Latest news with #JosephandtheAmazingTechnicolorDreamcoat
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bengaluru has so much potential; we just need to nurture it, says Kevin Oliver
When I was 19, I produced Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with friends, on a budget of `1,000. Since then, life has taken me to various cities and into different professional pursuits. But about four months ago, I decided I wanted to do something substantial in Bengaluru. It feels like a full circle moment to now come back,' says Kevin Oliver, musician, theatre director, fashion choreographer and Bengaluru boy, who has brought Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat to the city. Kevin's production offers a fresh interpretation of the classic, originally conceived by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in the 1970s, now reimagined as India's first all-male pop opera. Excerpts: 'EVEN YEARS LATER, I LOVE THAT I CAN STILL SEE BENGALURU; IT'S NOT LOST' Back in the city after years, Kevin offers a refreshingly balanced perspective on Bengaluru. 'I just love where Bengaluru's gone, and I love that I can still see Bengaluru; it's not lost. People certainly complain about the traffic and so many trees being cut down, and of course, that's going to happen. The city has become insane; it's grown so big. Being here for a month and a half has been such a fabulous trip down memory lane and into the future because Bengaluru is a city that endures. And with all its madness, I love where Bengaluru's going,' he says. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru 'THERE'S A LOT OF COPY-PASTE HAPPENING TODAY' Kevin is also particularly critical of the lack of originality in the arts. 'Today, in the arts, there's a lot of copy-paste happening. I feel, especially in India, we tend to do a lot of copy and paste, especially in the fashion business. It's the old designers reshowing the same old stuff in different fabrics, with a multitude of sequins and crystals. For me, the fashion quotient and artistic part of it are a little bit lost. Every show looks the same; whether it's one designer or another, it looks the same to me. There's no innovation at all,' he says. 'BENGALURU HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER IN TERMS OF CREATIVE POTENTIAL' Speaking about Bengaluru's creative landscape, Kevin notes that the city is 'brimming with untapped potential'. 'The talent here is amazing, but it's disheartening to see the arts fading away so much around the world. The city has so much to offer in terms of creative potential; we just need to nurture it." The reason why we haven't achieved a certain standard in Bengaluru is purely because of the lack of support from corporates, groups. Everything is muddied Kevin Oliver JOSEPH GETS A COUTURE TWIST 'I wanted to marry fashion and music – something that has never been done in musicals. With Joseph, I wanted to bring an element of couture, right from the first image to the last image. I borrowed and begged from designers to lend me couture clothes and brought them down to Bengaluru. Key pieces in the show feature international branding, including Joseph's coat (left) which is 21 kgs of Swarovski crystal. It's my interpretation of where we've taken the story since its '70s origins,' says Kevin. 'I CHOSE AN ALL-MALE CAST BECAUSE…' But why an all-men cast? Kevin says, 'Joseph is very male. It's 12 brothers – it's very male-dominated. Men have such beautiful timbre in their voices – I wanted to showcase that, and so it became quite a natural fit for an all-male ensemble. (laughs) Of course, I had a lot of grumbling from the womenfolk, asking why I'd come back after so long to do an all-male musical. I said, 'Well, it was a twist. It wasn't planned; it was just about how I could make it fresh. ' And who knows, I might even do an all-female musical next time.' 'The musical follows a ninepart narrator format with 16 genre-fluid tracks and 100-plus male performers, aged 13–50, singing live from start to finish,' he adds.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat back in Bengaluru, courtesy Kevin Oliver
Music and passion are always in fashion — add a touch of couture to the proceedings and you are bound to have a stunner. Kevin Oliver had staged Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 30 years ago in Bengaluru when he was a music teacher at Frank Anthony Public School. Now, he is bringing it back bigger and better than ever before. 'I've always wanted to bring out my version of this musical. There's nothing more challenging than taking a piece that has been so overused and transforming it completely,' says Kevin. Well, the upcoming musical has certainly piqued interest with news of its 100-strong, all-male choir ('Potiphar's wife is the only female part,' adds Kevin) and its spectacular dreamcoat doing the rounds. Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Tim Rice, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was first produced as a musical in 1972, and went on to become one of the most popular pieces to be staged, adapted and reimagined. Back to the beginning 'Bangalore', as Kevin remembers it, 'used to be a city of music and art' and he was quite active on its cultural scene. 'I studied under Savitha Yates (a popular theatre personality in Bengaluru during the '80s) who advised me to try every genre of theatre, before going into musicals.' The training has held him in good stead. And train he did. Apart from music, which he was always passionate about, Kevin combined his background of theatre and dance with choreography and fashion. Soon, Dubai came calling and though he was heading a music school there and staging productions, it was also where he got a chance to hone his fashion skills. 'I've worked with some amazing designers there such as Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton, dressing the likes of Hugh Jackman, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Andreas Bocelli, among others,' says Kevin. However, he adds, 'One of the most ambitious and beautiful things I created was a 1,000-strong, girls choir which went viral for their performance of AR Rahman's Vande Mataram.' Home again Kevin says despite being away from Bengaluru, he always felt the need to give back to the community that gave him his start. 'I roped in Oum Pradutt, a former student of mine, and this collaboration fell into place.' 'I had left Bengaluru 35 years ago and wasn't sure if singers of today would even want to be a part of this musical, but I had to try. Then, at the audition as many as 450 people turned up and though they were all wonderful, I had to choose 100 for the cast.' 'We've got a range of voices — from a bass to a countertenor — literally every sound you can get with singers aged between 16 and 60.' Apart from having an all-male cast, Kevin's Joseph stands out for having with nine narrators, instead of a single female voice as in the original. And of course, the dreamcoat which has generated quite a buzz. 'Two of my friends from Dubai, who've done amazing work in the field of fashion, lent me garments that suited the characters. The dreamcoat, designed by Michael Cinco and Furne One Amato, weighs over 21 kilograms. It is made with different fabrics and covered with Swarovski crystals. It's like a chandelier on a guy's back.' Kevin says he is doubtful whether the likes of Broadway or West End have done something as elaborate and fashion conscious as his reimagining of Joseph. 'I'm hoping people love it as much as I do,' he says, even as he admits the creation is what his mind's eye had conjured up as Joseph's coat of many colours, Full circle And Oum Pradutt, the former student Kevin roped in? As a schoolboy in Frank Anthony's, he played a part in Catch, a musical Kevin had presented. 'I had no idea about musicals at the time, but auditioned all the same. Kevin thought I was a better dancer than a singer,' laughs Oum. As part of the main cast, Oum performed in a string of shows in Mumbai too, and was again cast as a dancer in Joseph when it was produced, travelling with the troupe wherever they performed. 'It was an incredible experience to gain such an exposure at that age, and at a time when engineering and medicine were considered the only avenues for a career.' Apart from the thrill of the spotlight, Oum says the experience gave him a chance to observe Kevin and his style of working at close quarters. 'He would not only look at the costumes, makeup, music and choreography personally, but also be involved in areas such as prompts, props, light and design. It was amazing to see what happened on stage and behind the scenes. That stayed with me for the longest time.' Oum went on to found Phase I in 1995, blending his corporate expertise with his passion for the creative arts and entertainment. 'I credit the existence of my company, now in its 30th year to Kevin's musicals, so I was truly glad of the chance to collaborate with him on Joseph.' 'We both saw this as a chance to give back to this city,' says Oum, adding that though there are a lot of events taking place in Bengaluru, musicals are quite rare. Going by his own lived experience, Oum and Phase I are ensuring school children will get a chance to witness the magic of a musical with discounted tickets. 'In other parts of the world, schools send their students to such events, providing them with experiential learning rather a textbook one. We are also bringing students from the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS) to watch the show for free,' he says, adding theirs is a cause close to his heart. 'Growing up, I did not have such resources and if it were not for the exposure I gained at school, I would not be where I am today. Hopefully, these children too will be excited and inspired and pursue something amazing one day.' Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be staged at Good Shepherd Auditorium on July 17, 18 and 19. Tickets from ₹999 on bookmyshow.
