High Point Enterprise Review

HPCT Puts on an Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Joseph Rosenblum

For its second production of the season, HPCT has moved to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church to stage its energizing performances of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” The venue is ideal not only because of the church’s beauty and great acoustics but also because each of the two acts supposedly begins in a Sunday School class before moving to ancient Canaan and Egypt.

The work is unusual even for a musical in that every word is sung. As narrator/Sunday School Teacher, Mary Lea Williams sings many of the numbers, and she does so beautifully. Her dance moves are also first-rate. Travis Vernon’s Joseph is equally impressive with his fine voice.

Brandon Lloyd Hicks (Gad) shines in the country-western “One More Angel in Heaven,” supported by a great square dance routine by his brothers and their wives. Jim Shover (Reuben) in “Those Canaan Days” delightfully imitates an Edith Piaf style song from the 1950s, and Dave Wils (Asher) gives a true Jamaican flavor to “Benjamin Calypso.” The brothers’ chorus in these two pieces is effective, and their dancing in the latter is perfection.

The brothers’ voices blend well in their all choral selections, as do their wives’, and their choreography throughout is equally impressive.

They are well supported by the Ensemble, which, like the brothers and wives, assumes a variety of roles, all of which everyone handles expertly.

Trey Cameron as Pharaoh provides a delightful Elvis imitation. He has the king’s moves and voice down pat. The twenty-seven children add immeasurably to the audience’s delight with their singing and dancing.

The orchestra never misses a beat, and the costumes designed by Jennifer Ackland and Georgann Schultz convey an air of authenticity

This is one of the best productions HPCT has staged. It is a happy-making show. Performances continue this week-end and next at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. There are no Sunday matinees.

(Joseph Rosenblum teaches English at Bennett College for Women,
Greensboro.)

Joseph Rehearsal Preview

Tuesday Rehearsal

Tuesday's rehearsal for Joseph will be held as scheduled (7:00 pm at Wesley Memorial) with the exception of the ending time. The children's ensemble will be released at 8:30 and the rest of the cast by 9:30. Should the road conditions worsen we will change the ending time.

Please remember we are doing photos so wear a solid colored shirt - no white or black.

See you at 7:00.

Remaining Rehearsal Schedule

Sat 27 - OFF

Sun 28
6:00 - 7:00 - Choreo Benjamin Calypso - (Brothers, Joseph, Ensemble, Wives)
7:00 - 8:30 - Stage- Who’s the Thief? – ALL
8:30 - 9:30 - The Brothers in Egypt- (Narrator, Brothers,Joseph,Ensemble,Wives)
9:30 - 10:00 - Those Canaan Days- (Brothers, Jacob)

March
Mon 1
7:00 - 10:00 - Staging - Children released at 9:00
Joseph All the Time- ALL
Jacob in Egypt- ALL
Any Dream Will Do- Finale- ALL

From this point on - all activities are at Wesley Memorial and for ALL cast members from 7:00 - 10:00ish unless otherwise noted.

Tue 2 - Run - ALL

Wed 3 - OFF

Thur 4
6:00 - 7:00 - Costume Fitting for wives & female adults
7:00 - 10:00 - Run - ALL

Fri 5 - Run - ALL

Sat 6 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Load In
1/2 cast other than children's ensemble
Sign up for load-in shift

Sun 7
10:30 am - Performance for Wesley Memorial Worship Service "Jacoob & Sons/Joseph's Coat - All Available Cast Members including children's ensemble
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Load In
1/2 cast other than children's ensemble
Sign up for load-in shift
6:00 - 10:00 - Tech Rehearsal

Mon 8 - 6:30 Call for Tech Rehearsal

Tue 9 - 6:30 Call for Dress Rehearsal

Wed 10 - 6:30 Call for Final Dress Rehearsal

Performances March 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20
6:30 - Call
7:00 - Warm-up
7:30 - "Curtain"

Wed March 17 - Brush -up rehearsal to be announced.

Monday, Monday

Tonight’s tba rehearsal is a full company call at 7:00 in the rehearsal hall to review all choreographed numbers. The children will be released at 8:15.

Monday's Rehearsal

Hi All,

We will have Monday's rehearsal as scheduled in the rehearsal hall. Wear layers!

The heating co was there this morning and we hope they have resolved the problem. If it is still too cold, we can move downstairs to the Arts Council office again (where it will be too hot).

