North Frontenac Little Theatre and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Apr 09, 2025

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the upcoming spring production of North Frontenac Little Theatre (NFLT).  It was only the second collaboration of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber.  It started in 1968 as a 15-minute school production, and they expanded on it during successive performances by other schools.  By 1972, it was still only a 35 minute musical.  In 1974 it was expanded to its current form where it toured for years, eventually opening on Broadway in 1982, and then winning 6 Tony awards.

Joseph has been expanded and restaged ever since. In 1999, a full length movie musical was released, starring Donnie Osmond as Joseph.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is so much more than a summary of a First Testament Bible parable!  It does tell of the tension between 12 brothers vying for the attention and affection of a father (actually 11 brothers versus one brother) and the classic storylines of redemption and forgiveness. 

After being sold into slavery by jealous brothers Joseph rises in the ranks for the Paroah to lead Egypt through a time of crisis, and ultimately saves and forgive his brothers, who have seen the light, and the many colours of his dreamcoat.

The magical duo of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber encompasses all genres of music from French jazz to country music with a liberal dose of Elvis thrown in!  The catchy music and the classic storyline make for a family friendly production. 

Director Christina Michie approached the NFLT executive with the idea of putting on Joseph shortly after the great success of Oliver last year.  As a musician, she felt that in her directorial debut this joyful musical might be easier to handle rather than one mixed with dialogue.  Her aim is to create a collaborative, artistic effort, with everyone bringing their own talent and vision.  Also very important was to create something that the whole family could get involved in.

Because of the family-oriented nature of the show, NFLT is featuring two matinees.  Show times at Oso Hall are Wednesday May 7 at 7PM, Friday May 9 at 7PM, Saturday May 10 – two shows – a matinee at 2PM and an evening show at 7 PM and the final show is Sunday, May 11 at 2PM.  Doors open 30 minutes prior.  Tickets (for all ages) are $20 each, available at Treasure Trunk, Cardinal Café, Sharbot Lake Pharmacy, and C4 in Arden. 

Once again, we are partnering with Belong Restaurant in Sharbot Lake for meals before the evening production ($85 meal and show) and a brunch before the matinee ($70 meal and show).  For meal info please call Belong Restaurant at 613-279-8646.  For more information or to purchase tickets call Jan Levitt at 613-305-2895.  See our website: northfrontenaclittletheatre.com.

Catch a sneak preview at the Sharbot Lake Farmers Market Spring Fling at Oso Hall on Saturday from 10-2.  The Joseph crew will be singing a few songs starting at 11:30am. 

Tickets for the big show will be on sale.