Mint
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Planner: 5 events that pack a punch this week
Kallol Datta has always looked at the intersections of gender, history and politics in his textile practice. He carries these threads forward in his new solo, Volume IV: Truths, Half-Truths, Half Lies, Lies—his first at Experimenter's Colaba space in Mumbai and third with the gallery overall. The project came about after Datta came across edits and proclamations for women, which were circulated across the Korean Peninsula and Japan between the 16th and early 20th centuries. Their impact is felt even today. Through this show, Datta continues his investigation of the clothing practices of these places over time. At Experimenter, Colaba, Mumbai till 20 August, 10.30am-6.30pm (Tuesday to Saturday). Painting by Rashmimala, Oil palm tree, Elaeis guineensis 2025 Gallery Espace is presenting Vadodara-based artist Rashmimala's first solo, titled How We Breathe. The show includes recent works, which are centred around the vegetation and flora of the Capital and the North-East. Though she draws inspiration from the botanical drawings prevalent in the 18th-19th centuries, Rashmimala bases her documentation of vegetation in the 21st century. She looks at the resilience of nature, and its ability to heal itself, through examples of plants like ruderals, which grow easily on soil degraded by natural disasters or construction. At Gallery Espace, New Delhi, till 12 August, 11am-7pm (closed on Sunday). A promotional image for the 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' musical produced by Phase 1 World, Bengaluru. It's going to be a musical week for Bengaluru. For, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns as an all-male pop opera, directed by music and theatre director Kevin Oliver and produced by Phase 1 World. With 16 songs spanning genres from energy rock anthems and pop grooves to semi-classical Indian melodies and Broadway ballads, and over 100 male vocalists performing, the production promises to be a sonic treat. Adding a grand element to things are Dubai's celebrated couturiers Michael Cinco and Furne One Amato. 'The visual centerpiece—the Dreamcoat itself—weighs over 21 kilos and features more than 30 fabrics and textures, crafted to shimmer, ripple, and evolve with every musical passage,' reveals the press note. At Good Shepherd Auditorium, Richmond Town, Bengaluru, 17 -19 July, 8pm. Tickets on Bookmyshow. Beef and Bone is on the limited edition Nikkei Menu by chef Randy Cultivo. Wabi Sabi at The Oberoi, Bengaluru is hosting a limited edition Nikkei Menu by chef Randy Cultivo. The menu, inspired by chef Cultivo's explorations of the cuisine and his travels around Peru, includes signature dishes like the Tiradito, Beef and Bone, The Wabi Sabi Sizzle and Ceviche de Atún with fresh jalapeño peppers. While vegetarian options include Fruit ceviche and Three carrots and H, desserts include Chimu Reimagined, Caviar Box and Flavours of Yutori. At Wabi Sabi at The Oberoi, Bengaluru, 10-27 July, for lunch and dinner. For reservations, call +91 80 2558 5858. The promotional poster for Superqueens directed by Vivek Mansukhani. On Sunday, The Piano Man is hosting 'Superqueens', touted as India's first-ever drag musical. Conceived as a cabaret-style theatrical experience, the 90-minute musical, according to the press note, takes the viewer on a 'hilarious, heartfelt and high-energy journey into the lives of five fierce drag queens in Delhi,' set to a soundtrack of Bollywood hits, club anthems, and pop classics. The cast features some of India's best-known drag artists: Lush Monsoon, Betta Naan Stop, Hash Brownie, Whacker Cracker and Sickk. The musical is directed by Vivek Mansukhani, choreographed by Shohini Dutta and Udisha Uniyal and written by Vivek Mansukhani, Aishwarya Ayushmaan, Teya and Prateek Sachdeva. At The Piano Man, Eldeco Centre, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, on 13 July, 8.30 pm. For details, visit
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Must-see theatre productions in Cape Town this week
