The Champaign-Urbana Theater Company opens its production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tomorrow, August 7th at 7:30 p.m. in the Virginia Theater. Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for students/seniors and $6 for children.
The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams, and his father’s favorite son. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged. He is purchased by Potiphar where thwarting advances from Potiphar’s wife lands him in jail. When news of Joseph’s gift to interpret dreams reaches the Pharaoh (wryly and riotously depicted as Elvis), Joseph is well on his way to becoming second in command. Eventually his brothers, having suffered greatly, unknowingly find themselves groveling at the feet of the brother they betrayed but no longer recognize. After testing their integrity, Joseph reveals himself leading to a heartfelt reconciliation of the sons of Israel. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock ’n’ roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless.
Joseph, which runs through Sunday, August 10th, is directed by Jeffrey Goetz and features Jaise Allen in the lead role.