Technicolor Triumph Coming to St. Jacobs This Summer!
June 26, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: This summer, “Go, Go, Go” to the theatre for an unforgettable experience with the irresistible musical parable Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This rollicking masterpiece is packed with incredible dance numbers, plenty of laughter, and catchy tunes like “Go, Go, Go Joseph,” “Any Dream Will Do,” and “Close Every Door.” Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will light up the stage at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse from July 12 to August 5.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become a worldwide phenomenon, with an estimated 30 million people having attended a production. Journey back to the ancient land of Canaan for an enchanting story of faith and forgiveness as the biblical tale of Joseph is chronicled with sparkling wit, irreverence, and imagination. When Joseph’s father gives him a fabulous coat of many colors, his 11 jealous brothers hatch a devious scheme to sell him into slavery. But Joseph rises above his bleak circumstances due to his ability to interpret dreams, and becomes one of the most powerful men in Egypt.
“Joseph is an absolute favourite of audiences around the world,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “It’s an inspiring, uplifting story of resilience, forgiveness, and humility, all wrapped up with exhilarating dance numbers, irresistible music, and a charming main character that we can all cheer for. It’s going to make for one unforgettable time at the theatre!”
Leading us on our “Journey to Egypt” is Max Reimer, an award-winning director who has been at the helm of many Drayton Entertainment hits, including previous productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West Side Story, and The Drowsy Chaperone.
Working alongside him is Choreographer Christine Watson, who was the Assistant Choreographer for Drayton Entertainment’s Kinky Boots (2020), Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Jack and the Beanstalk. She is joined by Music Director Steve Thomas, Set Designer Jean Claude Olivier, Costume Designer Rachel Berchtold, Lighting Designer Kevin Fraser, Stage Manager Amber Archbell, and Assistant Stage Manager Anna Whitehead.
A dream cast has been assembled for this joyfully irreverent production. Ben Page takes on the title role of Joseph, the good-natured, favourite son of Jacob, unto whom the coveted multi-coloured coat is bestowed. A recent graduate of Sheridan’s Bachelor of Musical Theatre Performance program, Page has appeared at Coal Mine Theatre and Buddies in Bad Times, and in the role of the Bear in Ursa: A Folk Musical with Tweed & Co.
Kristen Peace is the omniscient Narrator who guides the audience through the story of Joseph and his jealous brothers. Peace has appeared in many Drayton Entertainment productions, including Monty Python’s Spamalot, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. She has appeared in the hit Canadian musical Come From Away for Mirvish Productions, as well as Les Misérables and The Producers, and in multiple productions at Stage West and the Charlottetown Festival.
David Cotton takes on the role of Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler who seeks to understand the reoccurring dreams that plague him. Cotton has appeared in many Drayton Entertainment productions, including Grease, West Side Story, Hairspray, Footloose, and Les Miserables. He has performed at the Charlottetown Festival, Stage West, and in the National Tours of Godspell and Camelot.
Gerry Mendicino is Jacob, Joseph’s doting father. Mendicino has appeared in several Drayton Entertainment productions, including Italian Funerals and Other Festive Occasions, Lend Me A Tenor, and The Miracle Worker. Elsewhere, he has performed at Theatre Calgary and Sudbury Theatre, and played Uncle Taki in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1, 2 and 3.
Daniel Williston appears in the role of the clever Potiphar, an Egyptian businessman who purchases Joseph as a slave. An accomplished actor, Williston performed in the Mirvish production and Australian Tour of Kinky Boots, Once at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Lil’ Red Robin Hood and Wizard of Oz with Ross Petty Productions, and Soulpepper’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Rose, and Spoon River.
Sash Striga is the beautiful Mrs. Potiphar, who attempts to seduce Joseph. Striga appeared in Drayton Entertainment’s Mamma Mia!, Rocky The Musical, and Jack and the Beanstalk, and in the Stage West productions of The World Goes Round and Legally Blonde. Her TV/Film credits include the role of Aly in six seasons of Letterkenny, and Zora in Star Trek: Short Treks.
Jean Blandon is Baker, a servant of Pharaoh who is imprisoned with Joseph. Blandon recently appeared in Drayton Entertainment’s production of The Prom at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, and has performed in several productions with the Manitoba Theatre Centre and Manitoba Theatre for Young People.
Darren Burkett is the honest and sincere Butler, who is also imprisoned with Joseph. Highlights of Burkett’s Drayton Entertainment appearances include Ghost: The Musical, West Side Story, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He has performed in many productions with the Arts Club Theatre Company in Vancouver, and was part of the National Tour of Matilda.
Acting as a group to plot his downfall – yet proving themselves to be good men in the end – Joseph’s brothers include Robbie Towns (Drayton Entertainment’s Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Shear Madness) as eldest brother Ruben, who uses the country song “One More Angel in Heaven” to deceive his father; Robert Ball (Stratford Festival’s Chicago) as Simeon, who sings the comedic, fun-filled tune, “Those Canaan Days”; and Davis Okey-Azunnah (Mayfield Theatre’s Rock of Ages) as Judah, who will channel the sun-drenched spirit of the islands with the playful reggae style song, “Benjamin Calypso.”
Evan Taylor Benyacar, Josh Cezar, Lakota Knuckle, and Eamon Stock round out the group of brothers, also joining Robyn Esson, Bonnie Jordan, Ashley St. John, Jazmine Thomas, and Sarah Vance as the ensemble.
The youth chorus is brimming with young talent. The performers include:
- Ariadne Deziel of Baden
- Deana Scaesteanu of Breslau
- Addison Wagman of Burlington
- Charleigh Perry, Emmalina Liebing, Georgia Perry, Ibrahim Roque Deeb, Liara Elliott, Nicholas Johnson, and Scarlett Perry of Cambridge
- Abygail Rosenberger of Elmira
- Aelish Lewis, Chloe Armellini, Clover Stewart, Fae Lewis, and Penny Jamieson of Guelph
- Abbie Richardson, Addyson Ignor, Alastair Yantha, Eliza George, Jack Griffioen, Lucas Coutts, Mary Daly, Quinley Kurczak, Rylee Ignor, Sean Mendes, and Tevya Kurczak of Kitchener
- Taya Nero of St. Jacobs
- Tegan Cumming of Strathroy
- Alex Caldarelli, Alice Grimshaw, Aurora Campbell, Claire Frayne, Gabrielle Meadows-Helmer, Hannah Crawford, Kira Panda, Madison Bakermann, Maya Botelho, and Olivia Bell of Waterloo
The production is proudly sponsored by Commercial Print Management Inc. and Anytime Fitness. The Design Sponsor is McIntyre Team. The Media Sponsors are 1460 CJOY, Faith 93.7, New Hamburg Independent, and City New 570. The Orchestra Sponsor is ARCA Financial Group. The Season Media Sponsor is CTV.
Regular performance tickets are $55 for adults, $34 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for select Discount Dates and groups of 20 or more are $45, and small groups of 10-19 are $50. HST is applicable to all ticket prices. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 519-747-7788 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866), or online instantly at www.draytonentertainment.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Samareh Jones, Marketing and Development Associate
(519) 621-5511 ext. 256
samareh@draytonentertainment.com