A SHORT, pacy, well fed press reception in South’s Bar launched ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ for Cecilian Musical Society on November 6. Director Des Henn was calling rehearsal afterwards so the costumed kerfuffle, led by chairman Jason Ronan, got to it pronto.
Step up Deputy Mayor cllr Marian Hurley to officiate, declaring herself a happy fugitive from a four-hour Council meeting in County Hall to cheer on the ‘Joseph’ project.
The cast of 50 plus Cecilian’s choir of 30 schoolgoing children and a 10 piece orchestra led by musical director Shane Farrell will take to Lime Tree Theatre from November 29 to December 2 at 8pm. Schools only may book for December 1, 11am.
There is a sense of public mindfulness about this musical in particular, cllr Hurley suggested.
“We have all seen a production or two of it and it never ceases to entertain or leave us uplifted. I have always been a great supporter of Cecilians and went to many of their shows in the old Crescent Hall. I never left without feeling 100 per cent happy with the night.”
This 98 year-old musical society is one of Ireland’s oldest and boy, do this winning cast and crew know what their are at. Returning to their fold beside Pharoah’s seven fat cows is Brian Finn of new band ToneDeaf to lead as Joseph.
Set your expectations in the cosmos for performance, going by his delivery of ‘The Parting Glass’ to jazz/ soul diva Cassandra Wilson in Dolan’s Warehouse days earlier. Mighty stuff.
An MIC teaching grad and from a gifted musical/ GAA hurling family in Bruff, for Limerick Post Brian rattled through his life in theatre thus far: Beauty and his [gorgeous] self as Beast, Les Miserables, Starlight Express, Godspell. All Shook Up x 2, Grease, Cocacobana.
Plus he plays guitar, banjo and trad guitar…We’re beginning to see why the adulterous Mrs Potiphar felt compelled to make creeping advances. And quite rightly, the young man, already exiled from treacherous family and in laws, joins the #metoo wave – the wronged husband sees to that and incarceration.
Brian has a more intimate insight to offer: “Joseph is a fun, bubbly character who isn’t really loved by his other brothers, as early on he is given the technicolor dreamcoat by his father Jacob. As with any role I want to do it my own way – I watch videos, clips, ideas – and I listen to Des as well”.
The production team is comprised of Des Henn as AD, Barbara Meaney on choreography and Shane Farrell leading the band, choir/ chorus and musical direction.
Cecilians managed to pull actor Brian Roche from TV3’s acclaimed ‘Red Rock’; and songbird Hilary Burke fills out the only female principal as Narrator. She is story anchor to these rocky adventures between Canaan and Egypt, morbid rivalry and years of captivity, harvest and famine.
Will Joseph triumph? Go see at www.limetreetheatre.ie
