Interview: JC McCann of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Fox Performing Arts Center

Riverside's Fox Performing Arts Center will close out its 2015-16 Broadway season with Andrew Lloyd Webber's JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. The national tour's new production will play at the Fox for two performances on Sunday, April 10, 2016.

JOSEPH was Andrew Lloyd Webber's first collaboration with lyricist Tim Rice. The collaborators wrote it as a cantata. Its success led the pair to team up on JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. After SUPERSTAR became a massive hit, they decided to turn JOSEPH into a full-fledged musical, which opened on Broadway on January 27, 1982, almost exactly six years before the Broadway debut of another Andrew Lloyd Webber musical - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, on January 26, 1988.

JC McCann, who plays Joseph in the current tour, started his performing career as a singer in an a cappella group, where he had the opportunity to sing in the United States and in China. He left music for awhile to work in the business world, but performing stayed in Mr. McCann's blood. He decided to leave his job to pursue his passion in New York City. His favorite roles include Curly (OKLAHOMA), Joe Gillis (SUNSET BOULEVARD), Enjolras (LES MISERABLES) and Sparky (FOREVER PLAID).

Broadway World interviewed Mr. McCann by email about the show and about his career.

Broadway World: In the Biblical text as well as in the interpretations that I have read, Joseph was a haughty, immature kid who infuriated his brothers. However, he matures in the end. His father, Jacob, didn't handle the situation very well because he made his preference for Joseph clear. How do you, as an actor portraying Joseph, see him and his relationship to his father and his brothers?

JC McCann: I think Joseph's relationship with his family members provide some of the key themes in this show. When he is young he looks up to his father and naively gloats about the favoritism that he is shown. Joseph always loved his brothers but was unaware at how his special treatment may have affected others in the family. As the story continues, Joseph is sold into slavery and endures much pain and suffering due to his brothers' jealous act. He is faced with a decision when they meet him again at his Egyptian throne. It is a powerful moment when Joseph finds it in him to forgive his brothers.

BWW: When you're touring, there's undoubtedly a great deal of wear and tear on the body. How do you ensure that your voice remains in top form?

JCM: It is an amazing experience to be able to travel and see different parts of the country. This great experience can also present challenges with staying healthy. Everyone has his or her own methods on tour. The A/C units at the hotels and on the bus can dry out your voice as well as the constant climate change. I try to speak as little as possible until I start warming up for the show. I will steam as often as I can, sometimes before and after the show, especially on a two-show day. Getting good exercise seems to help with general overall health.

BWW: What are your dream roles?

JCM: Right now, it's Joseph! Haha. I say that because it has been a fun and unique experience to be in a show where the concept is based in a boy's "dream come true." Joseph is a dreamer in the show and it has truly been my dream come true to have the opportunity to play the role. Some future roles I would love to have the chance to take on:
Clyde - BONNIE AND CLYDE
White Knight - WONDERLAND
Javert - LES MISERABLES
Phantom - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

BWW: What do you hope to be doing in five years?

JCM: I feel so fortunate to have landed a role like this and work with some incredible people. In this business it's all about taking the momentum you have and using that to propel you forward. I'm excited to see where the momentum from this tour can take me. In the future I'd love to be more settled down in NYC and have dipped into film as well.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT will play at the Fox Performing Arts Center for two performances, both on April 10, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. (doors open at 12:00 noon) and 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.). Ticket prices range from $33.50 to $71.00, plus fees of approximately $15.00, and tax. Tickets are available at www.riversidelive.com, through Ticketmaster, at the box office, or at 1-800-745-3000. The Fox PAC is located at 3801 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501, about 120 miles from San Diego, 70 miles from parts of the San Fernando Valley and West LA, 57 miles from Long Beach, 55 miles from Palm Springs, and 45 miles from Anaheim. The tour's Web site is http://www.josephthemusical.com/ustour/.

Photo Credit Daniel A. Swalec