playbill vip

Corinne F. Gerwe, founder and executive director of Mountain Page Theater
Dr. Gerwe is a published author of clinical work, plays, and fiction and non-fiction novels. She believes in the power of creative expression in early childhood and the  need for programming that enables children to experience education and development in this area while interacting with others in a safe and positive environment.

Notes from the Executive Director
I am proud to present a musical production originated by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was the first of their collaboration to achieve success after an initial failed attempt to conquer the theater world. Lowering their sites, Webber and Rice accepted an offer to write an end-of-term production for a teacher friend’s pupils. The only proviso was that it should appeal to both kids on the stage and their parents in the audience. From such humble beginnings in 1968 came the much-loved show that is still performed all over the world.
Tim Rice writes, “Although there have been outstanding professional productions in the last fifty-plus years, including most recently the London Palladium, the show is at its freshest and funniest when performed by those for whom it was written - children.”
A musical of this caliber involves so much more than what is visible at showtime. An extraordinary level of quality, cooperation, mutual respect, and teamwork by everyone involved is essential to its success. Our production team headed by Ashley Sandahl, includes stage, sound, lighting, choreography, and
projection expertise that depends on our fabulous team of volunteers, including help from guest music director, Mark Powers, who leads the wonderful Mountain Song choral group. Together they have created the finest production possible for our community, made up of members of the community.
The cast includes the children of our Young Acting Krew (YAK) and our adult Mountain Page Players who have rehearsed tirelessly for this production. While there are various levels of theater experience, some cast members are performing for the first time. The young children are influenced by the teen and adult players who demonstrate many areas of talent and discipline for them to emulate. As a result, they grow in skill, determination, and personal development. Fostering the experiences and accomplishments of the youth of our community is our primary goal and reason for the existence of this theater.
I should also acknowledge the challenges we as a community faced resulting from the storm, Helene. Minor damage to our theater and grounds, and hardships and loss experienced by members of our theater family delayed this production originally scheduled for December. I would like to extend my gratitude to our generous supporters and hardworking team of volunteers. Special thanks to our extraordinary Board of Directors. David Berry and Jim Beyer built our raised and expanded new stage and head our construction projects and repairs, Sam Woodbery does everything to help including writing grants, clearing and maintaining the property, and running the concession, Richard Rutherford keeps our sound and lighting in check, Janet Berry is a major financial contributor, and she and Kathy
Beyer get their hands dirty doing the weeding and pruning on our landscape. Special thanks to our newest Board member, Hope Pace, who is instrumental in overseeing the land and building that her dear mother, the late Hilda Pace, donated use of for the benefit of the children.
I will be eternally grateful for my dear friend and generous benefactor, Hilda. Together we formed an alliance that became Mountain Page Theater. Her spirit lives on in all we present, now and in the future.