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PPP Turns Technicolor for Upcoming Production
This is part two in a four-part series about the Poplar Pike Playhouse’s upcoming
production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
It’s been twenty-two years since anyone at the Poplar Pike Playhouse has seen them, but Joseph and his Dreamcoat are finally making their way back to the PPP stage. One of the most popular musicals of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is slated to open at the Playhouse in early May. Prior to opening, however, the cast is definitely staying busy. The ensemble, comprised of thirty-seven Germantown High School students, is already working to master the show’s characters, songs and dance numbers.
Joseph, written by the powerhouse duo of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, features a stellar cast of wacky and distinctive characters, including Joseph’s father Jacob, the sophisticated millionaire Potiphar and an Elvis-like Pharaoh. Perhaps the most versatile characters in the show are Joseph’s eleven jealous brothers. Throughout the production, the rowdy siblings croon in a Parisian café, honky-tonk a mournful good-bye and Rasta their way into the hearts of audience members. “It’s been so much fun,” says senior Danny Gomez, who plays Reuben, Joseph’s eldest brother. “One minute we’re cowboys and the next we’re go-going at a discotheque.”
One of the biggest challenges the cast faces is the impressive score of Webber and Rice’s first musical effort. Joseph’s imaginative story is set entirely to music. Without dialogue to rely on, cast members must learn to tell this tale through the opera-like score alone, and that’s no simple task. Senior Tricia Mickens portrays Joseph’s soul-singing Narrator, who guides the audience along Joseph’s adventures, “I’m frequently onstage and always singing. It takes a lot of training and a lot of time and practice to make sure I can do the score justice.” Jeffrey Ingram, who plays the title character of Joseph, has an equally demanding vocal performance. “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door” are two of the most unforgettable songs in the show. “The vocal range in this show is incredible, and I know there are high expectations for anyone who plays the role of Joseph.”
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was first produced on the Poplar Pike Playhouse stage in 1983 and is considered one of the biggest hits of the PPP. And although the newest Technicolor cast is looking forward to thrilling audiences the second time around, they are aware of the great task before them. “There are just some shows here everyone remembers and loves,” says senior ensemble member Eula Hinds. “Joseph is one of those. We just hope that we live up to the legacy. We all look forward to treating a new generation of theater-goers to this fantastic production.”
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat promises to warm the hearts of loyal fans, while enchanting and sparking the imagination of new viewers.
Tickets for Joseph are now on sale. The show opens at the Poplar Pike Playhouse on May 5th and runs through May 21st. For information, call the Poplar Pike Playhouse Box Office at 755-7775 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The Poplar Pike Playhouse is the theatre complex located on the campus of Germantown High School. The corporate sponsor for the production is Trust One Bank. The Poplar Pike Arts Guild, the support group for the Playhouse, will sponsor an opening night benefit on May 5th. The prices of the tickets for this special performance and reception are $18 and $20 and may be purchased by calling Jean Hinds at 757-4508. All other ticket purchases can be made by calling the Poplar Pike Playhouse Box Office at 755-7775.
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Spring Review
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