Written by Ben Cox – Last minute costume adjustments and vocal warm-ups are beginning at the Brownwood Lyric Theatre as the organization prepares to put on its latest summer musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” next Friday.
The play follows the biblical narrative of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and after eventually finding favor with pharaoh ultimately saves his family.
Local realtor Renee Blackstock, who plays the Narrator, reacts to bad news along with Joseph’s brothers
Director Nancy Jo Humfelt, who has been a fan of the show for a number of years, was moved by a production “in Dallas and the whole place rocked. It was just so alive, so much energy and enthusiasm. What really delighted me, as a Christian, was that people were coming in droves to see a biblical story just the same way they would go to a rock concert or any other musical.”
Matthew McNiece, who plays the title character of Joseph, was most recently seen on the Lyric stage as Lt Daniel Kaffe in ‘A Few Good Men.’ He says “The music is almost a history of modern music. Every song is a different style, there’s a French waltz, 1950’s rock’n’roll, a 20’ & 30’s jazz piece and so on. Each song is intended to highlight a different musical area and style.”
Nicholas Ewen as Pharaoh listens as Joseph, played by Matthew McNiece, interprets the Pharaoh’s dream
The play was written in 1968, after Webber and lyricist Tim Rice were asked to create a musical piece for the Colet Court School in London. The 20-minute pop-cantata was expanded several times after Webber and Rice’s next musical, Jesus Christ Superstar was well received.
Webber is famous for this show, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, and many others. As well as writing with Webber, Rice is the lyricist of such Walt Disney favorites as ‘A Whole New World’ from Aladdin and ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’ from The Lion King.
Joseph’s brothers lament their current situation before going to Egypt to beg the Pharaoh for food
The show opens on Friday, June 13th and runs for two weekends. Times and dates can be found on the theater’s website. Tickets can also be purchased on-line or at the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
