Exotic Opening Night for Joseph Sept. 25

A special pre-show performance, featuring professional belly dancers, will set the stage for those attending the opening night performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Friday, September 25, 2009, at the Barrow Civic Theatre.

“Our thought was to have a fun event on opening night to kick off our 'Joseph' show. Belly dancers were a natural link, as our play is set in Egypt--where belly dancing has been performed throughout history," said Ted Smith, show director. “We were delighted to find that a group like this is based in Erie, and willing to perform for us!" He continued.

Featuring members of the Lake Erie Belly Dance Troupe, the opening night performance will be based in American Tribal Style (ATS) Bellydance, created by Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance in San Francisco. ATS is an improvisational form of dance, where the lead dancer, to the front right as you're facing the dance formation, gives cues for the other dancers to follow. The dancers are able to improvise and play with the cues and movements, creating a work of "moving art" before your eyes and a different performance each time they dance. You'll experience "elaborate costumes, fancy steps, and exciting music" but the brilliance of ATS is that these are "women working together in cooperation and focused on presenting the dance as one entity."

Erie's professional belly dancing troupe is a multi-generational group of women, representing multiple styles of bellydance such as ATS, cabaret, and fusions. Members study and rehearse weekly at Long's School of the Dance in Erie, Pa, with direction from Carla Fleming. LEBD represents the 'sisterhood' of the dance, and is a supportive and driving force for bellydance in the Erie area, dancing regularly at venues such as the Presque Isle Gallery Coffeehouse and Celebrate Erie.

The belly dancers will perform on September 25 at 7:15pm in the Little Theatre. Anyone who has purchased a ticket for the main stage performance for that evening is welcome to attend. Hor'dourves and beverages will be provided. This event was made possible through a grant from Pennsylvania Partners on the Arts.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, presented by Franklin Civic Operetta Association, plays September 25-26 and October 1-3 at 8pm and a special Sunday matinee on September 27 at 2pm at the Barrow-Civic Theatre (1223 Liberty Street, Franklin, PA 16323).

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Tim Rice, Directed by Ted Smith, Musical Direction by John McConnell, and Choreography by Marc Ellis Holland. Tickets are available online 24 hours a day www.barrowtheatre.com. Tickets by phone are available Tue-Fri 10:00am-4:30pm (Also open one hour before show times) by calling (8143) 437-3440.