with accounts of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and concludes as Brigham Young leads the weary pioneers from Illinois to the desert wastelands of Utah.
The pageant opened July 13 at the Interstake Center on the grounds of the Oakland Temple and will run through July 31. The production staff estimates that approximately 32,000 people will see the completely live presentation, which includes music and the spoken word.
This is the first time in the pageant's history that the production has run in consecutive years. Before 1998, "And It Came to Pass" was produced every three years.
As in the past, the production is headed by a husband and wife team. Steve and Julie Harris of San Leandro, Calif., are producer and director. As producer, Brother Harris explained that many changes have occurred over the past 35 years. For example, the show has been honed down from three hours to approximately 90 minutes. Participants, however, from the San Francisco Bay area counties number about the same; nearly 300, of all ages, make up the cast and crew. That includes 60 in the orchestra, directed by Jay Evans. In addition, there is a balcony chorus of 450 youth.
Sister Harris spoke of the "large shoes" she has to fill as the new director. In the past, her father, Ed Wakefield, who recently died, has directed the pageant. "I learned everything I know about theater from my dad," she explained. "He was a natural, just gifted. Dad not only directed and acted, he also wrote, designed sets and costumes, made scenery — he did everything — and with no formal training. This is a bittersweet experience for me."
To motivate the actors and actresses in the pageant, Sister Harris counseled them to identify with the early pioneers. "Think of a pioneer and keep that spirit in your heart," she told them.
Flo Pierce, an African-American member of the Castro Valley 1st Ward did just that. Sister Pierce, whose daughter, Autumn, is also in the cast, has delved deeply into African-American pioneer histories. She especially admires Jane Manning James, an African-American who was part of the first westward movement. "She is the pioneer spirit in my heart," Sister Pierce said.
"And It Came to Pass" was first presented as a three-act pageant when the Oakland Temple was dedicated in 1964. That was 10 years after Bishop Thomas Curtis of the San Bruno Ward commissioned two members, James Ira Young and Whitney Groo Jr., to create a Church historical pageant. They planned a three-night production. That plan was revised when they were asked to prepare a pageant to commemorate the dedication of the temple.
Doyle and Ardyth West of Castro Valley remember those early pageant days well. A committee was organized to get participation and funding of $1,000 from each of the then-five area stakes.
Plans went forward and by closing night of that first run 35 years ago, the pageant was playing to standing-room only.
This year, Roy King, a well-known San Leandro attorney and Livermore, Calif., resident, portrays Brigham Young. This is Brother King's 10th year in the pageant. In years past, he has also portrayed the Prophet Joseph and Joseph Smith Sr. He doesn't recall what first drew him to audition.
All he knows is now "it's in my blood."
