Recently I had my first exposure to the Sight & Sound Theater in Branson, Mo., where the production Joseph opened in April.
The experience included a behind-the-scenes tour from Fraser Armstrong, one of the nearly 200 people who is employed by the theater to make the biblical epic come to life. In addition to serving as a tour guide, Armstrong — like many of the other actors — plays multiple roles in a two-hour production that requires numerous scenes with extras. His biggest part is that of the pharaoh that entrusts Joseph with saving the land from famine.
Unlike some passion plays where the actors are merely mouthing prerecorded dialogue, the 17-act Joseph has 48 live microphones that must be cued at the appropriate times. The play also features three dozen live animals, from a white rat to camels. The costumes, choreography, musical number and sets — built on site — are worthy of Broadway. Some of the action takes place not only on the center stage, but also on the stages to the left and right of the audience in the 2,085-seat theater.
Armstrong, 25, explained that he enjoys working at the explicitly Christian theater because he didn’t have to compromise his standards to get hired. The company has been around for 35 years, putting on shows in the past about biblical characters such as Noah, Daniel, and Ruth. Jonah is next in line for the twin theater based in Lancaster County, Pa. The 339,000-square-foot Branson complex opened in 2008. The mission statement is explicit: “Our purpose is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ and sow the Word of God into the lives of our customers, guests, and fellow workers by visualizing and dramatizing the Scriptures, through inspirational productions, encouraging others and seeking always to be dedicated and wise stewards of our God-given talents and resources.”
The production poignantly brings the story of Joseph (covering Genesis 37-47) to life. A broad range of human emotions and behaviors is on display: parental favoritism, sibling rivalry, pride, jealousy, temptation, miscommunication, abandonment, disappointment in God, compassion for fellow humans, sense of loss, emotional baggage and restoration.
With a the sparkling script, quality acting, soaring musical numbers, enchanted pageantry and the story itself, Joseph brings timeless biblical truths to modern audiences in a meaningful way. Few will leave the house without shedding a tear or two.
The experience included a behind-the-scenes tour from Fraser Armstrong, one of the nearly 200 people who is employed by the theater to make the biblical epic come to life. In addition to serving as a tour guide, Armstrong — like many of the other actors — plays multiple roles in a two-hour production that requires numerous scenes with extras. His biggest part is that of the pharaoh that entrusts Joseph with saving the land from famine.
Unlike some passion plays where the actors are merely mouthing prerecorded dialogue, the 17-act Joseph has 48 live microphones that must be cued at the appropriate times. The play also features three dozen live animals, from a white rat to camels. The costumes, choreography, musical number and sets — built on site — are worthy of Broadway. Some of the action takes place not only on the center stage, but also on the stages to the left and right of the audience in the 2,085-seat theater.
Armstrong, 25, explained that he enjoys working at the explicitly Christian theater because he didn’t have to compromise his standards to get hired. The company has been around for 35 years, putting on shows in the past about biblical characters such as Noah, Daniel, and Ruth. Jonah is next in line for the twin theater based in Lancaster County, Pa. The 339,000-square-foot Branson complex opened in 2008. The mission statement is explicit: “Our purpose is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ and sow the Word of God into the lives of our customers, guests, and fellow workers by visualizing and dramatizing the Scriptures, through inspirational productions, encouraging others and seeking always to be dedicated and wise stewards of our God-given talents and resources.”
The production poignantly brings the story of Joseph (covering Genesis 37-47) to life. A broad range of human emotions and behaviors is on display: parental favoritism, sibling rivalry, pride, jealousy, temptation, miscommunication, abandonment, disappointment in God, compassion for fellow humans, sense of loss, emotional baggage and restoration.
With a the sparkling script, quality acting, soaring musical numbers, enchanted pageantry and the story itself, Joseph brings timeless biblical truths to modern audiences in a meaningful way. Few will leave the house without shedding a tear or two.
