By DREW LINGINFELTE
The “All Utah” Stadium of Fire, held as the largest centennial celebration and the crowning event of America’s Freedom Festival in Provo, will feature talent native to Utah and talent known nationwide.
The Stadium of Fire blasts off July 4 at 8 p.m. in BYU’s Cougar Stadium with some of Utah’s greatest musical talents, fireworks display and other lively entertainment.
“This year’s show will feature some of Utah’s best performing talent,” said Stephen A. Hales, volunteer president of the festival.
Donny Osmond will take a break from his work in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” currently showing in Boston, Mass., to perform at the Stadium of Fire as the only solo artist yet to be asked to return. He first appeared at the Stadium of Fire 15 years ago.
He will sing some of his own hit songs and will sing selections from several Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals including “Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
USA Today reported Osmond as having “one of the finest musical theater voices around.”
Kurt Bestor, another Utah native, will also perform at this year’s show with his full orchestra and choir.
Bestor has released several albums. His work with Sam Cardon on the 1988 Winter Olympic compositions won him an Emmy Award. He is currently scoring a full-length ballet based on the book “The Secret Garden.”
The Calvary Baptist Choir from Salt Lake City will sing gospel and rhythm tunes. The choir has been a favorite of audiences throughout Utah and the west.
Another choir of 2,000 youth from around Utah County will sing with Bestor to perform a series of musical numbers. This group will also perform at the Patriotic Service on Sunday.
Special temporary construction at the Cougar Stadium will accommodate the fireworks display. The Stadium of Fire fireworks show is one of the largest annual fireworks displays in the country.
“The Stadium of Fire continues to be the largest headline entertainment and fireworks show in the country,” said Randy Beckham, executive director of the festival.
Tickets for the event are still available from the Marriott Center ticket office. There are a few single seats available in the $22 and $15 sections, but adjoining seats can be had in the $17 section. Those seats are in the east and west stands — near the fireworks and stage.
A salesperson at the ticket office said the tickets are likely to be sold by this weekend. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or by calling 378-BYU1.
Students looking for extra summer work can work at the Stadium of Fire on the clean-up crew. The clean-up work will start after the show and continue until about 6 the next morning. Students interested in working at the event should contact Student Employment in C-40 ASB
