The Mormons and the Theatre; or, The History of Theatricals in Utah

This lively account dives into an unexpected side of early Mormon life—their love of dancing and the stage. It explains how weekly Friday night dances, overseen by bishops and opened with prayer, became community staples, and how virtually every settlement nurtured its own amateur troupe. The author paints Salt Lake City as a booming “show town,” where per‑capita spending on theatre outshone any other U.S. city, a phenomenon traced back to Brigham Young’s enthusiastic patronage and his belief that a little pleasure kept spirits bright.

The narrative then turns back to the movement’s roots in Nauvoo, where a combined “fun hall” hosted both dances and plays, and where the charismatic founder Joseph Smith encouraged lighthearted pastimes. Readers are introduced to Thomas A. Lyne, a celebrated 19th‑century actor whose encounter with the growing faith sets the stage for a compelling tale of conversion, cultural clash, and the enduring appeal of performance in a devout community.