Rehearsals for the Oxford Peak Arts Council’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” are nearing their final stages as the play heads toward its 7:00 p.m. March 2 premiere.  The play, supported in part by grants secured by local student Bridger DeJong as well as the support of many local businesses, individuals, and organizations, is a production of the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, with lyrics by Tim Rice.  The play is directed by David Teeples.

Auditions for the play were held in November before Thanksgiving, with over 50 local kids coming out for a chance in the spotlight.  While not everyone was able to find a starring spot, everyone who tried out for the play has been given a role in the production, including lighting, sound, stage design, and all the other elements that are essential for a successful stage production.  All the participants have been putting in countless hours of time over the last few months prepping and rehearsing for the big event.

The Oxford Peak Arts Council has put on one large children’s play a year over the last several years, beginning with “Newsies” in 2020, “Cinderella” in 2021, “Calamity Jane” in 2022, and now “Joseph.”  Like the previous selections, this play is a combination of musical numbers, narration, and dramatic acting elements.  The Council has prided itself on presenting professionally produced, well-executed productions of artistically important performances.  This year is no exception, with a full cast production of one of America’s most well-known musical “rock operas”.  

Parents of the students involved in the production were asked to donate at least 5 hours of their time, which has resulted in some fantastic and unexpected benefits.  Essential elements of the stage, for instance, were built by Jeremy DeJong, while many other parents participated in various staging and support elements in the large-scale production.

The play itself features a large cast of students performing the well-known songs from the musical (such as “One More Angel in Heaven,” “Those Canaan Days,” and “Benjamin Calypso”), with the following actors in the major roles: Lolee Teeples (Narrator), Bridger DeJong (Joseph),  Raegan Smith and Natalie Webster (Narrator’s Chorus), Jacob/Israel (Daniel Lenaghan), Reuban and Wife (Curtis Huckaby and Kaleigh Worrell), Simeon and Wife (Gavin Price and Sarah Young), Judah and Wife (Hayes Teeples and Aubree Palmer), Levi and Wife (Joshua Pickett and Serena Whipple), Naphtali and Wife (Joe Willie and Lindi Young), Issachar and Wife (Adi Schow and Alivia Waldron), Asher and Wife (Tabitha Webster and Myriam Teeples), Dan and Wife (Aubrey Corbett and Daisy Huckaby), Zebulun and Wife (Maren Sperry and Makiya Shulz), Gad and Wife (Jens Huckaby and Madelyn Shaw), Benjaim (Jason Spencer), Potiphar (Daniel Lenaghan), Mrs. Potiphar (Makiya Shulz), Butler (Sarah Young), Baker (Kaleigh Worrell), Pahraoh (Kolton Cox), Handmaidens (Mary Zabriskie and Hannah Zabriskie).

The choir members are Mary Zabriskie, Hannah Zabriskie, Katy Carter, Abbie Cox, Bentley Jones, Doris Young, Nicole White, William Whipple, Kallen Price, London Hess, Daisy Huckaby, Anna Chipman, Jade Charles, Cumorah Carter, and Kayla Wilson.

The stage and tech crew includes Jeff Richins, Conner Worrell, Elyzabeth Teeples, Mordecai Charles, Ella Sperry, Paige Wilson, Kayla Layton.

The production crew includes Jeni Sperry, Chalae Teeples, Ada Campbell, Jeremy deJong, and Laura DeJong.  The choreographers are Lacey Jo Clark, Ashley Price, Travis and Kellianne Huckaby.  The student choreographer is Kaleigh Worrell.  The costumes were created by Shannon Worrell and Carolee Cox.

The play will run on March 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 10, with a matinee and evening performance on March 11.  The performances will begin at 7:00 p.m., with the March 11 matinee beginning at 2:30 p.m.  Tickets are $12 at the door, and can also be purchased from [email protected].  A group rate of $10 is available for groups of 10 or more.  More information can be found at 208-557-9637.