Glendale Centre Theatre stages musical ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical parable, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” opened Friday at the Glendale Centre Theatre.

The play tells the biblical story of Joseph, favorite son of Jacob, and his jealous brothers who sell him into slavery. Thought dead, Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams foresees seven years of harvest followed by seven years of famine.

Actor Robert Marra plays the title character, Lance Zitron is Pharaoh and Katy Jane Harvey narrates. The play is produced by Brenda Dietlein.

Director and choreographer Lee Martino has led productions of the musical several times at the Glendale venue and said she returns to it because it’s a story about “heart and hope,” and it’s entertainment with “a great message,” she said.

“I keep [the play] fresh by sharing what the actors bring to it,” Martino said. “Some things I’ve changed, [other things I’ve] maintained over the years. A lot of things work and you try new stuff, but it’s ultimately driven by the people you work with.”

Marra and Zitron have played their respective roles as Joseph and Pharaoh each time Martino has directed the musical at the Glendale Centre Theatre.

She also praised Harvey, the new narrator in the production.

“[Harvey] is so passionate and has such an amazing voice that takes you through the events,” she said.

Martino has worked on many theater-in-the-round shows — Glendale Centre Theatre’s staging format of choice — and said she enjoys both directing and choreographing them.

“Every show is unique when done in the round. You have to be aware from all four sides and tell the story from all four sides,” she said.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will continue through April 7 at Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., with mostly weekend performances and select Thursday shows.

For information about prices and showtimes, visit glendalecentretheatre.com.

jeff.landa@latimes.com

Twitter: @JeffLanda