Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Actors, actors, and even more actors.  The Ishpeming High School is packing its stage with 56, one of the biggest casts of all time.

It includes high school, middle school, and even elementary students.  They're all needed because in this show, the music literally doesn't stop.  It creates a unique challenge for the actors--all of their lines are sung.  However, they say the music is so catchy, it's actually helped them prepare the whole show in just a little more than a month.

"It makes everything as a whole easier because I think it's easier to memorize music than lines," says senior Zach Solka, who plays Joseph.

But what if they forget the words?

"(You just sing) lah lah lah," says senior Casey Beaudry.  "You just kind of think before what your line is, but if you don't, you just kind of 'lah lah.'  It works out."

Chances are many in the audience could help them fill in the blanks.

"People just love the music," says Director Denise Clark.  "I have always loved this show.  I've always been a big fan of the rock 'n roll musical."

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" is based on the Hebrew Bible's story of Joseph, but the message is universal.

"This story happens to be a story out of the Bible, one that everyone is very familiar with.  But it isn't necessarily a religious experience," Clark said.  

Joseph premieres Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in Ishpeming High School's Peterson Auditorium.

It continues Friday and Saturday at that same time.