This week, Hamilton-Gibson Productions hosts auditions for cast members of all ages to be part of the classic Broadway musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, one of the most enduring shows of all time. The show will be performed at Straughn Auditorium in Mansfield, PA, July 5-7, 2024. Rehearsals will take place twice a week through May, and three times per week through June to prepare for the show. In addition to the cast, Thomas Putnam, director, will be looking for able bodies for stage crew during the production, as well as set building, painting, and transporting the set to Mansfield. 

Told entirely through song, the story is a reimagining of the Biblical tale of favored son, Joseph, and his coat of many colors. With the help of an engaging narrator we follow Joseph as he is sold into slavery by his brothers, then somewhat uplifted by ingratiating himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar. This takes a turn landing him in jail after he refuses the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled, Elvis-inspired, Pharaoh. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharaoh’s right-hand man and reunites him with his family. The magical musical is full of catchy songs in a variety of styles, from a parody of a French ballad (“Those Canaan Days”), to country-western (“One More Angel in Heaven”) and calypso (“Benjamin Calypso”), along with the unforgettable classics “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.”

Because the story is told through song, Hamilton-Gibson is seeking performers who are comfortable allowing their acting ability to shine through as they sing. There are many roles for singers in the male ranges of both baritone and tenor, and strong female singers are sought for the role of the narrator, which may be cast with up to three performers who share the role by rotating in and out through the different scenes and songs. There is also a womens’ chorus and roles for children to be part of many scenes as they sing and dance along with the main characters in group numbers.  

Auditions will be at two locations: in the Warehouse Gallery at 3 Central Ave in Wellsboro on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30pm, and Saturday, April 20 at 10:30am. There will also be one day of auditions at the Deane Center, 100 Main St, in Wellsboro, 2nd floor on Sunday, April 21 at 1:30pm. More audition information, including links to the sheet music that can be prepared for the audition, is also available at www.hamiltongibson.org/audition.html.