Riverview High School set to present 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'
Riverview High School drama students are in full rehearsals prepping to showcase an all-ages spring musical production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
“This show will be a spectacle of emotions and energy,” said producer Laurie Sliben. “It’s full of meaningful themes like family, acceptance and forgiveness — all of which are particularly poignant in this day and age.
“We expect the audience to be blown away with the dancing, sets and more, and we can’t wait to perform for our community.”
A large cast and crew of almost 100 students will stage five performances, including three evening and two matinee shows, March 7 to 10 at the Tenth Street Elementary’s auditorium in Oakmont.
Filled with rousing dance numbers and family-friendly storylines, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is a musical operetta written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The plot follows the story of a dreamer from the Bible’s Book of Genesis named Joseph, one of 12 boys and the favorite son of Jacob.
Jealousy among the brothers ensues when Jacob gifts Joseph with an ornate, colorful coat.
Junior Johnny Bertucci returns for another musical season in the role of young Joseph.
He said wearing the vibrant coat during rehearsals helps him to get into character.
“I really enjoy going on Joseph’s journey into manhood. I can relate to Joseph because I’m also a young man,” Bertucci said.
A naive Joseph doesn’t realize what people think of him, and Bertucci said hardships befall his character.
“Through his hardships in life, he learns how to use his gifts to help others and not just himself,” Bertucci said.
Bertucci praised his fellow thespians.
“The cast is extremely talented, and the audience should expect great things,” Bertucci said.
“We wanted to go with a dynamic, all-ages show, with lots of singing and dancing, to best showcase our depth of student talent,” Sliben said.
Co-choreographers are Jamie Lydick and Julie Beck.
Lead cast members are Julia Slagle as Narrator, Bertucci as Joseph, Quinlan Catanzaro as Pharaoh, Kyle Schuetz as Jacob, Drew Ogrodowski at Potiphar, Gwyneth Fichte as Potiphar’s wife, Jack Flanick as Reuben, Simon Meals as Naphtali, Noah Prosky as Simeon, and Cara Johnson, Maggie Steimer and Siddaly Sykes as Narrator backup singers.
Slagle, a senior, described her role of Narrator as challenging and high energy.
“To prepare, I sing through the show as much as I can. This role requires a lot of stamina, both physically and vocally,” she said.
Slagle said the fast-paced production explores different genres and each vocal number is unique.
“It’s a colorful spectacle,” Slagle said of the big dance numbers.
The director is JohnPaul Bertucci.
The Riverview drama production team said rehearsals are going smoothly.
“We take arts education very seriously and aim to build up each student to become more confident and empowered, not just on stage, but also in their everyday lives outside of musical,” Sliben said. “The kids are truly awesome humans.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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