CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — For years, Tuacahn has been home to a thriving concert season while also putting on full-scale, Broadway-quality musicals. Now, during Tuacahn’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” these two worlds will temporarily meld into one.
Leaning into David Archuleta’s (playing Joseph) pop music background, including his rise to fame on “American Idol,” it was only natural for the production to have a concert-style feel.
“We dreamt up a world that makes the most of having a musical star on stage,” said Adam Koch, the show’s set designer. “When you walk in, the stage will feel like you’re heading into a contemporary concert. Then we go back in time to tell the story, and then end up back at the concert.”
Cory Pattak, lighting designer for “Joseph,” said he appreciates how much wiggle room this musical has when it comes to creative direction.
“It’s really carte blanche to take it whatever way you want,” he added.
Under the direction of Michael Heitzman, and with a talented cast and crew bringing this well-known biblical story to life, the only direction audiences will want to go is back to the box office to purchase another set of tickets after seeing this beautiful story unfold.
“This is such a great musical,” said Scott Anderson, artistic director for Tuacahn. “We are so fortunate to be working with some truly amazing talent both on stage and off. And the fans are really excited about seeing David Archuleta perform.”
Knowing how excited fans are by his theatrical debut has Archuleta feeling equal parts nervous and grateful.
“I’m really glad they want to see me… but at the same time, people looking forward to seeing me gives me anxiety because I prefer no expectations,” Archuleta said, adding that the relationship he’s built with fans is so important to him and serves to offset some of those nerves. “I think it will be fun.”
Fans of Archuleta can see him in the role of Joseph through Sept. 3. After that, Josh Strickland – who played the original Tarzan in the Broadway production of Disney’s “Tarzan” – will take his turn wearing the Technicolor coat.
“No matter when you see it, ‘Joseph,’ whether with David or Josh, it’s going to be a thrill,” Anderson said.
Get a glimpse of Archuleta and the rest of the talented cast of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through Oct. 20, alternating with “Wonderland” and Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins” in the Tuacahn Amphitheatre. Tickets are on sale now at Tuacahn.org or by calling the box office at 435-652-3300.
• S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T •
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.