![\"Dallas](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Joseph_491_A.jpg\")
<\/p>\nZachary J. Willis is playing a role made famous by the Bible and Donny Osmond.<\/p>\n
The Dallas Theater Center Brierley Resident Acting Company member plays Joseph, a Biblical favorite son, in Dallas Theater Center\u2019s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, now playing at the Wyly Theatre in the Dallas Arts District through July 13.<\/p>\n
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice teamed up in 1968 to reimagine the story from the Bible\u2019s Book of Genesis into a 15-minute pop cantata for an end-of-term concert at Colet Court School in London. In the 1970s, Lloyd Webber and Rice developed the show about Joseph, his eleven envious brothers, and his coat of many colors into a family-friendly full-length musical. The show\u2019s first Broadway production was in 1982, and it has been revived several times. Donny Osmond played Joseph in more than 2000 performances of the show in the United States and Canada between 1992 and 1997 and in a 1999 film of the musical.<\/p>\n
Willis talks about forgiveness and family dynamics, Donny Osmond\u2019s portrayal of Joseph, and playing the Biblical character as a Black man.<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\tKaren Almond<\/p>\n
\t\t\tKaren Almond<\/p>\n
The musical is based on the Bible’s Book of Genesis.<\/p>\n
NBC DFW:<\/strong> What makes this Bible story great material for a musical?<\/p>\n Zachary J. Willis (ZJW):<\/strong> Bible stories either tell us what to do or what not do. This story has all the makings of a good piece of theatre. There is family conflict, an ever changing environment where we meet dynamic characters, solitude and introspection, and grace and reconciliation. That\u2019s all before the dance party at the end.<\/p>\n NBC DFW:<\/strong> For people who do not know this story well or who are not churchgoers, what can they\u00a0relate to in this story?<\/p>\n ZJW:<\/strong> This is a story of faith, family, and ultimately forgiveness. Anyone who has a family knows that it can, occasionally, be a challenge. A worthy challenge, but a challenge, nonetheless. Ego, pride, and jealousy collide and takes Joseph on a journey where he loses his freedom, but never his favor. No matter where he finds himself, he remains integral and focused on his dreams. That\u2019s his faith in action. Because of this, everything that was once taken away is restored to him, most importantly his family. It\u2019s about doing what\u2019s right no matter the circumstances and offering grace even when you\u2019ve been wronged. I believe that we can all relate to that feeling.<\/p>\n NBC DFW:<\/strong> A lot of people associate this musical with Donny Osmond. Do you use his\u00a0performance as inspiration or a springboard for something different?<\/p>\n ZJW:<\/strong> I was certainly familiar with Donny Osmond\u2019s portrayal of Joseph, but my knowledge of the musical was very limited before starting this process. I\u2019m more well versed in other Andrew Lloyd Webber works but Joseph kind of slipped through the cracks. I did watch the movie wanting to really understand what makes this production and his portrayal so beloved. I was inspired by his sincerity, vulnerability, and simplicity. All those things I can implement in my work without attempting to recreate something so many people love.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the rehearsal room, our creative team created a space where it was clear that we weren\u2019t looking to recreate any other production in the shows history, including Dallas Theater Center\u2019s very successful run in 2012. We all were challenged by our director, Tiffany Nichole Greene and our choreographer, Ahmad Simmons, to bring ourselves to the show we were creating together. That really freed me from any expectations and comparisons from the beginning. I was less worried about rising to the occasion of Donny Osmond, but honoring the Joseph that we meet in Genesis 37.<\/p>\n NBC DFW:<\/strong> What has been the biggest challenge of playing such a legendary character?<\/p>\n ZJW:<\/strong> Throughout this process I really tried to do away with as much imposter syndrome as possible. Joseph never questions his gifts, or his position and I tried my best to adopt that mindset as an actor. I knew Joseph was a legendary character and an honor, but I chose to trade that very understandable anxiety for Joseph\u2019s assuredness.<\/p>\n One of the biggest challenges, honestly, has been being confronted by those who want to see the show that they know as they know it. Theater really gives us the opportunity to cultivate and practice empathy, but some aren\u2019t open to seeing Joseph being portrayed by a Black man. However, our production brings incredible vibrancy and energy to this famous musical, and I am sure that those who join us will receive the same story and message that they love in a way that is both refreshing and familiar.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tKaren Almond<\/p>\n \t\t\tKaren Almond<\/p>\n This production features a children’s chorus.<\/p>\n NBC DFW:<\/strong> This is a family-friendly production. What will a 9-year old and a 75 year-old each love about it?<\/p>\n ZJW:<\/strong> This story and this cast are both multi-generational. A 9 year-old will love the music, the beautifully designed coat of many colors and seeing our youth ensemble play such a big role in the show. A 75 year-old may have more appreciation for the themes of family reconciliation and restoration. Either way, I hope all of our audiences can leave feeling a little more hopeful than they were when they came in holding a little tighter to their own dreams.<\/p>\n![\"Dallas](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Joseph_009_A.jpg\")
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