In the past week, Wagon Wheel Theatre actor Brandon Springman said, at least five people have told him "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" is their favorite musical.
"I think it's going to be a really fun show for the audience," he said in an interview Monday afternoon.
"It's definitely a piece that will help you forget your problems. Just sit back and go with the ride," said Erica Wilpon.
Springman plays the title role in the production, while Wilpon plays the show's narrator. The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical opened Wednesday and continues through June 20 at the theater. It is the first show of the summer season.
This is the second season at the WWT for both actors. Wilpon played Rusty in 2008 in "Footloose." Audiences will remember Springman from his role as the Tinman in "The Wizard of Oz" and Leadville Johnny Brown in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" last year.
Wilpon, who originally hails from New Jersey, started in theater when she was in high school. She was an ice skater, dancer and then made her way to the stage.
She just finished the national tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar," also written by Webber and Rice, with Ted Neeley, the actor who played the title role of Jesus in the 1973 film, reprising his role. "Joseph" is Wilpon's second Webber show, she said.
For Springman, "Joseph" is a first.
"I have never done Andrew Lloyd Webber before. I never thought I was going to do 'Joseph,'" he said. "I was really excited about the offer."
From Alton, Ill., Springman said he really got into theater his junior year in high school. He was mostly into athletics before that, and just graduated from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He said he's excited to be working at the Wagon Wheel.
Wilpon and Springman agreed they both were fans of Webber. Wilpon said Webber seems to like the epic musicals, from "Evita" to "Jesus Christ Superstar" to "Joseph." They are just very intense, she said, and grand.
She said she is glad that regional theaters do Webber shows. They have more substance to them than some of the other shows out there, Wilpon said.
Springman said Webber's musicals reach out to a broader base of people, and that's one of the things about Webber that appeals to him.
Wilpon said the WWT show is pretty high energy. It's the sort of spectacle that can be expected with all Webber shows, Springman said.
"It's fun musical theater at its best," said Wilpon.
This is the third production of "Joseph" at the Wagon Wheel. It appeared on the stage previously in summer 1996 and as the Christmas show in 1999.
Director Scott Michaels has a new concept for the show. He is setting it on a school field trip to a history museum. The children's chorus serves as the students on the tour and the narrator acts as the tour guide.
Wilpon said Michaels' concept makes the children's roles very important to the show. The whole show is seen through their eyes. All the children have specific roles to play, she said, as there is a "punk rocker," a '70s chick and two hip-hop girls among them.
"It puts a current flair on this show," said Wilpon. "... The narrator could be done in so many ways. I really enjoy what he's done in this production with the narrator."
Though the role has been played by numerous others, including Donny Osmond, Springman is not intimidated to put his own mark on the role.
"All of us have influences, but I think when playing a role, it's important to bring yourself to the role. Who you are is going to be in that role," he said.
Even though his role as Joseph is the title of the sung-through musical, Springman said there's definitely not one character who shoulders all the limelight. There are many characters in the musical.
Wilpon said the ensemble is awesome. "It's a tight company this year," she said. "They hold the show up this year. They're an important part of the show. Look out for a really good season."
Springman said quite a few of the WWT actors return this season from last. Working with people you already know, Wilpon said, makes it a comfortable atmosphere.
"The whole team and the way Scott works is very collaborative," said Springman. "It's nice to work as an artist in an environment like that."
"The reason I hope to come back to the Wagon Wheel is they let you explore creatively," said Wilpon. She said she's worked elsewhere where the show is very set and specific. She heard Broadway is the same - everything is very set from the look to the performance.
"You couldn't ask to work with better people," said Springman of the WWT company this year.
Wilpon said everyone has at least one big part in at least one show, so everyone leaves their ego at the door. Everyone is equal, and there are no stars at the WWT, she said.
"All the ensemble has their strengths and weaknesses, and we support each other in that," said Springman. "Everyone is willing to be up for anything and help each other."
"Joseph" is based on the Biblical story from Genesis and follows very closely the original narrative. However, even a person not overly religious can enjoy the show, Wilpon said.
"It's interesting when I told people I was in 'Superstar,' they asked me if I was religious. I'm not. Your connection to the show is whatever it is," Wilpon said. While others may go see a show like "Joseph" for the religious attributes, for Wilpon, she said she wants to see the singing, dancing and acting in a show.
And there's lots of singing and dancing in the show.
Springman said his most challenging song to sing is "Close Every Door."
"It's just one of those numbers that is challenging. My most challenging vocally. I look forward to that one because I learn more when I'm challenged," Springman said.
However, when it comes to a fun song, he said he enjoys "Joseph's Coat" because everyone is on the stage interacting with one another. It's also the number where the coat gets seen for the very first time.
"We have such amazing costumes," said Springman.Single adult tickets are $30 for all shows. Tickets for students 13 through college are $16, and children 12 and under are $12. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more.
To order tickets or for more information about upcoming events at the Wagon Wheel Theatre, call the box office today at 574-267-8041 or toll-free at 866-823-2618, or visit online at www.wagonwheeltheatre.com
