BWW Interviews: David Rossetti of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

As the touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat makes its way to Nashville this week, I've taken the chance to interview the dance captain and swing of the production, David Rossetti. A Broadway actor with a career as a choreographer, David has a substantial and varied resume.

BWW Nashville: Thanks, David, for taking the time to answer some questions for our BroadwayWorld.com Nashville area readers.

BWW Nashville: How did you find yourself in a career as a choreographer and actor?

David Rossetti: Well, I guess you could say I was "bit by the bug" late in high school during a production of The Robber Bridegroom. I got to play the town simpleton "Goat" and found I had a knack for making people laugh. Between that and inspiration from an incredible Drama Teacher, I ended up going to college at Valdosta State University and got my B.F.A. in Theatre. As far as choreography, it wasn't until after college when I got my first gig at Gainesville Theatre Alliance's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. I choreographed 3 shows for them and started getting more and more gigs from word-of-mouth. So, I guess you could say I was twice-bitten!

BWW Nashville: With this tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, you have two different roles. One as dance captain and the other as a swing. Can you describe your job as Dance Captain for our readers?

David Rossetti: The Dance Captain title always makes me laugh because I feel like I should have a fancy hat with an anchor on it...but I don't (yet!). But anyway, as Dance Captain it's my job to keep the choreographer's vision of the show as well as making sure the show looks precise and clean. This includes running brush-up rehearsals with current cast members as well as understudy rehearsals. And any new cast members that join us along the way, it's my job to teach them all the staging and choreography to get them in the show. Luckily, I have a great Assistant to help do this because this show is VERY difficult with lots of VERY specific movement. It's an Andy Blankenbuehler show!

BWW Nashville: As a swing for the show, you also have multiple roles to fill. Can you describe what a swing does for a show?

David Rossetti: A swing is the un-sung hero of ANY production and keeps the curtain up at all costs. A swing is basically "on deck" for injuries, personal days and vacations of the ensemble cast members. So, I was hired to know and be ready to go on for 11-tracks in this show (Yes, ELEVEN!) and it happens with sometimes very little notice and I replace that cast member and all the things they do on stage. Luckily, I have another male swing to help cover the 11 brothers in the show, but it's still a VERY stressful position to be in. #hugaswingtoday

BWW Nashville: What are some of your favorite things about choreographing a new piece?

David Rossetti: I LOVE listening to the music and hearing all the movement that's within the notes. The music drives everything for me when creating choreography. It's how I start to visualize and see what qualities of movement to use, shapes, formations and, most importantly, what story is being told.

BWW Nashville: What are some of the good parts about performing in (or being the dance captain for) a piece that already has existing choreography?

David Rossetti: Well, I've been with the show since the beginning, so it's so valuable to have all the information of where everything was born and what the intention behind the movement was set to be. Andy Blankenbuehler really took the time to re-imagine each number and make sure we were clear with telling the story, so we all had a big part in the creation of many of the moments you'll see in the show. So, knowing that back-story for the movement and how it was all created is invaluable to a Dance Captain, especially when putting new people into the show.

BWW Nashville: The Joseph tour has been out on the road for a while now. Are there any unforgettable experiences from performances or with fans that you'd like to share with us?

David Rossetti: The Joseph tour actually just celebrated a full YEAR on the road last month. It feels like just yesterday...and yet eons ago! It's the mysterious "black hole" of tour life. I think one of my favorite moments from this tour came in the form of a little boy named Crewe who came to our show with his own technicolored coat (made to look VERY similar to the one we use for our show) and singing the song. We kept in touch with him and he would send us videos, his Mom would say that he wants to be an actor now and even made everyone (I mean, all of us!) Christmas ornaments that were multi-colored. He was a special kid that really reminded us all why we do what we do and the impact it can have especially on young kids.

BWW Nashville: Next up, a favorite question for me to ask those I interview. If you could perform with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and what would you perform?

David Rossetti: Oh, wow. That's a good one. I would probably say Gene Kelly. He's been such an inspiration to me in SO many ways over the years, to see him create and work would be an absolute dream.

BWW Nashville: Can you describe what our Nashville readers can expect when Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to town..... in five words or less?

David Rossetti: An AMAZING TECHNICOLOR show!

BWW Nashville: Thanks again for taking the time to answer questions for our readers!

David can be found on twitter @david_rossetti and you can visit his website.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays Tennessee Performing Arts Center February 17-22. You can purchase tickets by visiting their website, or by calling the box office at 615-782-4040.

**Due to inclimate weather, TPAC has cancelled the Tuesday, February 17th performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Ticket holders have been advised to contact the box office. More information can be found HERE.**