When the Murray Theater reopened its doors on Sept. 26 after decades of dormancy, the first artist to take the stage was someone who grew up just blocks away. Loren Allred, the Utah-raised vocalist best known for providing the soaring vocals of “The Greatest Showman’s” “Never Enough,” brought both her global career and her hometown roots to christen the newly restored landmark.

Loren Allred appears on stage with her father Salt Lake Choral Arts Director Brady Allred. (Photo courtesy Brady Allred)

For Allred, the performance was more than another booking on her calendar. “Being part of reopening a historic piece of my hometown is such an honor, and I’ll be soaking in every moment,” she said.

Allred’s return to Murray carried echoes of her beginnings as a teenager. At 18, she competed in the Murray Idol contest, an experience that proved transformative. “I actually won, which was a huge moment because I hadn’t won anything like that before,” she recalled. “That experience taught me so much about myself as a performer. Choosing my songs, figuring out what to wear, deciding how to present myself on stage…it was the first time I truly felt like an artist.”

That early support from the local arts community set her on a path toward a professional career. “The guidance I got from everyone involved in the competition helped shape the beginning of what would become my career in music,” she said. “To now be back in Murray, years later, standing on a bigger stage, is such a full circle moment. It feels like coming home.”

While her voice became instantly recognizable in 2017 as the soundtrack to Rebecca Ferguson’s performance in “The Greatest Showman,” Allred’s career stretches back nearly two decades. Her early years were marked by rapid ascension after being discovered on YouTube and signed to a major label. The sudden leap into the industry, however, was overwhelming.

She chose to step away, working quietly as a demo singer while reassessing her path. The detour was difficult but necessary. “What I want people to know is that I’ve actually been in the music industry for almost two decades,” she said. “Stepping away felt heartbreaking at the time, and I carried a sense of disappointment with me for a while. But now I see that decision as one of the most important I’ve ever made. It gave me space to grow, to understand who I am, and to return to this career when the timing was right for me. I’m grateful I trusted my instincts, because now I can show up fully and give everything I have.”

Loren Allred at a Salt Lake screening of “The Greatest Showman.” (Photo courtesy Brady Allred)

Today, Allred is shaping her next chapter with deliberate care. She is recording an album but refusing to rush its release. “I’m working on an album, and instead of trying to get it out as quickly as possible, I’m focused on making something timeless,” she said. “I want to create a record that I’ll be proud of for years, not just in the moment. It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to constantly release new music, but with this project, I’m choosing to value the process. My ‘Never Enough’ moment is learning to stay present, trust the timing, and put all of myself into the work without needing to race to the finish line.”

Following its grand reopening, the venue is set to host a diverse opening season beginning in October 2025, offering musical performances, community-driven arts and theatrical events. The fully restored Art Moderne interior—having been renovated to its 1938 grandeur with modern enhancements—provides a dynamic setting for both professional acts and local productions. 

Community members eager to see what’s next at the newly reopened Murray Theater can find a full calendar of upcoming productions and ticket information through Murray City Cultural Arts. Details are regularly updated on the city’s official ticketing website at www.murraytix.com.

Fans who want to follow Allred’s latest music, tour updates and projects can visit her official website at www.lorenallred.com, where she shares news, music releases and upcoming performance dates.