Soap Star & Nazareth Alumnus Joins RCT Joseph Cast

July 17, 2008

Rochester Children’s Theatre and Nazareth College Arts Center are proud to announce that As the World Turns actor and Nazareth alumnus, Michael Park, will guest star in RCT’s fully-staged, professional production of the hit Broadway musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, under the “Big Top” at Nazareth College (4245 East Avenue).

The Emmy Award-nominated actor, who has played Detective Jack Snyder on the CBS daytime drama since 1997, will perform as Pharaoh during the show’s opening weekend for two performances: Saturday, August 2 at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 3 at 4:00 p.m. Auburn actor David Autovino will play the role in the following weekend’s performances: Saturday, August 9 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 10 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 and are available in person at area Wegmans’ That’s the Ticket! locations, or by calling Rochester Children’s Theatre at 585-385-0510.

Michael Park, a Canandaigua native, was a lead in Rochester Children’s Theatre’s very first show, as The Lion in Androcles & the Lion, at the Memorial Art Gallery in 1991.

“Michael definitely contributed ‘star quality’ back then, and I am thrilled to have him shine in Rochester again,” says RCT Producing Artistic Director Deborah Haber, who co-founded the company 17 years ago.

Park went on to play Raoul in the national tour of Phantom of the Opera. From there, he appeared in two productions at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center (Hello Again and Carousel) before making his Broadway debut in the original cast of Smokey Joe’s Café. He then originated the role of Monty in off-Broadway’s Violet, during which time he was cast on As the World Turns. He appeared with Martin Short and Faith Prince in the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Little Me, and performed in City Center’s Encores productions of Bloomer Girl (2001) and Applause (2008).

Park is a Nazareth College alumnus, as are the show’s director, Deborah Haber, its Musical Director Don Kot (who is also director of Nazareth College’s Musical Theatre program as well as musical director at Geva Theatre Center) and its lead, Jason Mincer (Joseph). Cast member Paul Ianniello (Dan) is a 2008 Musical Theatre graduate, and Audra Cramer (Issachar’s Wife) is currently enrolled in that program. Joseph Choreographer Lorraine Person is an Assistant Professor in Nazareth’s Theatre Arts program. Rochester Children’s Theatre has been Nazareth College Arts Center’s theatre-in-residence since 2003.

“We’re thrilled to have this reunion of sorts,” says Nazareth College Arts Center Director, Lindsay Korth. “Michael appeared on our college stage in both Guys and Dolls and Chicago. His talent, energy and joy in theatre have always been hallmarks of his work. We couldn't be prouder to have him as an alum.”

Based on the “coat of many colors” Bible story, this production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical will take place under a huge tent (the “Big Top”) on the beautiful Nazareth College campus. The show will include a special Children’s Chorus made up of RCT’s Musical Theatre Summer Conservatory participants.

Joseph is sponsored in part by Time Warner Cable, New York State Senator Jim Alesi, Wendy’s Restaurants of Rochester, M&T Bank and New York State Council on the Arts.

In conjunction with the musical, RCT will host The Canine Cavalcade of Colorful Coats: Pooch Parade & Dog Festival on Saturday, August 9th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The free event will feature prizes for parade costumes and canine contests, live entertainment by the Dinner Dogs, demonstrations by the Monroe County K9 Unit and much more. RCT is looking for registrants, vendors and sponsors as the event is a fundraiser for both the theatre company and for Lollypop Farm’s PAT (Pet-Assisted Therapy) Program. Please call 585-385-0510 or visit www.rochesterchildrenstheatre.org  for more information and to register.

Rochester Children’s Theatre is a professional company of adult actors co-founded in 1991 by its current producing artistic director, Deborah Haber. RCT offers a high-quality, literature-based experience that entertains while fostering enrichment, communication and positive values. In 17 years, its audience has grown from 4,800 to more than 40,000 annually. In residence at the Arts Center and a partner with Nazareth College in producing children’s theatre since 2003, RCT also tours to other arts centers and schools throughout the state. In addition, thousands of area school children attend its weekday morning shows at the Arts Center on field trips. In all, more than 30,000 children from a nine-county area see RCT shows each year.

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