The colourful and family-friendly story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colours is to burst on stage next week in the St Paul’s Collegiate production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Joseph was the first major musical to be staged by the now legendary team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and has its beginnings as a 15-minute pop cantata presented in London in 1968. An expanded version opened in the West End in 1973 and on Broadway in 1982.
The show is almost completely sung and has little spoken dialogue. Its family-friendly storyline, universal themes and catchy music have resulted in numerous productions.
Director Nick Clothier said the colourful musical features such catchy tunes, Any Dream will Do, Those Canaan Days and One More Angel in Heaven.
The story follows the biblical story of Joseph, a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. Young Joe is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers but when news of his miraculous powers reaches the Pharaoh, Joseph becomes powerful. His brothers, now fallen on hard times, find themselves grovelling at his feet.
After testing their integrity, Joseph reveals himself leading to a heartfelt reconciliation of the sons of Israel.
The St Paul’s production, with choreography by Leona Robinson, production by Andrea Dela Rue and music by Francis Cowan, can be experienced in the Southwell Performing Arts Centre, 200 Peachgrove Rd, 7.30pm, July 1, 2, 3 and 4. Tickets: Adults $30 and students $15. Online: www.stpauls.school.nz/tickets. Cash door sales on the night (some nights are close to selling out so this is subject to availability).
