OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University’s (UVU) School of the Arts is joining an expanded partnership between UVU and FanX Studios to present a brand-new, Broadway-bound production of “HUMBUG! The Musical” at the UVU Noorda Center for the Performing Arts. Directed by Michael Wilson, the new musical, composed by Christopher Curtis, is a heartwarming prequel to Charles Dickens's beloved story “A Christmas Carol” that tells the story of young Ebenezer “Ben” Scrooge before bitterness ever touched him.
"From the first table read to opening night, “HUMBUG! The Musical” will be a true collaboration [between] FanX's creative energy and UVU's artistic talent [while] elevating the School of the Arts along the way,” said Courtney Davis, dean for the UVU School of the Arts. “We are building and developing new productions with scale and polish and doing it with students at the core of this project. That combination is what makes this show so special."
UVU's Office of Engaged Learning and Workforce Development partnered with FanX Studios to create Utah’s next generation of filmmakers, writers, and creative minds. FanX Studios' partnership with Smith College of Engineering and Technology has been providing the Digital Media department with experiential learning opportunities for three years. The expansion of their partnership with the School of the Arts will create additional pathways for UVU students to break into the entertainment industry, whether through film, creative writing, theatre, composing music, dance, or other aspects of storytelling.
"This collaboration will enrich our collective craft as we pair professional creative energy with UVU's artistic talent,” said Katherine Henry Jordan, executive director of the UVU Noorda Center. “Orem is a fantastic place for this project to come together: a thriving arts community, a university full of passionate students, and audiences who show up to support homegrown work. We are building this production with a team of engaged students learning the craft in all areas of the show and are thankful to our community for investing in their success.”
UVU students will work alongside professional actors and acclaimed director Michael Wilson (SDC, DGA). A Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award-winning director, Wilson's work spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, film, television, and major regional theaters across the country. Students will also have the opportunity to collaborate with Christopher Curtis, the acclaimed composer and lyricist behind Broadway's "Chaplin: The Musical" and Netflix's "Over the Moon", as he and Wilson continue developing "HUMBUG! The Musical" at Utah Valley University.
“I'm thrilled that students and faculty from across UVU have the chance to work with well-known industry professionals to develop a new musical destined for stages across America,” said Deputy Provost Kathren Brown. “This is an incredible opportunity for UVU students to get professional experience while showcasing their talents nationally."
“Through this next evolution in our partnership, FanX Studios will bring top Broadway talent to UVU's School of the Arts and the UVU Noorda Center. This will provide experiential programs for the students, faculty, and local community to work with award-winning professionals via integrated curriculum and performance,” said Brent Baum, FanX Studios founder. “The program will culminate in the UVU Noorda Center hosting the first-ever developmental workshop premiere of ‘HUMBUG! The Musical.’”
For additional information, please visit https://www.uvu.edu/thenoorda/signature-series/humbug.html.
