Matthew Morley Rusk as the title character in the Devon Theater's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which has been nominated for five Barrymore Awards. Photo credit Kim Reilly, Devon Theater.

UPDATE (10/5/10, 1:50 pm) — The Devon Theater’s production of Joseph did not win a Barrymore for any of its five nominations, but director Kim Reilly (who’s currently at Act II playhouse, which pulled in one win and six nominations) said in a previous conversation with NEast Philly: “The success of the show is really a tribute to the hard work of our amazing cast and crew.”

It’s closing in on a year since the now-shuttered Devon Theater put on its rendition of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The show debuted back in November 2009, the second of what was to be a five-show inaugural season for the Mayfair theater. But when arts funding ran out due to state budget constrictions, the Devon canceled its season after Joseph finished its run, and has since discontinued other performances.

Built in 1946, the Devon went through several transitions. What started as a movie theater did a stint as an adult theater, then back to a movie theater before becoming an abandoned eyesore along a main stretch of Frankford Avenue. The theater reopened as a 400-seat live arts venue, before shutting its doors once more early this year. continue reading »

Updated 11/16/09 @ 10:10 a.m. with a response from Devon staff; Updated 11/16/09 @ 1:42 p.m. with a response from the Mayfair CDC

The Devon Theater announced Friday it will cancel the three remaining shows in its inaugural season due to lack of funding, according to e-mails obtained by NEast Philly.

“I, too, am shocked and utterly heartbroken to hear the news.  I was not made aware that such a huge portion of our funding was in jeopardy until very, very recently, and I did not think the solution to the funding evaporation would be so severe,” said associate artistic director Kim Reilly. “Sadly, it doesn’t have anything to do with the great work going on at The Devon on the stage and behind the scenes.” [Update]

The sudden call came a day after an energetic opening night of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in front of a near capacity crowd, but just a month after founding artistic director Michael Pickering resigned without public explanation. The “Joseph” show is not in jeopardy and will continue, Reilly said.

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Matthew Morley Rusk as the title character in the Devon Theater's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, running Nov. 12 to Dec. 13, 2009. Photo credit Kim Reilly, Devon Theater.

Updated 11/16/09 @ 7:04 p.m.: ‘Joseph’ will run as scheduled, but, as NEast Philly reported, the Devon has canceled the rest of its inaugural season.

Liz Filios didn’t miss a note when she took a step too quickly and had to shift her balance to keep from tripping in the second act.

That momentary misplaced footing may have been the only thing that went wrong for cast and crew of the Devon Theater‘s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Thursday evening during their opening night. Joseph is the second of a five-show inaugural season for the Devon.

The 14-member stage force, wh0 filled more than 40 roles in the bright and big musical that crisscrosses genres, won quick engagement from the crowd of some 350. That quick and light production comes despite losing Artistic Director Michael Pickering, who resigned unexpectedly last month just as rehearsals for ‘Joseph’ were beginning.

Before the performance, Pickering’s replacement, an ambitious 24-year-old star named Kim Reilly, who was already on staff in a marketing role that she is dually fulfilling now, addressed the crowd. Then she let her Philadelphia directorial debut fly.

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Photo by Christopher Wink

NEast Philly Exclusive: Michael Pickering, artistic director for Fuse Management and the Devon Theater, has stepped down from his position with the Mayfair venue. Kim Reilly, the newly appointed associate art director, has released the following statement:

“Michael has resigned for personal reasons.  It’s sad to see him go, but better for him and his family in the end.  I am stepping in as the Associate Artistic Director.”

The Devon’s next performance, which Reilly will co-direct, is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which opens Nov. 11 and run through Dec. 13.