True to its continuing thrust in upholding excellence in the theater arts, Trumpets returns from a long break by gathering some of the most promising and most formidable names in the local theater industry, with the reimagined production of its hit musical, Joseph the Dreamer.
Joseph the Dreamer opens on February 21 and runs until March 7 at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, built on the promise to recreate moments of sheer nostalgia for people who have experienced the magic of previous stagings. The updated material, however, is aimed at reaching a newer, younger audience and has been given new twists and takes that make it more vibrant and playful yet somehow more profound.
Trumpets President Butch Jimenez shares, “The time is ripe for younger generations to experience this incredible musical and the best way to reach them is to have millennials at the helm of this new production. We did not have to look far to assemble the best artistic team.”
Renowned concert director and stage actor Paolo Valenciano, who grew up witnessing the magic of Joseph the Dreamer, makes his theater directorial debut. Valenciano has assembled only the finest young artists to form his team. Nelsito Gomez, accomplished theater actor and rising new director, sits at his right hand as Associate Director. Myke Salomon, acclaimed Musical Director of Rak of Aegis and Ang Huling El Bimbo, puts on that hat once again for the production.
Hip-hop group A-Team’s choreographer Mike Arda also lends his talent for the musical. The dance numbers for this his first theater adventure will be as energetic and powerful as those his award-winning crew is known for.
Trumpets veteran and skilled scenographer Mio Infante, Sound Engineer Rards Corpus, and Lighting Director Dong Calingacion, who are all known for their brilliant work in their respective fields, round-off the artistic team.
Born and bred for theater Sam Concepcion (The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, High School Musical, Peter Pan) returns to Trumpets and his first love playing the title role of Joseph after time away from theater making a name for himself in mainstream entertainment. Playing his love interest, Asenath, is Kayla Rivera, who headlined a string of hit musicals including ATEG’s Beautiful.
The King of Philippine Musical Theater Audie Gemora, who played Joseph in earlier runs, returns as Joseph’s father, Jacob, while the original Benjamin, Carlo Orosa, now plays multiple key characters that show off his flair for comedy. including that of the role of Egypt’s Pharaoh. A former member of the JTD ensemble and one of many Mrs. Potiphars, powerhouse performer Bituin Escalante is now Rachel, Jacob’s wife and Joseph’s mother.
“It is so good to have Sam, a mainstay of Trumpets, and Kayla, a Trumpets first-timer, in one production. Sparks really fly between them. And it is also nice to share the stage with returning cast members Carlo and Bituin,” shares theater legend, Gemora.
Completing the cast are Mitzi Lao, RJ Dela Fuente, Carlos Canlas, Paul Anthony Valdez, Neo Rivera, Jim Ferrer, Renz Bernardo, Edrei Tan, Matthew Barbers, John Paul Fausto, Joshua Ade Valenzola, Guido Gatmaytan, Aldo Vencilao, Alys Serdenia, Jo Mari Logdat, Coleen Paz, Samantha Libao, Kathleen Francisco with two child wonders Elai Estrella and Eli Luis.
Joseph The Dreamer is based on the anointed life of Joseph and his journey towards becoming one of the most beloved characters in the Holy Bible. Written by Freddie Santos based on the cantata by Cam Floria’s Joseph, Whatever Happened to the Dreamer?, the musical, rechristened Joseph the Dreamer, was first staged at the St. Teresa’s Auditorium Cebu in 1989.
The modest staging was such a hit that the show quickly snowballed and had numerous runs shuttling back and forth between Manila and the provinces. It has played at the Meralco Theater, Cebu Plaza Ballroom, Waterfront Ballroom, 8000 seater Cebu Coliseum, the Ultra, San Agustin Gym in Iloilo, Bacolod Convention Center, Davao Convention Center, Dagupan Coliseum, Cuneta Astrodome and was even aired on television.
Its record-breaking ten-year-run was brought to a new high when pop superstar Gary Valenciano played Joseph in the 1999 staging. These were followed by school runs in the early 2000s and full runs at the SM Megamall theaters.
Be part of the dream! Catch Trumpets’ Joseph the Dreamer, one of the most awaited stage productions of 2020.
For tickets, please visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or Trumpets, Inc.’s official Fan Page.