News in Sarasota Florida

Epiphany students to perform Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat at Venice Theatre

Students from Epiphany Cathedral School (ECS) in Venice will be performing the delightful musical parable, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat on the MainStage of Venice Theatre at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 20 and 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 21, 2010. Tickets are $16 for adults, $8 for children and are on sale now through ECS at 941-488-2215.

Directed by Venice Theatre's principal teacher and notable actor, director and choreographer, Brad Wages, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat is the first full production combining the talents of the beginning and intermediate theatre students at ECS. The production is the product of a partnership formed between ECS and Venice Theatre five years ago. Epiphany students attend daily instruction at the theatre during the school year that fulfills the students' theatre arts credits for the year.

Wages says, “We decided to mount Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat in celebration of ECS's 50-year anniversary. The students are rising to the challenge of rehearsing and performing a fully-staged musical filled with historical characters, beautiful music and a comic twist. They have worked very hard on staging, choreography and characterization. I know audiences will enjoy this classical biblical tale as told in a high-energy, fast-paced musical format.”

Wages goes on to say, “The Venice Theatre/ECS partnership has already proven to be a success; not only artistically, but in the daily lives of the students. I have watched their ability to develop both sides of the brain increase. They are thinking outside of the box, finding their own voice and experiencing higher levels of self-confidence and assurance. To me, seeing their self-confidence is what makes the program and the arts invaluable. The students also learn the value of commitment and the importance of working as a group for a larger goal.”

The multidisciplinary program designed by Venice Theatre and Epiphany is structured to satisfy students of all ability levels who share a love for the performing arts. The discipline of a performing arts program provides effective techniques and skills that carry over to students' social and academic development.

Sandy Davisson, Venice Theatre's Director of Outreach and Education says, “Our ECS collaboration is one of the most important types of programming that Venice Theatre does. We reach out into the community to bring the theatre arts to sectors that otherwise may not have them available.”

Irene Lynch, Principal of Epiphany Cathedral School states; “ECS looks at the whole child. We focus not only on academics, but on character and spiritual development. The arts are such an important venue for children to learn creativity, expression, public speaking skills and self-confidence. The partnership with Venice Theatre helps our children develop skills that cannot be learned in their other studies.”

Production Staff
Director and Choreographer – Brad Wages
Musical Director – Jason Brenner
Stage Manager – Sharon Fieser

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat Cast

Camilla Cattaneo Asher
Tristan Deschler Nepthali
Anne-Marie Diaz Dan
Monica Gonzalez Narrator
Sarah Graf Zebulow
Olivia Grangeon Levi
Matthew Guerin Jacob/Potiphar
Kaitlin Hertel Isacher
Willy Labrador Joseph
Brandon Madden Rueben
Cassidy Marryott Simeon
C.J. Tefft Judah
Maggie Flynn Benjamin
Ivy Dower Gad
Dakota Vets Mummy, Ishmaelite
Michael Badolato Pharoah
Cassie Blem Potiphar Emsemble/Egyptian
Noelle Buitron Potiphar Emsemble/Egyptian
Callie Cormier Potiphar Emsemble/Egyptian
Gabby DeVita Potiphar's Wife/Egyptian
Abby Donofrio Potifar Ensemble/Egyptian
Sarah Donofrio Potiphar Emsemble/Egyptian/Adoring girl
Courtney Fournier Potiphar's Ensemble/Egyptian
Kelli Kennedy Potiphar's Ensemble/Egyptian/Baker
Krysten Liming Potiphar's Ensemble/Egyptian/Butler
Olivia Solorzano Potiphar's Ensemble/Egyptian
Alex Kraus Mummy, Businessman/ Islimalite