The Renaissance Theatre will hold auditions for the Mansfield Youth Theatre production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Saturday, February 17 from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM and on Monday, February 19 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM at the Renaissance Theatre, 138 Park Avenue West in downtown Mansfield. Those auditioning must be between the ages of 10 and 18 during the 2017-18 school year. Dauphne Maloney and Brian Nabors will direct.
Anyone auditioning should be prepared to sing a 16-32 measure excerpt from a song of their choice and bring sheet music in the proper key. An accompanist will be provided. No audition appointment is needed, AND individuals planning to audition should plan to come for one of the audition time blocks. Those auditioning should bring a list of schedule conflicts between the dates of auditions and the performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Performance dates are April 20-22, 2018. All performances will be held on stage at the Renaissance.
Told entirely through song with the help of a Narrator, this irresistible family musical tells the story of Joseph, his father Jacob, his eleven brothers, and Joseph’s famous “coat of many colors.” After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph finds himself serving an Egyptian noble, but ends up in jail after refusing the advances of the nobleman’s wife.
While imprisoned, Joseph makes good use of his ability to interpret dreams, and finds himself in front of the mighty, Elvis-inspired, Pharaoh. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to become Pharaoh’s right-hand man and reunites him with his family. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018, this magical, energetic musical is full of catchy songs in a variety of styles, ranging from country-western to calypso, along with unforgettable classics, including “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.”
Originally written and presented as a 20-minute pop cantata by then budding musical theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the show was first produced in March of 1968 at Colet Court School in London, England. The show was presented and expanded numerous times following its first production, until it was finally produced on London’s West End in 1973 and on Broadway in September of 1982.
The original Broadway production was nominated for six Tony Awards. In 1999, a straight-to-video film of the musical was released starring Donny Osmond in the title role. Following Osmond’s success in the role in both a Toronto revival, and a North American tour of the stage production, Joseph…continues to be produced by hundreds of high schools, colleges, and community theatres around the world; and is considered to be one of the most enduring musicals of all time.
Mansfield Youth Theatre is presented as a part of the Mechanics Bank Education Series.
Source, Photo: Renaissance Performing Arts Association
