Time is right for “Joseph” to return

play rehearsal
(Photo by Ken Cashman) - Joseph (played by Josh Sandler, foreground) interprets Pharaoh’s dream in a March 18 rehearsal of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.”

Marietta Moulton has happy memories of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.” It was the first show that she directed at the middle school. It was her last show as “Miss Veglia” (she got married soon after the performance). And she recruited her mother to create Joseph’s coat of many colors. It was her mother’s favorite assignment. And after 10 years, the coat is making another appearance. The show will be presented in the middle school auditorium on March 23 and 24 at 7 p.m., and on March 25 at 6 p.m.

“When are you going to repeat a show?” friends would ask Mrs. Moulton. She was anxious to do “Joseph” again, but she needed a cast with a lot of singers — especially a lot of males who were able to burst into song.

The time seemed to be right. Last year the middle school produced the musical “Damn Yankees,” and had no trouble casting the nine members of the baseball team. This year the need for males was a little greater since Joseph has 11 brothers.

The musical is based on the biblical story of Joseph — featuring his brothers’ betrayal, his rise to power in Egypt and his eventual reunion with his family. The music is nonstop. Although the songs may not be familiar — you can enjoy them the first time you hear them, especially if you like big production numbers with exciting rhythms.

Although the cast lost several days due to snow, it wasn’t evident at the dress rehearsal. A small audience applauded with enthusiasm after every number.

A lot has happened since the last production of “Joseph.” The school district remodeled the auditorium. The director got married and had two children. And the cast members, like the rest of us, got to be 10 years older. Among those coming back to watch the revival are John Hines and Taylor Wright, who are now teachers in the Cornwall Central School District.

NOTE: The middle school production of “Joseph” has a surprise ending.