Thank you for the many coats of many colors!

A very warm thank you to all the patrons who have brought coats for kids in to The 5th Avenue Theatre during the run of Joseph. We have donated over 150 coats to Treehouse Coats for Kids drive, supporting kids living in foster care.

You still have a few days to bring in your new or like new coats. Coat donors recieve a 2-for-1 ticket coupon for select performances of White Christmas!

About the program

COATS OF MANY COLORS

Join The 5th Avenue Theatre and Treehouse in our COATS FOR KIDS drive now through November 1st! All coat donations will be given to Treehouse for kids living in foster care. As a thank you, donors of new or like-new coats will receive a 2-for-1 ticket coupon for select performances of White Christmas. Whether its red oryellow or green or brown or scarlet or black or ochre or peach, your gift of a coat will add a "golden lining" to the lives of foster kids in the Seattle area.

*Bring coat donations to the Theatre when attending a performance or drop them by the box office during regular non-show box office hours. Worn-in coats will not be accepted, coats must be new or like-new condition. Coupon good for White Christmas performances December 1st, 2nd, 8th or 9th at 7:30pm. Coupons not valid with any other offer or on previously purchased tickets. Subject to availability.

Every Child Needs a Treehouse
For some, it’s a room with a teacher, a flute and some sheet music. For others, it’s a mountain cabin filled with new friends. A dugout with bats, balls and your very own glove. The school library and a kind, patient tutor. Or a store where the jackets are nice and warm and they don’t cost a thing. Treehouse was founded to provide just such a place for kids in foster care right here in King County.

No Tricks - It's a Technicolor Treat!

Announcing our Two-Day Sale for October 31st Performances for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!

Starting midnight Monday, October 26 through midnight Wednesday, October 28th, buy one Joseph ticket to a Halloween performance and get one FREE! (2:00 pm matinee and 8:00pm evening).

To take advantage of this two-day-only offer, use the promo code word TUESDAY. Tickets will be available online at 5thavenue.org, over the phone by calling 206-625-1900 (phones open at 9:30am), or in person at the box office (box office opens at noon). Excludes previously purchased tickets and Pearl Section.

Joseph, starring American Idol Finalist Anthony Fedorov, has enjoyed a host of great reviews. “Did I resist?” asks Seattle Weekly’s Kevin Phinney. “Of course. Did I succumb? Instantly.” Steve Clare over at Seattle Examiner says “This show is safe to take children, Christians, atheists and your grandma to. You really don't have an excuse not to see it, Seattle!” And Broadway World declares: “Now there are those that say this show is overdone and nothing really new or fresh can be done with it...To them (and to myself) I say, ‘Then you haven't seen the production at The 5th Avenue yet.’”

Half Price Stephen Sondheim on Oct 26th!

HALF-PRICE tickets for Frank Rich & Stephen Sondheim at Benaroya Hall!

On October 26, you can get to know Stephen Sondheim, the man the New York Times dubbed “the greatest and perhaps best-known artist in the American musical theater,” when he makes his first-ever trip to Seattle for A Life in the Theater: An Onstage Conversation with Stephen Sondheim and Frank Rich.

Through a special arrangement with the producers, we are pleased to offer The 5th Avenue Theatre patrons the best available seats (Founders Tier or Orchestra seating) for this once-in-a-lifetime event at Benaroya Hall for HALF PRICE…just $34 - $39 per ticket! $10 of each ticket sold through this offer will benefit The non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre.

Unlike one of Sondheim’s musicals, this one-night-only show will be completely unscripted and off-the-cuff. Rich, who served as chief theater critic for the New York Times from 1980 to 1993, will join his good friend on stage for a casual, funny chat that takes Sondheim and the audience on a trip down a five-decade-long memory lane populated by everyone from Ethel Merman to Leonard Bernstein.

To take advantage of this offer, visit http://www.benaroyahall.org or call 215.4747. Use the promo code COMPANY.

Mo Brady and his amazing costume changes!

blog entry written by Mo Brady (Zebulun, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)

During HELLO, DOLLY!, I blogged about costume changes. Specifically, the "quick changes" from one costume to another, usually done with the help of dressers and a lot of velcro. While we have a number of quick changes in JOSEPH..., what has been more present in our minds are the changes in costumes throughout the tech and preview process.

The costumes we wear in JOSEPH... were originally used in a 1990s Goodspeed Opera House production. They were designed by Mark Thompson, who used the same costume design in the JOSEPH... movie (starring Donny Osmond).

This summer, these Goodspeed costumes were shipped to The 5th Avenue, and our AMAZING resident costume and wardrobe supervisor, Lynda Salsbury. She and her expert costume shop crew coordinated which 5th Avenue actors would wear each costume and tailored them for us. In addition, The 5th Avenue costume shop also purchased us new shoes and created new pieces when needed.

