Pioneer Day has a new story.
“The King of New York” is an original, powerful production about five African American slaves who, against all odds, found faith and hope in 1800s America. The narration of their life-changing experiences with religious leader Joseph Smith — and his movement of hope and freedom — changes their lives forever. Through their journey from racism to redemption in Utah, this concert musical shines a light on a chapter of history most have never heard, and it’s time their voices are heard.
International recording artist, bestselling author, and performer Alex Boyé will premiere his original musical “The King of New York” on August 22, 2026, at the iconic Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City.
When Alex Boyé’s face was featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live!in a playbill promoting the Book of Mormon Musical, Jimmy Kimmel remarked, “Are there black people in the Mormon Church? I find that hard to believe.” Boyé realized that if Jimmy thought this, millions must feel the same.
The production shines a spotlight on the untold voices of Black pioneers whose faith and resilience helped shape the American West. Through emotionally charged performances and powerful music, the show explores redemption, unity, courage, and the complicated intersections of race, religion, and American constitutional themes.
A bold fusion of hip-hop, rap, cinematic visuals, dance, and theatrical storytelling, featuring the Dreamspire Orchestra, directed by Blake Sharette. It explores the life, legacy, and polarizing influence of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter-day Saint movement, through the eyes of five Black pioneers in the 1800s who journeyed west while wrestling with faith, freedom, race, and identity in America.
A central theme: Joseph Smith’s 1844 presidential campaign and his public platform calling for the abolition of slavery through compensated emancipation — a stance considered radical and politically dangerous in that era. The musical invites audiences to engage with history in a fresh, thought-provoking, emotionally impactful way, promising to be one of Utah’s most ambitious and culturally significant theatrical premieres in recent history.
