F.U.D.G.E. Theatre Presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

The Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to life this weekend at the as a cast of 13 performers gives its rendition of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

The musical has thrilled audiences since the 1970s, when Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s show first hit the stage. Now, the F.U.D.G.E. Theatre Company (Friends United Developing Genuine Entertainment) will tell Joseph’s story by acting as if they are traveling performers wandering from city to city.

“Everything that is used on the show is set in a large trunk and a few small wooden boxes,” says Joe DeMita, F.U.D.G.E. Theatre’s founder and artistic director, and the director/choreographer of this production. “The entire cast enters the stage at the beginning and stays on stage for the entire show. We get to see them literally throw costume pieces on and off as they become the various characters (brothers, wives, Egyptian guards, cows, cornstalks, etc). By the end of Act I the stage is literally filled with all of the props and costumes they've used.”

The cast will sing the musical’s original score, including parts intended for a children’s choir. They will be backed by a four-person band on keyboard, bass, percussion, and reeds. “The minimize orchestra matches the concept of minimal cast and ‘street performer’ mentality,” he says. 

DeMita founded F.U.D.G.E. in 2002 and the company has performed approximately 25 main stage productions – plays and musicals.  The F.U.D.G.E. Theatre Company first appeared at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in 2008, when it staged the Boston premiere of the musical “Bare.” 

According to DeMita, the shows at the ACA have been very well-received.  “Our productions of “Carousel” and “Spring Awakening” received critical acclaim – the latter performed to sold-out houses.”

F.U.D.G.E. Theatre’s current production ties DeMita back to his childhood.

“I first saw ‘Joseph’ when it toured through Boston starring Donny Osmond [in the 1990s], and it really sparked my love for theater,” he says. “The show has a lot of really fun music and is very up-beat. The show also offers a really nice message about forgiveness and family, which is especially important and relevant in today’s world.” 

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” opens Friday, July 27 at 8 p.m. in the Black Box Theater. There will be six shows in all, including two matinees, running through Saturday, August 4. General admission is $25; tickets for seniors and kids under 15 cost $15. 

For tickets and show times, click here.  For more information, visit The F.U.D.G.E Theatre Company's website.