Morning Person

Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis


Since yesterday was a busy, 21-hour day (starting at 4:30), I could relate to this strip this morning.

Yesterday was, however, a really good day. I was out of the house before dawn to join my fellow Joseph castmembers on a local morning news show. I worked a full 8 hour day (needing only a 45 minute nap). We had our best performance yet for Joseph, performing to a very responsive, nearly packed house -- an estimated 700 seats sold, can you believe it? And then I went to my best friends house for good ice cream, good television, and good conversation.

Meanwhile, my show got a great review at Utah Theatre Bloggers. The writer sent us a rough draft yesterday that Kate read while we were waiting to be filmed, and we were thrilled at all of the compliments! For convenience' sake, I posted the final version here:

Cottonwood Heights dreams big with “Joseph”
Written by: Sara Harvey | August 10, 2010.
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — The Cottonwood Heights Arts Council, which is only about two years old, has chosen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, to be its first production. Joseph is a beloved musical, especially to Utah audiences. Thoughts of Donny Osmond and past productions are not far when you hear another group will soon be putting on the show. Did Cottonwood Heights Arts Council deliver?

For me, they definitely did! With a 30 piece live orchestra behind them, this cast of over 50 people—ranging in age 3 to adult—gave a beautiful representation of the play.

A few highlight performances for me were those of the Casey Matern (Narrator), Craig Clifford (Joseph), Jason Wadsworth (Judah), C. Pehrson (Simeon) and the children’s choir. Watching preschooler Abigail Barlow singing “Go, Go, Go Joseph” was the highlight of my week. The children’s choir was very impressive. I love watching children perform especially when they are so focused, engaged and have such a beautiful sound.

The best thing about the production was the spot-on live orchestra directed by Thomas C. Baggaley. I especially enjoyed the electric bass solo.

Choreographer Stephanie Maag definitely met (and surpassed) expectations as she featuredthe cast was doing jazz, hip hop, line dancing and…drill(?).

This production and its cast personify what the musical Joseph and community theater is about, dreams and family. Clifford’s performance as Joseph was one such example. He returns to the stage after a 16 year hiatus with his son, Alex. His natural acting style and beautiful voice makes me hope we will be seeing more of him in the future.

Directed well by Kate Rufener, this is community theater where cast and crew become like a family working toward a common goal. If you are expecting lavish costumes and sets you will be disappointed. If you want to see a solid performance with energetic actors and a fantastic live orchestra you will be delighted to attend this production in Cottonwood Heights.

Congratulations C.H. Arts Council on your first production! Keep on dreaming!

And here are a few of the news spots. Aren't my friends talented?
 
 
 
(I also posted this same post on the Cottonwood Joseph blog. Just for your info!)