All-Singing ‘Dreamcoat’ Brightens MAHS Stage

Large cast brings classic Webber/Rice musical to life

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams
The Tube City Almanac
April 12, 2024
Posted in: Entertainment, McKeesport and Region News

During a rehearsal, Anastasia Bakaturski as Pharoah has a heart-to-heart talk with Lucas Sotereanos as Joseph about the importance of correctly interpreting certain dreams. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

McKeesport Area High School’s spring musical is a story about jealousy, betrayal, revenge, and forgiveness — with plenty of lighter moments, too — all in a setting “way, way back many centuries ago.”

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” opened Thursday night with a stellar cast of high school and younger students singing and dancing their way through a show with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.

It is based on the story of Jacob and his 12 sons, including his favorite, Joseph.

What makes this musical so different and challenging is the story is told almost exclusively through song from beginning to end.

That means everyone in the cast has to have strong vocals, whether as a main character (some are even double cast), or in supporting roles.

Narrators Brooklyn Donelson, Riley Sheposh, and Gianna Sotereanos open the show by establishing the setting. Whether singing together or featured individually, their vocal talents shine, based on their performances during a recent rehearsal.

 “The entire production team gets together in the summer and chooses a show based on the needs of the current talent,” said Sarah Persin, co-producer and orchestra pit director about the decision to do “Joseph.”

“We also made sure this year to choose a show that incorporated a children's chorus so that we could do arts outreach in our local elementary schools,” she said.

Lucas Sotereanos portrays Joseph through all his ups and downs in life, from being a favorite son in Canaan to a stint in jail in Egypt, to finding favor again.

“Not thinking about everything and all the character traits of all the brothers and everyone else and concentrating on just Joseph has been a big challenge,” Sotereanos said.

To prepare himself for the extensive vocals and numerous songs of his character, Sotereanos said he warms up longer than usual.

“I make sure I’m warming up between 15-30 minutes,” he said. “And drinking lots of warm water.”

Connor McGrew, center, as successful Egyptian business tycoon Potiphar, surrounded by some of his entourage, shown during a rehearsal. McGrew also portrays Joseph’s father Jacob. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

While he said he doesn’t have an absolute favorite song or moment because there are so many good ones, Sotereanos said he particularly likes “Joseph’s Coat,” where Connor McGrew as patriarch Jacob presents him with his famous garment that highly annoys all the rest of his brothers, and “Grovel, Grovel,” where he has an opportunity to get even.

Students and adult staffers have been challenged to perform multiple tasks to make “Joseph” a success.

In addition to Jacob, junior McGrew portrays successful Egyptian businessman Potiphar.

“It was different this year because we had to learn a dance for the first time and then perform it as part of the audition,” McGrew said.

He gets plenty of opportunities to dance in “Potiphar,” which McGrew said is his favorite part of performing that character – that and bellowing loudly when he discovers a certain situation.

As Jacob, McGrew said he enjoys being very dramatic during “One More Angel in Heaven,” when he gets bad news about his favorite son.

“We’ve been begging for a show featuring stringed instruments for years,” said senior Tina Wos, who plays violin and flute for the musical. “It has a really good score and I love it.”

While the flute is featured in a calypso number sung by brother Benjamin, Wos said she plays violin for most of the production.

“In ‘Canaan Days,’ the violin part is so cool and intricate,” she said with a smile.

Joseph’s family wonders how they will survive in “Those Canaan Days,” which features dance captain Liz Nemes partnered with Michael Pfeffercorn as Simeon. Cooper Kuchma from the pit orchestra accompanies them on accordion. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)
 
Persin said the production team was sure to choose a show that features “our excellent orchestra students, as well as a fantastic rhythm section and trumpet player,” and started to rehearse in January just after the holiday break.

“Playing the original, Broadway books for the shows is a huge task,” the orchestra director said. “The books are not simplified in any way, so it takes a lot of practice.

“We do have a mostly-student pit, with only three guest musicians. We start in early January with intense afterschool rehearsals, so by the time April rolls around we are ready to accompany the cast and iron out all of the details,” she said.

Senior Tina Wos plays violin and flute in the pit orchestra for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”  (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

McGrew isn’t the only student dividing his time between characters.

“Honestly, it was a very big shock,” Anastasia Bakaturski said when she was cast as Pharoah. “I was really surprised when I heard we were doing this musical.”

