Michael Ballam

Classical 89 Thinking Aloud Interview: http://www.classical89.org/thinkingaloud/past.asp?d=7/3/2008

There are probably few Utahans who don't know the name, Michael Ballam. It was only after moving to Utah in 2006 that I began to fully appreciate the talent and spiritual depth of this talented and dedicated singer/actor. Michael Ballam gave up a promising operatic career on the East Coast to return to his native Logan, to dedicate his considerable gifts to his community. In 1993, Ballam founded Utah Festival Opera ... a month-long season of opera and musical theatre at the fully refurbished Capital Theatre ... now the Ellen Eccles Theatre in downtown Logan. He continues to serve as its general director. My wife and I drove to Logan last summer to see "Porgy & Bess" ... George Gershwin's brilliant opera about African-American life in the 1920’s. Michael Ballam traditionally sings and acts in at least one UFO (the clever acronym for Utah Festival Opera) production. Last year it was "The Most Happy Fella". This year, he stars as John Adams in "1776" ... which leads me to the reason for these comments.

Marcus Smith is the producer and host of Classical 89's Thinking Aloud, and I'm the executive producer ... a role which allows me to host shows which pique my interest. Having met Michael Ballam briefly after last year's production of "Porgy & Bess", I resolved to interview him in connection with this season's UFO run. I was particularly interested in "1776" ... not just for Ballam's starring role, but for its story about the framers of the Declaration of Independence. I've always known that document was penned by Thomas Jefferson, but I was not aware that John Adams, who would become our nation's second President, was the president of the Continental Congress that debated whether the thirteen American Colonies should declare their independence from England to become a new nation. On June 30th, UFO (I love that acronym!) performed a musical review of selected works from this season’s repertoire at Salt Lake City's Cottonwood High School, so I was able to interview Michael and record some of the music without driving to Logan.

What is Michael Ballam like? I already knew he was immensely talented and a tireless promoter of Utah Festival Opera. But sitting down with him, I found Ballam to be at the same time, relaxed and intense ... intensely committed to his craft and what he sees as his mission to bring great theatre to Utah ... theatre that entertains and ennobles. Ballam wanted to put on "1776" because of the importance of this year's historic presidential election. He revels in the commitment and courage of the representatives of the Continental Congress who faced charges of treason to declare freedom from England. Ballam told me, he not only portrays John Adams. He lives John Adams … a man who was known to be obstinate and difficult in order to achieve the greater good. Adams' courage was bolstered by the wisdom and devotion of his wife, Abigail ... a relationship similar to that which Ballam says, exists between him and his wife.

This season's run of Utah Festival Opera in Logan, Utah runs through August 9th. Check out their schedule at http://www.ufoc.org/. You're sure to find a production that speaks to you, whether it's "1776", "Into the Woods", or UFO’s two operatic productions, “Aida” and “Manon Lescaut”. There’s also “Gypsy”, which is performed as a radio drama. Don't miss this theatrical treasure. And tell Michael Ballam, that Wes Sims sent you.

-Wes Sims