Before watching Promised Valley Playhouse's summer production, "Barefoot to Zion" President Gordon B. Hinckley took a moment to shake hands with a few of the more than 1,800 people attending the original Church musical July 1.

President Hinckley, accompanied by his wife, Marjorie, attended the production's gala performance. Also in attendance were several members of the Quorum of the Twelve and Seventy and Utah state, business and civic leaders."Barefoot to Zion," which is playing this summer at the Bountiful Regional Center, recreates the story of the Mormon pioneers and their epic journey to the Salt Lake Valley. (Please see June 14 Church News.)

Elder Robert L. Backman, vice chairman of the Church's sesquicentennial committee and General Authority Emeritus, said the production carries a "family theme which is very positive."

He said the show centers on the sacrifices that early Church members made to come to Zion. Robert Prescott, the fictional character in the show, chooses between running his profitable business and joining the Saints in the Salt Lake Valley.

"I know of one man who had focused his attention on riches and who was brought to his senses by going to the show," said Elder Backman. "We face some of the same challenges [ as the pioneers did]. . . . There is not that much difference in our characters."

Blaine Smith, director of Promised Valley Productions, said he hopes the audience will draw a connection between the pioneers and themselves. "We hope this play can be an opportunity for the Spirit to not only confirm the wonderful legacy we have, but to also help us learn to prioritize in our modern day the way the pioneers prioritized. That is just as valid in 1997 as it was in 1847."

Brother Smith said he has received wonderful feedback from audiences attending the gala or other performances. People, he said, feel like this show is a nice contribution to this year's sesquicentennial celebration.

Ticket prices for the show have been reduced, by special request of the Church, to $4 and $2 per seat, so that more families can make the musical a part of their sesquicentennial plans.

Tickets are available at the Bountiful Regional Center and the Promised Valley ticket office at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, lower lever, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. They can also be purchased by telephone by calling 801-240-SHOW.

The production is performed Tuesday through Saturday with a Saturday matinee. In August, however, the performances will only run Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings until Aug. 23.