American Idol Finalists star in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
American Idol Finalists star in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at The Schuster Center in Dayton, October 21-26
American Idol Finalists star in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
American Idol Finalists star in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at The Schuster October 21-26
It sounds almost to good to be true; he and she are both finalists on televisions top singing competition show. They fall in love and have their engagement on live TV with millions of viewers watching. Now as husband and wife they star together in one of the countries most highly regarded musicals. It’s a love story of almost biblical proportions and that’s just the bio’s of the two leading cast members. Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo tell an even better story in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Schuster Center on October 21 through the 26th.
Some may attend a performance in order to see the former ‘American Idol’ contestants, but by the end of the show DeGarmo and Young hope their identities will be lost in their characters. Young, plays the title role of Joseph while DeGarmo serves as the Narrator. “There will be people who come to see us and some who have loved ‘Joseph’ for over twenty years. It’s our job to make the audience forget who we are and follow our characters,” said Young.
The runner-up on the third season of ‘American Idol’ in 2004, DeGarmo went on to pursue a career on Broadway. Her credits include ‘9 to 5,’ ‘Hairspray,’ and ‘Toxic Avenger.’ She also starred in ‘HAIR,’ along with Young, which is how they met and fell in love. Their chemistry was heightened by having shared the unique experience of being on American Idol. “It feels like we went to the same college and knew all the same people, but not each other. It’s a special connection we share to have both graduated from American Idol,” said Young.
They now also feel very fortunate to share in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ together. It’s a new version for 2014-15, containing all of everyone’s favorite elements from the original but with more flashier special effects, choreography and lighting. In addition to some more character development, the show also features some changes to the music so it is more modern. “Life evolves after thirty years, and it’s a blessing by Andrew Lloyd Webber that he allowed some of the songs to be updated,” said DeGarmo.
The role of the Narrator is perfect for DeGarmo, who unknowingly started preparing for it early in her life. “When I was young I used to love to emulate the story readers at school,” she said. “I love to connect with the audience and see their faces light up.”
As the youngest of five brothers in his family, Young brings an understanding of sibling rivalry to the part of Joseph. He knows that in life every individual is different and an aspect of this new version of the show that Young appreciates is that everyone is given their own personality.
After Young proposed on the season finale of ‘American Idol’ in 2012, where DeGarmo least expected it to occur, they were wed in June of 2013. The opportunity for them to tour together is an experience they warmly embraced. “It’s a perfect scenario for us, it’s very rare that the entertainment industry is so supportive of couples. Before we settle down and start having kids, why not see the world?” said DeGarmo.
When the curtain opens though, their personal lives become obsolete as every ounce of energy is poured into their characters. Their sole purpose is to deliver a performance that will totally satisfy the audience “It’s a fun, happy show. I love being part of a show that you can bring anyone from little kids to grandparents to,” said Degarmo.
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ will be at the Schuster Center from October 21 to October 26.
