The cast is full of some of the valley’s greatest young talents, and each vocal performance is impressive. Those are led by Katie Wilson, who just starred as Sharpay in their production of Disney’s High School Musical, and who is now the Narrator of our tale – a vocally demanding role that the highly talented performer handles easily and with style as she guides us through Joseph’s tribulations and triumphs. Mike Heslin, headed for the distinguished program at the Boston Conservatory this fall, takes on the title role with an easygoing charm and excellent singing. And a bit of comedy, most notably after his eleven jealous brothers sell him into slavery and he becomes the servant of a rich pyramid builder named Potiphar (a most amusing Shawn L. Hatchcock who plays posh perfectly). Everything might have gone fine for him there, but for Potiphar’s insatiable wife, with Stefani Rae Wood and Mike Hesline combining for a hilarious scene as Potiphar’s wife seduces Joseph, and poor Joseph tries to resist (but doesn’t try very hard). Before it’s done, she’s ripped off his loincloth. Fortunately he happened to be wearing another one underneath!

But hey, the King wouldn’t like us spending so much time on other people. And, well, his scene does rock. No less than Elvis Presley is the Pharaoh, and his Song of the King rules the show. Nate Doonan, a newcomer to theatre who broke into it as basketball star Troy Bolton in VYT’s High School Musical, is fantastic in this role, combining a terrific over-the-top imitation of Elvis with some great expressions as the not-so-bright Pharaoh tries to keep up with the quick-witted Joseph explaining the importance Pharaoh’s dream. That’s all topped off by Nate’s enjoyment of his crazed fan base (he loves to get people to feel his biceps), and his jealousy when his court of crazed female admirers start turning to the new celebrity Joseph.

Other musical highlights include Joseph’s brother Levi (Anthony Jackson) leading the folksy dirge One More Angel in Heaven when he and his brothers humorously break the news to father Jacob of Joseph’s supposed death – “a tragic but inspiring tale” about Joseph bravely saving his brothers from an attack by a crazed goat (they put goat’s blood on Joseph’s multi-colored coat as proof of Joseph’s untimely demise). Paul Leighton leads the way through Those Canaan Days, as Joseph’s family starves and laments about their hunger to a little French-themed music. And Derek Nolan Rushing, Jr. tries to help out little brother Benjamin (Jared Mitchell) by leading the fun Benjamin Calypso and assuring Pharaoh’s court that Benjamin couldn’t have tried to steal a royal cup because “Benjamin is honest as coconuts.”

Performs August 10 - 26, 2007.

Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre