WHEN DAVID OSMOND tells his friends at College of the Ozarks how he spent his summer vacation, it's sure to be different from most students' stories.
This summer, David, who is almost 18, is starring in a local production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" - in the same role that has kept his Uncle Donny busy for the past few years.David is one of Alan Osmond's eight boys - six of whom are involved in the second annual August Night Theater Group's production of "Joseph" at Kingsbury Hall (Aug. 14-25).
In addition to David in the high-profile title role, Doug, 19, and Scott, 15, will play two of Joseph's brothers, and Alex, 9, and Tyler, 7, are in the children's chorus. Fourteen-year-old John will be working back stage.
During an interview with David Osmond last week, the third-generation performer talked about the show - his first experience at real "musical theater" - and life in one of the entertainment industry's most successful families.
"I've been performing for about 14 years," Osmond said, "almost ever since we could talk. We used to be the Osmond Boys - I was the youngest of the four."
He said he and the others used to just start singing along while they were watching videotapes of their fathers and uncles - the original Osmond Brothers - performing on Andy Williams' TV show.
"We just started picking up the harmony parts. My father encouraged us, but, in a way, he also discouraged us. He knew the hardships and trials found in show business," Osmond said. "He would get us up at 5 in the morning to rehearse - and we loved it. It must in our blood, I guess."
Osmond said he had never seen the stage production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" until Donny Osmond's opening night in the show in Toronto a few years back. Like most audience members, David was immediately hooked on both the show's energy and its spirituality.
"In the part of Joseph, you're able to bring a spirit across on stage that can't be felt anywhere else. In portraying this true story and the emotional feelings of Joseph, you can't help but feel this spirit," he said.
David, who enjoys spending time with his cousins, noted that just a few days ago he was visiting Donny's family at his home near Provo.
"We had some good laughs - he's a great guy - and we went over a few things (about `Joseph')," David said. "Donny told me some of the funny things that happened during his tour with the show. At one performance, a little girl, maybe 5 or 6 years old, had come all dressed up in a costume. After she and her parents sat down and the performance began, she noticed all of these other kids parading down the aisle. She thought that maybe it was some kind of a party - so she jumped into the line with the others."
The children, of course, were part of a kids' chorus that was added to the production for its big revival.
"She had memorized all the words and music from the CD and - when the chorus got up on stage, she was able to pick up the dance movements by watching the others. Meanwhile, her parents were down in the audience, wondering about how their daughter suddenly ended up in the show. A backstage security guard was finally able to get her out of the ensemble and back to her seat," said Osmond.
Osmond noted that the anecdote illustrates how knowledgable children are about "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and the fact that it is so accessible to family audiences.
David tried out for "Joseph" during one of the production's auditions after a friend suggested he should go. While he's performed for years in concerts - everywhere from fairgrounds to the family's big, new theater in Branson, Mo. - this will mark his first endeavor in musical theater.
"It's something I've always wanted to do, but it's a different style of performing. Our musical director, Vickie Belnap, has been coaching me," he said.
Director/choreographer Susan Holland said that having the six Osmond brothers involved has raised the level of this year's production to a higher professional level.
"They're immensely talented," Holland said. "The Osmonds have lent a huge air of professionalism. They have a strong work ethic, and they know how critical the rehearsal is in producing a first-rate show."
Holland said this year's version will have the same size orchestra, but the producers will be using a much bigger soundboard and a greatly enhanced sound system. One of last year's major problems - the orchestra drowning out the singers - shouldn't happen this year.
She said the 1997 edition will also have a different spin on the hoedown segment, and the scene where the jealous brothers are plotting Joseph's demise will take on a "gangster" look.
"We had so many talented kids turn out for the children's auditions that we've double-cast the children's chorus. They add a nice element to the show," Holland said.
The director (who will be playing Potiphar's wife) added that Donny Osmond's son, Don, recently visited one of the rehearsals.
"This show rocks!" was his assessment.
He should know.
When Alan Osmond's family isn't working in Branson, where they maintain one family home, they spend time at their other home in Sanpete County.
"I spend one semester attending the College of the Ozarks in Branson, and the rest of the school year here," he said. He's planning on attending college in Utah this winter, then expects he'll be getting his LDS Church mission call.
His oldest brother is married and living in Branson. Another brother, Nathan, is serving an LDS mission in Chile (he'll be home in February), and Doug, who's in the play, just got his mission call to Johannesburg, South Africa. He'll be leaving Sept. 17.
- THE CAST of the newly mounted production features several returnees, including Ron Johnson as Jacob, Joseph's father, and Paul Brienholt as Pharoah.
Sarah Homer and Patrice Vincent are the Narrators, with Rod Lewis as Potiphar and Mark Bryant as both the Baker and one of the brothers.
Other brothers, in addition to Doug and Scott Osmond, include Sterling Hanks, Ryan Hoskins, Rick Jensen, John LeBarron, Landon Montgomery, Matt Stevens, Cody Simms, Justin Taylor, Ryan Walton and Jake Werrett.
Playing dancers/wives are Amy Stevens, Jannette Boyd, Kristin Christensen, Amber Read, Cicley Anderson, Kristen Barratt, Annie Jane Christensen, Elena Estanol, Amanda Hardin, April Hodges, Heidi Howarth, Lisa Machen, Paula Nielson, Ashley Pearson, Melissa Rappleye, Marianne Seare, Michelle Sheets, Natalie Terry, Jennifer Moore and Crystal Beuhlar.
- PERFORMANCES of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" will be at 8 p.m. Aug. 14-29 (except Sundays and Tuesdays) at Kingsbury Hall on the University of Utah campus. All seats are reserved. Tickets range from ??? to ??? and are available in advance from the Kingsbury Hall box office (581-7100) or all ArtTix locations (355-2787), including the Capitol Theatre box office and selected Albertsons customer service counters.
There are no matinee performances. Patrons should also plan to allow plenty of time for parking, which is limited adjacent to the theater. But it's a fairly short walk from the two major parking lots - east of the President's Circle and west of Rice Stadium.