TRENTON, Mich. – Last year, Local 4 introduced viewers to the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center (DYPAC) in Trenton during our ‘In Your Neighborhood’ segment.
At that time, the center was preparing to bring the musical Phantom of the Opera to the stage.
Shortly after our visit, the team at DYPAC surprised Local 4’s Demond Fernandez with an invitation to join the cast in their latest production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which opens tonight, April 11. Everyone involved is excited, and Demond is thrilled to make his stage debut with them!
Every great production starts with rehearsals, and the young performers at DYPAC have been fully committed since January, planning for this big show.
The energy is palpable as these young actors and actresses dive into their roles. Demond will be among a group of men invited to play ‘Jacob’, the father of the title character.
On-stage and behind the scenes, the Trenton Village Theater is buzzing with activity. It truly takes a community to launch productions with DYPAC.
“We’re just steaming some of the costumes to get them show-ready for opening night on Friday,” one of the mom’s said while smiling.
Get this: there are 60 performers in this production, which means the wardrobe team is tackling hundreds of costumes.
“You’re going to do amazing. Just have fun. That’s basically the whole thing. It’s a positive atmosphere, so it’s so nice to be here all the time,” cast members Samantha Plunkett advised.
And how could you not have fun with so much energy and excitement in the air? Demond asked director, Mary Zeleski, how he got to be among the community members invited to play Jacob.
“We did it the first time really to be funny. Actually. And we had so much fun with it, and they had so much fun with it that we decided we would do it every single time we do Joseph,” Zeleski explained.
The cast and crew of Joseph are working incredibly hard to deliver an amazing show.
“It is very high energy. They should go out tapping toes, singing songs, and whatever from Joseph, because these kids…they really bring it,” Zeleski added.
DYPAC’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opens Friday, April 11 and runs through April 19th at the Trenton Village Theater. Demond’s performance as Jacob will be Friday, April 12, at 7 PM.
Tickets for this production can be purchased through DYPAC’s website.
Don’t miss this vibrant production that promises to be a delightful experience for all!