Maggie Christine has a sense of déjà vu when she goes to rehearsals for the Augusta Players’ upcoming production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
As the narrator of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on the Biblical story of Joseph and his multi-colored coat, Christine interacts with all cast members especially the youngest members of the cast.
“I feel I connect with the children,” said Christine, who spends her days connecting with young children, in her position as an elementary school music teacher.
And in this version of the musical created by Webber and Tim Rice in 1968, director Roy Lewis highlights the dysfunctional family elements related to Jacob and his 12 sons. Joseph’s older brothers don’t like the next to the youngest, who is their father’s favorite. The brothers outright admit not having liked him in an early song in the show.
Their dislike leads them to first think about killing Joseph, but then they relent and sell him into slavery. Ultimately, reconciliation comes to the brothers when Joseph’s gift for interpreting dreams elevates him to a high position in Pharaoh’s court.
Working with kindergarten through fifth graders, Christine also shares a message of kindness and not bullying when she’s in the classroom.
While there is a message behind the music, Lewis said the show is a fun one and is guaranteed to bring audience members a smile. He’s added small details throughout it to give the audience members that feel-good experience and bring it into the 21st century just a bit.
Costumer Karen Hied, a retired teacher, has created the costumes for the show and has made them as authentic as she can. She interviewed a rabbi to learn more about what people might have worn during that time.
She also researched ancient Egypt and designed a cartouche to pay tribute to the actor playing Pharoah. His first name is in hieroglyphics.
Hied has interjected even more technicolor and some sparkle to Joseph’s coat, which was worn in a previous incarnation of the show.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be performed at 8 p.m. Feb. 24 and 25 and at 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Imperial Theatre. Limited tickets are available at augustaplayers.org or imperialtheatre.com.
Audience members are encouraged to wear bright solid colors to the performance for the chance to win tickets to the season ender Seussical.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the publisher of Augusta Good News. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Subscribe to the newsletter here.
