It all started much earlier than the May auditions of this year. It began in 2005 when Bishop Broderick charged the Danville 2nd ward of California to help the Young Men and Young Women organizations to stage a musical production for the community, in the hopes that the ward could raise money to donate to the Red Cross in honor of the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

“To produce the play takes the efforts of virtually every member of the Ward,” said Rulon McKay, one of the directors for this year’s show. “It’s a tremendous challenge.”

But the ward rose to the challenge in 2005 and again in 2007, with Bishop David Bromley at the helm, when the proceeds were used by The Wheelchair Foundation to send wheelchairs all over the world.

“The whole experience is amazing,” said Debbie Bromley, one of the choreographers. “Talents are enlarged and found. . . . Bonds of friendship are strengthened in a ward and then, to couple that with the service that’s rendered, I think it just enhances the whole experience in a completely different way. It’s really a package deal.”

The musicals have become a semi-annual tradition, and people outside the ward have also gotten involved. This year Nolan Blair, who is close with many of the Danville 2nd ward teens from school and sports, heard about the musical the ward was putting on, tried out and received the role of one of the brothers. But a congenital heart condition previously unknown — cardiomyopathy — quickly prevented him from participating.

Nolan’s friends in the ward prayed for his recovery and tried to help in other ways. Miraculously, only months after being put on the extensive transplant list, Nolan received a heart.

Debbie Bromley, who helped to take kids to visit Nolan in the local hospital and to the Stanford hospital where he received the procedure, watched as the youth struggled with what to do for Nolan. “They’ve just really lived it with him,” she said. “I think sometimes we felt powerless to help. We could take food to their family, we could do certain things, but we couldn’t fix Nolan.”

Then the kids saw a way they could honor Nolan — they could stage the musical in his honor and give the donations to the charity of his family’s choice. The ward told the Blairs about their decision, and the Blairs chose the California Transplant Donor Network, which was instrumental in finding a donor and matching the donor with Nolan. “This was kind of a more tangible way we could honor him,” said Bromley.

“The production immediately took on a more personal meaning,” said Rulon McKay.

With four producers, six directors and choreographers, 50 youth stage performers (both LDS and not LDS), a live band, sets and costumes from local companies, and only mutual night and Saturday rehearsals, the ward was able to organize an incredible production that drew crowds of over 400 each night. The performance run ended last Saturday, November 7.

“There was not a single rehearsal — including dress rehearsal — where at least one cast member wasn’t missing,” said McKay. “Yet, for three miraculous nights the entire show came together to the amazement of cast, crew and the community of Danville who came to watch. Many who came commented that the show was simply a miracle to behold! The audience rose to its feet each night.”

Nolan was able to attend, and he was even able to join the cast for the closing number, which they changed slightly to, “Go, go, go Nolan!” Rick Blair, Nolan’s dad, also spoke briefly before the show, noting that the show was also dedicated to the donor’s family, who were able to see someone else’s need even in the midst of their own tragedy.

“It was really quite something,” said Debbie Bromley.

“Doing something for someone else helps you do your best,” said Jason Bromley, a friend of Nolan who is in the teacher's quorum.

Other youth, like Lauren Peterson, a Laurel, found the experience inspiring on multiple levels. “I had several people come up to me with tears running down their cheeks because of how touched they were from the show,” she said. “It was a great opportunity to show the community that the youth of today are not all bad, but that we can come together, set aside all of our differences and put on an amazing show. It truly was a miracle in itself.”

Another example of how the ward came together was how one of the teachers with a disability was able to be part of the show and play Potiphar. The deacons took charge of him, decorated his wheelchair like a throne and acted as his entourage. Though the boy cannot speak on his own, his facial expressions made the character. “He would just beam being up there,” said Debbie Bromley.

After all was said and done, the ward was able to raise nearly $5,000 to donate to the California Transplant Donor Network. The participants were able to develop and share their talents, build a greater relationship with the community and see the needs of those around them.

“All told, it appears that Nolan was not the only one who received a new heart,” said McKay.