The Journal

Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: LifeStyle

Media Credit: Jeff Curry Gary Ford, assistant professor and program director of the public relations department, plays Potiphar April 21 in the Manchester United Methodist Church's production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Webster professor Gary Ford was rolled onstage during the production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" wearing a suitcoat over his leopard-skin loincloth. He acted and sang jokes about his money while counting it behind a desk. His appearance alone made people laugh and smile.


"I love to make people feel good," said Ford, assistant professor and program director for public relations. "I love to share with them and see people smile and laugh."


Ford played Potiphar in the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical April 20 through 22 at Manchester United Methodist Church at 129 Woods Mill Road in Ballwin.


The show features the biblical tale of Joseph, who was betrayed by his 12 brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt because he was his father's favorite. He eventually managed to overcome his situation and become the Pharaoh's second in command. The show presented an array of music styles, including country, disco, Caribbean and a rock 'n' roll song performed by the Pharaoh as an Elvis impersonator. The story is told entirely through song, as there is no spoken dialogue in the script.


"It's kind of a zany musical," said Sharon Platt, an audience member. "I thought it was pretty strange the first time I saw it. But the more I see it, the more I like it. (Manchester United Methodist Church) did a great job putting it on. I was impressed by everyone's performances."


Ford was onstage for only four and a half minutes for the song "Potiphar" named after his character. Potiphar was Joseph's master in Egypt. The song had a 1920s ragtime feel.


Ford sat onstage, stately behind a desk. He yelled at slaves and looked at stock charts while the narrator of the production sang about him and his financial success by purchasing shares in pyramids. He was surrounded by stock charts, money and an ancient calculator. The parts he sang, such as how much he lived in style, got a few chuckles out of the audience.

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