Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily TimesValdosta High School Theatre Arts presents ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ this week.

VALDOSTA — Ricardo Ipina has wanted to return to “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” for a long time.

He was the musical director for the 2010 Theatre Guild Valdosta production of the biblical musical. Now, as director of Valdosta High School Theatre Arts, he leads a student cast through the eclectic musical.

“The show is funny and powerful,” Ipina said. “It’s a Bible story full of lessons and full of different styles of music. There’s rock but there’s also country music and blues.”

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is a 1960s musical based on the biblical tale from the book of Genesis. 

Joseph is one of 12 sons of Jacob, who shows his favoritism for Joseph by giving him a beautiful coat.

The other brothers are jealous not only of their father’s favor but of the dreams which reveal Joseph will rule over them. The brothers plot against Joseph and sell him into slavery.

What “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” does is tell this well-known story in a musical format with some modern touches for contemporary audiences.

Through the years, “Joseph” has been one of the most commercially successful musicals both for professional and amateur productions. Much of that success has to do with the show’s creators, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. “Joseph” marked their second collaboration after the mostly forgotten debut work of “The Likes of Us.”

“Joseph’s” success wouldn’t be noted until many years after its debut in 1968, as a short cantata for a London school. It really didn’t gain much attention until after Webber and Rice’s mega-success with “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

It wouldn’t be until 1982 that “Joseph” premiered on Broadway where it was a smash success.

For Valdosta High School, “Joseph” is the spring musical. It is the last show for long-time seniors and the first theatre production for other students, Ipina said.

The production should showcase the VHS students’ many talents, with Ipina’s direction stitching the many pieces together as seamlessly as a coat of many colors.

THE CAST: Alijah Patterson, Roddrick Wimbush, Marvens Cherelus, Travis Crossmanharth, Zack Williams, David Bass, Emery McKinnond, Zain McGlamery, Demario Robinson, Michael Wardle, Aaron Williams, Jamari King, Bobby Lewis, Allie Smotherman, Samantha Kassum, Justice Smith, Katherine Plum, Brooke Meindl, Jade Conway, Shelby Knowles, Kalelle Sermons, Rocio Delacruz, Anna Consolini, Raven Ford, Raquel Goddard, Kassie Goodwin, Taylor Tolliver, Dejahrea Patterson, Kaycie Davis.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Ricardo Ipina, director; Kaylee McCutchen, lights; Shaia Bamer, stage manager. 

ORCHESTRA: Michael Thomas, conductor; Johnny Brown, reed 1; Ravyn Marlin, reed 2; Xavier Lee, reed 2; Matthew Hernandez, trumpet 1; Tripp Fleming, trumpet 2; Isabel Campa, French horn; Drew Parker, French horn; Ben McTier, bass; Yaquarious Holloway, drum set; Niejel Nelson, percussion.

SHOWTIME

Valdosta High School Theatre Arts presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

When: The show plays 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 30, 31; 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 1.

Where: Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center, 3101 N. Forrest St.

More information: Email ripina@gocats.org.