Although the costumes came virtually completed, there have been changes during the tech and preview process. During this time, the costume shop was constantly tweaking the design of the show. Sometimes are very small, and other times they greatly alter the look and feel of a scene.

One of my costumes to go through the biggest changes was my outfit for Go Go Go Joseph, the psychedelic Act I finale. In its original incarnation, the costume is almost exactly like it came from Goodspeed: a red tailored suit with capri pants. The design staff at the 5th Avenue had me wear a rainbow hat on top of my Potiphar wig. I also wore my POTIPHAR socks, and boots (which are actually my same shoes from HELLO, DOLLY!) Backstage, other actors told me I looked like a crazy Christmas elf.



During tech week, Mary Jones, the Hair and Make-up Designer, gave the entire company new wigs for this number. Now, we all have neon colored hair, in all shapes and sizes. Additionally, I was given a pair of neon green socks to go with the boots.

The final touch was a new pair of green platform shoes. These 3-inch heels were added the day before opening. The first time I got to practice with them was in front of 2,000 audience members. Dancing in these new shoes certainly changes how I can dance in the song, but they're a pretty spectacular addition to the look of the scene.



The look for my brother, Zebulun, also changed throughout the tech process. The first afternoon I dressed a brother, I had a long dark wig, a moustache, and pointy sideburns.

When I came that evening, the facial hair had been cut altogether, as you can see in this photograph of Dane Stokinger (Reuben) and me. I was also given a new, lighter wig.



Eventually, Mary settled on a smaller piece of facial hair, which is what I have worn in all the previews and performances.

Every show morphs on its journey towards opening night. Not only the costumes, but the staging, orchestrations, and every other aspect of the production can change. Although these changes take a lot of time and energy, each edit can help the audience to understand and enjoy the show even more.

--
-M-

A Proposal!

Last night, after the MegaMix ending at the Opening Night of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, a young woman named Rachel got the surprise of her life!

Her boyfriend, Arthur, had reached out to The 5th Avenue Theatre with a very special request.

In front of the entire audience, Arthur was brought on stage to give a little speech about how much The 5th Avenue Theatre meant to him. He spoke of how much his girlfriend, Rachel, loved the theatre and that every time they came to a performance together, they grew closer as a couple.

And then....Arthur proposed!!
Rachel, surprised and delighted, ran up onto the stage and said YES with a kiss - the whole audience applauded, charmed by this couple's love of this theatre.

They were invited to the private cast party after the show and were instant celebrities to everyone at the event.

Congratulations Arthur and Rachel from all of us at The 5th Avenue Theatre!

Making the MegaMix

When passing by our musical director's office, we usually hear the sounds of a familiar broadway tune playing on the speakers or perhaps a song from an upcoming pre-Broadway premier. In weeks past, however, it's felt a little like stepping into the twilight zone when walking by, when noticing that it's hip-hop and reggae music bumping out of the stereo system.

For the past few weeks, Ian Eisendrath (Resident Musical Director/Music Coordinator) and Albert Evans (Artistic Associate) and have been collaborating with local musicians for the Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat MEGAMIX!

The MegaMix is an energetic mini-retelling of the entire Joseph production at the end of the show and can range from 7 to 20 minutes, depending on production. The interesting
aspect of this piece is that that no music can be found for the MegaMix, which gives our Music
department a creative challenge.

Eisendrath writes “Our goal was to update the MegaMix so that it sounds like something current, fresh and hip that you would hear in a club in downtown Seattle. We hired Dave Pascal, a local musician who is fluent in all styles of contemporary/pop music and DJ Million,a local deejay and drummer who is active in the Seattle hip-hop club scene.”

Evans and Eisendrath created new vocal arrangements, DJ Million created the basic beat patterns and transitions, and Pascal created the instrumental tracks and produced the
recording of the MegaMix in his home studio.

Seen the show? Let us know what you think of the MegaMix!

A little story from backstage...

One of the little girls in the children’s ensemble twisted her ankle during a rehearsal. She sat off stage while rehearsal for the MegaMix continued. Anthony Fedorov happened to also be sitting back stage and cheered up the young actress. She was doubly thrilled, being one of his biggest fans, when he offered to carry her to the dressing room!

Who says chivalry is dead? Way to go Anthony!

Joseph, Anthony Fedorov & Hotel Max SCAVENGER HUNT PART 2!

Earlier this month, many of you participated in our first scavenger hunt through our blog, Facebook and Twitter pages with to find American Idol Finalist and star of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Anthony Fedorov!

