Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat RECAPS, PICTURES

[Marilyn]

Show: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Theatre: Ogunquit Playhouse


Date: July 31, 2013-August 25, 2013

Time:
EVENINGS
Tues-Thus    8:00 pm
Fri    8:00 pm
Sat    8:30 pm
Sun    7:00 pm
     
MATINEES
Wed-Thus    2:30 pm
Sat    3:30 pm
Sun    2:00 pm


Director: The Ogunquit Playhouse production will be directed and choreographed by Ogunquit Playhouse Associate Producer Jayme McDaniel.

Role: Joseph

Synopsis:
Wikipedia

Act I

The story is based on the Biblical story of Joseph, found in the Book of Genesis. It is set in a frame in which a narrator is telling a story (sometimes to children, encouraging them to dream). She then tells the story of Joseph, another dreamer ("Prologue," "Any Dream Will Do"). In the beginning of the main story Jacob and his 12 sons are introduced ("Jacob and Sons"). Joseph's brothers are jealous of him for his coat of many colours, a symbol of their father's preference for him ("Joseph's Coat"). It is clear from Joseph's dreams that he is destined to rule over them ("Joseph's Dreams"). To get rid of him and prevent the dreams from coming true, they attempt fratricide, but then they sell Joseph as a slave to some passing Ishmaelites ("Poor, Poor Joseph"), who take him to Egypt.

Back home, his brothers, led by Reuben and accompanied by their wives, break the news to Jacob that Joseph has been killed. They show his tattered coat smeared with his blood – really goat blood – as proof that what they say is true ("One More Angel in Heaven"). After the bereft Jacob leaves, the brothers and their wives happily celebrate the loss of Joseph.

In Egypt, Joseph is the slave of Egyptian millionaire Potiphar. He rises through the ranks of slaves and servants until he is running Potiphar's house. When Mrs. Potiphar makes advances, Joseph spurns her. She removes his shirt, feels his chest and back, squeezes his rear and blows him kisses. Potiphar overhears, barges in, sees the two together – and jumps to conclusions ("Potiphar"). Outraged, he throws Joseph in jail. Depressed, Joseph laments the situation ("Close Every Door") – but his spirits rise when he helps two prisoners put in his cell. Both are former servants of the Pharaoh and both have had bizarre dreams. Joseph interprets them. One cellmate, the Baker, will be executed, but the other, the Butler, will be returned to service. Upon hearing this, the rest of the prisoners surround Joseph and encourage him to go after his dreams ("Go, Go, Go Joseph").

Act II

The Narrator tells of impending changes in Joseph's fortunes ("A Pharaoh Story") because the Pharaoh is having dreams that no-one can interpret. Now freed, the Butler tells Pharaoh (acted in the style of Elvis Presley) of Joseph and his dream interpretation skills ("Poor, Poor Pharaoh"). Pharaoh orders Joseph to be brought in and the king tells him his dream involving seven fat cows, seven skinny cows, seven healthy ears of corn, and seven dead ears of corn ("Song of the King").

Joseph interprets the dream as seven plentiful years of crops followed by seven years of famine ("Pharaoh's Dreams Explained"). An astonished Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of carrying out the preparations needed to endure the impending famine, and Joseph becomes the most powerful man in Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh ("Stone the Crows"). (Note: In the 2007 London revival, Pharaoh has a new song, "King of my Heart").

Back home, the famine has caught up with Joseph's brothers, who – led by the brother Simeon – express regret at selling him and deceiving their father ("Those Canaan Days"). They hear Egypt still has food and decide to go there to beg for mercy and to be fed, not realising that they will be dealing with Joseph ("The Brothers Come to Egypt"). He gives them sacksful of food and sends them on their way, but plants a golden cup in the sack of his youngest brother, Benjamin ("Grovel, Grovel"). When the brothers try to leave, Joseph stops them, asking about the "stolen cup". Each brother empties his sack, and it is revealed that Benjamin has the cup. Joseph then accuses Benjamin of robbery ("Who's the Thief?"). The other brothers, led by Judah, beg for mercy for Benjamin, imploring that Joseph take them prisoner and set Benjamin free ("Benjamin Calypso").

Seeing their selflessness and penitence, Joseph reveals himself ("Joseph All the Time") and sends for his father. The two are reunited ("Jacob in Egypt") for a happy conclusion and Joseph dons his coloured coat once more ("Finale: Any Dream Will Do (Reprise)/Give Me My Coloured Coat").

In some productions, the finale is followed by a rock/disco medley of most of the musical's major numbers ("Joseph Megamix").[/quote]

Tickets: $39 to $78 //Box Office: 207-646-5511 or online at OgunquitPlayhouse.org.

