Iowa Central Community College’s Fine Arts Department will present the famed ‘Prince of Egypt’ musical, bringing together theatre, choir, and band students on stage and in the musical pit. Directed by Sean Mulvihill, the show runs February 26-March 1, featuring a live musical pit and a large ensemble cast tackling Stephen Schwartz’s sweeping score and the timeless story of Moses.

“We wanted a show that would resonate with our local audience, and we were lamenting the limited number of new Bible-story-based musicals available to license,” said Mulvihill. “After a lot of browsing various musical theatre catalogs, I came across Prince of Egypt, and, having seen the original 1998 animated film version, I immediately knew it was the one. The show is based on the book of Exodus from the Bible, a story of redemption and courage that has been inspiring people for about two millennia.”

The cast and musical pit include more than three dozen talented musicians who have been in rehearsals for the show since the beginning of the year.

“Our cast has a lot of returning students who performed in the Fall Play and last year’s Spring Musical, and they’ve helped the newer students get up to speed,” said Mulvihill. “Our dance captains, Maddie Utter and Dustin Coyle, have put in a lot of extra hours to hone the dances that our choreographer Emily Eastwood has artfully crafted. One of the greatest joys I’ve had this year is seeing a few student actors grow from having a passing interest in the performing arts to having the swagger of a seasoned performer over the course of a couple shows, complemented by taking our acting courses here at Iowa Central or joining the Improv Club.”

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This will be Mulvihill’s spring musical debut at Iowa Central. He is joined alongside choir director Jacob Pedersen, also in his first year, and Paul Bloomquist, a 20-year veteran of Iowa Central.

“The music in Prince of Egypt has been very interesting to work with,” said Pedersen. “It’s fun to see each character’s development through song. I’ve worked on numerous shows, and the students at Iowa Central have been doing a wonderful job of preparation.”

Bloomquist has been working not only with instrumentalists in the musical pit, but also with vocalists as the show is put together.

“The very first run through the singers and pit is always the hardest,” said Bloomquist. ” We work on our individual pieces of the production and then put the pieces together like a puzzle. Sometimes the pieces fit smoothly and others need some compromise, but we always find a way to make it work. As a conductor, there are times that I am along for the ride, and I need to let the actors determine the music. Other times, the show is in my hands and I need to lead the pit and cast through the process. It’s a team mentality that makes the show come together.”

The Prince of Egypt is led on stage by Justin Durr, who plays Moses, Steven Fisher Jr., in the role of Ramses, and Lundyn Jones as Tzipporah.

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“The students never cease to amaze me with their energy and enthusiasm, and they always keep me laughing with their exuberance,” said Mulvihill.

“The energy from the students is why I keep doing this,” added Bloomquist. “The process is exhausting, but when the students hold each other accountable, lift each other up, and really come together as a musical family, you can’t describe the joy and pride that comes from that experience. We all want a great show, but we also want each part to do their absolute best along the way to make that happen.”

The music for the Prince of Egypt is one many may recognize from DreamWorks and Disney Pictures. Written by well-known composer Steven Schwartz, the music tells a story of love and loss.

“The centerpiece of the show is the song, When You Believe,” said Mulvihill. “It cements that the theme of the show is about faith, even in hopeless circumstances. My wish is that the audience will be strengthened in the belief that to love and care for others as family is far more powerful than the mightiest army’s ability to destroy. Why? You can destroy physical things once and for all, but love is an idea that is invincible.”

Mulvihill, Pedersen, and Bloomquist also hope that audiences will take note of the show’s collaborative efforts, not just through student works, but as a community.

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“I think this show says that we as artists at Iowa Central and the greater Fort Dodge performing arts community are willing to take creative risks to serve our audience with unforgettable, powerful entertainment,” said Mulvihill. “Over the course of five performances, we will serve several thousand viewers, which means that we have a responsibility, as a cornerstone of the performing arts here, to continuously reinvent and improve ourselves and the shows we offer at Iowa Central.”

“Thanks to a supportive community in and around Fort Dodge, the tradition of quality musicals is strong,” added Bloomquist. “The area middle and high schools are doing shows, the youth shows of Stage Door Productions, along with the adult community shows by Comedia adds to the dynamics of the region. Iowa Central offers everyone the opportunity to participate in our productions from the actors on stage, musicians in the pit, and all of the technical aspects of the show that the audience doesn’t necessarily get to see. The show is a reflection on the inner workings of Iowa Central – collaboration, participation, hard work, jobs that are getting done that no one really knows about. The support of the college is strong, but it’s also a reflection on the work ethic and leadership of the entire institution.”

The Iowa Central fine arts production of The Prince of Egypt will be held February 26, 27, and 28 at 7 pm and March 1 at 2 pm. Tickets are available at the Iowa Central Box Office and online at IowaCentral.edu

Prince of Egypt Cast List

Moses: Justin Durr

Ramses: Steven Fisher Jr.

Tzipporah: Lundyn Jones

Miriam: Emma Davis

Aaron: Linus Areblad

Seti: Samuel Opfer

Tuya: Sophia Gutshall

Nefertari: Teagan Barela

Hotep: Mason Lundberg

Jethro: Colby Caquelin

Yocheved: Zofia Salter

Leah: Caliana Walding

Keturah: Camden Doster

Young Miriam: Stella Pingel

Young Aaron: Ruby Brockbank

MAID, HEBREW 1; ENSEMBLE: GRACIE GRADY

SERVANT TO MOSES; DANCE ENSEMBLE: RASMUS SKYVING

OLD HEBREW MAN, HEBREW MAN 2; ENSEMBLE: RYAN ARENDS

GUARD #2, SHEPHERD #2, OVERSEER; ENSEMBLE: LEVI ODOR-WESTRUM

SHEPHERD #1; DANCE ENSEMBLE CAPTAIN: DUSTIN COYLE

HEBREW MAN; DANCE ENSEMBLE: BRYCE WALKER

HEBREW WOMAN 1; ENSEMBLE: CHLOE SPECK

HEBREW MAN 3; ENSEMBLE: ADAM CHAMPAGNE

GUARD #3; ENSEMBLE: SAM FULLER

HEBREW WOMAN; ENSEMBLE: FAITH MERFELD

OVERSEER; ENSEMBLE: WILLIAM WRIGHT

MOTHER #1; ENSEMBLE: GRACE WINKEL

MOTHER #2; ENSEMBLE: KEN DAVALOS

HEBREW 2: ENSEMBLE:.MIAH HEATH

HEBREW 3: ENSEMBLE: BOWIE SANDERS

ENSEMBLE: ZOHARA DUEKER

DANCE ENSEMBLE CAPTAIN: MADDIE UTTER

DANCE ENSEMBLE: LEAH MYER

DANCE ENSEMBLE: KATHLEEN HANSEN

DANCE ENSEMBLE: ISABELLA BAKER