22 Jan 2018 Harding Academy to perform play

Posted at 9:18 AMh in Events by

Harding Academy’s Wildcat Theatre Co. and the Harding Academy Chorus will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, in the Academy auditorium.

The musical, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is a retelling of the Old Testament story of Joseph set to a multitude of musical genres from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and Elvis-inspired rock and roll.

More than 100 students from second through 12th grades make up the cast. Junior Asher Patten plays the role of Joseph, junior Garrett Harr is Pharaoh, junior Ryan Simpson plays Joseph’s brother Reuben, and seniors Megan Bolding and Anna Grace Glenn are the narrators. 

“I really enjoy working on this show,” Patten said. “One thing I love about ‘Joseph’ is how cool it is to see one of my favorite stories from the Bible come to life. I have had so much fun working on this musical with friends and people I love. I can’t wait for everyone to see the finished product.”

Junior McKenna Oliver designed and executed the performance’s backdrop, and art students also helped in the painting and execution of the set. 

“My favorite part of directing is seeing students achieve something that they thought they couldn’t do before,” said Melani Morgan Blansett, theatre director at the Academy. “Typically, musicals have a cast of 30 to 40, so with our cast of 110, the scope is much bigger. With a cast that large, many have had to learn a new skill and grow in their talent, and it has been rewarding to watch that transformation.” 

Tickets for the Friday night performance are $10 and can be purchased at hardingtickets.com. Saturday performances are general admission and may be purchased at the door.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is presented by arrangement with The Musical Company LP.

Harding Academy is a private Christian school operated by Harding University for students in Pre-K through 12th grade. Harding Academy strives to be a Christ-centered school that cultivates a love for learning, while educating the heart and mind for eternity. Located in Searcy, the Academy is accredited by AdvanceEd (district specific), Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association (ANSAA), and National Christian School Association (NCSA). 

For more information, visit harding.edu/academy.