”Joseph” opens Thursday at University High
A MUSICAL WITH THE FEEL of a rock concert hits the stage next week. University High School will end its drama season with “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” starting on Thursday.
The play is directed by Jennifer Hunter and written by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
“Andrew Lloyd Webber was dared to write a rock opera based on a Bible story,” said Hunter. “This is the answer to that dare.
“My initial vision for the production was to have it performed as a rock concert rather than a typical night at the theater. What comes out is a blend of musical theater and a rock ‘n’ roll performance. The audience can expect a high-energy, fast-paced show where the kids do get involved with the audience.”
Joseph, whose story is told in the Book of Genesis, was born into a family of 12 boys as all the sons of Jacob. Joseph is Jacob’s favorite son and to show everyone that he is pleased with him, Jacob gives Joseph a splendid multicolored coat.
However, this coat, along with Joseph’s talk of his dreams that he will be the ruler of his brothers, arouses the jealousy of his eleven siblings. As director, Hunter throws a new spin on the show with the entire play inspired by the history of rock and performed as a rock concert.
Cast members include Kyle Traver as Joseph, Jesse Borden as narrator and Brandon Montang as Pharaoh. The brothers will be portrayed by Cameron Spear, Justin Catlett, Jeremy Welch, Zach Ormsby, Kayla Henson, Sean Lovinger, Matt Palfenier, Marissa Malquist, Carly Jordan, Amanda McFarland and Camrin Costello.
Others in the cast include Aran Patchett as Potifar, Carly Hodgson as Potifar’s wife, and Evan Larson as Jacob.
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” will run at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and next Saturday, May 11, 12 and 13 in the University Performing Arts Theatre.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and children. For more information, call the U-Hi box office at 228-5293.
Family Fun Night at St. Mary’s
St. Mary’s Catholic School will host a Family Fun Night on Friday at its location on Fourth and Adams in the Spokane Valley. The event is open to all families in the community and runs from 3 to 8 p.m.
All proceeds are used to support the school.
The evening will include live and silent auctions. Tickets for the food and activities are available for purchase at the door. Children’s activities include: jumping castle, cake walk, games, competitions, carnival booths, face painting, movies and photo opportunities. Raffles and drawings will be held, including a trip to Disneyland or $2,000 cash. Food will include pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries.
Students honored at Skills USA
Two West Valley High School Skills Center students received a second-place award and a silver medal at the recent statewide Skills USA competition in Tacoma in March. Gino Cushen and Alex Magana took second in Television/Video Production.
Also in West Valley, two Contract Based Education students started a tsunami relief effort that directed $12,000 toward rebuilding. Ashley Ralph, 16, and Jillian Ball, 15, researched and found a way through Habitat for Humanity International to get donated dollars applied directly to rebuilding homes in tsunami-affected areas. Donations came from businesses and private individuals.
Golf clubs award scholarships
Members of the Painted Hills Golf Course Men’s and Ladies’ clubs have announced the following 2005 scholarship winners. Each scholarship is valued at $1,500.
Toc Ngo will graduate from East Valley High School and plans to enroll at Spokane Community College in a program related to noninvasive cardiovascular technology. Ngo, with a 3.4 grade-point average, also completed a college preparatory program. He additionally attended the area Skills Center, taking coursework in automotive technology.
Jillian Sherrodd, a Central Valley High School student, maintains a 3.88 g.p.a. She plans to go to the University of Washington, where she is considering biology or nutritional science majors. At CVHS, she has been active with Key Club, National Honor Society, choir, athletics, varsity cheerleading and as Associated Student Body Director of Academics. She participates in church and community services as well.
Whitney Vuong, with a 3.71 g.p.a. at CVHS, has been active in sports, varsity cheerleading and Key Club. Vuong also has participated in activities such as Tom’s Turkey Drive, Express soccer, baby-sitting and working as a sales associate at a local business. She plans to enroll at Washington State University this fall.
Andy Hurliman, at University High School with a 3.64 g.p.a., is a senior class officer and National Honor Society member. He has volunteered for the YMCA, the Second Harvest food bank and the Horizon PTA. Hurliman also has worked in his family’s business. A tennis and cross country athlete, he also earned his amateur radio license. He plans to study at the University of Washington, possibly in engineering or oceanography.
Scholarship selection was based on school and community activities as well as an essay. Six finalists were chosen to be interviewed by a committee of men and women from the clubs. Winners were chosen after the interviews.
The scholarships are funded by a Painted Hills golf tournament that includes a raffle and auction. This year’s tournament will be held Aug. 21. Sponsor sheets and sign-up forms are available in the clubhouse at Painted Hills.