Mon 15 - 7:00 - 10:00 - Act I Work-Thru- ALL - Children released at 9:00.

Joseph Rehearsals through February

All Rehearsal times are 7 – 10 with the children being released at 9 unless otherwise noted. All of the rehearsals below are at the HPCT rehearsal space.

TBA = To Be Announced = Assume that you have rehearsal.

Fri 12 (Adults bring measurement sheets if you have not done so)
Stage - Close Every Door- ALL EXCEPT BROTHERS (Children released at 8:00)
Potiphar- (Potiphar, Ensemble, Narrator, Joseph, Mrs Potiphar)
Go, Go , Go Joseph- (up to Dance) ( Joseph, Ensemble, Baker, Butler)

Sat 13 - OFF

Sun 14 (Bring your Valentine to rehearsal)
Choreograph- Go, Go, Go Joseph- (Dance…starts after Baker) - ALL
Start Song of Kings (if time allows)

Mon 15
Act I Work-Thru- ALL (Mallory at 8:00)

Tue 16 - OFF

Wed 17
Finish One More Angel in Heaven – Hoe-Down – Brothers & Wives

Thur 18
Stage- Pharoah’s Story (Narrator, Children, Ensemble)
Poor, Poor Pharoah (add Pharoah, Wives as Egyptian dancers)

Fri 19
Music- All

Sat 20 - OFF

Sun 21
Stage- Pharoah’s Dream Explained- (Pharoah, Joseph, Ensemble, Wives)
Stone the Crows

Mon 22
Choreography- Review TBA (with Cara)

Tue 23 - OFF

Wed 24 - OFF

Thur 25
Choreograph/Finish - Song of Kings & Song of Kings Reprise- ALL

Fri 26
Choreograph- Benjamin Calypso- (Brothers, Joseph, Ensemble, Wives)

Sat 27-(2-5pm) Finish Choreography if needed TBA

Sun 28
Stage- Who’s the Thief? – ALL
The Brothers in Egypt- (Narrator, Brothers, Joseph, Ensemble, Wives)
Those Canaan Days- (Brothers, Jacob)

Joseph Friday Night

Hi All,

We’ve been back and forth all afternoon but with the new forecast showing that it is not supposed to drop below freezing until much later in the evening, we will have rehearsal tonight from 7 – 9 in the rehearsal hall for the full company. Please be very careful – drive slowly. There is a much greater risk in hydroplaning tonight then there is in sliding on the ice. Please let me know if you don’t think you can make it.

Jennifer

P.S. The adult MEN in the ensemble do not need to come to rehearsal on Sunday – just the women. So Sunday’s rehearsal is…

Sunday’s rehearsal will be:
2:00 – 3:30 for Choreography for Mrs. Potiphar Dance- (Mrs. Potiphar, Wives & Female Adult Ensemble)
3:30 to 5:00 for Angel In Heaven Hoedown – Dance Break (Brothers and Wives).

Rehearsal for next week…

Mon Feb 8 - Blocking
7:00 - 8:00 - One More Angel In Heaven- (up to dance break) (Brothers, Wives, Jacob)
8:00 - 9:00 - Poor, Poor, Joseph- (Narrator, Brothers, Joseph, Ishmaelites (Wil & Anthony))
9:00 - 10:00 - Joseph’s Dream-(Narrator, Brothers, Joseph)

Tue 9
7:00 - 10:00 Stage Joseph’s Coat & Jacob & Sons - ALL
(Children finished at 8:30p)

Wed 10 OFF

Thurs 11 OFF

Fri 12
7:00 - 8:30 - Close Every Door- ALL (Children finished at 8:30 pm)
Followed by Potiphar- Potiphar, Ensemble, Narrator, Joseph, Mrs Potiphar
Followed by Go, Go , Go Joseph- (up to Dance) Joseph, Ensemble, Baker, Butler

Sat 13
2:00 – 5:00 – Possible make-up rehearsal To be announced

Joseph Info

Hi All,

What a great rehearsal tonight! Thanks to all who slogged through the cold rainy night to get there.

It looks like we will have most of the brothers so we are adding a rehearsal for them tomorrow (Wednesday) at 8:30 pm in the choir room at Wesley Memorial.

