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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat

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Ex-Services Club, Armidale - June 2007

Stage Direction by Neil Horton
Musical Direction by Terry Million
Produced by Margaret Kennedy 
Choreography by Tracey James

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Words by Tim Rice. By arrangement with Origin Theatrical on behalf of The Really Useful Group Limited.

® Technicolor is the registered trademark of the Technicolor Group of Companies

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SYNOPSIS

The Most Colourful Musical - EVER!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, based on the biblical tale of Jacob’s son, Joseph, and his eleven brothers, was the second musical theatre show written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Since its first production in 1968, it has proven to be one of the most enduring and endearing shows of all time. It was expanded and reopened at the London Palladium in 1991, going on to break box office records.

Although based on the Bible, the story does not come across as religious in any way. God is never mentioned, and the tone is almost always playful and light-hearted. The story is completely sung through; there is no spoken dialogue in the entire script, and dancing in the show demands the whole range of styles.

In this retelling of the Biblical story, Joseph is a handsome young man who is his father’s favourite son, able to interpret dreams, and the owner of a spectacular coat of many colours. As a result, Joseph’s eleven brothers become insatiably jealous, plan to kill Joseph, but instead take the opportunity to make some money by selling him into slavery to some passing Ishmaelites. Reuben and the other brothers, accompanied by their wives, break the news to their father Jacob that Joseph has been killed. They show to their father his brilliant coat, smeared with blood, as proof that what they say is true.

Meanwhile in Egypt, after refusing the advances of his owner’s wife, Joseph is thrown in jail. Once in jail, he quickly becomes notorious, because of his ability to interpret dreams. The Pharaoh hears of Joseph’s unique talents and, after his convincing predictions of good and bad times ahead, appoints him to the second highest post in the land.

Years later, during the period of famine predicted by Joseph, his starving brothers arrive in Egypt and ask his help, though they fail to recognize him. Joseph, wanting to test his brothers’ sincerity and remorse for their evil deed, plants a golden cup in the bags of the youngest brother, and accuses them of theft. Eventually, he grants them all they desire, reveals his identity, and reunites the family.

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MUSICAL NUMBERS

Act I

1. Prologue
2. Any Dream Will Do
3. Jacob And Sons
4. Joseph's Coat
5. Joseph's Dreams
6. Poor, Poor Joseph
7. One More Angel In Heaven - Solo: Methuen Morgan, Ingrid Rothe 
8. Potiphar
9. Close Every Door
10. Go,Go, Go Joseph

Act II

11. Pharaoh Story
12. Poor, Poor Pharaoh
13. Song Of The King (Seven Fat Cows)
14. Pharaoh's Dream Explained
15. Stone The Crows
16. Those Canaan Days - Solo: Mike Gibson 
17. The Brothers Come To Egypt
18. Grovel, Grovel
19. Who's The Thief?
20. Benjamin Calypso - Solo: Neil Horton 
21. Joseph All The Time
22. Jacob In Egypt
23. Finale: Any Dream Will Do / Give Me My Colored Coat
24. Joseph Megamix

DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Considering that Joseph started out its life as a 20 minute cantata for school choirs, it’s amazing that it has gone on to be one of the perennial favourites in the amateur and professional musical theatre repertoire. But with the pedigree of Andrew Lloyd Webber as composer and Tim Rice as lyricist we probably shouldn’t be too surprised.

The first time I came into direct contact with Joseph was in 1986 in Glen Innes, where I was cast as one of the brothers in their sold out production. I think at the time it was the first one they had ever sold out before the show had even started. The large amount of fun I had and the wonderful audience reaction at the time made me determined to direct it in the future. Since moving to Armidale I have often stated that I would love to stage this show, but with other shows like Les Misérables to challenge us, Joseph always kept getting put on the back burner.

The production you will see tonight is heavily influenced by the very successful professional production from London around the early 1990s and the subsequent movie released in 1999. Tonight’s production would not have been possible without the creative talents of Terry Million who has rearranged the entire score, and Tracey James whose excellent choreographic skills are becoming legendary. Their enthusiasm and dedication to the project has made my job so much simpler.

There are of course a myriad of other people to thank for any production, and Margaret Kennedy, our producer, and Colin Barry, our stage manager, are two of these who have been integral to any success we have.

I am confident tonight’s show will put a smile on the whole family’s face and leave you humming its fabulous tunes.

Enjoy!

