Valley set to put on colorful ‘Dreamcoat’
Share this post:
Valley High School Drama Club junior Adam Richardson will be making his stage debut in the lead role of Joseph, donning the iconic coat of many colors in the musical in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” April 11-14 at Valley High School.
“I love the coat. I love how it looks, love what the designers did with it and I’m excited to wear it for four nights in a row,” Richardson says.
The hand-stitched colorful coat, created by seamstress volunteer Nancy Breisinger Monaco, is a key wardrobe component in the enduring reimagined Biblical musical involving Joseph, his father Jacob and his 11 brothers.
The story is told entirely through song with the assistance of a narrator and follows preferred son Joseph, who is sold into slavery by his brothers.
Joseph befriends Potiphar, an Egyptian noble, but ends up in jail after rebuking the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife.
In prison, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams and soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled Elvis-inspired Pharaoh.
Look for Joseph to save the Egyptian day and be reunited with his family as the musical, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2019.
With content suitable for the entire family, Valley producer Brian Krugle says the audience can expect an “all-sung” and fast-moving show.
“Joseph” is different from musicals we have done in the past because this show is music from beginning to end. There are no breaks for dialogue, no breaks between music and no breaks between scene changes. It just flows from beginning to end,” Krugle says. “And we wanted to give our students a chance to experience something that is different from any other show we have done in the past.”
The show is directed by Chris Pastrick, choreographed by Elisa Hill, with musical direction by Sean O’Neil, and Nick Smith leading the orchestra. Pastrick is a digital producer with the Tribune-Review.
Costume director Gina Bordonaro says the audience can expect vibrant costumes and flashy looks.
“Neon and go-go — so we have yellows and oranges for the Pharoah and the dancers are in gold sarongs. Nancy Monoco made the coat, stitched each piece. The kids were taking selfies in their costumes so I think they like them. They like the modern aspect of the clothes — they aren’t putting on heavy layers and sweaty clothes.”
The large cast of nearly 60 students includes Elizabeth Schachte, Lauren Schrock, Adam Richardson, Adriona Lyons, Nevin Wissner, William McGinnis, Makayla Murphy, Aiden Henry, Spencer Pastrick, Elisabeth Ervin, Lela Dixon, Brinley O’Sullivan, Kylie Kasavage, Rachel Schrock, Bethany Tomes, Michael Saliba, Laala Williams, Carsen Brunn, Caytlynne Cronauer and Marco Vigilante.
Longtime Valley musical “mom” volunteer Brenda Grau says the musical process is more than just performing.
“It gives kids more than just theater,” Grau says. “To see a kid that is so shy … get a role … they get up on that stage and just come alive. It’s a welcoming family that is so supportive.”
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will be performed at 7:30 p.m., April 11-13 and 2:30 p.m. April 14 at Valley High School auditorium, New Kensington.
Details: vhsdrama.org