"Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life..." |
Meet the Creators
Dale and Ramona Zabriskie (Creators / Lyricist) The genesis for With Mine Own Hand began thirty years ago, when Dale Zabriskie conceived a one-man show based on Nephi's own words. Ramona took to the idea and began editing the books of Nephi to be conducive to the stage (a project that ultimately took fifteen years.) After a life-altering study of the Book of Mormon, she expanded the concept into a full musical drama as an expression of her testimony and love for the scriptures. The score, with lyrics by Ramona and music by childhood friend, Becky Alexander, emerged piece by piece through the years as the two friends raised their families across the country from one another. During this period, the Zabriskies' church assignments prepared them to produce and promote With Mine Own Hand. Ramona served as a Seminary teacher, Stake Seminary Supervisor, Stake Young Women President, Stake Public Affairs Director, and as a member of the Especially for Youth faculty. Dale was serving on the High Council, in three different bishoprics, and as a Gospel Doctrine teacher for several years. Additionally, Dale conducted, and Ramona produced, the touring regional Central Florida Messiah Choir of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Public Affairs outreach, between 1992 and 2004. During the Orlando Temple Open House and Dedication Ramona sat on the Executive Committee as Special Needs Coordinator and Dale chaired the Music Committee. Their marriage began in 1977 when they met playing romantic leads in a Playmill Theatre (West Yellowstone, Montana) production of Guys and Dolls, going on to produce and direct Annie, Fantastiks, How to Succeed in Business, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, among others. Both have acted in numerous stage productions for community and professional theatre. Ramona also wrote, directed and choreographed, while Dale produced, for Embryo Music vocal artists Kenneth Cope, Michael Webb and Julie de Azevedo in their early careers. Currently, Ramona serves as Production Manager of the Portland Mormon Choir and Orchestra and Dale as their narrator/voice. They are the grandparents of one and the parents of four young adult children who have all been integral to bringing With Mine Own Hand to fruition. Because their oldest was born with severe multiple disabilities, Ramona is a trained disability advocate and teacher of professional care-provider courses. Dale travels globally for the Executive Briefing Center of Symantec Corporation as a Principle Technologist. They reside in Vancouver, Washington where they received the membership and Priesthood support necessary to premiering With Mine Own Hand. 
Becky Alexander (Composer) has maintained a thriving studio of voice and piano students for many years and is a member of the National Association of the Teaching of Singing. She performs with “Vocal Dimension”; introducing Utah school children to opera through her own opera called “The Three Little Pigs.” She is a highly regarded accompanist, in demand for the community musical theatre stage, as well as for some of the best voices on the best stages throughout Utah including the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. Besides her classical music, Becky loves theatrics herself, having taken on roles like Ulalie McKecknie Shinn, the Mayor’s wife in Music Man. Her favorite role however, is that of wife to Sandy City police sergeant, Alan Alexander and mother to their seven beautiful children and in-law children, including twin sons who recently returned from mission service to Germany and Uruguay. She currently serves in the church as Relief Society Enrichment Counselor in Sandy, Utah. 
Jay Richards (Orchestral Arranger) is in demand as a composer, arranger, performer, and producer. In addition to his work in film, musical theatre, radio, and the studio, he produces other talented artists coast to coast. His orchestral works have been performed worldwide. He owns Tanglewood Records, Inc. - a small record label - as well as Tanglewood Studio. He is a seasoned veteran of the stage where his favorite roles have included the King in The King & I, and Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady. He recently conducted the orchestras for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Jay has written a number of original musical theatre adaptions, including Little Women, which premiered in January 2006, at the Cache Regional Theatre Company to rave reviews and enthusiastic audiences. Music in schools and arts in the non-profit sector also benefit from Jay's drive and enthusiasm. In addition to grants and support for school music programs locally, he is the founder and executive director of Music Theatre West, a non-profit production company in Northern Utah. Jay arranged the entire orchestral score of With Mine Own Hand in a matter of weeks in 2007 and acted as producer of the original cast recording. He is married with three very musical teenage children. Original Directors and Designers
Stage Direction: Ramona Zabriskie, Candi Alverez, Lori Williams |