"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" opens Friday!

 The McGaw YMCA is proud to present its 59^th Brillianteen production, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” written by the dynamic duo of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Andrew Lloyd Webber (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Phantom of the Opera) wrote the music and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Aladdin, Lion King) wrote the lyrics. It is based on the biblical story of Joseph from the Old Testament. This lighthearted family-friendly musical tells the story of Joseph (played by Josh Hamburg) and his brothers. Originally written as a “pop cantata" in 1968 for a school choir in London, Joseph made its Broadway debut in January 27, 1982. The film adaptation was produced in 1999

The Narrator (role shared by Anita Babbitt, De'erin Hickman, Veronika Lewis, Torrie Meliska, Sara Roth and Claire Sengupta) tells the story through word and song, guiding the audience expertly through the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph is one of the few major British musical theatre shows with hardly any spoken dialogue, being almost completely in song.

Joseph, the favorite son, receives a multi-colored color coat from his father, Jacob (played by Charles Jefferson) making his brothers very envious. The jealous brothers sell Joseph as a slave to the Egyptian millionaire, Potiphar (played by David Lenz) and tell their father that he has died. Joseph rises through the ranks of slaves and servants, but one day Mrs.Potiphar (played by Jessica Lakind) makes a pass at him. Potiphar is infuriated. He immediately jails Joseph. Joseph is bailed out by the Pharaoh (played by Aaron Damashek) who has dreams he wishes Joseph to interpret. Joseph tells Pharaoh that he will end the famine and Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge, making him the most powerful man in Egypt. The famine catches up with Joseph’s family and the brothers decide to go to Egypt because they hear there is food. They don’t recognize Joseph and in revenge he decides to frame his brother Benjamin (played by Cody Berman) for stealing. The brothers beg him to let Benjamin go and take them instead. Seeing their selflessness, Joseph reveals himself and sends for their father. The family is reunited in a happy conclusion.