Jealousy over a spectacular coat is the touchstone for conflict when the hit musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” comes to Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre. Presented by The Yardley Players, show times and performances are Fridays, July 10 and 17 at 8 p.m., Saturdays, July 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays, July 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on July 10.
This comical, spirited musical by
Andrew Lloyd Webber and
Tim Rice is based on the Biblical story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Jacob has 12 sons; his favorite is clearly Joseph, whom he presents with a brilliant, multi-colored coat. The gift sparks jealousy among the other brothers, who decide to sell Joseph as a slave. Ending up in the household of the wealthy Potiphar, Joseph rises through the ranks of servants, but again gets in trouble and is jailed.
Word spreads of Joseph’s uncanny ability to read dreams and portend the future, and he is soon summoned by the Pharaoh, who is having mysterious dreams of his own – seven fat cows, seven skinny cows, seven healthy ears of corn and seven dead ears of corn. Joseph counsels the Pharaoh to prepare for famine and becomes the leader’s most trusted advisor.
Back at home, Joseph’s brothers are hungry and remorseful. Learning that Egypt has saved food for its people, they decide to travel there, not realizing that the man in charge is, in fact, their long-lost brother. Recognizing them, Joseph gives them food and sends them on their way, but not before planting a golden cup in the sack of his youngest brother, Benjamin. When Benjamin is accused of stealing the cup, the brothers implore Joseph to imprison them instead of Benjamin. Seeing their selflessness, Joseph reveals himself. The show ends with a happy family reunion.
Originating in London, “Joseph” was first performed in America in 1970, and proved so popular that it moved to Broadway in 1972. With a score that uses a variety of musical styles, the show has enjoyed numerous professional and amateur revivals. This recent version from the United Kingdom has added to and enhanced the original score.
Cast members for “Joseph” include: Jim Petro of Hamilton as Joseph; Laurie Gougher of Newtown, Pa., and Meera Mohan of Plainsboro as the narrators; James Banar of Newtown, Pa., as Jacob; Walter Smyth of Trevose, Pa., as Potiphar; and Joe Zedeny of East Windsor as Pharaoh. The brothers are played by Andrew Clark of Lawrenceville, Rob Gougher of Newtown, Pa., Michael Kaish of West Windsor, Jamie Kay of Robbinsville,
Ethan Levy of Plainsboro, Paul McGlew of Robbinsville, Andrew Millin of Perrineville, Nicholas Pecht of Trenton, Dan Slothower of Plainsboro and Matt South of Levittown, Pa. The brothers’ wives are played by Alexa Agourides of Hamilton, Beverly Kuo-Hamilton of Princeton, Kathleen Kutalek of Hightstown, Melissa Leshchanka of Somerset, Gianna Miranda of Ewing, Sally Page of Princeton, Ashley Patrick of Langhorne, Pa., Jennifer Rohmeyer of Belle Mead, Liz Wurtz of Levittown, Pa., and Amy Zalot of Levittown, Pa.
Featured dancers include: Alexa Agourides of Hamilton, Elizabeth Felkner of Yardville, Abigail Kitson of Trenton, Melissa Leshchanka of Somerset (Potiphar’s wife), Laura Murey of Hamilton, Mollie Rubinstein of West Windsor, and Amy Slothower of Plainsboro. Male ensemble members include Stephen Blazejewski of Trenton and Kiernan Matts of Hamilton. Children’s chorus members include: Kaitlyn Bader of Westhampton, Matthew Blazejewski of Trenton, Heather Dixon of Trevose, Pa., Kaitlynn Ely of Hightstown, Vivek Fernandez of Kendall Park, Cynthia George of Hightstown, Samantha Gougher of Newtown, Pa., Kimberly Graham of Yardley, Pa., Sally Graham of Yardley, Pa., Ethan Hamilton of Princeton, Simon Hamilton of Princeton, Kavya Pochiraju of West Windsor, Caroline Purdy of Cranbury, Madeline Rohmeyer of Belle Mead, Robin Slothower of Plainsboro and Stephen Szemis of West Windsor.
Tickets for “Joseph” are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and $12 for students. Free parking is available next to the theater. Tickets may be purchased online at
www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices upon request. For a listing of shows in Kelsey’s summer series, visit the website.
Laurie Gougher and Meera Mohan
Paul McGlew, Rob Gougher, Jamie Kay, Andrew Millin, Ethan Levy, Michael Kaish, Jim Petro as Joseph, Matt South, Joe Zedeny, and Dan Slothower