Bizo Maxegwana in 'Diary of a Madman'. Image: Facebook. Diary of a Madman This play is an adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's classic tale that brings the story to life in modern-day Cape Town. Thabo Kani, a parliamentary secretary played by award-winning actor Bizo Maxegwana, becomes convinced he's destined for greatness, leading to comedic chaos as he navigates the complexities of power and sanity. When: Tuesday, July 15, until Saturday, July 19. Show times differ Where: The Masambe Theatre at the Baxter Theatre Centre. Blood & Silver This powerful adaptation of Jan Glazewski's memoir, 'One Map. One Promise. A Life Redefined', tells the epic story of Jan's journey from his childhood struggles with haemophilia to his determination to survive against all odds. He survives his childhood only to face new challenges as a young adult, including a contaminated blood transfusion and an HIV diagnosis and embarks on a perilous journey in search of the long-lost family treasure, armed with his father's hand-drawn map. The play stars David Muller and Fred Abrahamse. When: Runs until Saturday, July 12. Show times differ, depending on the day. Where: The Masambe Theatre at the Baxter Theatre Centre. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat A production of the beloved musical bursts with vibrant energy, dazzling choreography and unforgettable songs. Created by the legendary duo Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, this fresh staging promises to captivate audiences of all ages with its talented cast and fresh creative vision. Leading the cast is Dylan Janse van Rensburg, alongside powerhouse vocalist Lelo Ramasimong as the narrator and Chris Jaftha as Pharaoh. When: Runs until Sunday, July 13. Show times differ. Where: Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay.
Chicago Tribune
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Arlington Heights native, a lifelong musical theater performer, appearing in production of Amélie
Joe Giovannetti was three years old when he inadvertently began preparing for his career as a musical theater performer. It happened when the Arlington Heights native had seen 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.' 'We have this video of me when I was three pretending to play the piano and sing all the songs from 'Joseph,'' he said. He had the booklet of lyrics that came with the CD in front of him. 'I was paging through that pretending I was reading piano music and banging on the piano even though I couldn't read or play piano,' Giovannetti recalled. He got his chance to be in 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' for real when he was around nine, playing Benjamin in his first production at Setting the Stage in Arlington Heights, where he performed in a number of shows. Giovannetti continued performing in both musicals and plays while attending Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights. He also performed with community theaters, including at Saint James Parish and Up and Coming Theatre. When he attended Indiana University, however, he pursued a music education degree at its Jacobs School of Music. 'I became a high school choir teacher,' he reported. 'After teaching for a few years, I decided that I wanted to see what would happen if I started auditioning as a performer.' That's when he booked his first show in Chicago, 'The Most Happy Fella,' with Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre. He continued doing musicals. 'I figured out that it was something that I wanted to pursue professionally,' he said. Since then, he has performed with Porchlight Music Theatre, Paramount Theatre, and Music Theater Works, among other companies. Last summer, he appeared in 'Alice by Heart' with Kokandy Productions. He is back at Kokandy, performing in their Chicago premiere of 'Amélie,' by Craig Lucas (book), Daniel Messé (music), and Nathan Tysen and Daniel Messé (lyrics), which runs from July 17-September 28 at Chopin Theatre in Chicago. Giovannetti plays Nino Quincampoix. 'Nino is this loner artist living in the same city that Amélie is in,' the actor related. 'He is really motivated by this project he's doing, where he is always at photo booths in the Metro Station, finding photos that have been discarded and torn to pieces. He's trying to reconstruct the photos. He runs into Amélie a couple of times while he's doing this.' When he leaves his photo book at the station, Amélie finds it. 'That starts this cat-mouse game that Amélie plays where she gets him to do all these things to try to find her and get the book back,' he said. The actor has two solos in the show, 'When the Booth Goes Bright' and 'Thin Air.' 'Also, I have a good amount of duets with Amélie,' he said. 'Everybody in the cast is also playing an instrument,' Giovannetti reported. He plays piano (for real, this time), sometimes while singing, other times as an accompanist. In addition to performing in musicals, Giovannetti works part-time at the University of Chicago Laboratory School, where he is Associate Director of Development and Communications. 'I support the team that is both encouraging philanthropy and alumni and parent engagement at the school,' he explained. In terms of future goals, Giovannetti said, 'I would love to continue being a professional. There's a lot of theaters in the city that I still want to work with.'
