'Joseph' Opens At Bicentennial Park Theatre

Joliet, IL – June 9, 2018: Joseph turns 50 this year – this guy never gets old!
That is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the beloved musical about Joseph from the Bible and his coat of many colors.

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is proud to present this family-friendly musical (by special arrangement with The Musical Company, LP) on June 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24. Fridays and Saturdays are at 7:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. The show opens Father’s Day weekend. Treat Dad to a great show that will make everyone laugh (maybe shed a tear) about sons, fathers, brothers, pharaohs and other family members.

Story Summary: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber) Told entirely through song with the help of a main character Narrator, the musical follows preferred son Joseph. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled, Elvis-inspired, Pharaoh. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharaoh’s right-hand man and reunites him with his family. (The Musical Company)

This catchy musical mirrors the cast. The musical is about bringing family together and many cast members are performing with family. Many cast members have performed at the park in the past, some have moved hundreds of miles away, and are now returning “home.” This show is directed by Lori Carmine (Park Manager) together with Music Director Mark Epling and Choreographer Lori Bowen. Here are a few fun notes about the leads and their return to the park stage.

Alexis Rae Smith (Narrator) enrolled in the park’s “Summertime On-Stage” Drama Camp (starts June 18) while in grade school and is now a Junior at the prestigious Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, majoring in Musical Theatre and a minor in Business. She is reprising her role as Narrator, which she played 8 years ago at drama camp. She is excited to work once again with Lori Carmine, who was camp director. She also knows Lori from the Rialto, as Alexis won first place at Rialto Idol and Lori was their Technical Director. She continues to earn many accolades. The park is honored when she returns home for the summer to perform at “Concerts On The Hill.” She will be performing next Thursday, June 14 along with “the pharaoh” Mike Eulitz.

Ryan Neil (Joseph) is also “Summertime On-Stage” alumni, and is enjoying being on stage with former members. Ryan has been “preparing for this show since 1999, when he first heard the Canadian Cast Recording of Joseph as a musical-obsessed child.” He also carried his love of theatre into his college carrier, as he graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Media and Cinema Studies and a minor in Theatre. In addition to performing and directing, he has written two full-length productions performed on the UIUC campus.

Matt Persicketti (Pharaoh/ Potiphar) had never acted before he landed the role of the Tin Man in the park’s outdoor production of The Wizard of Oz in 2009 and 2010, which drew record crowds and is still talked about. Matt was a natural, able to sing and do cartwheels in a bulky costume on a hill in the dark. He enjoyed having his two oldest “munchkins” Tom and Bianca perform alongside him. In keeping with his favorite role as dad, he now has daughters Ellie and Bianca performing with him in Joseph. Life and work as a real estate agent keeps Matt busy, so it’s fitting he’s playing two characters: Pharaoh and Potiphar. The park warmly welcomes his return where he can also combine his two loves: family and acting.

The role of Jacob, Joseph’s father, is played by two men: Mike Eulitz (June 15, 16, 22, 23 and 24) and Jamie Novotny (June 17). Many know Mike as the City of Joliet’s Roadways Manager, but he is also a talented vocalist. He will be getting a lot of singing in next week, as he will also be performing at the park’s June 14 “Concert On The Hill” at 6:30 pm along with Alexis Smith (Narrator). Mike gets a break on Father’s Day, when Jamie Novotny (brother of Lori Carmine) brings his talent to the stage. Jamie performed alongside his family in the early days of the Gnome Show. Life brought him to Kentucky for many years. Last year, Jamie and his family returned to Joliet. The park welcomes his natural and comedic talent back to the Bicentennial stage, where he has also joined the house improv team, “We’ve Said Worse.”

The Bicentennial Park Theatre is pleased to announce their cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (character – cast member):

Narrator—Alexis Smith
Joseph—Ryan Neil
Pharaoh/ Potiphar—Matt Persicketti
Jacob—Mike Eulitz (June 15, 16, 22, 23 and 24)
Jacob—Jamie Novotny (June 17)

Joseph's Brothers:
Reuben—Leo Brumbaugh
Simeon—Adam Redmon
Levi—Chelsea Hizon
Naphtali—Marissa Lopez
Issachar—Tanner Lee
Asher—Georgia Siegler
Dan—Zane Carmine
Zebulon—Jamie Gossen
Gad—Josh Fry
Benjamin—Elana Carmine
Judah—Klara Wilson

Ensemble:
Mrs. Potiphar—Micaela Bratland
Butler—Isaiah Sanchez
Baker—Tamara Martinez
Sphynx—Bertina Anderson
Queen Victoria—Bailey Garland
Ishmalites—Tamara Martinez, Teddy Lucas and Isabella Martinez

Harem Dancers:
Jacqui Voss
Bianca Persicketti
Kathryn Epling
Ellie Persicketti
Phaelon Voss
Bailey Garland
Joseph Spirit Dancer—Ryann Kirkalis

Children's Choir:
Jayce Carmine
Taitum Lee
Lucie Martinez
Michaela Bessler
Johanna Williams
Logan Wilson
Ivylynn Litwicki
Ryann Kirkalis
Sofia Cornejo

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is located at 201 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60432. Tickets may be purchased at the office, online or at the door. The lobby will open one hour before show. Concessions are available. To reserve tickets or more information, call 815-724-3761 or visit www.bicentennialpark.org. The show is produced by Will-Joliet Bicentennial Park, Inc. (a nonprofit 501c3).

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is located along Joliet’s first street, Bluff Street. The park was founded by Mrs. Billie Limacher for whom the park was renamed in 2000. The scenic ten-acre park is located downtown Joliet, is home to FREE “Concerts On The Hill” every summer Thursday and has been a place for the community to celebrate local talent for over 40 years.