The community theater team is gearing up for their spring production, the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Auditions will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 7 at the Nolan Center. Everyone who tries out for the cast is encouraged to come prepared with a song to sing and to read lines for the auditions.
First performed on Broadway in 1982, the musical tells the biblical story of Joseph, whose dreams of destiny and his father’s favoritism inspires jealousy among his 11 brothers. Set in Canaan and Egypt, it follows the many ups and downs of Joseph’s journey, his reunion with his remorseful and reformed brothers, and the power of forgiveness.
His father gives Joseph a multicolored coat — thus the title — to show his affection, prompting even more jealousy from his brothers.
The community theater team describes it as “a family-friendly retelling of Joseph, familiar themes and catchy music.”
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was chosen for its flexible casting possibilities, with several lead roles, an adult chorus and a children’s chorus.
One goal of the production team (director Haley Reeves, Artha DeRuyter, Bonnie Ritchie, Joan Sargent and Dan Powers) is to stage a variety of theater styles, to showcase the talents of a range of community performers. After a number of musicals, including “Annie” and “Cinderella,” this past fall’s offering was the sold-out comedy play “You Can’t Take It With You.”
Reeves said community support for all the shows has been positive, and she’s excited by the return of a musical production.
While the cast includes a significant numbers of men’s roles, Reeves said the light comic nature of the musical and the flexible casting can allow for fitting the roles to the actors who show up.
In addition, there are many behind-the-scenes ways to be involved. Volunteers are always needed to help with set design and lighting, costumes and props.
The performances are planned for early April.
“Joseph” started out in 1968 as a 15-minute pop cantata for schools; its popularity led composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice to expand it in the 1970s. In its full form, it is both faithful to the story and playful, incorporating musical styles from go-go to rock and roll, rockabilly to power ballad to calypso.
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