Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Friday & Saturday: May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2011 at 7:30pm
Sequim High School Auditorium

As the 45^th annual SHS operetta we have chosen to revive our successful production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which was the first show to establish the operetta as a “club” in 2006. Since that time we have had numerous requests to do it again. Many of the youth who are participating in this year’s show were in our earlier cast in the “children’s chorus,” and our lead (James Willis, who plays the part of Joseph took on several small roles as a seventh grader!) One memorable rehearsal when the choir was on a trip and most of the major cast was missing James played all the parts – I am quite sure he still has the whole thing memorized. He is now a senior and gets to play his “dream role” for his final show at SHS.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was written by the dream team of Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics). Based on the biblical story of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by his brothers, it is a story of jealousy, adversity and forgiveness. It was originally performed at a children’s academy in England in 1968 and at that time was just 15 minutes long. It proved to be so successful that it was expanded into a full-length Broadway musical. The show contains a running musical commentary by 3 narrators (played by Rachel Chumley, Stephanie Dunbar and Jessica Lauritzen) with very little spoken word. Rumor has it that the Joseph was written on a “bet” that each song could not be in a different musical style. Thus we have parodies of French ballads (Those Caanan Days), Elvis-inspired rock-and-roll (Song of the King), Western (One More Angel in Heaven), Reggae (Benjamin Calypso), 1920’s Charleston (Potiphar) and Disco (Go, Go, Go Joseph.) Much of the show is written “tongue-in-cheek” which will keep the audience in stitches. But there are some very tender, heartfelt moments too.

The SHS production directed by Robin Hall and Christy Rutherford includes a cast of approximately 40 high school and middle school students, 40 grade school students divided into 2 children’s choruses, a small adult chorus, and one teacher. The teacher, who will be playing the “Elvis-type” role of the Pharaoh, is a surprise.

The show will be performed at the SHS auditorium on May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8.00 for seniors, children and students with SHS ASB cards. Opening night Friday, May 6^th will be “Family Night” with $8.00 for all tickets or only $25.00 for a family (all living under one roof). Tickets will be available beginning the week of April 18 at Pacific Mist Books and Frick’s Drug in Sequim and Port Book and News in Port Angeles, from cast members, and at the door 45 minutes before each performance.

For more information please contact Christy Rutherford at 460-7517 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it