Leading Men Don’t Dance!

Broadway Tenor John D. Smitherman, Rachel Cox, Greg Knell, Bryce Weber, Andy Young; Gourmet Dessert Bar Included!

John D. Smitherman—an Original American Tenor—Teams Up with St. George Sensations for a Night of Romantic Music February 11th through 13th, at Center For the Arts at Kayenta

After performing to sold-out crowds at the Center For the Arts at Kayenta (CFAK) last February, John Smitherman returns to send us off for Valentine’s Day, performing songs that connect to the love in all of us. He’ll be joined by some of the most dazzling voices in Southern Utah: Rachel Cox, Greg Knell, Andy Young, and Bryce Weber. Talented pianist Tami Creamer will accompany. The troupe will perform a medley of entertaining songs from Leading Men Don’t Dance, Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables, Into the Woods, The Phantom of the Opera, The Secret Garden, Man of LaMancha, My Fair Lady, and more. Don’t miss out on an unforgettable evening of gorgeous music sung by the legendary Smitherman and Southern Utah’s extraordinary vocalists.

Tickets are $35, $10 for students and children, and include our 7pm gourmet dessert bar.

John D. Smitherman recently made his New Mexico concert debut this past November to double standing ovations and encores. John played the role of Raoul in the world premiere production of Return of the Phantom. He has performed the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables in 2014 and 2015 to become part of the elite group that can say they have done “The Big Three” referring to the top three leading man roles in musical theatre; Jekyll & Hyde, Jean Valjean, as well as the Phantom. He has performed well over 100 different roles on the professional opera and theatre stages. Return of the Phantom is the first musical John has ever written. He can be heard on several recordings: John D. Smitherman…Live, Opera Passion, and By Popular Demand.

Rachel Cox earned a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from BYU with a minor in Choral Conducting and completed post-graduate opera studies at the AIMS Institute in Austria. In addition to teaching vocal lessons and conducting women’s choirs at the university level, Rachel has been a member and soloist with fine choral chamber ensembles including the BYU Singers and the Deseret Chamber Singers. Rachel has toured and performed throughout the U.S. and abroad, including performances in Canada, South Africa, and throughout Western Europe. Stage credits include Laurie from Oklahoma! and Julie from Carousel. She is also a Let’s Play Music teacher.

Greg Knell’s lifelong passion for music led him to join the BYU Young Ambassadors (where he met his wife, Mimi) and has since appeared on many stages in Utah including many locally. Most recently, he was seen as Captain Phoebus in Hurricane Valley Theatrical Company’s production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, Sky Masterson in SGMT’s production of “Guys & Dolls,” and Frankie in Brigham’s Playhouse’ production of “Forever Plaid.” Greg is a DSU alum and works as a copywriter when he’s not at home with his four children, listening to music, or reading.

A Hybrid of experiences has lead Andy Young’s to this point: Youngest of ten; Ranch-hand; Ballroom Scholarships/Director; Married; Biology Degree; Science Teacher; Volleyball Coach; World school; Hawaii Life; 4-Kids, 4 musicals in a year…. now—Not Dancing as a Leading Man! Enjoy!!

Bryce Weber, baritone, hails from Iowa. He studied music education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and completed his MA and DMA in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Iowa. He has performed with Opera Omaha, the Omaha Chamber Singers, Omaha Symphony, Opera Omaha Chorus, Utah Opera Chorus, Madeleine Cathedral Choir and been a soloist for the Iowa City Chamber Singers. He was active on the musical theater stage in musicals, operas and operettas in Iowa and Nebraska, totaling over 20 roles. His favorite roles are Ko-Ko in The Mikado, Don Giovanni, and Cable in South Pacific. He teaches at DSU and works at Red Rock Bicycle where they enjoy the days he shows up in a tuxedo. His wife, Jennifer, is Assistant Professor of Dance at DSU and his son Orion is a Kindergartner at GWA.