CAST

Narrator: Tracey James, Joseph: Michael Abbott, Pharaoh: Howard Randell, Jacob: Jim Harrop, Potiphar: Alan Wilkinson, Mrs Potiphar: Cathryn McCormack, Butler: Annie Abbott, Baker: Donna Wainohu

Brothers & Wives: Asher: Methuen Morgan & Ingrid Rothe, Benjamin: Andrew McGrath & Rachael Bale, Dan: Brad Scott & Hanneke Raanhuis, Gad: James Cooper & Ellen Fitzgerald, Isaachar: Bryce Little & Wax Thomson, Judah: Peter Norton & Ruth Strutt, Levi: Neil Horton & Lindy Hardman, Napthali: Darren Hepper & Carol Elder, Reuben: Mike Gibson & Barbara Colledge, Simeon: David Young & Robyn Slocombe, Zebulon: Matti Rigby & Claudia Martin

Hairy Ishmaelites: Annie Abbott, Marney Tilley

Chorus: Beryl Hamel, Bev Jenkins, Dave Currie, Deborah King, Elizabeth Hardy, Jinhyuk Lee, Kira Bryant, Laura Horton, Lucy Hammond, Lynn McMahon, Marg Kennedy, Marina Reader, Marney Tilley, Merydyth Raue, Peta Bale, Ros Brady, Sian Roberts

Youth Choir: Adelle Dunshea, Alice Milne, Anna McRae, Annikki Reader, Callum Agnew, Caroline King, Greta Schulze, Hannah Martin, Héloïse Fortin, Jessica Scott, Laura East, Lydia Tasker, Rachel Horton, Renee Smoother, Sorcha Harrop

BAND

Keyboards: Terry Million, Flute: Janet Million, Clarinet: Glen Wholohan, Janet Million, Soprano Sax: Janet Million, Alto Sax: Glen Wholohan, Janet Million, Trumpet: Cathleen Hislop, Trombone: Stephen McPhee,Guitar: Steve Thorneycroft, Chris Purcell, Bass Guitar: Victoria Bellingham, Drums: Cassie Hausler

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producer: Margaret Kennedy
Assistant Producer: Diana Helmrich
Director: Neil Horton
Director’s Assistant: Jane Horton
Musical Director: Terry Million
Assistant Musical Director: Janet Million 
Stage Manager: Colin Barry
Properties: Barbara Colledge (Acquisition/Creation), Diana Helmrich
Backstage crew: Aline Christenson, Corin Barry, Jody Brash 
Set Design: Donna Wainohu
Set Construction: Colin Barry, Bernie May, Dave Rowland, Donna Wainohu, Michael Raue, Wade Cook
Stage Construction: David Rowland & TAFE students, Wade Cook, Michael Raue
Set Dressers: Andrew Murat, Barbara Colledge, Donna Wainohu, Pam Menzies, Waine Grafton
Costume Design: Hanneke Raanhuis
Cosumes: Hanneke Raanhuis, Narelle Jackson, Aline Christenson, Anne Keoghan, Barbara Colledge, Cathryn McCormack, Diana Helmrich, Donna Wainohu, Dot Pollard, Ellen Fitzgerald, Janet Million, Lindy Hardman, Lyn Raanhuis-Winter, Robyn Slocombe, Ros Brady, Ruth Strutt, Sian Roberts
Lighting: Nadia Ozanne (Design), Lachlan Ashley, Christian Pearson (Follow-spot)
Sound: Luke Polson, Ben Abbott
Vocal Coach: Ruth Strutt
Dance Captain: Lindy Hardman 
Publicity: Ingrid Rothe
Graphics/Video/DVDs: Denis Wright
Video: Christian Pearson 
Window Display (Servies): Donna Wainohu
Autumn Festival: Barbara Colledge with Adelle Dunshea, Alex Thomson, Beryl Hamel, Bryce Little, Callum Agnew, Dave Currie, Diana Helmrich, Donna Wainohu, Dot Pollard, Heloïse Fortin, Jane Horton, John Hamel, Laura Horton, Lucy Hammond, Marg Kennedy, Neil Horton, Rachel Horton
Programme: Denis Wright, Marg Kennedy
Ticketing: Margaret Kennedy, Bryce Little
Make-up: Michael Gibson, Aline Christenson, Carol Elder, Donna Wainohu, Gwen Holley, Helen Schwartz
Front of House: Jane Stening, Anne Cunningham, Benjamin Thorn, Bernard Cunningham, Bettina Reader, Betty Noad, Cecile Michels-Thorn, Cheryl Cooper, Chris Leger, Daniel Bale, Denise McGrath, Dot Pollard, Garry Slocombe, Isabel Strutt, Jane Watt, John Hamel, Kay Hempsall, Margaret Marrum, Mavis Townsend, Sally Prowse, Terry Wright, Zoe McCallum
Treasurer: Bryce Little
Caterers: Dorothy Pollard with Alan Wilkinson, Beryl Hamel

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THANKS TO

Armidale High School for rehearsal venue, Armidale Playhouse for loan of lighting gear, Armidale Showgound Committee for rehearsal and set building venue, Barbara Colledge for ongoing veterinarian services on the goat, Bruce McRae of Macsound for assistance with the lighting and sound rig, Darren Hepper the Manager of Hungry Jack's for displaying our banner, feeding us at working bees and for advertising the show, Four Seasons Air for air-conditioning material used in the creation of the goat, Jane Horton for our flu vaccinations, Meredith Paints for their generosity for materials used in set construction, Stuart Pavel & PLC for loan of a soprano saxophone, Uralla Shire Council for loan of lecturn

Joseph graphic courtesy of Denis Wright

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