This November, Utah Tech will produce the world premiere of a new musical entitled Gingerbread. The musical was created by Dr. Melissa Walker Glenn, Associate Professor of Music (music and lyrics), in collaboration with book writer Dr. John Bell, a former colleague at Brigham Young University–Hawaii (Emeritus Professor of Biophysics, Brigham Young University).
Development of Gingerbread originated in 2017 when Dr. Glenn decided to act follow up on her interest in child trafficking, a central theme of her doctoral dissertation. She approached Dr. Bell, her friend and colleague, regarding the possibility of creating a musical in which the topic of child exploitation was couched in the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel. Bell was excited by the idea and offered to rekindle his former interests as a playwright by authoring the book for the musical. An unexpected collaboration was thus born that has continued for eight years as the two have written and refined the work through 25 major drafts and hundreds of minor alterations. The process has been greatly facilitated by two formal workshops at Brigham Young University–Hawaii in Laie, Hawaii (2019) and then at the Harrington Center for the Arts in American Fork, Utah (2023).
Now, with the talented collaboration of Spencer Hamilton (Director, Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts), Dr. Erica Glenn (Music Arranger, Assistant Professor of Music, BYU–Hawaii), Dani Martic (Choreographer, UT student), Abdiel Portalatin Perez (Costume Designer, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts), Shelby Burgess (Set Designer, Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts), and Henry Echeverria (Lighting Designer, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts), Gingerbread will come fully to life for the first time on the Eccles Black Box Theater stage. This has been a tremendous benefit to Utah Tech students who have participated in the project. The opportunity to stage a world premiere is rare. It affords the unique chance for students to work directly with the composer and book writer and witness firsthand the creative process of producing a brand-new show. Consequently, it encourages students to take creative ownership of the project as they help shape the characters, dialogue, and music. Not surprisingly, students are enthusiastic about their participation.
One of those students is Scarlet Whittwer, she says, “Gingerbread is so much more than what you think it’s going to be. It’s been such a joy working on a project that has something to say unapologetically. Not only that but I’m getting to create a completely new character that’s never come to life prior to our production.” Scarlett is a music major staring in the theatre production. She continues, “Our amazing production team has been a joy to work with, including working with a living composer who can give us writer’s insight on the story and why we’re telling it! I’m so beyond excited for this to come to life, and to be able to share it with everyone!”
Student Ruby Campbell describes the impact the production has had on her artistic journey. “Art lives when humans must die; it is a mirror for our progeny to reflect upon and realize they are standing in the same place as we once did. Through Gingerbread‘s metaphorical mirror, I see myself smiling in spite of the fiery, hateful world at my feet.”
We invite you to come and share this musical debut. You will be treated to an evening of unforgettable music and a story of family, community, and unexpected love. Gingerbread will be performed in the Eccles Black Box Theater at 7:30 pm on November 13-15 and 18-22, 2025.