"Joseph" returns to Antioch's PM&L Theatre stage
PM&L Theatre continues its 50th anniversary season with the beloved musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technical Dreamcoat", opening on Nov. 5. This entertaining show had previously graced the PM&L stage in 1997, and was such a hit with audiences that the group decided to bring it back for the 50th season.
In this retelling of the biblical story, Joseph is is his father's favorite child, blessed with the ability to interpret dreams, and the bearer of an amazing coat. These facts lead Joseph's eleven brothers to become insatiably jealous. They sell Joseph into slavery to some passing Ishmaelites. After refusing the advances of his owner Potiphar's wife, Joseph is sent to jail. Once in jail, he quickly becomes popular due to his ability to interpret dreams. The Pharaoh soon hears of Joseph's ability and appoints him to the post of Number Two man in Egypt. Years later, Joseph's now starving brothers arrive in Egypt and ask Joseph, whom they don't recognize, for assistance. Joseph, in turn, gives his brothers a scare, but eventually grants them all they desire, reveals his identity, and reunites the family. Set to an engaging mixture of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to pop and rock 'n' roll, "Joseph" (lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Weber) is sure to delight audiences.
Directed by Gigi Willding (Ingleside), stage managed by Jane Hausman (Genoa City), with music direction by Murry Holmstrom (Bristol, Wis.), the talented cast includes Aaron Gomez (McHenry) in the title role of Joseph; Alice Byrne (Pleasant Prairie) as the Narrator; Daren Walsh reprises his role as the Pharoah; Tom Hausman (Antioch) as Jacob; Steve Willding (Lindenhurst) as Potiphar, Courtney Willding (Antioch) as Potiphar's wife, and many more in the roles of the brothers, the wives, and the children.
PM&L Theatre has been opening doors to the arts for 50 years at 877 Main St. in Antioch. Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $12 for students/seniors. The box office phone is (847) 395-3055, and box office hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon; and on performance dates, one and a half hours before curtain. Show dates are Nov. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Visit www.pmltheatre.com for more information on this production and PM&L's 50th anniversary season.