Elvis is the king of Egypt, poodle-skirted swing dancers light up the stage and the 1970s make a cameo in the form of young hippies singing and dancing.
No, it’s not a time machine gone haywire. It’s the 2010 musical from Scotts Valley Recreation and Scotts Valley Junior Theater, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Locals will have only one weekend to experience the summer musical, featuring more than 45 youngsters ages 8 through 18. The show will be staged once July 30 and twice July 31.
“It is a really fun show that has a little bit for all ages,” director Melanie Useldinger said. “It’s got the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s — it’s just a really fun musical.”
The family-friendly show was written by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice, creators of renowned musicals including “Phantom of the Opera” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
It was one of the duo’s early works, first envisioned in 1968 as a 15-minute pop cantata for a school choir in London. But after their later success with “Phantom” and other musicals, Lloyd Weber and Rice revisited “Joseph” and expanded it to a full-length musical.
Next week’s production features purely local talent.
“There are beautiful moments of a gorgeous voice and song broken up by humorous brothers and some sweet spots from the little ones in the cast,” Useldinger said.
The story is taken from the Bible and follows the life of Joseph, who is sold as a slave by his older brothers because he is their father’s favorite son.
The brothers then tell their father that Joseph was killed, even as he is taken to Egypt and becomes a powerful adviser in the pharaoh’s court. When disaster strikes his family, they flee to Egypt and are reunited, and the story continues.
Useldinger said the theme of the play is simple and profound.
“What has been meant for evil has turned for good,” she said.
Among the production team are musical director Lindsey Eldred, narrator Ruby Cook, costume manager Teri Mears and pianist Taras Dreszer of Santa Cruz, who will attend Harvard University in the fall.
Isaac Holter of Felton and Conrad Useldinger of Scotts Valley share the role of Joseph.
At a glance
• WHAT: Scotts Valley Junior Theater’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
• WHEN: 7 p.m. July 30; 2 and 5 p.m. July 31
• WHERE: Bethany University Theater, 800 Bethany Drive, in Scotts Valley
• TIX: $14 adults, $10 students and seniors, $12.50 children younger than 10
• INFO: www.svtheater.com
