Review: 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' by NTT

Pictured above: Matthew Keating, center, leads the cast of JOSEPH Photo by Richard Rosa

Dedicated to the memory of Leland Schick

Naugatuck, CT - Naugatuck Teen Theater, a non-profit organization working with 7th - 12th grade students, present their annual musical at St. Michael’s Church Parish Hall. This year Daniel Wagoner directed JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Aaron Smith, a director, pianist, accompanist and arranger who teaches at Edgewood Magnet School in New Haven, was the music director and NTT alum Jean-Marie McGrath was the fabulous choreographer. Performances will continue through November at 2pm.

Mr. Wagoner appreciates this classic musical with its “wonderful upbeat songs, large characters and a happy ending.” In his director’s note, he mentions the different genres of the music included in the score and how hard the cast of kids have worked on this “exhausting” show. He also shares that the production features two narrators.

What was evident in this production was the high level of energy that the tweens and teens brought to each and every number. The entire cast was upbeat and always ready for the next joyous dance. The choreography of Ms. McGrath definitely kept everyone moving and looked great.The choreographer is also currently working on the choreography for ELF JR. with the WTCFAE at the Warner Theatre. Another theme was a nonstop rainbow of color, beginning with Joseph’s patchwork coat, the stairs leading to the set, and ending with the vibrant show shirts with matching rainbow hats for the final megamix.

The two narrators were the super-talented singers Jessica Sember, a senior at Naugatuck HS, and ninth grade student Lexi White. This year Ms. Sember will be co-directing a student-written show with her best friend Sydney Lauer at NHS. This marks Ms. White’s first show with NTT; she has played Anne Frank with Landmark and has many film roles to her credit.

Matthew Keating, a sophomore at Holy Cross HS, has the stage presence to play the role of Joseph. This young actor has played many roles with Blessed Sacrament Children’s Theatre, most memorably the King in THE KING AND I. Benjamin Dressel, a freshman at Pomperaug HS with many BSCT credits, practically stole the show as the brother Simeon when he took the lead on “Those Canaan Days.”

Dan Fedrick (GODSPELL by Landmark, FENCES at Ridgefield Theatre Barn) appeared as Jacob, the father blessed with many sons, in a great costume. Shout out to his wife Loretta Fedrick who kept everyone in place as the stage manager.

Joseph’s brothers were played by 11 talented teens. Watertown eighth grade student Claire Roberts, with some BSCT credits, was blessed with the role of Reuben (and was a riot in “One More Angel in Heaven”) and Quentin LaBrecque was great as the tall brother Levi in his eighth NTT show. Watertown HS sophomore Jordan Elliot was Naphtali, Skylar Bartush was Issachar, Nicholas Santovasi was Asher, NHS senior Sydney Lauer played Dan in her eighth NTT show, Isabella LaBonia was Zebulon, Pomperaug sophomore Natalie LaBonia played Gad, WAMS senior Evan Tyson (GRAND HOTEL at WAMS) was young Benjamin, NHS senior Allison Bolduc was Judah.

The wives included Brianna Cochran (NTT debut!,) NHS junior and Chamber Singer Anna Conforti, Woodland HS senior Jennifer Guluzy, Farmington HS sophomore Makayla Hart (WORKING,) Sydney Lauer, NHS senior Courtney Rivnack, Pomperaug HS sophomore Gabriella Saucier, another BSCT alum, and WAMS senior Dania Fedrick (GODSPELL at NTT, MEMPHIS at WAMS.) Ms. Fedrick will be seen in the upcoming WAMS production of A CHORUS LINE at the Palace Theater.

Nicholas Santovasi (WORKING,) a sophomore at Woodland HS, was a commanding Potiphar and Pomperaug HS freshman Loria G. Marshall was Mrs. Potiphar. Jordan Elliot channeled Elvis for the role of Pharaoh. Pomperaug HS sophomore Isabella LaBonia (TIED TO THE TRACKS) played the dreaming butler and Anna Conforti donned the baker’s hat to share her dream.

The requisite Dream Choir contained many students on the stage for the very first time. They included CHMS 7th grader Emily Borunoa, WAMS 6th grade student Morgan Johnson, Long River 8th grader Olivia Lavoie,Cross Street 6th grader Kaitlyn Swindon, Cross Street 5th grader Mallory Swindon and Cross Street 6th grade student Maya Teator, who is quite the dancer.

Tom Gordon did a great job with the requirements for the long list of costumes; he had Tracy Elliot help him out, as well as the Warner Theatre Costume Shop. Skylar Bartush, a senior at Watertown HS, led all of the dancers as the dance captain and Makayla Hart was in charge of the stage art.

JOSEPH is such an uplifting show that never disappoints. Tickets are available at the door for the shows next weekend. Friday, November 2nd at 8:00 PM, Saturday, November 3rd at 8:00 PM, Sunday, November 4th at 2:00 PM Students $7, Senior Citizens $12 (or special online pre-purchase discount of $10), Adults $15 (or special pre-purchased sale of $12.50) Visit https://www.universe.com/events/07L1DP?embed=open&ref=universe_facebook_push&eventref=fb_oea for more information and to get tickets.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle.She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.