By Brittany Hanson/Garden Grove Journal
Calling all David Bowie, Queen, Elton John and New York Dolls fans! The new show at The Gem Theatre will be catering to your glittery and big haired needs.
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice opens Thursday, March 25 with confetti cannons, disco balls, $30,000 worth of lighting equipment and lots and lots of glam.
According to Damien Lorton, co-owner of One More Productions at The Gem, the show is already selling well and going to be very much like Ziggy Stardust from David Bowie.
“This is a fantastically fun show about Joseph and his sons,” said Lorton, “This is definitely a different spin on the show.”
The show is a musical take on the story of Joseph from Genesis in the Bible. Although it is based on the Biblical story, the show is not religious. Lorton said that the show is fun to see and not at all heavy.
Joseph’s father Jacob favors him over the rest of his 11 brothers because he has a talent for predicting the future. Jacob gives Joseph a beautiful cloak of many colors to show his love and favor for him.
And in the grand tradition of sibling rivalry, his brothers plot to . . . sell him into slavery to a band of passing Ishmaelites. Of course.
In this case, after much singing and dancing, Joseph eventually earns his freedom and returns to his father, where he is celebrated and loved.
Andrew Lloyd Webber first wrote the music for this show as a short cantata for the Music Department at Colet Court, St Paul’s Junior School. It was for the Easter Recital in 1968. After many years, it was built into a full-fledged production and was made into a movie starring Donny Osmond.
This production is comprised of a 31 member cast of singers, dancers and tumblers.
“This is a fun show, there is nothing heavy about it. It’s full of great music from rock to calypso to even a little bit of country,” said Lorton, “I want my audience to walk out after having a fun and affordable night out.”
The show is still in rehearsals and will be opening at 7 p.m. on March 25. Tickets are $20 general admission, with a Garden Grove resident discount at $10 for opening night. The gala, with champagne and food costs $30.
Showtime is 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. The Gem is at 12852 Main St.
Garden Grove.
