Andrew Chauncey has the title role in the East Brainerd Community Theater production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."If you go
› What: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”› When: 7:30 p.m. today and Friday, July 7-8; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 9; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 10.› Where: Christ United Methodist Church, 8645 East Brainerd Road.› Admission: $10.› Phone: 423-892-9363.› Website: www.christchurchchatt.org, www.ebtchatt.com.
When the East Brainerd Community Theater presented "Oklahoma" last year, it proved so popular people were turned away. To make sure that doesn't happen for the group's production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," tickets are being sold online to ensure everyone gets a seat.
Director Stephanie Pearson says the musical has a lot going for it, and she expects another big crowd for the multiple presentations over the weekend.
"It has Andrew Lloyd Webber music [with lyrics by Tim Rice], which is fantastic, and it is a great story out of the Bible," she says.
The story is based on the "coat of many colors" story from the Book of Genesis. The coat is a gift from Joseph's father, Jacob, symbolizing that Joseph is his father's favorite son. Joseph is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Blessed with prophetic dreams, Joseph is taken to Egypt, where he endures a series of adventures that challenge and shape his spirit. After he interprets the dreams of the Pharaoh, he becomes the most powerful man in Egypt after the Pharaoh.
The cast of 39 people includes about half from Christ United Methodist Church, where the EBCT is located, and half from the East Brainerd community around the church, Pearson says. That outreach is one of the goals for the EBCT, she says.
Two names on the bill will be familiar to Chattanooga Theatre Centre patrons. Kim Davis created the costumes for "Joseph," and Andrew Chauncey has the lead role in the production.
"The costumes are beautiful, and Andrew is marvelous," Pearson says.
The EBCT is presenting the play as it was done in the United Kingdom starring Donny Osmond, Pearson says.
"It is pretty much straight off the page," she says. "We are not reimagining it. Well, there are a few fun things thrown in. There is a big medley dance mix at the end. What I like about this musical is that it has just about every genre of music. It has rock, jazz, a hoedown, calypso, and the Pharoah is very Elvis-esque.
Proceeds will benefit the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.