'Joseph' a labor of love for families

BOB McKENNY/Special to the Acorn MUSIC AND COLORFUL COAT FILL THE STAGE- - The public is invited to a free performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice this weekend and next at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1600 Erbes Road in Thousand Oaks. From left, Ty Boynton, Brock Talbot and Steve Hodge perform.

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" will come to life in Thousand Oaks thanks to the participation of many family members. The role of Joseph will be played on alternate nights by Mark and Brock Talbot, a father who is a professional event planner and his son, a student at Thousand Oaks High School. "I think it's so neat to bring everyone together, especially the teenage youth, in a wholesome environment and where they are having a lot of fun," said Moorpark resident Rochelle Hanshaw, production choreographer. Three of Hanshaw's five children are in the production.

"My boys didn't want to do it at first but I told them, 'Too bad, we've done enough sports,' and they've loved it," she said. "A production such as this opens up their eyes to a different opportunity that they probably wouldn't have taken on their own." Involvement in this play has been a family affair for others as well. "It's been great being able to participate with my husband and my daughter," said Romy Snyder, one of the narrators. "It's a lot of work but I enjoy doing it with my family."

Snyder's husband, Paul, an optometrist by day, transforms into a plotting, dancing singer by night, while daughter Elly helps round out the cast in the student chorus. More than 80 cast members have been rehearsing two or three evenings a week since February, said Chris Severn, director of the production.

Severn has had film experience as a child actor and was a part of the Academy Awardwinning film "Mrs. Miniver."

"I've been very pleased with so much dedication from so many people," Severn said. "This is a gift from us to the community." The production will feature a live orchestra under the direction of Curtis Mathews, a local electrical engineer and 18year Moorpark resident.

"Most (orchestra members) have put in hundreds of hours working on parts and rehearsing. It's been like having two fulltime jobs, but it's also been very fun and rewarding," said Mathews, who has three daughters dancing and singing in the production.

Music director Marie Tarbet is a professional musician, songwriter and composer who's put out several CDs in the Christian music genre under her maiden name, Pearson.

Michael Babbit, who plays Pharoah, is a writer/publisher. The father of five, he's written music for television shows, including "Prison Break," "CSI-New York" and "Access Hollywood," for movie trailers and for the Dance Dance Revolution home game series.

Babbit's wife, Shauna, who's sung backups and performed professionally with Michael, is a narrator in the "Dreamcoat" production.

Stage crew manager Frank Toro, a 40-year Thousand Oaks resident, has worked in special effects in the film industry for more than 50 years. His credits include "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and the last two "Pirates of the Caribbean" films.

Toro actually missed last Saturday's rehearsal: His professional skills were needed to blow up a house.

Playing the role of Joseph is not a new thing for Mark Talbot, who portrayed the title character in his high school production of the musical.

Jen Foster, one of the narrators, and Mark's son, Brock, both students at TOHS, are involved in the choir and drama programs there. Jen has performed in community theater, including the Cabrillo Music Theatre's productions of "Beauty and the Beast," "The Wizard of Oz" and "Oliver." One of her goals is to audition for "American Idol" next year.

"I definitely want to try it out," Jen said. "I think it will be fun." She plans to pursue a musical theater degree after graduation.

Brock was recently a featured pianist with the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic and also played the violin in the orchestra of the Civic Arts Plaza production of "Guys and Dolls." He's a DJ at local youth dances and plans to attend Brigham Young University in the fall.

Those playing the brothers of Joseph in the musical- ages 13 to over 50- range from middle school students to a retired Navy fighter pilot.

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" will be performed Fri. and Sat., April 25 and 26, May 2 and 3 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, 1600 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks. Performances begin each evening at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on Saturdays begin at 3 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to attend this production of the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

There's no charge but tickets are required and can be obtained by calling the ticket hotline at (805) 379-8811.