It takes the magic of Broadway to unite the biblical Joseph and American founding father Alexander Hamilton via choreography.
But when theatergoers settle in for Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s presentation of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” they’ll see the same style of dancing that’s become the talk of New York in the musical “Hamilton.”
Both shows share choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, who breathes new life into the classic tale of Joseph and his “Coat of Many Colors,” set for Feb. 5 through 7 at Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple.
Tickets are $35 to $57, available at the box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
Blankenbuehler’s updated take on the beloved musical infuses it with fresh life, according to J.C. McCann, who plays the title character in “Joseph.”
“He’s a hot item,” McCann said of the choreographer. “His dance is very modern and hip-hop-based. It’s very fun.
“He revamps the prologue, but at the same time pays great homage to the show everyone knows and loves,” McCann said. “We all say, ‘If you’ve seen ‘Joseph,’ you haven’t seen our Joseph.’ ”
The show is based on the story from Genesis that follows Joseph on a rollercoaster journey from a youth spent as the favorite of 12 sons to Jacob, to being sold into slavery by his jealous siblings and eventually rising above his misfortune to a powerful position under the Pharaoh.
The themes of personal triumph, faith and self-reliance are ones that resonated with McCann when he stepped into the role.
“There’s a lot of challenges (Joseph) faces in the show that I’ve faced in my real life,” McCann said. “I get to bring real sides of me to this character, the extreme highs and lows.
“He’s a dreamer and keeps hope and keeps persevering,” he added. “As I got older, I had a passion for music, but I let life sink down on me and stopped dreaming. That’s a big point in the show, to always set goals in yourself.
“When I got back into music and landed this role, all at once ... Joseph eventually triumphs through the show, so it’s fun to think of real life and relate with my character,” McCann said.
He cited a “crazy talented” supporting ensemble and road crew with staging a version of the musical that leaves audiences invigorated.
“Everyone goes expecting to hear beautiful music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, and of course they get that, but they aren’t expecting the impact they get from it,” McCann said. “You can really see people taking that away.
“It’s got everything from pop songs to an Elvis tribute,” he added. “It’s nonstop energy and takes off with a cannon shot and doesn’t stop until the end. Everyone’s going to leave feeling inspired.”