Merrimack College's Basement Theatre will come alive with youthful energy when the Pentucket Players Youth Theatre presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat" June 26 through 28.
"Joseph," a humorous musical, retells the Biblical story of Joseph found in the book of Genesis. It is set in a frame in which a narrator is telling a story of Joseph, a dreamer. It is clear from Joseph's dreams that he is destined to rule over his brothers. Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, is betrayed by his jealous brothers and sold into slavery and driven to Egypt.
Though beset with adversity, Joseph perseveres through wit and faith and becomes the governor of Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh. Joseph may have been a shrewd conniver, but he survived by being a dreamer and never giving up hope.
The strong-voiced, strong-spirited cast of children and teens 18 and younger come from all over the Merrimack Valley, including Haverhill.
The city's Daniel Morton, 16, has two lead roles in the play — Pontifar and the Pharaoh. Morton said he loves being involved with the Pentucket Players and has performed in five productions over three years.
"I had heard of Pentucket Players through friends and word of mouth and just decided to go and try it out. All the people in the cast are some of my really close and best friends," Morton said.
Morton, who began singing in the seventh grade when he was cast as the Sergeant of Police in "Pirates of Penzance," said being cast in this show has helped him explore his character development and made him a stronger dancer and singer.
"I love playing Potifar and the Pharaoh because they are such different parts from each other. Potifar is one of the antagonists in the show, which is very fun to play because I have never had to play a part like this before. Pharaoh is a rocking part to play because I lose myself in my character, which is what I believe theater is really about," Morton said.
Olivia Feole, 17, has been with the Players for nine years and said this show is by far her favorite.
"The show itself is wonderful and the people are just as great and all so talented. The process has been so much fun and I feel that it gave me a lot more confidence," Feole said.
Feole said she has a few things in common with her role as the narrator, including being someone who observes from the sidelines.
"I think I relate to the character because in my life I like to be the one to just observe situations and even if I form my own opinions on them, I will not get involved," Feole said.
Feole said her involvement with the company caused her to participate in some other shows while in middle school, as well as join the theater department during high school. Feole is a 2009 graduate of Haverhill High School. This will be one of her last performances with the Players.
"Pentucket Players has been like a second home to me and I can't express how much I'll miss it," Feole said.
Brian Sullivan, 15, of Haverhill, said it feels amazing to be a part of this production. He has been with the Players since November 2006 and has done five shows with the company.
"I've meet such a great group of people, that I know I will be friends with for a long time. It's an experience that you can't explain. Being on that stage in front of your audience, it's something you just have to see with your own eyes," Sullivan said.
Sullivan will play the role of Judah, one of Joseph's brothers.
Savannah Waters, 15, of Bradford, has loved musicals and theater all her life and jumps at the chance to be involved, she said. She joined the Players almost a year ago and has performed in two other productions.
"I had done school plays before but Pentucket Players was a totally new experience for me. This is my third show with this group and I am having an amazing time with this cast," Waters said.
Waters is a dancer in this latest production, which is the first role she has ever had in a Players show other than chorus.
"It has been a personal goal of mine to eventually become a dancer in a Pentucket production. I am having a great time but it is a lot of work, especially because I have never taken dance lessons before," Waters said.
This is also her first summer show with the company, in which she will be part of a cast with only the Pentucket Players who are under 18.
"It is nice to be working with people around your age and to see all the talent that the kids in this theater group have. The talent in this show is incredible and each scene in the play is very unique," Waters said.
Other Haverhill cast members include Andrew Trudel as Nephthali, Robert Henry as Zebulon, Gab Waters as Asher, Justin Dwyer as Levi, Nicholas Comeau as the butler, Sarah Westcott as an angel and Dylan Burrows as part of the chorus.
"The show is nonstop song and dance that can be enjoyed by anyone. Don't like theatre or musicals? Come to this show and give us a chance to change your mind and I can almost guarantee we will," said Haverhill teen Morton said.
"Having a cast of all kids and teens tells you that the show will be filled with lots of energy and enthusiasm and it will definitely get the audience going," Feole said.
"There are parts of the show that are funny, the costumes and sets are bright and colorful, and there are surprises throughout the show. It is a perfect show to take kids of any age to because it is only an hour long and with the exception of one or two songs there is always high energy," Waters said.
The Pentucket Players is a family focused, community-oriented group of talented people who dedicate their leisure time striving to bring the classics to life.
The organization offers professional theatrical training to the children and adults of the Merrimack Valley.
