Theatre

Yes, it is that time of year again, when Theatre Aquarius presents its annual holiday musical. Following the extraordinary success of last year's FROZEN, which sold out much of its run, this year's offering is considerably older. Dating back to 1968, it is a musical by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice with one of the longest and most recognizable titles in musical theatre history.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT began as a modest school choir project. The original production lasted just 15 minutes, presenting the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers through catchy musical numbers. Following the international success of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR,the earlier work was gradually expanded into a full-length theatrical production, beginning with professional performances in 1972 and a West End engagement the following year.

This latest production is directed and choreographed by Robin Calvert, Theatre Aquarius's Associate Artistic Director, who was also closely involved with last season's FROZEN.

“I think JOSEPH was so transformative and innovative, because it took a story from the Bible and mixed it with all sorts of musical styles; humour, pop culture and all these different theatrical conventions,” she explains. “It is so inspiring to hear how they took this tiny idea that they created in 1968 for the Colet Court School to this huge global phenomenon!”

For Canadian audiences, the musical is closely associated with Donny Osmond, whose enormously successful Toronto production opened at the Elgin Theatre on June 18, 1992, running for five years and more than 1,800 performances.

“It is iconic in my mind as its Toronto Production in the 90's was a show I went to over and over again and it was my very first professional show,” Calvert recalls. “Most performers you speak to have a connection to Joseph. What a brilliant concept.”

Without question, JOSEPH has become a classic. Listening to the cast recording recently, I was astonished that I still knew virtually every word of every song. I have seen the musical several times, beginning with a 1985 student production at Hamilton Place's Great Hall, presented by New Faces and directed by David Dayler, who remains active in local theatre.

Theatre Aquarius has previously mounted JOSEPH in December 1999 and again in 2017. The first featured Rick Miller as one of Joseph's brothers, and I remember it quite clearly. This third staging raises an interesting question about why certain musicals continue returning to our stages.

Obviously, licensing restrictions and touring schedules influence theatrical programming. Nevertheless, there is clearly an audience eager to experience JOSEPH again, with additional performances already scheduled into January. Putting bums on seats is a perfectly legitimate reason to revive a musical, particularly one so closely associated with family holiday traditions.

Among the performers is Hamilton-born Kaleigh Gorka, absolutely brilliant as Elsa in last season's FROZEN, who now assumes the pivotal role of the Narrator.

“In our production, we have set JOSEPH in a more modern day Vegas world,” Calvert explains. “Our Narrator is the lens the story is being told through. She is almost a magician who is guiding us through the show and creating the magic, so the children's chorus become her assistants, helping her conjure Joseph's story before the audience's eyes.”

Kaden Brett Forsberg takes the title role, Christian Bellsmith portrays Jacob, LeShaun Bernett plays Benjamin, and Kory Fulton appears as Pharaoh. An extensive ensemble of eighteen singers and dancers completes the adult company, bringing to life the colourful collection of characters who inhabit this biblical musical adventure. Musical direction is by Patrick Bowman, with set and costume designs by Brandon Kleiman, lighting by Imogen Wilson and sound design by Ranil Sonnadara.

Central to the musical is the onstage choir of kids; bringing us full circle to the project's origins nearly sixty years ago. Recruiting a group of talented youngsters is an essential component of any successful staging of JOSEPH, and their youthful energy provides much of the production's infectious charm. Their youthful energy is integral to the storytelling, rather than merely decorative.

“We have had the amazing opportunity to be able to cast the Children's chorus from Theatre Aquarius' amazing Theatre School,” Calvert says. “They have been working hard since September with their incredible teachers.”

For Calvert, fostering an encouraging rehearsal environment is especially important, allowing young performers to develop alongside experienced professionals.

“The goal is to allow them to find a place where they feel they belong. Which is what JOSEPH is all about!”

This year's youngsters recently took their talents beyond the rehearsal room to perform with Kaleigh Gorka on the national anthem at a Forge FC match at Tim Hortons Field. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to perform together before a large audience, while introducing local soccer fans to some of the youngest members of the Theatre Aquarius family.

The musical may lack the political complexities of EVITA or the darker psychological dimensions of CHESS, but that has never been its ambition. Its appeal lies in its humour, unforgettable songs and optimistic message about forgiveness and reconciliation. There is something wonderfully unpretentious about a musical moving effortlessly between country and western, calypso, French chanson and rock and roll while recounting a biblical story drawn from the Book of Genesis.

Nearly sixty years after its modest beginnings in a London schoolroom, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT continues to delight audiences around the world. For Theatre Aquarius, this third production is both a return to familiar territory and an opportunity for a new generation of performers and theatregoers to discover its pleasures.

And judging by advance ticket sales, the musical seems destined to fill the 750 seats of the Aquarius MainStage throughout the holiday season. Some theatrical traditions are simply too enjoyable to leave behind.

THEATRE