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One of my favorite numbers in "Onward Alone" has always been "Emily Abbott Bunker." From the first time I saw it, I almost come close to tears. It tells the story of Emily who makes fun of a mother who makes a baby dress out of old curtain material and vows never to dress her baby in such a thing, even if he must have nothing. That winter, she gives birth to a son and has no material to make him clothes and no one in camp has any extra cloth except that mother she had teased several months before. The mother still had a few yards of curtain cloth and freely gave it to Emily and reminded her to be thankful for what is available instead of scorning. It is such a touching story to see the tender spirit of the mother towards Emily. Each time I hear the story, it touches my heart.

The other number is "Mary Lee Bland Ewell & Mammy Chloe / Down in the River to Pray." I have always loved the song "Down in the River to Pray" and the dancers do beautifully. But what adds to it even more is the story about Mary Ewell and Mammy Chloe as Mary decides to run away from home to marry her love (a Mormon - who her father disproves of). Mammy Chloe faithfully follows - and they go through many struggles and trials but will stay together as support. It focuses on the unknown suffering that Mammy Chloe must have gone through but kept hidden as she continued to serve Mary through her life and cared not for her freedom after the slaves were freed because of her dedication to Mary. It is touching and beautifully choreographed with an amazing piano arrangement of "Down in the River to Pray."

Also, for those who care to know in interesting fact, during the dance called "Eternally," the portrait of the couple that appears on the projection is of my ancestors - Carl and Sine Nielsen. It's wonderful to have that connection to the production.