In the Spotlife: Jack Barton of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'

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Jack Barton. GLENN ROSS PHOTOGRAPHY
 

MEET JACK BARTON
Joseph in BDT Stage’s ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,’ running through Aug. 19.

  • Hometown: Denver
  • Home now: Denver
  • High school: Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins
  • College: BFA from University of Northern Colorado in Greeley
  • Jack Barton What have you done for us lately? I played Peter in BDT Stage’s Peter and the Starcatcher
  • Twitter-sized bio: Passionate about songwriting, playing piano, singing – and finding the best mac ‘n cheese in the city of Denver. (Still looking.)
  • What’s your handle? @jackbarton36 on Instagram
  • The role that changed your life: Playing Peter in Peter and the Starcatcher was definitely a game-changer for me. I had done something like 13 professional shows in Colorado before Peter came along, but this was my first opportunity not in the ensemble – and also my first show at BDT Stage. It was definitely a point in my life and career when I desperately needed a confidence boost, and it was exactly that. I am still grateful to Michael Duran and Nick Sugar for believing in me. It was an incredibly beautiful production with some incredibly beautiful people. I am still pinching myself that I got to play that role. The night before the audition, I had convinced myself to cancel my audition, because I thought I only had a snowball’s chance in hell at landing the job. However, I pulled myself out of bed the next morning and nervously dragged myself to the audition, because it wasn’t polite to back out of an audition. Thanks to my guardian angel for that one. I don’t know where I would be if I had stayed home that morning.Christian_Borle
  • Ideal scene partner: Every time I think of a dream role that I would love to play someday, I look it up and Christian Borle (pictured right) has already played it. (His track in Spamalot is everything I ever want). I think that guy has had one of the coolest and most admirable Broadway careers in recent decades. He also has amazing comedy chops, which I greatly admire. I would love to have the opportunity to try to  magnetically absorb some of his talent.
  • Jack Barton. GLENN ROSS PHOTOGRAPHYWhat is Joseph … all about? This is Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s retelling of the famous Biblical story about a “dreamer” named Joseph and his 11 brothers. Joseph overcomes a series of downfalls (being kidnapped/imprisoned/betrayed by his own brothers) and comes out on top. However, in the words of our director and choreographer Matthew D. Peters, “This isn’t your grandparents’ Joseph.” Be prepared for something completely different.
  • What’s so different about it? Matthew took this show in a brilliant, unique direction. our production is meant to resemble a rock/pop concert; the costumes are completely modern, and the brilliant choreography pays homage to Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Beyonce, etc. The lighting is some of the most stunning I have ever seen.
  • Tell us about the challenge of playing this role: I would argue that being in the ensemble in this production is even tougher than playing Joseph – and once you see the dancing the ensemble members are doing, you will understand why. However, Joseph does have his tough moments. Vocally, it is not an easy track, and maintaining the stamina to get through the show is a big challenge every night. I think the greatest difficulty, however, is the fact that the role feels very isolated. Any interaction I have in the show is very limited (often it is just non-verbal communication with The Narrator, Tracy Warren). So I am often trying to convey my character’s internal dialogue using only body language and facial expressions.

    • More Colorado theatre coverage on the DCPA NewsCenter

  • What do you hope audiences get out of seeing your show? I want people to leave our production feeling like they just saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for the first time, even if they have seen it 20 times before. I am so incredibly proud to be a part of this production, and I can’t wait for people to see it.
  • What’s one thing people might not know about you? I studied mathematics in college. Until my sophomore year of college, I had no interest in musical theater. I got bit by the theater bug thanks to an odd set of circumstances involving a local theater company miraculously not having enough men for Fiddler on the Roof. However, I was set on finishing the degree I started. So if anyone needs help with calculus, differential equations or abstract algebra, I am your man!
  • What do you want to get off your chest? I have never ridden a rollercoaster. I’m afraid of rollercoasters, and if you think you are going to take me on one, you are sorely mistaken.

    • Jack Barton. GLENN ROSS PHOTOGRAPHY

    Jack Barton, center, in BDT Stage’s production of ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ in 2016. Glenn Ross Photography.

    BDT Stage’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Ticket information

    • Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
    • Directed by Matthew D. Peters
    • Through Aug. 19
    • 5501 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder MAP IT
    • Tickets $35-$55
    • For tickets, call 303-449-6000 or go to bdtstage.com


    Performance schedule:
    • 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:45 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 1:45 and 7:45 p.m. Sundays (dinner service 90 minutes before).

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