'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'

at SESM this weekend

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- A musical that toured Broadway and London with Donny Osmond will be presented this weekend at Sleepy Eye St. Mary's.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" was previewed at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis before hitting Broadway. It broke records in London and was recently released as a video.

St. Mary's juniors and seniors will perform the musical at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The musical centers on a colorful, Old Testament journey through ancient Egypt with a rags-to-riches story of Joseph (Andy Konz).

His brothers (John Pelzel, Steven Tauer, Andy Pelzel, Dan Schwartz, Brian Schwartz, Chad Felton, Joe Huiras, and Nick Novotny) sold him into slavery for 15 years before the brothers reconciled.

The rock opera features western, Calypso, rock and roll, and French music, suspense, and humor

"We have a ton of experience and talent," Neubauer said. "The musical has appeal across the board. You never know quite what to expect from scene to scene. That's the beauty of it."

Konz is in his sixth musical at St. Mary's. He performed in the school's production of "The Wizard of Oz" as a seventh grader.

Joseph's coat of many colors was specially designed and created by Kris Eckstein.

Special effects will highlight dance numbers.

The cast will sing the likes of "Close Every Door to Me," "Go, Go, Joseph," and "Any Dream Will Do."

More than 100 parents helped build and decorate the scene.

Choreography was done by Gary Sassenberg of New Ulm.

The cast is:

Joseph (Andy Konz), Jacob and Potiphar (J.J. Helget), Pharoh (Dan Simon), Butler (Jesse Wenner), Baker (Jim Peterson), Mrs. Potiphar (Crystal Domeier), Ishaemlites, Jailers (Randy Maurer, Jamie Pietig), Reuben (John Pelzel), Simeon (Joe Huiras), Levi (Brian Schwartz), Asher (Chad Felton), Dan (Andy Pelzel), Zebulun (Steven Tauer), Judah (Dan Schwartz), Benjamin (Nick Novotny), Reuben's wife (Crystal Domeier), Simeon's wife (Leslie Braulick), Levi's wife (Alicia Krzmarzick), Asher's wife (Emily Schroepfer), Dan's wife (Shelley Eckstein), Zebulun's wife (Lacey Krzmarzick), Judah's wife (Ashley Mathiowetz), Benjamin's wife (Kaily Helget), Jacob's wife (Julie Walter), narrators (Stacy Berkner, Geri Carr, Abby Helget).

Female ensemble: Kristy Schumacher, Maria Tauer, Sara Newgord, Julie Walter, Cassie Bloedow, Amanda Mathiowetz, Amanda Spaeth, Nola Helget, Rachel Hille, Emily Schwartz.

Choir: Karen Martinez, Nicole Soukup, Karen Lux, Casie Schumacher, Myra Schroepfer, Ariel Krenz, Rachel Heiderscheidt, Vanessa Steffl, Raina Walter, Traci Schroepfer, Maria Wenner, Sam Mecklenburg.

Orchestra: Marisa Tauer, Stephanie Tauer, Chris Ibberson, Balint Olah, Shaun Stimpert, Amy Rieke, Lindsay Windschitl.

Assistant: Stephanie Joyce.