Next rehearsal will be Friday from 7 – 10 for the full company in the rehearsal hall. It’s our last music only rehearsal so please make every attempt to get there. IF this next wave of winter weather hits we will adjust the schedule accordingly. We will also set the “corn dance” on Friday with Tiffany Carlson, Tori Galloway, Synthia Green, Cara Kiser, Morgan Kivett and Caroline Patterson.

Sunday’s rehearsal will be:
2:00 – 3:30 for Choreography for Mrs. Potiphar Dance- (Mrs. Potiphar, Wives & Male & Female Adult Ensemble)
3:30 to 5:00 for Angel In Heaven Hoedown – Dance Break (Brothers and Wives).

Children’s Ensemble – please check http://jenhpct.podomatic.com/ for podcasts of the most difficult sections of your music. The unison parts are not on there nor are the sections that you have down cold. But tracks for the divided sections (high and low parts) are on there. Music only – no vocals. This should be a good tool for you to rehearse your music with. You can listen to them on the website or download them to your computer or ipod.

I have a couple of things to confirm with Bobby tomorrow and I will send next week’s schedule then.

Be safe and warm!

Jennifer

Monday Rehearsal Cancelled with a Change on Tuesday

Hi all,

There is a traveler’s advisory out for ice and black ice tonight when the snow that has melted freezes over again. We have decided to cancel rehearsal but plan to rehearse tomorrow and move tonight's schedule to tomorrow.

Tuesday, Feb 2 - Music
7:00 - 10:00 - Full Company (Children will be released at 8:30)

Jennifer

Remember all rehearsals are in the HPCT rehearsal hall unless otherwise noted.

No rehearsal on Sunday!

No rehearsal Sunday - learn your lyrics!

Monday, Feb 1 - Music
7:00 - 10:00 - Full Company (Children will be released at 8:30)

Tuesday, Feb 2 - Music
7:00 - 9:00 - Full Company except children's ensemble
9:00 - 10:00 - Solos

Wednesday, Feb 3 - Off

Thursday, Feb 4 - to be announced

Friday, Feb 5 - Music
7:00 - 10:00 - Full Company (Children will be released by 9:30)

Remember all rehearsals are in the HPCT rehearsal hall unless otherwise noted.

More schedule coming soon.

Friday's Rehearsal CANCELLED!

With the uncertainly of the start time for the winter storm and the distance that some cast members are driving, we have decided to cancel tonight's (Friday's) rehearsal. Check back here for information about Sunday's rehearsal and next week's rehearsal schedule. Please stay safe and warm - and work on your music!

Rehearsals Next Week

Jan. 24 – 7:00 - Music - Full Company except Children's Ensemble

Jan. 25 – 7:00 - Music - All Brothers

Jan. 26 – 7:00 - 10:00 - Block Act I - Full Company - Wesley Memorial Sanctuary (Children's Ensemble will be released at 9:00)

Jan. 27 – 5:00 – 6:00 pm - Children’s Ensemble & Joseph - Wesley Memorial Choir Room

Jan,. 28 - Off

Jan. 29 – 7:00 - 10:00 - Block Act II - Full Company - Wesley Memorial Sanctuary (Children's Ensemble will be released at 9:30)

Jan. 30 - Off

February's schedule will be available in the next couple of days.

Friday's Rehearsal

Hi Josephites! The kids have been working hard this week - now the rest of you get to catch up.

Friday - 7:00 - 10:00 - Full company except Children's Ensemble. HPCT Rehearsal Hall. See you then!

Tuesday & Wednesday Rehearsal

Please don't forget that rehearsal tonight and tomorrow will be held at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in the choir room for Joseph & The Children's Ensemble. Enter through the drive on the left side of the building. The entrance to the music department is about half way down that side.

Tuesday's rehearsal is from 7:00 - 9:00 and Wednesday's rehearsal is from 5:00 - 6:00. We realize that some cast members will have a difficult time arriving at rehearsal at 5:00. If you can get there by 5:30, please join us.

GREAT FIRST REHEARSAL LAST NIGHT!

