Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Opens April 2013

Chanhassen will restage the original production that broke attendance records the last time it played in 2007. With a crash of drums and a flash of light, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT returns by popular demand to Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' Main Stage from April 5, 2013 – September 28, 2013.

On average, audiences were at 93% capacity for Joseph…Dreamcoat, which ran from November to February. In fact, it was so popular that a decision was made to remount the production in 2009 when it ran successfully once again from June – September that year. CDT President and Resident Artistic Director Michael Brindisi stated, "Joseph was a monumental success for us. When we closed it in 2007, there were people who we had to turn away, which is a rarity. We also thought it would be a marvelous summertime show for our family audiences because it appeals to every age group, so we brought it back for a summertime run in '09. Given its strong track record for attracting audiences, it was determined the original production would be restaged with a new cast in 2013."

JOSEPH was the first work of the widely acclaimed composer and lyricist team, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, creators of such musical blockbusters as Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Cats. The work is a secular version of the powerful and beloved historical story of Joseph, favorite son of Jacob, who is given a splendid coat of many colors. His jealous brothers throw him in a pit, sell him to slave traders bound for Egypt, and trick Jacob into believing Joseph has been killed by wild animals. Through a series of ordained circumstances including his uncanny gift to interpret dreams, Joseph is eventually brought into the house of
the great Pharoah, where he is elevated to ruler status. Through his dreams, Joseph leads the people of Egypt into a food store-housing plan to see them through a long and terrible famine, which eventually brings Joseph and his brothers face-to-face after a 25-year separation.

The musical telling of this familiar story, JOSEPH includes twenty-two major production numbers filled with colorful costuming, creative staging, upbeat music and exuberant choreography. Resident Artistic Director Michael Brindisi will once again collaborate with his creative team on the 2013 staging of JOSEPH: Choreographer Tamara Kangas Erickson, Musical Director Andrew Cooke, Set Designer Nayna Ramey, Costume Designer Rich Hamson, Lighting Designer Sue Ellen Berger, Sound Designer Russ Haynes, and Production Stage Manager Susan Magnuson.

For this production only, CDT will extend its outstanding group discounts to every performance including Friday and Saturday evenings. In addition, group discounts will be doubled for any groups of 12 or more attending between June 18 and September 28, 2013.

Once again, through a lottery process, Director Brindisi and staff will pluck one lucky boy and girl from the audience each night, to appear on stage in the production of JOSEPH. The children will take part in the performance from start to finish culminating in a photo opportunity with the cast to take home as a souvenir of their unique on-stage experience. The children (aged 8-14) will take part in the stage action without advance preparation or rehearsal, being led through "Egypt" by two professionally cast children. Brindisi says, "When we did this the last time it was a big hit with everyone, kids and their families alike. Every night it becomes a slightly different show and the kids get to be the stars!" Interested kids may sign up for the lottery in the lobby before going into the theatre. The production has not yet been cast.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT will play from April 5 – September 28, 2013 eight times weekly. Ticket prices for dinner and show: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings $70; Friday $81; Saturday evening $81; Wednesday matinee $61; Saturday matinee $65 and Sunday early evening $71. Show-only tickets are available no sooner than 10 days prior to the performance. Student Rush tickets may be purchased one hour prior to the performance with valid student ID, and are based on availability. Tickets for groups of 12 or more are now on sale for JOSEPH by calling Group Sales at 952-934-1547. Tickets will open up for individual sale on December 1, 2012.

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