Avon Players Theatre Presents THE PRINCE OF EGYPT
Contact: John (JD) Deierlein, 248.563.6628
Believe in Miracles with Avon Players’ The Prince of Egypt
Faith and fate drive this timeless tale featuring the music of Stephen Schwartz
ROCHESTER HILLS, MI, August 15, 2025 – Avon Players’ 79th Season opens with an epic new musical adapted from a classic DreamWorks film, The Prince of Egypt, running September 12-27.
Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as Ramses (Adam Wager) and Moses (Drew Gale), two young men raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. One must rule as Pharaoh, the other must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever. Inspired by the Book of Exodus and based on the successful DreamWorks animated film, The Prince of Egypt is a sweeping epic of a musical with music and lyrics by Grammy and Oscar winner Stephen Schwartz.
The Prince of Egypt, released in 1998, was the second film from DreamWorks Animation, featuring a star-studded cast of voice actors including Val Kilmer as Moses, Ralph Fiennes as Ramses, Michelle Pfeiffer as Tzipporah, and Sandra Bullock as Miriam. It grossed $218 million worldwide in theaters, making it the most successful non-Disney animated film at the time. Its hit single “When You Believe” won the Academy Award for Best Song, and the recording of the track by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston rose to number three on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. The film featured music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, composer of such musicals as Godspell and Wicked. The screenplay was written by Philip LaZebnik, who also penned 1990s animated blockbusters Pocahontas and Mulan. Both Schwartz and LaZebnik returned to write the stage adaptation, which includes eighteen new songs by Schwartz and an expanded book by LaZebnik. The Prince of Egypt stage musical opened on February 5, 2020 at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End. Only six weeks into its 39-week limited run, the production closed due the COVID-19 pandemic, but it reopened in July of 2021 to finish its run in January of 2022.
Director John (JD) Deierlein, whose many directing credits at Avon include last season’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, was drawn to the show for its epic nature. “It’s exciting to be able to bring to life a story that so many of us have heard our whole lives with all of the tools that live theatre allows: beautiful singing, innovative choreography, eye-catching costumes, video projections, and more.” Deierlein is also thrilled to be directing a show that is relatively new and has not been performed previously in the area: “The timeless story coupled with music from the composer of Wicked and other blockbusters—based on a beloved animated film—makes for perfect family viewing, but it’s even more exciting to be bringing audiences something they haven’t seen.”
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. Show dates and times follow:
Saturday, Sept 13 8:00 PM
Sunday, Sept 14 2:00 PM
Friday, Sept 19 8:00 PM
Saturday, Sept 20 8:00 PM
Sunday, Sept 21 2:00 PM
Friday, Sept 26 8:00 PM
Saturday, Sept 27 8:00 PM
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Avon Players is celebrating its 79th season of bringing quality entertainment to its community. Founded in 1947, Avon Players is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit community theatre located along the winding banks of Stoney Creek in the quaint Historic District of Rochester Hills, only about two miles from the heart of downtown Rochester. Avon Players has been performing shows in its unique A-frame theater since 1965. With ticket prices set at a fraction of those at professional theaters (plus free parking), a family of four can experience a sensational live theatrical event for about the cost of one ticket at a "downtown" venue. And for regular theatre-goers, an affordable outing can be an even better bargain by taking advantage of Avon Players’ season ticket packages, which yield discounts of up to 15% per ticket. Additionally, season ticket holders enjoy priority seating selection and voting privileges in Avon’s annual “Stoney Awards.” Additional information regarding tickets and productions is available by calling the Avon Players box office at 248.608.9077 or by visiting the website: www.avonplayers.org.
Cast and Production Staff by Community:
Auburn Hills
Elaina Tang (Ensemble)
Burton
Kaitlyn Honnen (Ensemble)
Clarkston
Scott Wickson (“Jethro”)
Clinton Township
Patty Hagel (Properties Design)
Madison Heights
RJ Miller-Zelinko (“Hotep”)
Macomb
Matt Kush (Music Director)
Millington
Matthew Micoff (Ensemble)
Oakland
Lisa Miller (Wig Design)
Max Miller (Ensemble)
Ortonville
Joy Oetjens (Associate Costume Designer)
Oxford
Geoffrey Wickson (Ensemble)
Rochester
Aaron Barnes (Ensemble)
Katelyn Brackney (Ensemble)
Shannon Ricker (Ensemble)
Rochester Hills
John (JD) Deierlein (Director, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Vocal Director)
Drew Gale (“Moses”)
Nick Kibler (Sound Design)
Lisa Schein (Producer)
Katherine Whitton (“Nefertari”)
Romeo
Kionna Dailey (“Tziporrah”)
Royal Oak
Ryan Moore (Associate Director)
Shelby Township
Tracy Murray (“Tuya”)
Pamela Plewa (Jewelry and Accessories Design)
Teren Richards (“Keturah”/Ensemble)
Sterling Heights
Dominic Aldini (Ensemble)
Emily Brown (“Yocheved”)
Ryan Gigliotti (“Seti”)
Troy
Maritoni Harte (Choreographer)
Washington
Matt Cason (“Aaron”)
Lori Smith (“Miriam”)
Waterford
Adam Wager (“Ramses”)
Elliot Wager (“Young Aaron”)
Kendall Wager (“Young Miriam/Leah”)
Avon Players
John (JD) Deielein President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Sept 12 8:00 PM