Avon Players opens their 79th Season with the spectacular musical, The Prince of Egypt, running until September 27, 2025, in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Last season, Avon Players boldly started with the darkly eccentric Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I am happy to say The Prince of Egypt is equally impressive and a lot more family-friendly.
Inspired by the Book of Exodus, this epic new musical is adapted from the 1998 DreamWorks film of the same name, featuring music and lyrics by Academy Award, GRAMMY, and Tony Award-winning Stephen Schwartz (Wicked). Over 30 songs take the audience on a powerful journey of family, self-reflection, and ultimately redemption.
If you grew up watching “The Ten Commandments” starring Charleston Heston, then you already have a good grasp of the story.
Desperate to save her baby from death, Yocheved (Emily Brown, Young Frankenstein), puts him in a basket in the Nile that finds its way to Queen Tuya (Tracy Murray, Mamma Mia! ). She and Pharaoh Seti I (Ryan Gigliotti, Avon Players’ debut) already have a son, Ramses (Adam Wager, Bright Star), but she adopts the baby as her own and names him Moses (Drew Gale, Avon Players’ debut), whose name translates to “Deliver Us.”
Raised as equals, Ramses and Moses enjoy a privileged upbringing. They are exuberant adolescents on the cusp of adulthood, and they take full advantage of what is available to them. Such as chariot racing through the marketplace and leaving destruction in their wake (“Faster”), which infuriates the High Priest, Hotep (RJ Miller-Zelinko), who is so deliciously villainous. Even though Ramses will be the next Pharaoh, his father, Seti, views him as pathetic (“One Weak Link”). Moses begins to see the heavy weight of expectations Ramses carries, like marrying Nefertari (Katherine Whitton), and while not jealous of his brother, Moses wonders how he will make his mark on the world (“Footprints on the Sand”).
Seti arrives home after a battle with a gift for Ramses, a Midianite slave named Tzipporah (Kionna Dailey, Little Shop of Horrors). Tzipporah is proud and refuses to be controlled by the Egyptians (“Dance to the Day”), eventually escaping with Moses on her heels. In the marketplace, Moses encounters Miriam (Lori Smith, Evita) and Aaron (Matthew Cason, (Laughter on the 23rd Floor), his biological siblings. Miriam is overcome with emotion seeing her long-lost brother, but Moses doesn’t believe the truth about his birth until she starts singing a lullaby that stirs his memory. Confused, he rushes back to the palace, where Tuya confirms Moses is Hebrew, but that it doesn’t matter (“All I Ever Wanted”).
At first, Moses tries to ignore the truth, but after witnessing Hebrew slaves being cruelly mistreated firsthand, he knows he can no longer deny his lineage or his people’s suffering. From that moment on, both Moses and Ramses fight to figure out their purpose and if their lives can still include each other.
Typically, The Prince of Egypt features a large company of more than 60 actors, dancers, and musicians, making it one of the largest musicals ever staged. Avon Players’ production achieves remarkable results with half those numbers, which is a testament to the breadth of talent in this production.
This isn’t just a musical, it’s a breathtaking work of imaginative art. Striking visuals are achieved with moving screens and clever projections on the set pieces. Most of the actors and the set/props are drenched in neutral tones reflecting the dullness of the desert and their lives. On the other end are the opulent wardrobes that the main cast wears. Head-to-toe, they looked like they belonged on the red carpet. I also liked the blend of the historical costumes and imaginative modern touches. For example, when Moses gathers with Jethro (Scott Wickson) and the rest of the Midianites, the men are all wearing tunics, which you would see in Egypt at that time, but their colors and designs remind one of the hippie movement from the 1960s. Everything on stage, whether it was a costume or the set, was a visual banquet.
And of course I must give props to the Ensemble: Dominic Aldini (Avon Players’ debut), Aaron Barnes (Young Frankenstein), Katelyn Brackney (Miracle on 34th Street), Emily Brown, Kaitlyn Honnen (Avon Players’ debut), Matthew Micoff (Avon Players’ debut), Max Miller (The Full Monty), Tracy Murray, Teren Richards (Young Frankenstein), Shannon Ricker (Avon Players’ debut), Elaina Tang (Avon Players’ debut), and Geoffrey Wickson (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
Not only were their vocals fantastic, but their choreography reminded me of a cross between interpretive dancing and ballet. Without saying a word, their bodies conveyed so much, and it was a delight to see what they would do next.
This is an epic, large-scale production with sweeping musical numbers that gave me chills, along with powerful introspective solos like “Heartless,” sung by a grief-stricken Nefertari.
While The Prince of Egypt centers around families and what binds us together, this production was also a family affair for Adam Wager (Ramses), who was joined onstage with his two children, Elliot (Young Aaron) and Kendall (Young Miriam/Leah). Both did a phenomenal job, and I am sure we will be seeing them in many future Avon Players productions. Also making this a family outing is the father-son duo of Scott Wickson (Jethro) and Geoffrey Wickson (Ensemble).
Sometimes getting what you want comes at a great cost. In the end, Moses and Ramses face their separate destinies, but they do so with the knowledge they will always have a brother who supports and understands them.
Regardless of your religious background, The Prince of Egypt is a timeless story that resonates deeply due to its portrayal of the human bond we share by blood and by choice.
This performance runs 2 hours 42 minutes, including intermission.
The Prince of Egypt is directed by John (JD) Deierlein with Ryan Moore as co-director and Lisa Schein as producer. Lighting and Costumes design is also by John (JD) Deierlein, with Patty Hagel on properties and Joy Oetjens as associate costume designer. Hair and makeup is by Lana Brusokas-Hastings, with wig design by Lisa Miller, and jewelry design by Pamela Plewa. Maritoni Harte is the choreographer, along with Teren Richards as associate choreographer. Matt Kush is the music director/conductor, and Nick Kibler serves as sound designer.
Tickets for all shows are $32. Call 248-608-9077 for tickets or order online at www.AvonPlayers.org. Discounts on group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. All major credit cards are accepted. All seats are reserved.
Don’t get caught without a seat to one of these remaining shows:
- Sunday, September 14; 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 19; 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, September 20; 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, September 21; 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 26; 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, September 27; 8:00 p.m.
About Sarah Hovis