Scott Brooks, musical director, said he had been hoping to take on this play for a couple of years but was denied the rights to the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
“We couldn't get the rights to it last year because of the national tour (performing the musical),” Brooks said.
Brooks, a veteran director, said he had a big interest in directing the musical simply because it was a great production to tackle for him.
“Everybody asked if there was any particular reason that I wanted to direct this show as much as I did, and it really just came down to the music and the type of show it was,” Brooks said. “It is a great family show.”
This almost entirely sung show follows the biblical figure Joseph from the Book of Genesis with his coat of many colors through his adventures. For those unfamiliar, in this story, Joseph, who is his father Jacob’s favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. As a result, his brothers harbor jealousy of this favoritism, leading them to sell Joseph into slavery, and he is taken to Egypt.
Through many more misadventures, he lands in jail. When news of Joseph’s gift to interpret dreams reaches the pharaoh, Joseph is well on his way to becoming second in command. Later on, his brothers, who have suffered greatly, find themselves groveling at his feet for assistance, not knowing he was the brother they betrayed but no longer recognize.
Throughout the show, this large ensemble cast of about 30 takes the stage taking on a music that weaves in and out of differing styles from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll, according to a CISCo press release.
Brooks said this ensemble production proved challenging but well worth it.
“The ensemble is on stage for almost the entire time,” Brooks said. “It is moving a lot of people (on stage at one time)... They have been very attentive, though.”
Leading this ensemble of people as Joseph, Richard Jones, an associate professor of communication studies at Eastern Illinois University, will take on the role he has come to know from the several times he has watched the musical. He will portray Joseph after first watching the musical for the first time in 1998 when he was 18 years old.
“The fact that I am now playing (as Joseph) 18 years later is a really cool part,” Jones said.
Harkening back to previous performances as goofy or lackadaisical characters, Jones said his interpretation of the biblical figure will show Joseph as a naive but lovable character.
Six performances are planned for this Old Testament tale with modern elements like 1920s mobster-style costumes strewn throughout. These performances will run today through July 17 at the Salisbury Church, 2350 Madison Ave., Charleston.
There are four evening performances at 7:30 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $13 for adults and $8 for children ages 12 and under.
The lobby opens 90 minutes prior to each performance for those who want to purchase tickets early. The house opens 30 minutes prior to each performance.
