Village Theater Kidstage Summerstock Presents JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT 8/14-23

Village Theatre's KIDSTAGE SummerStock produces Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor© Dreamcoat to be performed August 14-23, 2009 at the Everett Performing Arts Center.

The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this humorous and delightful rock-musical. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Phantom of the Opera, CATS) and lyricist Tim Rice (Evita, The Lion King) have created a score with a rich variety of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll.

The cast for this production includes many experienced young actors and even attracted some new faces drawn by an interest in the story. Joseph... is a great show for young people of varying ages and experiences, from an educational standpoint, because of the large ensemble and chorus roles. The production features the unique strengths of all of the 54 talented members of the cast by adapting the varying roles. In this production of Joseph... there will be five narrators instead of one, and Joseph's brothers will be played by both male and female actors

Throughout the rehearsal process, Duhamel utilized unique directing methods. He began in the typical fashion by teaching the music to the cast. "They learned all the music in just one week. I was amazed by how quickly they learned the material; they dove right in!" Duhamel went on to introduce the Viewpoints technique to build ensemble and trust within the cast, and to create a common language so the actors could be creators as well. "For example, the cast developed their own gestures for the famous ‘Coat of Many Colors' song," said Duhamel. "We don't just tell them what to do and where to stand. They are fully engaged in the creative process. The result is an unified cast telling a compelling story."

KIDSTAGE productions also foster lasting friendships with people who share a passion for theatre. For many, breaking away from their school peer group is inspiring and helps strengthen their self-esteem. Although young actors participate in the program for the experience of working on a professional-level theatre production, they also choose it for its social benefits, and because it is fun. Duhamel says that in producing musical theatre, "it's great to make friends, but to create a piece of art with those friends is even more exciting."

The KIDSTAGE cast includes 54 young people from ages 8 to 18, from Arlington, Bothell, Edmonds, Everett, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Snohomish, and Stanwood. Alongside the cast members are 12 students who are a part of the TAP program (Teen Access to Professionals) and work alongside professionals building and painting scenery, constructing and building props, pulling and building costumes, hanging and focusing lights, playing alongside adult musicians in the pit orchestra, and also supporting the artistic team as assistants to the director, music director, and choreographer.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Michelle Sanders, Public Relations Manager at (425) 392-1942 x124 or at msanders@villagetheatre.org. Pre-production photos are available on the Village Theatre website now.

Everett Performing Arts Center

2710 Wetmore Avenue

Everett, WA 98201

When: August 14-August 23, 2009

Thursday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM
Sunday August 16 and 23 at 2:00 PM

Tickets: $12 Adult, $10 youth/senior - ON SALE NOW
Box Office: (425) 257-8600 or

www.villagetheatre.org

 

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