A dream will come true for 34 young performers, four from Wellington County, who have been selected as members of the children’s chorus for Drayton Entertainment’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which launched the 2017 season at the Drayton Festival Theatre this week.
As part of the theatre organization’s audience development program, local youth have been cast alongside professional performers in the production, which runs May 17 through June 4.
“It is our pleasure to showcase the outstanding wealth of young talent in our community,” said artistic director Alex Mustakas.
“We are delighted to give these aspiring performers the chance to be on stage and learn from the professional company.”
Over 80 young performers attended an open call in January. To secure a coveted spot, the hopefuls had to demonstrate excellence in singing along with a positive attitude to ensure that they could keep up with the rigours of a professional rehearsal schedule.
Children’s chorus members, who are divided into two teams performing on a rotating schedule, include local residents Caleb Schieck and Joel Zimmermann of Moorefield and Jocelyn DesJardine and Ebbony Moroz of Palmerston.
Other chorus members include:
– Maya Kershaw of Beamsville;
– Annie Johnson of Burlington;
– Ty Campbell, Grace Gaetan, Serena McLean, Holly Nitz, Olivia Nitz, Aja Thompson and Loralei Trafford of Cambridge;
– Reece Hodgson and Ava Schmalz of Elmira;
– Sophie Albrecht and Miranda Franceschini of Guelph;
– Claire Le Donne of Hamilton;
– Justine Howe, Emily Kelly, Braelynn Lackner, Naomi Lofft and Molly Anne Wright of Kitchener;
– Mia Cartwright, Ellie Holtam and Landen McCraney of Listowel
– Sydney Schemool of Maple;
– Mary-Maria Bourdeau of St. Catharines;
– Greta Ofner of St. Clements;
– Rebecca Perry of St. Jacobs;
– Taite Marsden of Stratford; and
– Joshua Bakermann, Madison Bakermann and Emma Douglas of Waterloo.
The first musical led by theatrical team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, Joseph and Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is based on the “coat of many colours” story from the Bible’s Book of Genesis.
When Joseph’s father Jacob gives him a dazzling coat of many colours, his 11 jealous brothers hatch a devious plan to sell him into slavery.
Joseph must face many obstacles, but his ability to interpret dreams and predict the future lead to his eventual freedom and rise to acclaim.
Tickets are $46 for adults and $27 for youth under 20. Tickets for groups of 20 or more and selected discount dates are $37.
HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.draytonentertainment.com, in person at the box office, or by calling 519-638-5555 or toll free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
