THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 19, 1995 TAG: 9503170160
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Six Fine Arts Center students will join the cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of ``Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'' in April at Norfolk's Chrysler Hall.
Five Hampton Roads schools auditioned earlier this year, followed by an announcement that students from Lynnhaven Middle School in Virginia Beach and The Hurrah Players of Norfolk would be in the production.
``They had 44 children at first,'' said Virginia Chambers, Center owner, ``then decided they wanted 50.''
The delay means harder work for the local youngsters, who will have to catch up with those chosen earlier.
``We selected the kids based on their talent, height, appearance,'' said Rob Gutenberg, operations manager of Baci Management Inc., the organization promoting the play. Wanted were children who can sing, dance and look like they are having a good time.
The six, chosen by director Steven Pimlott, have begun their practices at the Fine Arts Center. Later, they will join the other children for rehearsals at Chrysler Hall.
``Our kids auditioned wearing vivid colors,'' said Mary Gugler, Fine Arts musical director, ``and they put a tremendous amount of energy into it.''
Chambers said, ``I'm very excited for the whole group. I told the parents it's like a team that goes to a championship basketball game. These six represent the entire group that auditioned.''
The Fine Arts Center singer/dancers are now part of what is called The Joseph Choir.
``Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'' is a joyous musical retelling the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. The musical styles include country, calypso, French chanson and early rock `n' roll.
``The children who are part of the play will lose their own identity,'' Chambers said. ``They are onstage during the entire production. They'll have to know all 22 numbers because they will be involved with each.''
The selected students are:
Maggie Chambers, 11, Everets Road, Suffolk, daughter of Dr. Art and Virginia Chambers. She is a Nansemond-Suffolk Academy student.
Kaitlin Bowles, 11, Tason Drive, Suffolk, daughter of Rhonda and Bruce Bowles. She is a NSA student.
Sean Williams, 9, Darden Avenue, son of Debbie and Ted Williams. He is a NSA student.
Aaron Walton, 10, son of Esther Lassiter of Whaleyville Boulevard. He is a student at Robertson Elementary School.
Whitney Ward, 11, son of Susan and Roger Ward of Sunbury, N.C. She attends T.S. Cooper Elementary School in Sunbury.
Susan Hundley, 11, daughter of Rusty and Trish Hundley of Mount Pleasant Drive. She is a student at NSA.
The production stars Sam Harris as Joseph. He was the big winner of the premiere year of Ed McMahon's ``Star Search,'' singing ``Over the Rainbow.''
Harris recently starred in the Broadway revival of ``Grease,'' has recorded two albums for Motown and performed to sold-out audiences in many locations, including Carnegie Hall and London's West End. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Five of the Fine Arts Center students to be in the musical are Susan
Hundley, left, Maggie Chambers, Whitney Ward, Sean Williams and
Kaitlin Bowles. Aaron Walton is not pictured.
AT A GLANCE
What: ``Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat''
When: 8 p.m. April 4-8; 2 p.m. April 8 and 9; and 7:30 p.m.,
April 9.
Tickets: TicketMaster locations or 671-8100
Information: 1-800-669-STAGE.
by CNB