Alva Review-Courier -

More than 80 people have been in rehearsals, building set, getting costumes and stage props ready as the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Fine Arts Department prepares for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," set for April 11-12 at 7 p.m. and April 13 at 2 p.m. in Herod Hall Auditorium on the Alva campus.

To purchase tickets contact the director of the musical, Kimberly Weast, professor of theatre arts and Department of Fine Arts chair, at 580-327-8462 or [email protected]. Tickets will be available at the door.

According to The Musical Company website, the following is part of the show's history and awards: "This musical was first written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber at the request of a friend of Weber's father for the school's 1968 end of term concert. The children's concert proved so successful that the piece, originally 15 minutes long, continued to expand until it became a full-length professional musical. The Broadway opening was in 1982 and garnered six Tony nods, including Best Musical. The title role has been played by a succession of stars including Gary Bond, Donny Osmond, Patrick Cassidy and Jason Donovan. It has been staged numerous times in the decades since; a new production recently toured the U.S., directed and choreographed by "Hamilton" Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler."

Karsten Longhurst, director of choral studies and instructor of music, is serving as the music director while Kiley Feely, second- through fifth-grade music teacher for Alva Public Schools, is serving as the children's choir director. Erin Davis, university relations specialist, is serving as choreographer while Mickey Jordan, Iowa Park, Texas, graduate student, serves as the assistant choreographer and has designed the set and prop design. Alica Hall, Northwestern speech/theatre alumna; Maleah Schmitz, freshman speech/theatre major; and Chloe Nutley, Elk City junior; will join Weast in working on costuming. Michelle Penner, Northwestern speech/theatre alumna, is the Stage Manager while Tiffany Willson, senior early childhood education major, is serving as the House Manager. Members of the theatre production class helped build the set and prepare lighting.

"The thing I've most enjoyed about the musical is the choreography," Laura Kay Reed, Sweetwater junior cast member, said. "I love singing, but I can do that whenever I want. I also love dancing, so getting to do so in a fun and inviting environment is really great."

Alva Public Schools elementary students participating in the children's chorus throughout the production include:

• Longfellow Elementary School – Isaac Anton, Lydia Bushman, Graham Goss, Merritt Mantz and Elijah Newton

• Lincoln Elementary School – River Cunningham, Lincoln Feely, Avery Goss, Myah Graves, Christina Jenlink, Taylor Kline, Skyler Longhurst, Nickolas Miller, Kendra Ruwaldt, Madeline Ryerson, Kaycie Shelton, Trinity Stevens, Harlee Taylor and Kaylen Woods

• Alva Middle School – Toby Anton

"Our elementary students are excited to collaborate with Northwestern," Feely said. "Their sweet voices are being challenged by this music. They can't wait to perform it!"

Members of Northwestern's University Chorale will be taking part in the production as will members of the university band who will be providing live, musical accompaniment. A few members of Northwestern's faculty and members of the local and area communities also are playing in the band.

TOP: Karsten Longhurst rehearses with members of the band that will provide accompaniment during "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" April 11-12 at 7 p.m. and April 13 at 2 p.m. in Herod Hall Auditorium on the Northwestern-Alva campus. BOTTOM: Rehearsing a scene from the musical is Joseph Bowden, freshman from Kiowa, Kansas, who portrays the lead character of Joseph.

University Chorale members in the production include Katelyn Cutsinger, Vici senior; Jayden Dillon, Jet freshman; Emmanuel Fragosa, Alva freshman; Zach Henson, Checotah sophomore; Madison Hofen, Dacoma senior; Taylor Lusk, Follet, Texas, junior; Cali McGuire, Cunningham, Kansas, freshman; Blake Mieser, Alva freshman; Dakota Nusser, Alva senior; Aaron Pierce, Alva senior; and Precious Ramos, Waynoka freshman.

Members of the band include on trumpet – Dr. Tim Maharry, professor of mathematics and chair of the math/science department; horn – Jessica Wallis, Northwestern business alumna; alto saxophone – Chris Davis, Enid High School senior; flute – McGuire; clarinet – Dineo Heilman, adjunct instructor of music; piano – Meichen Hou, adjunct instructor of music; keyboard – Jewel Conner, Alva middle/high school choirs accompanist; drummer – Darin Kearns, pastor of the Alva Friends Church; percussion – Katherine Blair, Waynoka junior; guitar – Max Ridgway, adjunct instructor of music; and bass guitar – Kyle Newland, former instrumentalist and singer at Northwestern originally from Blackwell.