The Prince of Egypt

The Prince of Egypt:
The Musical
at
the Erie Playhouse

Bible history turned animated feature, turned live theatrical production, turns into wonderful entertainment at Erie Playhouse.

        “The Prince of Egypt: The Musical” recounts the Old Testament story of Moses and the Hebrew Exodus from ancient Egypt.

        Originally from the 1998 Dream Works animated movie, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Philip LaZebnick, the theatrical production offers much more than what’s offered on the silver screen.

        Favored child, Prince Moses of Egypt (Robert Stepnowski), comes to eventually learn he’s Hebrew from his true family members, sister Miriam (Ryah Lambert) and brother Aaron (Henry O’Neill).

        Confused about his own identity, Moses flees into the desert. Here he’s reunited with Tzipporah (Yasmeen Sara Taoukhi), a dancing girl who was captured from a desert tribe. Meanwhile in Moses’ absence, he’s banished from Egypt for a crime by his adopted father, the Pharaoh Seti (John Burton). His adoptive brother Ramses (Dylan Boulder), eventually becomes the new Pharaoh of Egypt, whose rule is threatened by the strict priest, Hotep (Tom Wager).

        Once Moses learns from God that he’s to be the instrument to release the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery, brothers Moses and Ramses clash until deliverance occurs.

        Directed and choreographed by Richard Davis, the musical offers several memorable songs: “One Weak Link” by deep-voiced Seti/Burton, “Footprints in the Sand” by Moses/Stepnowski, “Make It Right” a great duet with Ramses/Boulder and Moses/Stepnowski and “When You Believe” with wonderful vocal performances by Miriam/Lambert and Tzipporah/Taoukhi and the ensemble.

        While the show’s focal point is on Stepnowski’s believable performance as Moses, the strong performances by his fellow actors cement a solid production. Krista Perry as “Tuya,” and Burton as “Seti,”  rule the stage as the royal couple, Moses’ adopted parents. Taoukhi shines as Moses’ beautiful, dutiful, yet independent wife. Lambert’s “Miriam” and O’Neill’s “Aaron,” Moses’ actual Hebrew sister and brother serve well as the downtrodden who still believe that Moses can rescue their people—even if Moses doubts himself.

        Dylan Boulder’s role as Ramses is not to be understated.  Brother, then foe to Moses and his mission, Boulder ably demonstrates the complexity of his role, still loving his “brother,” yet torn by his role the new pharaoh—which isn’t helped by Wager’s “Hotep,” Egypt’s self-serving religious leader.

        And a special shout-out to members of the crew that don’t ordinarily get their due: the “dressers.” That is, the Costume Designers Ryan Ingram, Richard Davis, Costume Stitcher Crystal Corritore and Wig Artist Micca Santiago, who presented the cast in wonderful, sometimes elaborate clothing and hair design to the audience.

        As Moses delivered his people out of Egypt, deliver yourself to a seat at the Erie Playhouse and kneel to this “Prince” of a production.

***Heather Innella

        The Prince of Egypt continues through April 13. For more information visit www.erieplayhouse.org