It’s not a dream, Saint Joe: here comes the Fall Musical! Be prepared to be amazed at Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a fantastic musical based on Joseph from the Bible’s Book of Genesis. This musical has won 7 Tony awards including Best Choreography and Best Original Score. It debuted on January 27, 1982, and has been touring worldwide. It even came to The Muny in 2022.
Mr. Pierce is the director of the shows, along with many other talented members who help to build the shows from the ground up.
“I am super excited. We have a super energetic cast, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat needs fun personalities, and that’s our exact cast. In 25 years this is the third time we have done Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I directed it 12 years ago, and it was the last show I directed at SJA, and now coming back, it is the first show I am directing,” Mr. Pierce said.
Written by Tim Rice, the musical follows the story of Joseph, one of Jacob’s 12 sons. Joseph has a unique ability to read people’s dreams and tell them what they mean. His brothers are not very fond of him and end up trying to get rid of him, selling him to the Israelites and sending him to Egypt. While in Egypt he is sent to jail by the greedy Potiphar and sent to Pharoah to read his dreams. After becoming close to Pharoah, his 11 brothers come to get food from Egypt, but they don’t recognize Joseph. In the end, the brothers want Joseph back and they all become brothers again.
This is Senior Kathryn Portman’s last musical at SJA.
“The sadness hasn’t hit yet. I’m just excited to be back on the stage with old friends and use Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as an opportunity to make new friends,” Kathryn Portman said.
Junior Izzy Stadnyk has a strong connection with the cast and always brings light to the show.
“It’s like a family–we all know and love each other. We all match each other’s energy and work hard to make the show a show-stopper. I’ve learned a sense of community and have met some of my best friends. And that I don’t have to do a sport to have that sense of belonging. And that I can do something else to be a part of the school,” Izzy said.
There are many amazing and hilarious characters in this musical including the narrators (Juniors Taylor Gilbert, Izzy Stadnyk, and Molly Sallaberry)–the talented singers who will tell the story–and Joseph (Junior Will Tao)–the cocky youngest brother and Jacob’s favorite son. Then, there are the other 11 brothers, played by Blair Sehy, Kathryn Portman, Jenna Waters, Mabry Hamilton, Amelia Trost, Catherine Frew, Cecilia Simpson, Leila Phoenix, Ava Swan, Lindsay Strickland, and Janae Cole. Lastly, there are the wives/ensemble members which include Freshmen Maren Berry, Maddie Morris, Abby Morrow, Mia Rodemann, and Sophomores Caroline McQuaide and Katelyn Boressi.
Senior Ainsley Hamilton is one of the amazing crew members.
“I wanted to be involved with helping run the show, and I love getting to work with both cast and crew. I have learned how to work in a team, and I have learned time management. I also learned from this that I want to go into theater, and specifically theater tech. I’m excited, I think it’s an amazing show, and everyone should come to see it,” Ainsley said.
Of course, you can not forget the amazingly talented backstage crew. This includes Stage Manager Ainsley Hamilton, and Assistant Stage Managers Hannah Christiansen and Kathryn Byrne. There are many jobs that they have to tackle including stage lights, costumes, moving sets, painting, and so much more. Without them, there would be no show.
Sophomore Madelyn Emge is ecstatic about the show.
“I’m super excited. I’ve heard great things about it, and from my friends, I have seen parts of the dances and it looks amazing. I’ve heard that everyone is great, and I’ve heard the music, and it sounds great!” Madelyn said.
Mark your calendars for October 24, 25, and 26 at 7:00, and get ready to be blown away by this amazing rendition of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The tickets are available on the Saint Joe website under the Productions tab. Get them fast before they sell out!