Joseph Partial Rehearsal Schedule - 1st Two Weeks

Jan. 17 – 6:00 pm - Company Meeting w/ cast & parents followed by watching the Joseph DVD- Bring a snack to share! - HPCT

Jan. 18 – 7:00 - 9:00 pm - Children’s Ensemble & Joseph - HPCT

Jan. 19 – 7:00 - 9:00 pm - Children’s Ensemble & Joseph - Wesley Memorial Choir Room

Jan. 20 – 5:00 – 6:00 pm - Children’s Ensemble & Joseph - Wesley Memorial Choir Room

Jan. 21 - Off

Jan. 22 – 7:00 - Music TBA (Not Children’s Ensemble)

Jan 23 - Off

Jan. 24 – 7:00 - Music TBA (Not Children’s Ensemble)

Jan. 25 – 7:00 - Music TBA (Not Children’s Ensemble)

Jan. 26 – 7:00 - 10:00 - Block Act I - Full Company - Wesley Memorial Sanctuary (Children's Ensemble will be released at 9:00)

Jan. 27 – 5:00 – 6:00 pm - Children’s Ensemble & Joseph - Wesley Memorial Choir Room

Jan,. 28 - Off

Jan. 29 – 7:00 - 10:00 - Block Act II - Full Company - Wesley Memorial Sanctuary (Children's Ensemble will be released at 9:30)

Jan. 30 - Off

Wesley Memorial UMC is located at 1225 Chestnut Drive. Both the Sanctuary & The Choir Room are on the left side of the building.

TBA = To Be Announced

Email me with any questions at jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org

Joseph 1st Rehearsal

The company meeting and first rehearsal for JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT will be Sunday, January 17th at 6:00 pm at the HPCT rehearsal hall where auditions were held. A parent or guardian of cast members under driving age should attend the company meeting.

All cast members should click here to download a contact/bio form and email the completed form to me.

All cast members except the Children's Ensemble should click here to download a costume measurement form and bring the completed form with you to the first rehearsal. If you need help with measurements, please fill-in the information that you know and we can complete it at the first rehearsal.

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Cast

Thanks to all who auditioned for JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. The artistic staff had many difficult decisions due to the depth of the talent pool. Please know that if you were not cast, we would love to have you audition in the future and your email address has been added to our list for HPCT activities.

Please reply with an email to jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org signifying that you have seen the list and if cast are accepting your role. Please reply by noon on December 20th.

JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT CAST

Narrator – Mary Lea Williams
Joseph – Travis Vernon
Jacob – Mickey Hyland
Potiphar – Michael J. Hoch
Mrs. Potiphar – Steffanie Vaughan
Pharaoh – Trey Cameron

*Joseph’s Brothers:
Reuben – Jim Shover
Simeon – Cameron Williams
Levi – Kevin Rapier
Naphtali – James Littlejohn
Issachar – Jonathan Garrett
Asher – David Wils
Dan – John C. Wilson
Zebulun – Matt Sara
Gad – Brandon Lloyd Hicks
Benjamin – Matthew Johnson
Judah - Thomas Gooding

Brothers’ Wives:
Maia Blendermann
Katrina Breitenbach
Tiffany Carlson
Tori Galloway
Pat Grayson
Synthia Green
Bridget Kilcourse
Cara Kiser
Morgan Kivett
Caroline Patterson

Ensemble:
Wil Church
Savannah Clemmons
Lisa Detlefsen
Joe Eckstein
Anthony Marino
Matt Norcross
Jennifer Raiford
Amanda Rodriguez
Marie Ventrone

Children’s Ensemble:
Alexis Cline
Olivia Cline
Aislinn Antrim
McKayla Davis
Charles Epps
Graham Harrington
Zoe Kelley
Meredith Leonard
Miranda Leonard
Rebecca Meier
Jessica O’Neal
Lauren Ortiz
Ainsley Potter
Abby Rapier
Sarah Richardson
Grayson Rosser
Danielle Schultz
Hannah Schultz
Raven Nicole Wallace

Solo Vocals & Dances will be assigned once rehearsals begin.

Please bookmark this blog. It is the place to find information about rehearsals, future auditions and other HPCT events.

We will not begin rehearsals until after the holidays. Please check back here on December 31st to find out the date and time for the first company meeting.

Please remember to email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org to accept your role as soon as possible.

Casting Announcement Coming Soon!

Thanks to all who auditioned for Joseph and thanks for your patience. The artistic staff is meeting on Monday and we will publish the cast just as soon as possible.

Certainly by the 18th as promised - but hopefully sooner.

Joseph Auditions

One more chance - tonight (Tuesday) at 7:00. Hope to see you there!