Paul's Players Presents JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, Now thru 7/28

What happens when seven jealous brothers hatch a nefarious plot to dispose of younger brother Joseph, their father's favorite son? Although the plot of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat may seem more like a 21st century reality show than something based on a Bible story, this rollicking musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice is pure family entertainment.

A multi-generational cast from Paul's Players will produce this popular show tonight, July 26 and July 27, and 28, 2012, 7:30 p.m., at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 27475 Five Mile Road, Livonia. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $6 for seniors and students.

Pat Hutchison, producer and founder of Paul's Players, is quite familiar with the musical version of Joseph's story. This is her third production of the show, and among its cast and support staff are members from all of her other productions, some in different roles, but some reprising roles they played in the past. Pat LaMarr returns as "The King," a role he played as a high school senior in the production Hutchison directed at Churchill High School in 2003, while Becky Roberts, who was the Narrator in that show is choreographing this year's version. Brian Haverkate, who was "Joseph" in the 1996 production at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, returns as musical director for the cast members.

"This group really embodies the spirit of community theater," Hutchison says, "with friends and family of all ages coming together to share in the experience of putting a show together."

The story of Joseph is definitely a family drama, and life mirrors art in this year's casting which is also a family affair. Aaron York who plays Joseph, is a 2010 graduate of Franklin High School in Livonia, and will share the stage with his younger sister Mary, who is one of the "wives." Rachel Kain, the Narrator, is a writer, IT specialist, and the mother of two sons, Ethan and Austin, who are also in the production. Leigh Emmett directs the children's choir, which includes her two daughters, Kana and Claire. The cast range in age from 5 to 50, and are residents of Livonia, North and South Redford, Walled Lake, Wixom, Westland, and Brighton.

Tickets for the show may be reserved by calling (248) 347-4134, or e-mailing paulsplayers@gmail.com.

Paul's Players is a community theater group based in Livonia, Michigan, and housed in St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 27475 Five Mile Road, just west of Inkster Road. The group was founded in 2011 by Patricia Hutchison, a retired Livonia Public School music and drama teacher. Its mission is to provide opportunities for people of all ages to participate in drama and musical theater. The group's first offering was a middle school music camp in June 2011. Its first theatrical production in November 2011 was Remember When, a salute to veterans of World War II, with a cast of 14 members ranging in age from 22-60. A musical review, Love Notes, featuring local actors/singers Allison Boufford and Jason Wilhoite, was held in February 2012. Its fall production, The Man Who Came to Dinner, is scheduled for November 2012. Each year in June, Paul's Players also sponsors Broadway Bound, a musical theater camp for middle school students.

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