By Julia Train
Every single one of the 220 seats in the Gateway Playhouse theater was occupied for each show during the first weekend of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
The sung-through musical’s score was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice in the 1960s and is based on the story of Joseph from the Bible’s Book of Genesis.
Joseph, Jacob’s youngest and favorite son, is met with jealousy from his brothers because his father’s favoritism is made obvious when Jacob gifts him a multicolored coat. On top of that, Joseph’s dreams predict he’s destined to rule over his brothers.
Joseph’s brothers then try to kill him but wind up selling him into slavery. From there, Joseph is met with several tribulations.
The theme that is apparent throughout the entire show was the messages in Joseph’s dreams and his triumphs over hardship.
Colorful costumes and scenery filled the stage with an eclectic mix of musical styles, including a parody of French ballads, Elvis-themed rock ‘n’ roll, country/western music, 1920s Charleston, Calypso, jazz and 1970s go-go.
With the band in the back and vocals up front, the theater was bursting with music.
The fast-paced show moved along with innuendos and humor for every age, while sharing a message of the importance of hope, resilience and forgiveness, according to its director, Philip Pallitto.
Pallitto performed at Gateway Playhouse as a kid and has directed about 25 productions at the theater. A message he took away from the show was the power of dreams and anything you set your mind to can be achieved
“With everything that’s going on in this world, just be kind,” he said.
The cast and crew included a variety of ages. Local high school drama departments, like Cedar Creek and Mainland Regional High Schools, donated props and scenery.
Erik Wagner, 22, plays Joseph for half of the six shows and Jacob’s son Gad in the others, alternating the roles with Vincent Piraino.
Although this show was Wagner’s first at Gateway Playhouse, he has been on stage since he was 8 years old when he was cast as a member of the children’s choir in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”.
This is his third time doing the show and said the comradery the cast has in this production is what set it apart from his other experiences.
“It never loses its style and always remains fresh,” said Wagner. “It’s nice to go back to the community scene where everybody is volunteering their time and here because they love it.”
Gateway Playhouse is a nonprofit. All those involved in the productions, which rely on donations, volunteer their time.
Wagner majored in vocal music education and Spanish at Rowan University and worked with Ocean City Theatre Company and Rowan Opera Company, usually cast in educational and professional theater.
Wagner’s key takeaway from the show is the value of empathy.
“Regardless of the wrongs that people do, there’s always the chance for forgiveness and acceptance regardless of who you are,” he said.
Next weekend’s June 7-9 performances are all sold out as well, but donations can always be made for future shows.
