The Penn State Thespians will follow their fall production of Hair with another rock musical: Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. Auditions will be held Sunday and Monday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Schwab Auditorium.

Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat is based on the biblical tale of Joseph and his coat of many colors. The show is a strong vocal production and will present 18 musical styles, ranging from country-western to modern jazz to calypso, said Eric Blume, the director.

Joseph is not like most other musicals because the entire story is told by the lyrics and the music -- there is no dialogue. Blume (senior- English / film) said the actors must be able to relay the story both in content and meaning through song.

The story is simple, Blume said. "It's about holding on to your dreams; it's about believing in yourself and believing in others."

Kathy Kurtz, one of the two choreographers, said there are six major dance numbers, but the entire show will have small steps with the singing.

"We haven't gotten into depth with the choreography yet," Kurtz (senior-general art) said. "(The dancing) won't be easy, but it won't be so complex as to interfere with the vocals."

The Thespians' adviser, Carol Whittacker, said though the group had been talking about doing this show for a number of years; choosing Joseph was an ambitious step for the Thespians.

"This is the first time we've done anything like this," she said, Joseph presents a challenge because it is entirely musical.

Whittacker said another reason for the choice was that Joseph is not performed that often.

Most of the parts are written for male actors, though some parts can go to women, Whittacker said.

It may be difficult for Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat to compete with the publicity the Thespians fall production of Hair received. "Hair was a wonderful production," Whittacker said. "We've done some fine work, but it's probably the finest production we've ever done."

Both Whittacker and Blume stressed that it is important not to compare the two musicals. Even though both productions are rock musicals and from the '60s, they represent two ends of the spectrum in terms of the material they present and the way they present it, Whittacker said.

The set designer for Joseph is George Halkias and the lighting designer is Mike Straub, who both worked on Hair, Whittacker said.

Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who also wrote musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, and Cats. The lyrics are by Tim Rice.

The musical, which was originally written as a ten minute choir piece, was performed as a full-length musical in England in 1974, and on Broadway in 1981, Blume said. The show ran for two years on Broadway.

The musical will be performed March 29, 30, 31 and April 1. Tickets go on sale March 12.