New faces join cast of Kincardine Theatre Guild's "Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat"

Five new people have joined the cast in the Kincardine Theatre Guild's massive production of “Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat,” set to open Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Kincardine Arts Centre.

With a cast of 62 (including about 25 children) and a crew of 40, it is quite an undertaking, says director Jaki Mayer-Duggan. She is working with music director Joy King, as well as a band, featuring Martin Hennink on drums, Karen Weber on trombone, Mike Cornish on guitar, Ray Kester on trumpet, Peter King on bass guitar, and Leslie Wade on flute.

Garrison Brown is Gad, one of Joseph's brothers. The 31-year-old Bruce Power worker is the son of Bill and Corinne Robertson-Brown of Kincardine who are members of the theatre guild. He returned to Kincardine about a year ago, and he and his fiance, Sarah Hoyland, have a six-month-old son, Max.

Brown said he has always liked the “Joseph” play and saw it on Broadway. So, he decided to try out and was thrilled to get a part.

“It's a new experience,” he said. “The only acting I've done was in public school so, yes, this is out of my comfort zone. But the theatre guild group is great.”

He said Hoyland enjoys acting and was in a play when they lived in Harriston. “Next time, it'll be her turn to try out.”

When he's not rehearsing, working and being a dad to Max, Brown is taking a night school course, and enjoys playing softball.

Jared Petrie plays Judah, also one of Joseph's brothers. The 13-year-old is the son of Russ and April Petrie of Kincardine. While he has some experience singing in the choir at Huron Heights Public School, and with a youth choir in Port Elgin, this is his first time on stage.

“I was interested in acting after I saw the Kincardine Theatre Guild play last year, 'Peter Pan, the Pantomime',” said Jared. “Carson Rutledge and I play basketball together and he was trying out, so I did too." He is excited to be on stage and said the theatre guild people are great.

“I think I would like to be an actor,” he said. “It's a partial dream of mine.”

The Grade 8 student at Huron Heights enjoys reading and playing video games, and continues to take part in band and choir at school. He has one brother and one sister – he's the middle child – as well as two cats and a gecko.

Wendy Henderson, 52, is part of the ensemble. She and her husband moved here from Cambridge two years ago for work. They have a 26-year-old daughter.

“This is my first time on stage but I love it,” she said. “I love the dancing and singing. All the people here are great, and I'm having a blast!”

She works with Stacey Millar at Miller Insurance and they were talking about the auditions for “Joseph,” when Henderson decided to go ahead and try out.

“I went to the auditions and watched, just to see what it was all about,” she said. “I was standing in front of Joy King's piano and was told to sing. So, I did and I got a part!

“It's a fun experience and I would certainly like to try out for another show. The theatre guild group is very helpful. Everyone wants to show you the ropes.” Her family and friends are thrilled for her, and plan to attend the play.

While she is overcoming the challenges of all the singing and dancing, she also has to overcome a broken wrist, which happened about a month ago. “That's the only major obstacle so far!”

Jason Geberdt plays the Butler and is part of the ensemble. Employed in the information technology department at the County of Bruce, he is a member of the Kincardine Community Singers. He and his wife live in Kincardine with their two daughters who are also in the play.

He was convinced to try out for the “Joseph” play, by a couple of choir members (Karen Yun, Fort Papalia and Ron Boucher) who are also in the show.

“It's a lot of fun,” he said. “This is a fantastic group to work with, and my daughters are here too. That's another reason why I decided to try out – they were in the children's chorus already. They were both in the KYTE youth drama group, and they're having a lot of fun showing dad how to move around on stage.”

When he's not rehearsing or working, Geberdt enjoys playing softball, and he's often the one driving his daughters to their dance classes.

Peter King is the Baker, and part of the band. Husband of music director Joy King, he plays bass guitar and mandolin in the show.

“I was actually driving my wife here when the director was conducting auditions,” he said. “I was called up to sing and here I am.”

He and Joy were part of community theatre for years when they lived in Western Canada, and they have played in bands for years. They have just moved to Inverlyn Estates, south of Kincardine, from Walkerton, and are pleased to be part of the theatre guild here.

“The members are such an easy group to get along with,” said King. “Joy and I love music and we are having a great time.”

Since 2010, they have been involved in taking teams of Canadian to Nicaragua to help there. Next year, they are taking a medical team, and two high school groups to Nicaragua.

The Kings have four children, with the youngest in her final year at Durham College in Oshawa; and they have one grandchild.

Joining the newcomers in the show, are Dylan Trahan as Joseph, narrators Stacey Millar and Rachel Page, Jim Peddie as Jacob, Chuck Exel as Potiphar, Phyllis Leighton as Potiphar's wife, Ron Boucher as Pharaoh, Sid Duggan as Reuben, Carson Rutledge as Benjamin, Caleb Palmer as Dan, Dyllan Mooser as Zebulan, Shane Middelkamp as Asher, Chris Mercanti as Napthali, Fort Papalia as Isaachar, Stephen McGibney as Simeon, and Rod Coates as Levi.

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat" runs Nov. 17-19 at 8 p.m., (Gala night is Nov. 19); Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.; Nov. 24-25 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 26-27 at 2 p.m.; Dec. 1-2 at 8 p.m.; and Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 each; available at J'Adorn in downtown Kincardine. Get your tickets soon; this is bound to be a sell-out!

For more information, check the website at www.kincardinetheatreguild.com.