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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | AUGUST 7, 2022
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Chandler teens star in Limelight’s returning ‘Joseph’ BY KATY SPRINGER GETOUT Contributor
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hen Limelight Performing Arts produced “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in 2016, the show earned a slew of honors including the National Youth Arts award for “Outstanding Production.” Six years later, the theater is bringing the show back to the Mesa Arts Center. The musical will be on stage Aug. 4-14 and will feature an epic cast of nearly 50 performers ages 6-21 – including 12 kids and teens from Chandler. Set in biblical-era Canaan and Egypt, “Joseph” brings the age-old story of Jacob and his sons to vibrant new life. When Jacob gives Joseph a magnificent coat of many colors, his 11 brothers be-
Chandler cast members in Limelight Performing Arts’ presentation of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” include, from left: Maddie Gillispie, Mia Mcfarland, Josh Boenzi, Camryn Taylor, Meredith Woodward, Kayla King, Alex Hinkle, Violet Mclennan, Zoey Harr, and Claire Willes. (David Minton/GetOut Staff Photographer) come so consumed with jealousy they sell him into slavery in Egypt. But because of
Joseph’s prophetic gift for interpreting dreams, he ascends from lowly house
slave to Pharaoh’s key advisor – and soon redeems the brothers who betrayed him. Despite its weighty themes, the production is upbeat and full of comic relief. With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, it features colorful characters and costumes, modern choreography and a range of music and dance styles – from country western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and a Pharaoh who sings Elvis. “It’s colorful, inspiring and hilarious,” said Marie South, who, along with Limelight’s artistic director, Emma England, is directing the show. Westley Caryl, 14, is having a great time with his character. “I play the role of Judah, who is one of the younger brothers,” he said. “He is very laidback and silly, but not the
see MUSICAL page 34
Mesa metal band excited about upcoming show BY ALEX GALLAGHER Staff Writer
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he Mesa metal band Bury The Darkness has been pretty busy these days. Band members – all Mountain View High School alumni – spent their free time between full-time jobs rehearsing recording four new songs and working on the launch of a clothing brand — all of which the band plans to unveil when it hits the stage at the Rebel Lounge on Aug. 12. “It’s going to be our grand unveiling. We’ve been quiet in terms of releases and everything like that since April of 2021 but the work has not stopped every single day,” said guitarist Marc Rosenfeld. “We’ve been working,” he said. “We’ve made insane connections with local musicians and we have been in the studio every single weekend because we all work full-time jobs. Every day off has been spent somehow working on the
Bassist Brandon Bentley, vocalist Jared Harper, drummer Devin Bowers and guitarist Marc Rosenfeld all attended Mountain View High School and are set to make their hometown debut with their band, Bury The Darkness, on Aug. 12. (Hannah Left Wright Photo) band or the clothing brand.” The band also has cruised around the Valley marketing itself the old-fashioned
way by putting up posters and dropping off physical tickets to fans for the Aug. 12 gig. Rosenfeld sees it all as a way to achieve
his and bassist Brandon Bentley’s lifelong dreams. “We want to do this for our jobs,” added Brantley, who met Rosenfeld at Mountain View and graduated from Arizona State University last year. “I went to college; I worked that nine to five office job and hated my life. So, I’m just putting in put in all the work I can to make it where I never have to go back to that.” Because of this, the band sees its first hometown show as the time to go all-in on its new music and clothing line. “Our brand-new clothing line Burned Alive clothing is going to be announced at that show and we’re going to have three different shirts on sale,” Rosenfeld said. “Just like the band, It’s a melting pot of things we like, like heavy culture, alternative culture, music and streetwear with a little splash of like, ex-
see BURY page 34