She’s also one of the wives, and spends plenty of time singing and dancing with the rest of the cast during the entire show.

Because Pharoah is portrayed as an Elvis-like character in “Joseph,” Bakaturski said that required her to take on his persona, plus expand her vocal range to go much lower.

“Pharoah can go from very low to very high,” she said. “When I first started to sing when I was younger, my voice was pretty high. But I found I could go much lower in this role.”

“Pharoah can be funny yet strict at the same time,” she said. “My biggest challenge was trying to mimic Elvis’ movements. I added multiple ones and my own interpretation” as she interacts with Joseph in particular.

Liz Nemes said she has studied dance for many years and is using that experience as dance captain and in the role of Mrs. Potiphar.

“That’s the best role for me,” Nemes said. “My most difficult challenge was getting into that character.”

Definitely down on his luck, Lucas Sotereanos as Joseph finds himself in jail during "Close Every Door."  (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

In addition to Mrs. Potiphar, where she interacts extensively with the unsuspecting Joseph as he adjusts to life in Egypt, Nemes is featured in “Canaan Days,” where she is partnered with Michael Pfeffercorn as Simeon.

Student musician Cooper Kuchma, who plays guitar in the pit but other instruments as well, added another one to his repertoire for “Canaan Days.”

“He learned to play accordion for the show,” Persin said. “We had a special set of steps built into the pit just for him to have access to play on the stage.”

Erin Seaberg also wears at least two hats as she directs and choreographs.
 
When asked why she took on both roles for “Joseph” and has for previous McKeesport Area musicals, Seaberg explained that from her extensive experiences in school and community productions, she found sometimes the director and choreographer had different visions.

“Although it’s a lot of work, I think it’s easier for me when I do both,” she said.

(Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

Persin said because of a great production team and musicians, she’s also able to tackle dual roles.

“I am so lucky to work with an incredible, well-prepared group of students in the pit who always show up ready to work,” Persin said. “This allows me to be able to balance the paperwork involved with producing very easily.”

To audiences who may be experiencing “Joseph” for the first time, or even those familiar with the show, Sotereanos said there’s definitely a theme of forgiveness.

 “It’s also about following your heart.” Sotereanos said. “It starts with dreams, and ends with ‘Any Dream Will Do.’ “

Bonnijean Cooney Adams is a freelance contributor. She can be reached at adamsclick@aol.com.

(Bonnijean Cooney Adams photos for Tube City Almanac)

Cast, in order of appearance

Narrators: Brooklyn Donelson
               Riley Sheposh
               Gianna Sotereanos

Joseph: Lucas Sotereanos
Jacob: Connor McGrew

Joseph’s Brothers
Reuben: JJ Wunderley
Simeon: Michael Pfeffercorn
Levi: Santana Yniguez
Napthali: Thomas Troxel
Issachar: Ashley Slagle
Asher: Kaitlyn Brush
Dan: Devin VanRiper
Zebulon: Evan Morgan
Gad: Phoenix Funk
Benjamin: Michael Payne
Judah: Antoine Smith

Potiphar: Connor McGrew
Mrs. Potiphar: Liz Nemes
Butler: Thomas Troxel
Baker: Phoenix Funk
Pharoah: Anastasia Bakaturski

Wives
Anastasia Bakaturski, Rasheena Carson, Lily Cleary, Charlee Dowling, Rayonna Gateley, Nie’Zhay Jefferson, Savia Kawalski, Noelle Lloyd, Liz Nemes, Myasiah Rowland, Cimone Scrugg

Orchestra
Violin: Jack Hrinda and Tina Wos
Viola: Jesse Richard
Cello: Marissa Alberts, Kymari Neal, Azure Page, Dalani Higgins-Roberts
Bass: Gabe Shelly and guest musician
Joe Diamond
Flute: Tina Wos
Guitar: Cooper Kuchma and Madilyn Yniguez
Trumpet: Treyvon Bowling
Percussion: Geno Sportelli
French Horn: guest musician Michael Guzik
Drums: guest musician Keith Parton
Piano: guest musician Michael Zak

Director & Choreographer: Erin Seaberg
Co-Producer & Pit Director: Sarah Persin
Co-Producer/Costumes: Tracy Light
Vocal Director: Beth Eger
Technical Director: John Light
Stage Crew Leads: Martell Fontaine and Milan Kiska

Originally published April 12, 2024.

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