The Singles Ward (film series) explained

The Singles Ward
Starring:
Distributor:Halestorm Entertainment
Released:2002–2011
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$500,000 (1 films)
Gross:$1,250,798 (1 films)

The Singles Ward film series consists of two low-budget Christian comedies based on original characters, co-written by Kurt Hale and John Moyer. The overall premise centers around members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) who are not yet married and their religious congregations, known as wards. The story details the humorous experiences for attendees in these congregations.

Films

FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwriter(s)Story byProducer(s)
The Singles WardKurt HaleJohn Moyer & Kurt HaleJohn MoyerDave Hunter
The Singles 2nd WardKurt Hale & John E. MoyerDave Hunter, George Dayton and Bryce W. Fillmore
The Real Life Singles WardJohn E. MoyerJohn E. Moyer, Mario DeAngelis and Brad Olsen

The Singles Ward (2002)

After faithfully serving a full-time mission, then getting married, Jonathan Jordan finds himself divorced and once again attending one of the church's single-adult wards. As he attends a congregation specifically for unmarried adults, where the ultimate goal is eternal marriage he quickly becomes disenchanted with the experience and stops going to church. As he copes with his experiences, he creates a standup routine lampooning the nature and lifestyle of being a member. His resistance to the church continues, until he falls for Cammie Giles who is an active member at a local singles ward. Suddenly, Jordan finds church attendance more appealing, but begins to question whether he is going for the right reasons or if it is just to impress his new girlfriend.

The Singles 2nd Ward (2007)

Dalen Martin, a young professor at Brigham Young University becomes engaged to his girlfriend, Christine, who is an student attending the university and is also a recent convert to the LDS Church. As the couple prepared for their upcoming wedding, Christine's divorced parents arrive, with their new partners, for the occasion. The couple explores their relationship and preparations while attending the church's congregation of single adults. Dalen tries to create a lasting relationship with Christine's separated parents, who are critical of the religion, and assists his friend, Jonathan, with developing a feature film based on his experiences in a Latter-day Saint singles ward. Together, Dalen and Christine build on their love and look forward to being married in a Latter-day Saint temple, though must also explain to her parents why they cannot attend the marriage ceremony.

The Real Life Singles Ward (2011)

Filmed in a documentary style, the movie follows the real-world experiences of a few Latter-day Saints attending their singles ward activities. Over the course of the production, the project examines the positives and negatives of dating; while exploring the young men's journey in trying to find their eternal companion. This occurs through various aspects of the process including engagement for someone who is divorced versus one who has never married. Each of the young men answer questions regarding their faith, and their desires to grow closer to God in their pursuits at church.[1]

Main cast and characters

CharacterTitle
The Singles WardThe Singles 2nd WardThe Real Life Singles Ward
Jonathan JordanWill Swenson
Cammie Giles-JordanConnie Young
Dalen MartinKirby Heyborne
Christine MartinErin Chambers
Eldon CoatesDaryn Tufts
HyrumMichael Birkeland
DeVerlLincoln Hoppe
Zak AldridgeRobert Swenson
JennyLisa Higbee
WillardBrad Johnson
LauraKatherine Purdie
KateKelly Hennessey
Scott "Skippy" Jessop
Nathan Smith Jones
Micah Lisonbee
Mrs. MartinMichelle GouldLiz Winter
Mr. GilesRon McBride
Brother AngelWally Joyner
Emotional ward memberJeremy Hoop
Sunbeam teacherDanny Ainge
Auto mechanicShawn Bradley
Brother NinerSteve Young
Miniature golferLaVell Edwards
Julie Stofferherself
Thurl Baileyhimself
Gordon Jumphimself
Wes the neighborRichard Dutcher
Mitch Englishhimself

Additional crew and production details

FilmCrew/Detail
ComposerCinematographer(s)Editor(s)Production
companies
Distributing
company
Running time
The Singles WardCody HaleRyan LittleWynn HougaardHalestorm EntertainmentHalestorm Distribution1 hr 42 mins
The Singles 2nd WardBrandon ChristensenJohn Lyde1 hr 27 mins
The Real Life Singles WardMario DeAngelis, Brad Olsen
& Kyle Raney
Mario DeAngelis, Brad Olsen
& Zachary B. Marsh
Halestorm Entertainment,
4Ever Films
1 hr

Reception

In the book Religious Humor in Evangelical Christian and Mormon Culture, Elisha McIntyre highlighted the proposal scene between Dalen and Christine, stating that it was "a delicate balance of the serious and humorous mode."[2]

Box office and financial performance

FilmBox office grossBox office rankingVideo
sales gross
Worldwide total
gross income
BudgetWorldwide total
net income
North AmericaOther territoriesWorld-wideAll time
worldwide
North America
The Singles Ward$1,250,798$1,250,798
  1. 8,369
  1. 13,967
>$1,250,798$500,000>$750,798[3] [4]
The Singles 2nd Ward>$0>$0
The Real Life Singles Ward>$0>$0
Totals$1,250,798$0$1,250,798x̅ 2,790x̅ 4,656>$0>$1,250,798>$500,000≤$750,798

Critical response

Film
The Singles Ward50% (8 reviews)[5]
The Singles 2nd Ward[6]
The Real Life Singles Ward

In other media

The Singles Ward soundtrack

The soundtrack is a collection of Latter-day Saint artists performing songs from the LDS Church's hymnbook and its Children's Songbook. The soundtrack album was released by Guapo Records.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Real Life Singles Ward (2011). Letterboxd. Letterboxd staff. March 30, 2011. January 15, 2023.
  2. Book: McIntyre, Elisha. Religious Humor in Evangelical Christian and Mormon Culture. 2018-01-25. Bloomsbury Publishing. 978-1-350-00550-1. 78. en.
  3. Web site: The Singles Ward (2002). The Numbers. Nash Information Services LLC. January 15, 2023.
  4. Web site: The Singles Ward (2002). . January 15, 2023.
  5. Web site: The Singles Ward. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. January 15, 2023.
  6. Web site: The Singles 2nd Ward. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. January 15, 2023.