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Dear Friends and Theatre Lovers,

Leap of Faith may be a musical you haven’t heard of before. The show only played on Broadway for a month and never embarked ona National Tour. So, you might wonder why we chose it for Ross Summer Music Theatre’s 63rd Summer production. The answer is simple: it is an energetic, powerful show with an amazing score and an uplifting message.

The music was composed by the legendary Alan Menken, whose incredible work includes beloved musicals like Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Newsies, and Little Shop of Horrors, just to name a few. Alan Menken has been recognized with 8 Academy Awards, 11 Grammy Awards, 1 Tony Award, 1 Daytime Emmy, and 7 Golden Globe Awards. He loved the gospel-rock score of Leap of Faith so much that a cast album was produced even after the showclosed. With a score by Alan Menken, ashow is definitely worth producing.

Our goal was to offer audiences a chance to experience a seldom-performed musical—indeed, we are the only theatre in the world staging Leap of Faith this summer! If you’re thinking this sounds risky, let us assure you: we first brought this show to life in 2018 with a high school cast, and it quickly became one of our best-attended musicals in the past decade. The audience grew each night, and many came back for a second viewing.

For those who prefer something a little more familiar, consider The Music Man. This classic story is retold with fresh updates: a con man selling religion rather than band instruments, a little boy with a speech impediment transformed into a boy in a wheelchair, a gospel choir replacing the barbershop quartet, and a sheriff instead of a librarian who sees through the con man while falling in love with him. It’s a classic story, lovingly reimagined.

We believe the message of Leap of Faith is especially resonant today. It explores faith in all its forms — faith in others, faith in ourselves, and faith in a power greater than us all.

We have faith that anyone willing to take a leap and join us for this little-known musical will be thoroughly entertained and inspired. Remember, even the movie It’s a Wonderful Life initially 

bombed at the box office but has since become a beloved classic and a holiday favorite.

We have great faith that you will enjoy the show this dedicated cast has brought to life.

With gratitude and excitement,
Mike and Melinda Reinhart