'Joseph' dreams come to Carson stage

The Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company's production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" may be a grand musical featuring an eclectic soundtrack, dazzling costumes and dozens of backup performers, but the company's decision to stage the 41-year-old show was based on one thing: A stellar cast.

"We realized that we just had the perfect people for it," producer/director Stephanie Arrigotti said. "With the talented men we cast as the central brother characters, it's like Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote it for them."

The internationally known musical follows Joseph through a light-hearted interpretation of biblical events including his sale into slavery, his struggle against the evil Pharaoh and the story of the "coat of many colors." Local actor James McDuffie stars as Joseph, while Patrick Hardy plays his brother Jacob and Jerry Lowe portrays the Elvis Presley-inspired Pharaoh.

"The show features many different styles of music that were popular in the 1960s, including calypso, rock and country-Western. Andrew Lloyd Webber was definitely thinking about Elvis when he wrote 'Song of the King.' It's really just '50s rock."

A group of four female narrators (Brynn Garrett, Caitlin Papp, Jackie Reichelt and Carla Wilson) helps keep the plot moving through the various changes in genre and scene, Arrigotti said. But the women are more than just storytellers.

"They all have dancing and singing to do," she said. "Everyone (in the production) is energetic and funny and gets a chance to show it."

Among the performers is Congressman Dean Heller, who had to do some fancy scheduling to make time for the performance, Arrigotti said.

"The only way he was able to do it was his wife came to rehearsals (when he couldn't) and took notes for him," Arrigotti said.

While productions of "Dreamcoat" often have performers change costumes frequently to reflect the shifting musical genres, WNMTC opted to use more permanent, distinctive ensembles.

"Honestly, it gets really confusing (for the audience) when everyone keeps changing clothes," Arigotti said. "Since this is a very stylized show with lighting like a rock concert, we decided to have costumes that were more realistic but would sparkle in those conditions."

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" featuring the Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company will run May 8-10 and 15-17 at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. Williams St. Friday and Saturday shows will be held at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees will be at 2 p.m. For information and tickets, call 775-445-4249.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Lyrics by Tim Rice

Producer/Director - Stephanie Arrigotti

Choreographer - Gina Kaskie-Davis

Joseph - James McDuffie

Pharaoh, Reuben - Jerry Lowe

Narrators - Bryann Garrett, Caitlin Papp, Jacklyn Reichelt, Carla Wilson

Angel in heaven soloist (Zebulun - Paul Stufkosky, Alex Kaskie

Napthali, Butler - Adam Machart

Additional Brothers:

Gad - Alexander Crounk

Simeon - Dean Heller

Benjamin - Michael Kaskie

Asjer - Kyle MacMillan

Issachar - Gene Sitts

Jacob - Patrick Hardy

Potiphar - John Vettel

Potiphar's Wife - Sami Busey

Baker - Dave Anderson

Lively Lad - Grant Davis

Fiddle Player - Ryan Vettel

Goat - Makayla Schmidt

Sheep - Ryan Maw

Dance Troupe: Sami Busey, Amanda Drown, Haley Davis, Whitney Giron, Kassie MacMillan, Jordan Morales, Brianna Neben, Ryan Vettel

Secondary Dance Troupe: Danita Bayer, Melissa Mauer

Pharaoh's back-up quartet: Danita Bayer, Melissa Mauer, Bethany Mindrum, Lisa Thomas

Ensemble: Darla Bayer, Desiree Davis, Grant Davis, Dianne Hale, Brittinie Lacey, Heide Lerud, Sally Mills, Ram Stembridge

Angels (from Western Nevada Performing Arts Center): Camryn Aten, Makenna Couste, Haley Davis, Karrina Ferris, Ryan Maw, Lily Nelson, Jacob Nichols, Makayla Schmidt, Ryan Vettel.