"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

If there is one thing that Ephrata Performing Arts Center patrons know, it’s that EPAC is not just another cookie-cutter theater company. Even the most familiar EPAC productions defy the curse of déjà vu.

Other producers may have “done that” but you haven’t “been there” till you’ve seen it on the EPAC stage, so it goes with EPAC’s next production, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s infinitely entertaining “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (Dec. 3-19).

“Dreamcoat” is one of the most-produced musicals in theater history, including a best-selling Donnie Osmond video and a current off-Broadway revival, but you can count on EPAC’s creative team to add some vivid new colors to its “Technicolor” spectrum.

Originated as a one-act English prep school assembly piece, “Joseph”s deceptively simple, story-telling style opens itself wide to interpretation. That gives EPAC a lot of artistic license.

The show’s fast-paced, comical spin on the Biblical tale of Joseph, his betrayal by his brothers, his enslavement and his rise to power as the Pharoah’s dreamy right-hand man is peppered with a rousing potpourri of rock n’ roll, country-western, French cabaret and calypso songs.

“In the show, the Pharoah is depicted as an American rock n' roll icon and the brothers’ account of Joseph’s disappearance is told as a highly camp country-western ballad. The show is a mash-up of different musical genres. We want to capitalize on that variety and maybe take it a step further,” said director Sean Young, who electrified EPAC audiences as both director and mid-run replacement star of “Jesus Christ Superstar” last season. “This is a show with a moral message but it certainly isn’t Brecht,” Young said. “It’s a bunch of clever, very entertaining skits sewn together by a Narrator, and we have a lot of fun with it."

“In most productions I've seen, Joseph is portrayed as an all-American boy who just has a lot of bad luck. In our show, he starts out more as a spoiled brat, his father’s favorite, who gets everything he wants (including the Coat of Many Colors of the title). His hard-working brothers are not spiteful for nothing. In the end, of course, Joseph learns the importance of family and that his gifts should be used for more than just his own self-interest.”

Young has cast the roles of Joseph and his brothers with a bunch of talented young theater turks, including Corey Buller in the title role. Buller has risen fast through the EPAC ranks, most recently appearing in featured roles in “Superstar” and “Altar Boyz.”

EPAC veteran Jamie Riley co-stars as the Narrator whose energetic commentary keeps the show catapulting forward at a pace sure to keep even younger audience members engrossed. Kids also will relate to the 14-voice children’s chorus that expands select numbers.

Featured cast members include Irving Gonzalez (Reuben) singing the lead on “Canaan Days”; Eric Hassell (Levi) leading “One More Angel in Heaven”; Derek Martin (Naphtali) singing the “Benjamin Calypso”; Nick Smith rockin’ ‘n’ rollin’ as the Pharoah; Amy Hoke seducing Joseph as Potiphar’s Wife; and EPAC artistic director Edward R. Fernandez making a cameo appearance as the Butler.

Portraying Joseph’s other brothers are: Quinn Corcoran as Benjamin; Mike Long as Dan; Seth Henry as Gad; Devin Lewis as Asher; Todd Zimmerman as Issachar; Brad Ford as Simeon; Zach Menneci as Zebulon; and Josh Bellamy as Judah; with Larry Gessler as Jacob, their father.

Cheryl Markle is music director. Choreography is by Jo Carole Dodson. Amber Reed is stage manager, Brenda Sensenig is costumer. Sets are by Matt McCormick, lighting by Stephanie Witman, sound by Andy Babin, and props by Stephanie Harley and Robin Schelling.

Student rush tickets available each night at 7:30 p.m., with any unsold tickets priced at $10. Group rates are available for groups of ten or more.