For the past two weeks, the Livingston Post has been profiling cast members of the Community Theatre of Howell’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
As the director of CTH’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Sherry Randall will no doubt be feeling a rush of emotions when the show opens tonight.
But the main one is this – excitement.
“I hope that the audience comes away feeling like dancing and singing, wanting to know more about CTH and how they can be a part of the ‘CTH Family,’ ” Randall said.
She’s also hoping they come away with the show’s overriding message in their hearts.
“Maybe they come away thinking about forgiveness,” Randall said. “Who might they be able to forgive? I believe that you can set yourself free by forgiving others and not harboring negative feelings.”
That’s certainly the message of the joyous Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which is based on the Biblical tale of Joseph, found in the Book of Genesis. After being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers – and after a whole lot of great musical numbers – Joseph finds it in his heart to forgive them.
A longtime CTH fixture on onstage and as a director (she’s done at least one show a year for the past 15 years), Randall’s had the dream of directing this show for years.
“In 2000 (when CTH first did the show), we were blown away by the quality of the CTH production of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,’” she said. “It was certainly way above my expectations for ‘community theater.’ When CTH was getting ready to perform it again in 2002, we jumped at the chance to be a part of it. The girls were cast and I got my first ‘CTH gig’ as a kid herder … I made sure 30 kids had on the correct costumes for the correct scenes and that they were on stage at the correct times.
“This production has a special place in my heart and I’m thrilled to be directing it 17 years after I originally fell in love with it!”
A Howell resident, Randall works as a Community Relations Consultant for Citizens Insurance Company. She got involved with CTH when her daughters, Breanne and Britney, first caught the theater bug back in 2000.
Through the years, she’s had a million great experiences with the group.
“Some of my favorite memories are being on stage together with my husband, Mike, and daughters, Breanne and Britney, in the CTH production of ‘The Wizard of OZ,’ working with Vera Cunningham on ‘Carousel’ and ‘Mary Poppins,’ witnessing the comedic genius of Chris Salter as Farquaad in ‘Shrek the Musical’ and really watching the ‘CTH Family’ membership grow generation by generation,” Randall said.
She said it’s the family atmosphere of CTH that keeps her coming back.
“I love that whole families can work together, each member doing their own thing, to bring a production to life,” Randall said. “I love that a 6-year-old can work on a team and meet other kids, tweens, teens, adults and senior adults. I love how these shows bring together so many different generations of individuals and they respect each other, communicate with each other and become lifelong friends. It makes my heart happy!”
After more than a year of preparation and three months of rehearsals, she’s thrilled that opening night has finally arrived. She can’t wait for the audience to experience Joseph’s story.
“This a tear-jerking Biblical story that has been transformed into an entertaining, often comedic version of the events depicted in the Bible,” Randall said. “While there are some poignant moments, we hope that audience members will laugh a lot and maybe shed a few tears. Ultimately, Joseph is a dreamer who overcomes many obstacles, ends up forgiving his brothers (who sold him) and is reunited with his family.”
The Community Theatre of Howell’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” takes the stage Nov. 3-5 and 10-12 at the Howell High School Freshman Campus, 1400 W. Grand River Ave. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday each weekend.
Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, available at Finding Roots in Howell, Kahuna Coffee in Hartland, Maria’s School of Dance in Fowlerville, Big Acre in Brighton, and Ed Bock Feed and Seed in Pinckney. Tickets are also available by calling 517-545-1290, or online at cththeatre.org. You can buy tickets by clicking here.
Photo by Richard Lim Photography. Click here for more information.
