Reagan’s theater program is putting on a production of the hit musical “The Prince of Egypt,” from the composer of “Wicked.” The epic drama premiered on Broadway in 2017 and features the Academy Award-winning song “When You Believe,” famously sung by Whitney Houston.
The show is a musical adaptation of the original DreamWorks production released in 1998 by directors Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner and Simon Wells.
“The Prince of Egypt” follows the story of Moses and Ramses in ancient Egypt as they explore themes of liberation, brotherhood and faith.
The cast and tech crew have been hard at work the past few weeks perfecting and polishing their show for opening night Thursday, Feb. 5.
To get insight into the process, we interviewed ensemble member and featured dancer Chloe King.
“It’s been a super surreal experience to be able to contribute to such an amazing production with all my friends,” King said.
This is her first year in the choir and theater program. She is a member of the ensemble and a featured dancer in the song “Dance to the Day,” which tells the story of a Midian girl refusing to dance for her master, showing defiance and power.
Backstage, all the moving parts of the show were on display. Props began being made as early as November, and the audio and visual systems are extensive. The production utilizes projections carefully animated and created by the crew to add an extra edge to the visual effects.
During the last week of rehearsal, the cast went through large sections of the show in preparation for performing in front of a live audience. Although they faced hiccups such as lighting issues, audio interference and set problems, the show was ready for opening night Thursday, Feb. 5.
King said rehearsals began promptly after auditions in late November. From December onward, the cast has had daily rehearsals and weekend sessions that ran late into the night.
“It’s definitely been a lot of hard work, but I know it’ll be worth it,” she said.
A member of the dance team as well, King navigated conflicting schedules and made compromises on rehearsal times. Drawing from her dance experience, she helped cast members learn and understand choreography, ensuring everyone executed their parts to the best of their ability.
All three performances have been sold out, filling hundreds of seats in Reagan’s auditorium. This is the first fully sold-out show since their production of “Beauty and the Beast” in spring 2023. The production is projected to be one of Reagan’s most expensive and elaborate shows, with contributions from the band, orchestra, choir and theater programs.
