Bill Hanney's all new North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) continues its 2010 season of musicals with the dazzling, family favorite JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT starring American Idol finalist Anthony Fedorov and featuring a chorus of 20 children from the North Shore. JOSEPH opens Tuesday, August 3 and runs through Sunday, August 22. Press night is scheduled for Thursday, August 5 at 7:30 p.m.
"North Shore Music Theatre has a long tradition of offering great family entertainment in the summer," says new owner and producer, Bill Hanney. "Producing Artistic Director Evans Haile and I chose Joseph based on its enormous popularity in the past at NSMT, and we know director/choreographer Jayme McDaniel will deliver a spectacular, high energy production for families to enjoy together. Choosing Joseph also gives us the chance to cast 20 local children in the show. The children add so much to this musical and they will gain valuable experience performing in a professional stage show."
The first full-length musical by legendary theatrical team Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, JOSEPH is a retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, his devoted father, his jealous brothers, and his incredible series of adventures. The musical was only 20 minutes long when an unknown 19-year-old named Andrew Lloyd Webber first created it for a British school choir in 1968. He asked his friend Rice to write the lyrics and soon they expanded it to 40 minutes and took it to the London stage. Since then, JOSEPH has continued to grow, both in length and popularity.
Filled with youthful energy, JOSEPH combines a wide variety of musical styles - everything from country to calypso to rock 'n' roll - in a series of memorable musical numbers. Described as a high-voltage extravaganza, JOSEPH includes such classic songs as the contemplative "Any Dream Will Do," the Caribbean infused "Benjamin Calypso," the dazzling "Jacob and Sons/Joseph's Coat," the rockabilly sensation "Song of the King (Seven Fat Cows)" and the unforgettable "Go, Go, Go Joseph."
American Idol finalist Anthony Fedorov, who also appeared Off-Broadway in The Fantasticks and in tours of Simply Ballroom and Ballroom with a Twist, stars in the title role with Jennifer Paz as the Narrator and Gary Lynch as Pharaoh.
The cast also features Bob Amaral (Jacob, Potiphar), Will Cohen (Judah), Anthony Christian Daniel (Zebulum), Nick Kenkel (Simeon), Miles A. Johnson (Dan), Daniel C. Levine (Napthalie), Brandon O'Neil (Asher), Matt Owen (Levi), Frankie Paparone (Gad), Christopher Spaulding (Issacher), Allan Snyder (Reuben), and Michael Warrell (Benjamin).
The female ensemble includes Katie Leigh Allen, Lauren Lukacek, Rachelle Rak (Mrs. Potiphar), Ann-Marie Sepe, Allysa L. Shorte, Emily Tyra, and Megan Wean.
JOSEPH also features a chorus of 20 local children including: Beverly residents Connor Hathaway (age 6), Danielle Lovasco (age 10), Paris O'Brien (age 8); Boxford residents Rebecca Mallory (age 10), Salina Mallory (age 14); Gloucester residents Isaac Beauparlant (age 6), Andrew Murdock (age 11), Kimi Sturgeon (age 8); Marblehead resident Delia Smith (age 13); Middleton resident Calvin Gil (age 12); Newburyport residents Maggie Budzyna (age 9) Caroline Tiernan (age 8), Julia Tiernan (age 9); North Reading resident Alyssa Spurr (age 11); Peabody resident Harrison Gray (age 11); Revere resident Brandon Barbosa (age 8); Salem resident Leo Santoro (age 11); Watertown resident Julian Schepis (age 10); Winchester resident Hannah Piispanen (age 10); and Winthrop resident Mia Dalessio (age 10).
The creative team for JOSEPH includes Jayme McDaniel (Director/Choreographer), Eric Alsford (Musical Director), Campbell Baird (Scenic Designer), Jose Rivera (Costume Coordinator), Chris Chambers (Lighting Designer), James McCartney (Sound Designer), and Gerard Kelly (Wig Designer)
Tickets for JOSEPH are priced from $35 - $65. Performances are August 3 - 22, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or in person at 62 Dunham Rd. Beverly.
Additional Free Audience Enrichment events: Meet the Theatre: post-show audience discussion with the artists on August 10 after the 7:30 pm performance August 21 after the 2 pm performance; OUT at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception (sponsored in part by Ryan and Wood and Sparkling Soirées) on August 19.
During its 2010 season, NSMT will also present "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," September 21 - October 10; "A Chorus Line," November 2 - 21; and "A Christmas Carol," December 3 -23
