PLVCT is celebrating their tenth anniversary this summer at their outdoor home, the Sumter Amphitheater. For ten seasons, the theater has produced thoroughly entertaining musical productions under the stars in Sarpy County, ranging from “South Pacific” to “Annie.” This summer’s offering is the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber classic “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” The production will star Meredith McAdams as the narrator and Matthew Pohlman as Joseph. It will also include PLVCT favorites like Mark Thornburg, last summer’s Wicked Witch, Therese Rennels, and a children’s chorus of fifteen.

Director Chris Thackray has been involved with the theater since its second season. Back then there was no security fence, and he remembers sleeping on an air mattress on stage to keep watch over the “Oklahoma” set. Then again, the advantage of the lack of a security fence was that it enabled the lead character, Curly, to walk in from behind the audience through to the stage, leading a live horse, while singing “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin”.
PLVCT has come a long way since then. From the beautiful green space behind the permanent seating to the full concession stand selling everything from hot dogs to ice cream to adult beverages, SumTur Amphitheater is an outstanding venue.
Thackray, who has both directed and acted in PLVCT shows, loves the chance to perform outdoors. “Some nights it’s hotter than heck. You’re dressed in a wool coat and you just have to live with it.” In that weather the coolest place back stage is laying down on the concrete floor. On the other hand, “It’s great to walk on stage and feel the wind in your hair.” The outdoor setting can perfectly compliment the show. Thackray remembers the sun setting at the end of the first act of “South Pacific,” as Emile sang “Some Enchanted Evening”. The second act began shortly after dark, the perfect setting for the “Thanksgiving Follies” number.
“Joseph” promises to deliver an enchanted evening as well. Debbie Massey, who won a TAG Award for her work on “42nd Street” returns as choreographer. Last year’s TAG Award winning music director Stephen Sheftz will be back in the orchestra pit. And Ibsen Costumes promises there will be no heavy wool coats in this summer’s production. Reserve a seat or bring your own chair and sit on the green space. The show only runs two weekends, so go, go, go, go, check it out.
The Papillion-La Vista Community Theatre’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will run from Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 17, and again from Thursday, July 21 through Saturday, July 23. Curtain is 8 pm all six nights. Tickets are $12 for reserved seats and $8 for general admission on the green space. Tickets are available for purchase online via the SumTur Amphitheater’s website, sumtur.org, or via their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Sumtur/events. You can also reach them via the theater’s own website, at: http://www.plvct.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the theater the night of the show. Parking is free. Check out the website about becoming a member of PLVCT. Membership entitles you to VIP seats for the show, as well as other perks. SumTur Amphitheater is located in Papillion, just south of 108th Street and Highway 370, at 11691 South 108th Street. Questions? E-mail PLVCT at plvcommtheatre@gmail.