Show Run Time:

Theatre Information:
Ogunquit Playhouse
10 Main Street (Rt 1)
Ogunquit, ME 03907

Seating Chart: website

Capacity: 668 per ticketseating.com

Links:
Wikipedia
Press Release

[Marilyn]

[Marilyn]

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat

The Playhouse is going Technicolor® with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s irresistible story of Joseph, his jealous brothers and one very colorful garment. The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph, his father’s favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. 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. The musical is set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock ‘n’ roll, that includes the popular songs “Go, Go, Go Joseph” and “Any Dream Will Do.” With a cast that includes thirty children, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless filled with surprising humor for adults and dazzling delights for children.

[Marilyn]

[Marilyn]

CLAY'S BIO ON THE OGUNQUIT PAGE


CLAY AIKEN (Joseph) Since coming to national attention on the second season of "American Idol" in 2003, Clay Aiken has evolved into a versatile and beloved popular entertainer. He has released five well-received albums, selling over 6 million units as of 2011. In October 2003, he launched his first solo album Measure of a Man. The record sold 3 million copies and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. With 613,000 copies sold in the first week, it was the highest selling first album for a solo artist in ten years, going double-platinum and netting Aiken an American Music Award. In 2004, Aiken released Merry Christmas with Love, the fastest selling Christmas album in Nielsen Soundscan history. He followed that success with A Thousand Different Ways (2006), All is Well (2006), and On My Way Here (2008). His 5th Studio album, Tried and True, was released in 2010, receiving positive reviews from critics across the board. Notably, Aiken earned the distinction of being only the eighth artist to ever have his first four albums debut in the Billboard Top 5. Aiken also penned a best-selling memoir in 2004. Readers and critics alike embraced his style and his message in Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life. The book was an instant New York Times bestseller, holding the prestigious spot for seven weeks. In addition to taking the stage on nine separate tours, in 2008 Clay Aiken began his critically lauded stint as the inept yet endearing Sir Robin in the Broadway musical Monty Python’s Spamalot. Variety reported that his January 2008 debut benefited the show with a huge uptick in sales. Clay proved to be a tour de force that prompted director Mike Nichols to label Aiken “an excellent comic actor and a master of character.” Throughout his career Aiken has continuously been a supportive activist on behalf of children. As he has often explained, “My music career has allowed me to do the same thing I was doing before – work with kids. It has just given me a bigger stage, so I can enact change on a grander scale.” Clay has been an ambassador for UNICEF since 2004, the same year he started the National Inclusion Project with co-founder Diane Bubel. "National Inclusion Project" supports the integration of children with disabilities into the same environments as their non-disabled peers. In 2012, Aiken was runner-up to Arsenio Hall on the 5th season of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice to raise funds and awareness for the National Inclusion Project. Beating the likes of Debbie Gibson, Aubrey O’Day and Lisa Lampanelli, he became an audience favorite, and raised over $350,000 for "National Inclusion Project". He has toured nine times, written a New York Times best-selling memoir, sold more than six million albums, produced and hosted television programs, starred on Broadway, and devoted considerable energy and resources to improving the lives of children all over the world.

[Marilyn]

FROM THE GIFT STORE:

[Marilyn]

from claytonsmyccf @ cv

omg loving it!!!

He's wearing a white shirt and pants and a tank top under shirt under the shirt. He's killing it on the songs

[Marilyn]

Ladies behind me debating on whether or not he's wearing a wig. Haha! Everyone loves him. Lots of applause. Wig is different than in the promo pic. Looks lighter & more brushed back off his face. Close Every Door or whatever it's called was GREAT, lots of applause. No loin cloth yet, just white linen, white sandals. Intermission right now. I don't know how to make this red. Haha! - Vertigo's daughter

[Marilyn]

shrimp1978@ CV

Close Every Door" was freaking amazing. But his mic needs to be a little louder when he's hunched over on the ground singing the beginning. Stage right is where the narrator stands quite often and within the first few rows he can be hard to see because of her.

[Marilyn]

jc4aikenheart reports no loin cloth Dress all in white.Tunic white pants long sleeve shirt. Every inch of body covered except a v neck open white shirt with white sash.. great hair. Vocals are great and still makes my heart melt. WOW jut glorious handsome as ever !!!

[Marilyn]

Intermission ending. Everyone nearby talking about how great he is! Yayyyy! - Sadie (VD)

[Marilyn]

shrimp 1978

For all the lovers of his lower register "Close Every Door" will be very happy. Intermission ending!

[Marilyn]

jc4aikenheart

Women costumes risque. See thru tops with sequins around nipples.

[Marilyn]

from cv

My friend who is there reports "goosebumps" and "teary eyes." Says Clay is "adorable" and he's hitting the "OMG notes." Says the audience is whooping and hollaring after he sings - they're loving it!!!

Says he looks so "damn cute" and she wishes it was really his hair.

Finally, she said they were told if they saw someone with a phone on, they would be escorted out.

[Marilyn]

from cv

Mega-mix happening now, I think. My friend called me. It was distorted and hard to hear, but it sounded like the end. Crowd was cheering like crazy. Then it sounded like rhythmic clapping so I think the mega-mix started. Can't be sure, though since it was really hard to tell what was going on.