USC students to perform ‘Technicolor Dreamcoat’
Published 11:42 am Thursday, November 13, 2008
In what is being described as being a spectacular visual display this weekend, students at United South Central will perform the popular musical theater show “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” written by team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
Based on the Biblical story of Joseph, found in the book of Genesis, the musical will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. It features students Joey Miller in the role of Joseph; Carolyn Schmitz and MaryErin Mueller as narrators; and Ben Dundas as Jacob.
Artistic Director Clay Miller, who also happens to be the father of the student who is playing Joseph, described his son as “an excellent singer, excellent dancer and wonderful actor.”
It’s not just because he’s his father though, that he said these things, Miller said. Joey has been leads in the school’s shows for the past four years and has been coming to play practice since he was a young boy.
“He’s really quite talented, as well as the two who are playing the narrators,” the director said. “The whole group is really loaded with talent. That’s what makes it quite fun.”
In the history of United South Central — and Wells-Easton before that — “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” has never been performed. Miller said it was quite a venture to prepare the musical. He has been directing the plays at the school — and Wells-Easton before that — since 1984. Last year, students at the school put on “Beauty & the Beast.”
And the thing that is unique about this show, he said, is that there has been a lot of student-driven leadership in the efforts to get it ready for the stage. While he is the artistic director, there is also a student director, too, for example. All of the set building and technical aspects of the show have been done by students.
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: United South Central high school auditorium
Tickets: $6 for adults, $5.50 for senior citizens and $5 for students. Family tickets (for those with two adults and three or more children) are available for $25. All seats for the Sunday show are $5. Tickets can be picked up at the high school activities office. Seats are assigned.
Info: (507) 553-5823
The entire show is also loaded with choreography designed by three students, Joey Miller, Carolyn Schmitz and Brianna Gormley.
“They really have had a great hands-on experience,” Miller said.
The show is in two acts with a 20-minute intermission between acts. People can purchase refreshments at a concession stand that will be in the hall.
“We just want to invite everyone who would like to come see it,” Miller said. “It’s going to be a pretty good show, very dazzling. There’s a lot of visual things going on and lighting effects. It’s a real treat to see.”
Dress rehearsal is Thursday evening.