Yough students stage 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'

Yough Senior High School students will present the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” March 29-31.

“It’s my favorite show,” says director Tracy Light.

She’s performed in and directed the show, and felt confident staging it at Yough (for the second time), even with a cast of only 20 students.

“A lot of it was looking at content for us. I knew I didn’t have a large group of boys (to play Joseph’s brothers). Three (of the brothers’ roles) are boys. But I knew the girls could handle the roles,” she says.

The musical also has three stage crew and three orchestra students, Light adds.

During a recent rehearsal, most of those 20 students took to the stage to practice a lengthy “Mega Mix” performance.

An energetic rock/disco medley of most of the musical’s major numbers, the concluding number is proving to be a favorite with the students, Light says.

Leading man, again

Senior Nolan Franks, 18, has the demanding role of Joseph. He played Prince Charming in the school’s production of “Cinderella” in 2018.

Confidently roaming the stage and donning the rainbow-paneled coat Joseph wears, Franks says he’s performed in school musicals since the seventh grade.

He is excited to play “Joseph” for his final high school production.

“I feel like this is just such a good, all-around musical to do,” Franks says.

“It’s for all ages. It’s a classic. It brings in a lot of people,” he says.

Franks says his favorite song is “Any Dream Will Do,” a solo.

“And ‘Close Every Door’ is really emotional and a powerhouse number. It’s definitely challenging to sing. It’s real intense,” he adds.

Musical background

Mollie Landman, 18, also a senior, is in her second year at Yough High School. She also performed last year in “Cinderella,” as one of the mean stepsisters.

Her role this year is as a narrator, telling the audience what is happening in the story through several solos.

She performed in musicals while a student at Mt. Pleasant Area School District, and in community theater including with Scottdale’s Geyer Performing Arts Center.

Landman is the 2018 winner of the Barbara Cass Award through the Junior Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and recently sang the national anthem for the Westmoreland County Prayer Breakfast.

“Everything I (narrator) say, I sing. That’s my favorite thing to do. I like singing ‘Pharaoh Story,’ where Joseph goes from hopelessness to hopeful,” Landman says.