SCERA Stages JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, Now thru 7/18

When SCERA asked its patrons what production they wanted to see during the summer of 2015, the clear choice was "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." SCERA leadership listened and added the lighthearted Biblical musical saga to its schedule at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre.

A favorite among Utah theatre patrons, Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph...Dreamcoat" is the Old Testament tale of a prophetic dreamer named Joseph and his infamous coat of many colors. The rags-to-riches story will play tonight, July 2, through July 18 @ 8pm on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (no show on July 4) under the stars at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre in Orem.

General admission tickets for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" are $12 for adults and $10 for children (age 3-11) and seniors (age 65 years+). Reserved seating areas range from $14 to $16 for adults and $12 to $14 for children and seniors. Tickets are available online at www.scera.org, by calling (801) 225-ARTS, in person at the main office at SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 South State, Orem, open 10am-6pm weekdays and 12Noon-6pm on Saturdays, or at the gate at the Shell 60 minutes prior to each performance. Non-profit and church group rates are $6 for groups of 20 or more purchased in advance.

"'Joseph' is spectacle at its finest," says director and choreographer Shawn Mortensen. 'It is a fun, fun show that still has a lot of heart that everybody seems to love. While I have thrown in a few little surprises, I have stayed true to the script and message because it is so beloved."

The familiar story begins with Joseph, his father's favorite son, who has a gorgeous coat of many colors and nearly a dozen jealous brothers who sell him into slavery. Joseph endures a series of adventures and misadventures in a retelling of the Biblical tale that unfolds in a megamix of musical styles ranging from country western and rock 'n roll to calypso and pop. Songs that become part of the fabric of musical theatre's greatest hits include "Close Every Door," "Go Go Go Joseph" and "Any Dream Will Do."

"Timing is a major factor in this show's success, and we are lucky to have a cast of people with great comedic timing," Mortensen explains. "We're going to play the show so fast-paced, you might think you're at an auction and at any moment we're going to yell 'sold.'"

"We're sure you'll be sold on this show," says Adam J. Robertson, SCERA President & CEO. "It really is a dream of a show for the whole family."

Corey Morris, whose last leading role at SCERA was as the charming Sky Masterson in "Guys and Dolls," is Joseph. "He's perfect," Mortensen says. "I notice in rehearsals that everyone likes him, and this translates onto the stage. His presence is magnetic and his voice is warm and powerful. As a matter of fact, even the brothers, who are supposed to hate him on stage, like him in person," Mortensen laughs. The other essential role is The Narrator, and Mortensen has cast two strong vocalists to move the story along: Abbey Wood and McKenna Hixson. Always a highlight is the Pharoah, who bears a strong resemblance to Elvis, and is played hilariously by Tyson Wright.

Mortensen believes one of the strengths of this popular piece of theater is that, while it is mostly a humorous romp, it also has a few moments when it gets dramatic. "You aren't expecting it, so you are sort of punched in the gut, but the style makes the serious moments seem even more real and add heart to the show. "

Assisting Mortensen are DeLayne Dayton as music director, stage manager Danielle Berry, set designer M'Liss Tolman, costume designer Kelsey Seaver, lighting designer Seth Mergist, sound designer Kendall Bowman, props designer Julia Sanchez, and 40 children in the traditional youth choir. In total the cast numbers 95 people.

"I figured I had all these children, and I needed to use them," Mortensen says. "So I have them moving in and out of the show all the time. I told them that by the time they were finished, they would have skipped their way to California and back."

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