By Matthew Burnette
WOODBURY, Tenn. – The Arts Center of
Cannon County ended a three-weekend run of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat” on the night of Nov. 23 with one final performance by great, local
talent.
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat” was created by Broadway legends Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in
1969 and debuted on Broadway in 1982. The musical is based on the story of
Joseph and his coat of many colors in the book of Genesis. Joseph is the second
Bible-based production from Webber, who is well known for such musicals as “Cats”
and “The Phantom of the Opera”, and Tim Rice, who is known for “Evita” and the
Disney film of “The Lion King.”
Beginning in Act 1, the narrators
describe Joseph as a dreamer in the touching song “Any Dream Will Do.” Joseph
is then introduced along with his 12 brothers and father in “Jacob and his
Sons.” Joseph is given a colorful coat, much to the disdain of his brothers,
who feel their father is showing preference towards Joseph. The brothers plot
to kill Joseph, but instead, sell him as a slave. Joseph is sent to Egypt where
he works for Potiphar, whose wife shows an interest in Joseph. When she is
caught with him, he is sent to prison where he encounters two other slaves. He
interprets their dreams, and they encourage him to follow his dreams with an
enthusiastic performance of “Go, Go, Go Joseph,” which closed the first act.
The second act also begins with the
narrator, this time, telling of impending changes for Joseph in the song “A
Pharaoh Story,” which reveals that the Pharaoh is having dreams that no one can
interpret. The Pharaoh orders Joseph to interpret his dream, which Joseph
concludes warns of an impending famine. The Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of
preparing for the famine, making him the second-most powerful man in Egypt.
Joseph’s brothers, now showing regret at selling their brother, go to him for
food. Joseph gives them sacks of food, one in which he planted a gold cup which
he uses to frame his brother, Benjamin, for theft. Joseph then reunites with
his father and gets his coat back, and the show ends with an ecstatic performance
of “Finale: Any Dream Will Do (Reprise)/Give Me My Coloured Coat."
The small-town theatre group did not
disappoint when it came to living up to the reputation of the hit musical, due
in large part to the cast and crew. Cast in the title role was David Alan
Winton, who is considered a favorite of the Cannon County theatre scene. The
role of Jacob, Joseph’s father, was performed by Richard Stickney, and the
narrator was performed dually by Abby Kairdoff and Mary Ellen Smith, who brought
life to the character they portrayed. The musical was directed by Michael
McGee, with musical direction from Stephen Burnette.
“Everyone should be proud of what they
accomplished here,” said Burnette, a seven-year veteran of the CCAC. “This is
one of the best musicals that I have been a part of in Cannon County.”
The Arts Center of Cannon County
started in 1980, then known as The Cannon Community Playhouse. It then changed
its name and moved into a new building on John Bragg Highway, where it remains
as a staple of the town of Woodbury. The Arts Center has won many awards for
its performances, and after experiencing its production of “Joseph and the
Technicolor Dreamcoat”, it is not hard to see why.
“If you haven’t experienced a
production by the Arts Center of Cannon County, you’re missing out,” added
Burnette, “It’s the perfect mix of great, small-town talent and big, Broadway
quality.”
There are many great productions coming
up at the Arts Center of Cannon County. “Christmas, My Way”, a Christmas show
featuring the songs of Frank Sinatra, will be performed from Dec. 6-8, 13-15,
and 20-21. The Arts Center will also feature a one-night performance by the
band Sixty-Four on Jan. 18.
To learn more about The Arts Center of
Cannon County, visit www.artscenterofcc.com.
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