Not many stories about Latter-day Saints leave both born-again Christian and LDS audiences applauding. But one new film has charmed both.

The new movie "The Dance" was well received at both a Christian film festival and last week's LDS Film Festival in Orem.

It's the story of three couples who attend an LDS church dance at Harvard University.

At the Redemptive Film Festival in Virginia Beach, Va., "The Dance" received the Redemptive Storytelling Award. The mainstream Christian audience was appreciative of the film's uplifting message, said McKay Daines, who rewrote the screenplay and directed it.

Audiences at LDS Film Festival screenings last week were equally appreciative.

"I basically wrote about everything that's important to me," Daines said. "It deals with real issues of marriage, but in a nice comical way. There's people outside our culture who have these exact same feelings. ... I hope it transcends."

The film is based on an LDS musical written by Carol Lynn Pearson in 1977. Michael Flynn, who produced, directed and acted in the original stage play, is the producer and lead actor in the movie.

"This has been a dream of mine for many, many years," said Flynn, who also produced "The Best Two Years." "It's been nice to see this dream come to fruition."

In the transition from stage to screen, many changes were made in the structure of the story and character development.

"When Carol Lynn Pearson saw it, she said, 'That was based on my play?'" Daines said at Saturday's screening, (Jan. 20, 2007). But the spirit of the story remains.

"I think it's noble," said Rachel Baird, a freshman from Orange County, Calif., in the pre-acting program. "They're all good underlying principles. Film is such a pervasive medium. ... I think it's great that we are representing ourselves."

Also present at the screening was Kari Hawker, one of the stars of the film. The Holladay native, who recently wrapped filming of "Ocean's Thirteen," said she was pleased with the finished product and is eager for it to come out to see public reaction.

One audience member at the Saturday screening wanted his opinion known right away.

"There are few movies worth $8 to see," he called out to Daines and Flynn. "This one is worth it."

"The Dance" will be released by Stone Five Studios on April 6.

Copyright Brigham Young University 22 Jan 2007