Those of you following along found him at the Post Alley Gum Wall. Here's a photo of Anthony with some of the contestants who came out to enter to win our VIP Package!



Here's a second chance to meet Anthony and win a VIP prize package which includes two tickets to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and a night's stay at the hip and artistic Hotel Max!

On Wednesday, October 14th at 5:15pm, Anthony will be at a new "secret Seattle landmark" to give one lucky winner the prize package. All contestants who show up will walk away with a free ticket to Joseph (value $78-$83) - one lucky winner will win the grand prize!

We'll be posting clues of where he will be through Twitter, Facebook and here on our Backstage Blog for you to follow along all week.

You can still follow along with us on twitter if you don't have an account. Simply visit our page for up to date notices. Hotel Max will also be tweeting via their twitter site!

Where will Anthony end up? You'll have to stay with us to find out!

Twitter hashtag for the scavenger hunt is #goseattle

Past/Current Clues - be sure to read them carefully!
Clue #1: Monday, 10/12 10:45am: Get immersed in "A Pharaoh's Story" or two.
Clue #2: Monday 10/12 5:03pm The New Yorker called this place "important" and "exhilarating"
Clue #3: Tuesday 11:28am Green Lights make you go
Clue #4 Wed 11:01am Some might call this a "cool house"
Clue #5 Wed 11:23am "Children of Israel" and children of Seattle enjoy this spot
Clue #6 Wed 1:55pm Paul named this section after his mom, Faye.



Anthony Fedorov is on twitter, too! Follow him here.

Learn more about the hip, stylish Hotel Max here!

In the Heights "Run This Tour" Music Video

Take a minute and watch the IN THE HEIGHTS "Run This Tour" Music Video.
This is one of our very favorite shows on Broadway right now!




STARRING:

Kyle Beltran, Karen Olivo, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Robin DeJesus as Lil Mama.

AND INTRODUCING:
The First National Tour Cast of In The Heights
Kyle Beltran, Daniel Bolero, Rogelio Douglas Jr., Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, Arielle Jacobs; Jose-Luis Lopez, Genny Lis Padilla, Isabel Santiago, Elise Santora, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Natalie Toro, Sandy Alvarez, David Baida, Christina Black, Natalie Caruncho, Oscar Cheda, Dewitt Cooper III, Wilkie Ferguson, Rayanne Gonzales,Dominique Kelley, Rebecca Kritzer, Joseph Morales, April Ortiz, Daniel Cruz, Kristina Fernandez, Morgan Matayoshi, Carlos Salazar AND...
5th Avenue Theatre star, Seattle's own Daniel Cruz!

SWEET CAMEOS BY:
Shockwave, Alex Lacamoire, Bill Sherman, Wesley Taylor & Krysta Rodriguez

Director: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Director of Photography: Paul Bozymowski
Editor: Alex Horwitz
Track created by Bill Sherman
New Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Facebook & Twitter offer!

Facebook Fans and Twitter followers!

Use code word DREAMS when buying tickets to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for any Tuesday - Friday evening performance and recieve $25 off each ticket!

This sale ends at midnight on Friday October 9th, so get out your calendars, call your friends and visit www.5thavenue.org to buy before the offer is gone!

Online only at www.5thavenue.org - use code word DREAMS when logging in.
Valid for Tuesday - Friday performances only, not valid on pearl or side balcony seating.

"We are still waiting, still hesitating..."

blog entry by Heather Apellanes (Ensemble, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)

It's been a little over three weeks (and only a little over two for the women) since rehearsals started for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and it feels like ages have gone by with the amount of things we've learned and accomplished.

Two dozen colors, over 75 crazy costume pieces, 20 cow heads, and 52 children later, we are at tech week for Joseph - and it's only just begun. For me, this show has been a great experience, not knowing much about the show going into it, and entering the world of The 5th Avenue Theatre after four years of being gone for too long since their May 2005 production of Miss Saigon. It's been an honor working with this amazing and talented cast, and I am very grateful to be a part of this project.

The songs will be unforgettable, the children's voices will be beautiful, the incredibly silly costumes will be endearing, and the story gives way to themes and lessons we all come across through life. Dream. Pick a dream, any dream. And never focus on how something won't work, or else...it just won't work. Despite how "kooky" the numbers have felt, I am pretty touched when I think deeper about the meaning of each one, and the story of Joseph. I see him as a guy who followed The Four Agreements (if any of you have ever read that book) to rise to the top of every situation he was in: Don't take anything personally, always be impeccable with your word, don't make assumptions, and always do your best.

With that said, here are just a few moments captured behind the scenes as we put this show together for you. Enjoy.