In the final episode of the reality TV show "Any Dream Will Do," 25-year-old actor/singer Mead beat 19-year-old supermarket worker Keith Jack for the right to wear the famous dreamcoat when the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical opens at London's Adelphi Theatre on July 17. Previews begin July 6.
In the tense climax to the show, Mead buried his face in his hands after TV host Graham Norton read out the result of millions of viewers' votes. "I'm going to go out there and give a hell of a show," promised Mead.
Mead is no stranger to Joseph. His stage credits include the touring production of the musical in which he played Pharaoh and Brother Levi.
When he takes on the title role, Mead will be joined onstage by Preeya Kalidas as the Narrator, Dean Collinson as Pharaoh and Stephen Tate as Jacob/Potiphar/Guru.
The ensemble will comprise John Alastair, Kate Alexander, Jennifer Ashton, Paul Basleigh, Verity Bentham, James Bisp, Tyman Boatwright, Simon Coulthard, Lucie Downer, Tom Gillies, Emma Harris, Pip Jordan, Louise Madison, Emily Mascarenhas, Sarah Meade, Nathaniel Morrison, Mark Oxtoby, Adam Pearce, Tamlyn Platts, Pippa Raine, Fiona Reyes, Ricky Rojas, Craig Scott, Jonathan Stewart, Kate Tydman, Russel Walker, Neal Wright and Danielle Young. Lloyd Webber (music) and Rice's (lyrics) musical follows the biblical tale of the title character who is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.
Joseph played on Broadway in 1982 with Bill Hutton as Joseph and Laurie Beechman as Narrator. It was then revived in 1993 with Michael Damian and Kelli Rabke in those roles.
In 1967 the show originally took the form of a 20-minute piece composed for Colet Court St Paul's Junior School. The forthcoming West End version, revives Steven Pimlott's London Palladium production, with design by Mark Thompson and choreography by Anthony Van Laast.
The production replaces Evita, another Rice/Lloyd-Webber musical, which finished its run on May 26.
The judging panel for "Any Dream Will Do" included West End and Broadway star Denise Van Outen, producer Bill Kenwright, stage actor John Barrowman and voice coach Zoe Tyler.
For more on Joseph, which is booking until Jan. 5, call (0)870 895 5598.
