Famed Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to be open in Greensburg
Submitted photo
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will appear on stage at The Palace Theatre 7:30 p.m. April 13 and 14, and 2 p.m. April 15.
Submitted photo
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will appear on stage at The Palace Theatre 7:30 p.m. April 13 and 14, and 2 p.m. April 15.
Joseph is ready to don his bright coat with golden lining and bright colors shining next weekend in Greensburg.
Performers with Stage Right are closing their 19th season with several highly-anticipated performances of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
“‘Joseph’ is one of our favorite shows. It is filled with great music, and a really inspiring story. We thought it was a perfect closer to the season,” said director Tony Marino, artistic director with the Stage Right Theatre Company & School for the Performing Arts. Tony Marino also joins the cast in the role of Reuban.
Brought to the musical world by lyricist Tim Rice and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, the fast-paced rock opera follows the story of Joseph (Anthony Marino and Matthew Hommel) and his many brothers, jealous of his coat and favored affection from their father, Jacob (John Lypson).
When their envy proves too strong, the brothers fake Joseph’s death and sell him into slavery. He works his way up the ladder, earning the trust and respect of Pharaoh (Jake Churilla).
Joseph saves Egypt from seven years of famine, but when his brothers later come to Egypt for food, Joseph has a bit of fun before seeing the change of heart in his brothers who once tried “fratricide.”
Very little words are spoken in the show, as a majority of the plot is carried by the well-known songs. Audiences first hear from the Narrator (Renata Marino) who helps the story transition.
It’s that music that Marino considered a highlight of the show, noting that Webber and Rice were “young and bursting with out-of-the-box thinking” when the created the show nearly 50 years ago.
“This results in a huge swath of really creative numbers that lend themselves to all kinds of theatrical interpretations,” Marino said. “Then in the next breath, they create a beautiful and unexpectedly moving moment. ‘Close Every Door’ and ‘Go Go Go Joseph’ would be two perfect examples of what I’m talking about.”
Other hit numbers include “Any Dream Will Do,” “One More Angel in Heaven,” “Song of the King” and “Those Canaan Days.”
In particular, Marino said audiences will especially love the strong performances by Nick Lenz as Judah and the Renata Marino as the Narrator. Other lead members are Brian Mack Sweeney as Simeon and Josh List as Gad and Potiphar.
“From the first day of rehearsal, we talked about how the process with be collaborative. We have funny, talented people in the cast,” he said.
The role of Joseph is also played by two teens, 17-year-old Anthony Marino and 18-year-old Matthew Hommel, whom Marino said are “really great young men, who are going to blow people away.”
Hommel said that the role pushes him as an actor and vocalist.
“There is depth there, and moments you get to discover that are really meaningful,” Hommel said. “It’s been a great journey so far.”
Anthony Marino similarly said he was anxious to play the part.
“I remember being a kid the first time we did it when I was like 11 and I used to pretend I was Joseph in my room and sing all the songs, and now to get to do it with guys who I looked up to, it’s really a dream come true,” he said.
Overall, Tony Marino said “Joseph” is a “joyous, beautiful noise.”
“It has songs you’ll be humming for days, it will make every member of your family laugh out loud, you’ll see a story you probably don’t know and you will be moved by that story, and finally, you are going to have an incredible night in the theater,” he said.
The show will be on stage at 7:30 p.m. April 13 and 14, and 2 p.m. April 15. A sensory-friendly performance will also be held at 10 a.m. April 13. Tickets are $10, and are available by calling 724-832-7464 or 724-836-8000.