JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is an upbeat and exciting Broadway musical. A story told through song, this high energy, ensemble extravaganza, by lyricist Tim Rice and composer Andrew Lloyd Weber, features music from all popular American genres.
click here for a YouTube video of the cast
The Montville Township High School Theatre Company will perform JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at MTHS on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 2, 3, and 4, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. A Sunday, March 5, matinee will be also performed at 2:00 p.m.
Told entirely through music and movement, with the help of a main character, known as the Narrator, this musical follows the story of the preferred son: Joseph.
“After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife,” reads the show’s program notes. “While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled, Elvis-inspired, Pharaoh. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharaoh’s right-hand man and reunites him with his family.”
“Your dreams really can come true,” said Montville Township High School junior Joseph Amoroso “That is the message of this fantastic and over-the-top musical: No matter what they are, dreams really can come true.”
Joseph Amoroso, Joleen Amer and Jake Polachek as Joseph, Narrator and Jacob in rehearsal for Montville Township HS Theatre Company's musical:
For Amoroso his dreams are coming true. Amoroso has always wanted an opportunity to play the title role of Joseph in a production of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.
“It’s so fun. It’s like a dream,” added Amoroso. “I’ve loved this show since I was little.”
Audiences will remember Amoroso as Danny Zuko from last spring’s MTHS Theatre Company production of “Grease.”
Amoroso will portray Joseph in this colorful and amazing production from the Montville Township High School Theatre Company.
The MTHS Theatre Company, which is the name of the MTHS Drama Club, produces high quality productions.
“It’s such a special production,” senior Joleen Amer, who will perform the iconic Narrator role, said recently during rehearsal. “It is an exciting show. There are so many people and we are all on stage at one time…all the time. There is so much movement and so much music. It is dazzling and theatrical.”
With a cast of over 50 students from Montville Township Public Schools, the musical not only features MTHS students, but also twenty 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from several of the district’s elementary schools as well as the Robert R. Lazar Middle School.
“It is really special that we can learn from the little kids and that they have the opportunity to work with the MTHS students,” said MTHS senior Laura Justnes.
Justnes, a Student Director and Student Vocal Director, explained that the MTHS students in the production have enjoyed the opportunity to work with the younger students. “It is a unique opportunity for all of us. Being part of a theatrical production at such a young age helps the younger students to learn about themselves and builds confidence. It helps us too.”
The production’s Student Choreographer, Riley Chertcoff, an MTHS senior, agreed. “This is a big production. It is very special to do. It has everything, including cute children, and so many genres of music. It’s completely different from everything else we have ever done.”
Chertcoff, who also portrays Mrs. Potiphar, performs with the Featured Dancers, and is a Student Vocal Director, added, “This show, this cast, and the MTHS Theatre Company – all of us, we are a family.”
“There is so much talent at MTHS, this show gives everyone an opportunity for a showcase number” noted sophomore Ryan Cortes who plays several roles including the Elvis-inspired role of Pharaoh.
“Every role is a lead,” explained Student Director Connor Byrne. Byrne, an MTHS senior, also portrays Levi, one of Joseph’s brothers.
Veteran Director and MTHS Drama Club Advisor, Scott Baird once again leads the stellar cast and creative team for this exciting production.
The Production Staff includes: Director: Scott Baird, Vocal Director: Ted Cherney, Choreographer: Lauren Moran Mills, Music Director: Andrew Havington, Lighting Designer: Kevin Ohlweiler, Costume Designer: Maryanne Hannon, Set Designer: Vincent Gunn, Set Construction: Jeff Silverberg, MTC Business Manager: Kelly Smith, Stage Crew Advisor: Jessica Stampfle, Student Asst. Directors - Connor Byrne & Laura Justnes, Student Asst. Vocal Directors - Riley Chertcoff & Laura Justnes, Student Asst. Choreographer - Riley Chertcoff and Student Stage Managers: Lucia LoPresti and Grace Mastrangelo.
The MTHS Cast includes: Narrator - Joleen Amer, Joseph - Joseph Amoroso, Pharaoh - Ryan Cortes, Jacob - Jake Polachek, Joseph’s Brothers Reuben (One More Angel in Heaven) - Josh Bienskie-Jackson, Simion (Those Canaan Days) - Max Iaci, Levi - Connor Byrne, Naphtali - Milena Sky Dorta, Issachar - Ryan Cortes, Asher - Marlon Soeiro Jr., Dan - Logan Lewis, Zebulon - William Spellman, Gad - Nicole Londono, Benjamin - Anthony DiBenedetto, Judah (Benjamin’s Calypso) - Philo Megala, Potiphar - Kevin Arrigo, Mrs. Potiphar - Riley Chertcoff, Baker - Grace Hricay, Butler - Mia Grillo, Go, Go, Go Joseph (Dreamer #1) - Evelyn Susnosky, Go, Go, Go Joseph (Dreamer #2) - Danylo Kondryshyn, and One More Angel in Heaven (Angel Soloist) - Devyani Sharma.
Featured Dancers: Riley Chertcoff, Taniyah Drayton, Mia Grillo, Grace Hricay, Abby Lee, Jayden Longobardi, Ava Piwowarski and Karolina Sudol
Ensemble: Kevin Arrigo, Riley Chertcoff, Mia Grillo, Grace Hricay, Laura Justnes, Danylo Kondryshyn, Abigail Lee, Jayden Longobardi, Meghana Neellisetty, Ava Piwowarski, Devyani Sharma, Karolina Sudol and Evelyn Susnosky.
Children’s Choir: Cedar Hill Elementary - Adriana Aboyoun, Harper Berkman, Yashvi Gandhi, Sofia Garzon, Cassidy Pantina, Emilia Ponikowski, Amira Shuaib, and Gianna Violante. Valley View Elementary - Farida Eltahan, Gavin Encarnacion, Cameron Kessler, Stephanine Kopf, Sophia Marotto, Satyana Mehta, Aayushi Parikh, and Olivia Sudol. William Mason Elementary - Isabella Castillo, and Mia Gallo. Robert R. Lazar Middle School - Avery Aiello, and Rebecca Spear.
Performances will be held at Montville Township High School, in the Dr. Robert O. Stafford Auditorium, 100 Horseneck, Road in Montville, New Jersey. MTHS is one of seven schools in the Montville Township Public Schools district.
The Montville Township High School Theatre Company will perform JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at MTHS on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 2, 3, and 4, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. A Sunday, March 5, matinee will be also performed at 2:00 p.m. Tickets $15 for Adults and $12 for Students and Senior Citizens. Tickets are General Admission and may be purchased at-the-door or in advance at: http://mthsnj.booktix.com/