Hurricane Theatrical’s Joseph is a ‘Walking Work of Art’

Hurricane Theatrical’s Joseph is a ‘Walking Work of Art’

– By Aleina Lister –

Now through May 11, 2024

With the reviving colors of spring, Hurricane Theatrical presents the vibrant colors of “Red and yellow and green and brown and scarlet and black and . . .” you have probably guessed it by now: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! Director Kyle Myrick continues to bring family favorites to life in Southern Utah, and there are no complaints about that!

Shifting from the rough and tough New York Newsies streets of 1899, we find ourselves in Canaan, “Way, way back, many centuries ago. Not long after the Bible began”. There, we meet “Jacob and Sons”, but our primary focus is on ‘Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son.’ Due to being their father’s obvious favorite (and possibly God’s, too?), the jealousy of Joseph’s 11 brothers reaches a boiling point as they attempt to kill him but then decide to sell him into slavery. Through a myriad of trials and rock bottoms, Joseph finds himself (and his family) immeasurably blessed in the end.

Like many Utahns, leading man James David claims, “Joseph was my very first musical theatre experience. I played trombone in a pit orchestra for a production of Joseph [five years previously] . . . It feels like a full circle moment for me as I look back on my pit orchestra experience.” The story of Joseph and his brothers also has a full-circle effect in and of itself. Cast member Eric Humphries, who plays Joseph’s brother Dan and sings “Benjamin Calypso”, explains despite the lighthearted tune and silly lyrics, the song shows a reversal of the situation of the brothers. The catalyst for the whole story is the selfishness of the brothers in condemning Joseph, to demonstrating their selflessness to save Benjamin.

It’s no secret that Joseph is a musical theater favorite, particularly in Utah, and a few cast members of Hurricane Theatrical’s production have a few ideas as to why. Reese Jacobsen, who’s no stranger to Hurricane Theatrical’s stage, having played SpongeBob SquarePants in The SpongeBob Musical and Terk in Disney’s Tarzan and currently portrays Joseph’s brother Naphtali, exclaims that for this classic and much-beloved show, any role was an opportunity that could not be passed up. David exclaims that the story of Joseph “is very inspiring and is a reminder that good things will happen in our darkest moments.” A truly immortal story and lesson.

Come see how “Any Dream Will Do” at the Hurricane Fine Arts Center. This show, full of struggle, music, and fun, opens April 5 and closes May 11, with shows on Monday, Friday, and Saturdays, including Saturday Matinees. For more information, go to www.hurricanetheatrical.com, or call 435-668-9753.