More than a musical: Cast members share the soul of 'Joseph the Dreamer'

The cast members of the musical Joseph the Dreamer shared insights into their personal journeys while portraying their roles in this biblical-inspired production.

The musical follows the life of Joseph, a young man chosen for greatness who undergoes intense trials. The narrative explores how Joseph is favored by his father and becomes the target of jealousy from his brothers, setting the stage for his remarkable story.

Jordan Andrews joins as Judah and also portrays Joseph in select scenes.

Andrews says that his audition was completely unplanned. "I watched in 2022. I just got out of PBB and this is the first thing I've thought of. I'm friends with Sam (Concepcion). I've got so many assignments, even at home," Andrews shared.

When he sought guidance from fellow cast members, especially Gary Valenciano, he was reminded of the importance of bringing his own interpretation to the role.

For Andrews, the most impactful part of the experience was discovering the legacy of the character he portrays.

Kayla Rivera, who returns as Asenath, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to reprise her role after her 2023 performance.

"It's a blessing to be able to share this moment with new faces and new cast members. They're just like my family. Everyone is so kind and it's just good vibes, also that we are a growing," Rivera said.

She added that beyond the production’s excellent preparation and execution, it is meaningful to be part of something that spreads God’s message.

"It's so much more than just doing a musical," she emphasized. The production serves as both a reminder and a source of encouragement for people to keep their faith during tough times.

Ken San Jose, alternating with Jimenez in the role of Benjamin, told DAILY TRIBUNE that while musicals differ from his previous work, he is thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with teamwork and practice collaboration.

"As long as I do my part and I can actually be able to trust my family and go into this all together, then that's definitely gonna help me to be super excited of what we are about to do," he said.

San Jose also mentioned his background in church theater back in Los Angeles, where he had once played Benjamin, the same role he takes on now.

Reflecting on his preparation, he said his motivation came from the deeper purpose of the show, which is spreading God’s word and encouraging faith through sharing Joseph’s story.

"I think this is very timely in my life right now that coming back to theater in this season of my life, I think I have the open heart and mind to be able tp step back," he added.

He expressed gratitude toward his fellow cast members for making him feel warmly welcomed throughout the experience.

The three actors agreed that "Joseph the Dreamer" remains powerful and relevant, continuing to resonate with modern audiences.

"The emotional moments, the dance numbers, the music... I think this is a show that will still hook you pa rin. You will definitely still be immersed into the show. Another thing, there's so much noise out there in social media, anytime you're in the theater, you'll be drawn in. The story of Joseph the dreamer is timeless," Rivera said.

"With this generation having almost everything fast-paced consuming and the short attention span, I definitely think this teaches a lot of values in terms of real-life problems and depths. It brings families closer together. The concept of family is highly pushed in this production," San Jose said.

For him, this generation has so much to learn from the show.