New Bedford Festival Theatre wins seven top BroadwayWorld awards. Here's who won for what.

Seth Chitwood, The Standard-Times
Updated ·3 min read

NEW BEDFORD — With 31 nominations in 13 categories for the professional division of the 2023 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards, New Bedford Festival Theatre has been awarded seven BroadwayWorld Boston Awards for their production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

"It's truly a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of everyone involved in the production," said Wendy Hall, Executive Producer of the company.

The production, which reimagines the classic Biblical tale of Joseph, his father Jacob, and his eleven brothers, ran for eight performances from July 21 to July 30, 2023.

Known as the BroadwayWorld Boston Awards, the awards recognize outstanding regional productions that premiered between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. Categories were determined by local editors, with nominations submitted by BroadwayWorld readers and final winners chosen by popular vote in November and December of 2023.

Jesse Luttrell plays the Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opening on July 21 at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford.
Jesse Luttrell plays the Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opening on July 21 at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford.

The awards encompassed productions across multiple continents including North and South America, Europe, and Asia. New Bedford Festival Theatre's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was recognized in the following categories:

  • Elizabeth Bettencourt for Best Direction of a Musical (Professional)

  • Jason Choquette for Best Sound Design of a Play or Musical (Professional)

  • Brooyln Toli for Best Choreography of a Play or Musical (Professional)

  • Sydney L. Hawes for Best Costume Design of a Play or Musical (Professional)

  • Michael Wonson for Best Lighting Design of a Play or Musical (Professional)

  • Steven Bergman for Best Music Direction & Orchestra Performance (Professional)

  • Trevor Elliott for Best Scenic Design of a Play or Musical (Professional).

"For me, winning the Best Director award is such a thrill! Not everyone knows all the work that goes into a major musical theatre production," Bettencourt said.

"My creative team and I began work on "Joseph" in January of 2023, seven months before opening night. So, to be recognized for all that hard work means so much. This particular production team is one of the best I've ever worked with, and so this feels like such a lovely conclusion to our time spent together."

After expanding its season with three musicals, including "White Christmas" and "The Wiz," the other productions were also nominated in categories such as Best Musical, Best Ensemble, Best Performer and Best Director.

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"I had an ambitious goal of adding a full season of year round professional productions and I am personally elated at our success," Hall added. "The arts play a vital role in our communities, and it's fantastic to be recognized by such an esteemed organization as Broadway World."

What's next for New Bedford Festival Theatre?

"I'm super motivated to make sure this isn't NBFT's last Broadway World award," Bettencourt said.

As renovations begin for the Zeiterion, which will be closed until winter 2025, due to cost factors and the need for infrastructure, the theatre company decided to take a break from doing any big musical productions until The Zeiterion completed its renovations.

Kesley Seaman, Narrator, and Lawrence Flowers, Joseph, in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opening on July 21 at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford.
Kesley Seaman, Narrator, and Lawrence Flowers, Joseph, in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opening on July 21 at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford.

However, they are still planning to perform shows out in the community and have their own shows which companies can bring in for entertainment for special events, and they will continue their master classes and other educational components.

"NBFT wishes everyone luck and is eager to return to producing the very Best of Broadway once the Zeiterion renovations are complete," Hall said. "I'm excited to see New Bedford Festival Theatre thriving and bringing joy to audiences with the rest of our groundbreaking Season 34! Stay tuned!"

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports.Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford Festival Theatre wins top awards for biblical musical