Dazzling International Cast Announced

DAZZLING INTERNATIONAL CAST ANNOUNCED

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
COMING TO NZ THIS EASTER

Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington

Any dream will do …

A stellar international cast is today announced to perform one of the most enduring shows of all time, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT when it tours New Zealand, starting in Auckland at Easter.

Winner of one of South Africa’s most prestigious theatre awards, a Naledi award, Earl Gregory will play the lead role of Joseph, reprising a role that thrust him on to the world stage almost a decade ago. Since then he has been in demand by producers around the globe. His other credits include playing Seaweed in Hairspray, directed by Broadway’s Matt Lenz; touring Asia as Chad in High School Musical; Dreamgirls directed by Broadway’s Robert Longbottom; Rum Tum Tugger in Cats and as Anthony in Sweeney Todd.

Earl says he is beyond thrilled to be coming to New Zealand and to be playing the role that thrust him into international stardom.

Making a triumphant return to New Zealand in the role of Pharaoh is Jonathan Roxmouth who dazzled audiences some nine years ago as Danny Zuko in the international touring cast of Grease the Musical.

His interpretation of Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar earned him the Fleur Du Cap Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Then came his big break – Pieter Toerien and The Really Useful Group’s record-breaking return production of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Jonathan played the Phantom himself and was catapulted into a new phase of his career. He garnered the Fleur Du Cap and Naledi Awarda for Best Performance in a Musical as well as the Artes Legends Award then toured with the production to Asia, making history as the youngest English-speaking Phantom yet and winning the Broadway World Award for his performance.

Joining them on stage are actors from a league of nations and backgrounds, from pop stars to TV action heroes; this cast is one of the most thrilling to be welcomed on to our shores.

With past credits including The Lion King, German-trained Calvyn Grandling plays Levi while Kenneth Meyer, playing Reuben, is fresh from a tour of the musical blockbuster Jersey Boys in the lead role of Bob Gaudio.

Playing The Narrator is Belgium-born Louise Duhain who comes to us from Legally Blonde, while in the role of Dan is Richard Gau whose credits include Dirty Dancing and Singin’ in the Rain.

Dean Roberts, who plays Jacob, is also no stranger to New Zealand having been here before with the stage hit We Will Rock You. He has since toured with High School Musical, Cabaret, Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard, The Rocky Horror Show, Fame and Sister Act.

A graduate of the Broadway Dance Center and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York City, Sonwabiso Sakuba – playing Benjamin – has worked with some of the world’s greatest choreographers and danced for international hip hop rapper Cam’ron.

James Cundall, CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and producer of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT says “I am thrilled to be able to bring a cast of this calibre to New Zealand, in a show that is such a favourite across all ages. Over the years we have built a reputation in New Zealand as producers of top quality international musical theatre with shows such as Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Cats, The Sound of Music and Singin’ in the Rain. I’m sure JOSEPH will achieve the same high standards and level of enjoyment that our audiences have come to expect of our international productions.”

This lavish international production will open at The Civic in Auckland at Easter, Saturday, 15 April. It will then move to Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal, opening on Thursday 4th May and the Opera House in Wellington on Wednesday 17 May.

A joyous retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph, his 11 scheming brothers and his coat of many colours, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is a kaleidoscope of catchy songs and colourful dance numbers – Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door to Me and Go Go Go Joseph – parodying various musical styles from rock ‘n’ roll to country and western, French ballad, calypso and jazz.

This new production of JOSEPH is completely reimagined with a contemporary twist, and exudes as much fun, cheek, exuberance, colour, music, dance, high energy, wit, gags, quirkiness and dazzle as ever. It is an irresistible family musical.

Tickets for these strictly limited seasons are selling quickly so theatregoers are urged to act without delay to avoid disappointment.

A record-breaking musical, that has enjoyed three West End productions, one on Broadway, and continues to tour the US and UK, JOSEPHlaunched the careers of both Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, and was the beginning of what went on to become one of the most successful musical theatre partnerships of all time. A box-office hit, seen by some 30 million people, it also boasts multiple Tony, Olivier and Drama Desk award nominations including best musical, best original score and best choreography.

The ultimate feel-good show, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT will once again see New Zealand audiences cheering the music of Lloyd Webber.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is licensed by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group and presented in New Zealand by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and David Atkins Enterprises, in association with Pieter Toerien Productions.

“The best kind of feel-good show, warm hearted and irresistible” – The Sunday Times, UK

“A brilliant celebration of words, music and colour” – The Sunday Times, UK

“Joseph is still the wittiest of Lloyd Webber's extravaganzas” - Orlando Sentinel, US

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat has you floating on a rainbow-hued cloud and hunting around for the nearest dance floor” - Financial Mail, South Africa

“Dazzling Joseph… brilliant production” - The Star, South Africa

“Joseph is an absolute blast” - Financial Mail, South Africa

ABOUT THE REALLY USEFUL COMPANY

The Really Useful Group is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre producing and rights licensing company and controls the theatrical rights for all of Andrew’s works, including The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Sunset Boulevard and School of Rock. The Really Useful Group reached over 20 million people across the globe last year from live theatre and concert audiences, cinema goers, television viewers and music fans, to social media and art lovers. 2017 will see The Really Useful Group continue to work across film, television and theatre as it produces and develops new projects and partnerships worldwide alongside its ongoing work in education, amateur licensing and music publishing.

ABOUT LUNCHBOX THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS

Headed by James Cundall, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions is one of Australasia’s leading producers of live entertainment, and over the last two decades has created a reputation for bringing top quality international productions to audiences across five continents.

Since 1992, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions has produced a wide array of live entertainment internationally and has brought spectacular theatre shows to New Zealand including Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Beyond the Barricade, Cats, Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, Singin’ In The Rain, The Sound of Music, Annie, We Will Rock You, Stomp, Potted Potter, Rick Stein, Slava’s Snowshow, Riverdance, Grease, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Bootleg Beatles, and The Imperial Ice Stars productions of The Sleeping Beauty on Ice, Swan Lake on Ice , Cinderella on Ice and The Nutcracker on Ice to name just a few. Lunchbox Theatrical Productions is based in the UK with companies in Hong Kong, Singapore, The Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. www.lunchbox-productions.com

ABOUT DAVID ATKINS ENTERPRISES

David Atkins Enterprises (DAE) is one of the world’s leading Event and Production Companies. Based in Sydney and headed by David Atkins OAM, DAE has been producing international ceremonies, musicals, arena events and live productions all over the world for over 25 years. As well as co-producing a number of theatre shows and musicals with Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, DAE created and produced the Opening Ceremony of the Rugby World Cup in Auckland in 2011, the Outdoor Opening Ceremony of World Expo 2010 in Shanghai China, the Opening, Closing and Victory Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

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