RR man lands lead role in Baudette musicale

Ken Johnston
Editorial@RainyRiverRecord.com

The Rainy River-Baudette area will again be treated to the fine arts thisApril 11-14 as Pequana Playhouse in Baudette hosts the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Leapfrogging from the recent production of Handel’s Messiah into the starring role is Rainy River’s Jeff Fraser who will play Joseph.

Director Tami Bredeson said that she had real difficulty choosing from those that auditioned for the role of Joseph. “Anyone of the eight men could have played Joseph,” explained Bredeson who noted, “They all have solo quality voices.” The balance of the 8 will be Joseph’s brothers, making for a very strong vocal cast.

In fact Bredeson said of the 55 cast members about 35 of them have high quality voices. Having directed Joseph before, Bredeson was not certain she would get enough high quality voices and was very pleased when more than enough came forward to try out.

Another soloist from Messiah, Norma-Jean Johnston of Rainy River is also in the cast. Rainy River’s Linda Beller and her sons will also be in the production as is up and coming Shauna McInerney of Rainy River who won the annual Rainy River High School talent night last year.

The production is still in need of about 20 more kids between the ages of 9-14 to sing in the kids choir. Boys voices must be unchanged.Those interested can call Bredeson at (218) 634-9863.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat follows the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers using several musical genres. Bredeson said there is everything from 1940s swing music and 1950s Elvis Presley music. With the religious story line and the wide array of musical genres Bredeson said it should appeal to a wide range of the public.