By Tom Waring

Times Staff Writer

Last month, there was an interesting development on the second day of auditions for the Devon Theater's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Director Michael Pickering resigned, leaving a void that needed to be filled promptly.

Fuse Management, the Mayfair Community Development Corporation's operating partner in the Devon venture, didn't have to look far for a replacement.

Kimberly Reilly already had been serving as the company's associate artistic director and was tapped to direct the show. She quickly put in a call to Matt Silva, whom she knew from Villanova University's graduate theater program.

Silva jumped at the chance to join his friend as co-director for the classic musical.

The auditions went well, intensive rehearsals have been underway since Oct. 26, and the show will debut next week.

While Pickering - who wanted to return home to Colorado - is credited with helping the Devon grow in its early stages, the two 24-year-old directors, who graduated in May, believe they have the experience to make sure audiences are delighted with Joseph.

"We agree artistically on a lot of things," Silva said.

Reilly points to her background in the two-year master's program at Villanova as a reason she and Silva are ready at such a young age to direct a major show.

"It was hard as hell, but it was so enriching and so valuable," she said.

Mayfair CDC chairman Reese Hartey and executive director Brian King continue to be pleased with what Fuse Management is bringing to the 400-seat Devon, which opened in March.

This is the theater's first full season. There was a September production of Little Shop of Horrors. After Joseph is done, Noises Off will debut in January, followed by Pump Boys & Dinettes in March and Forever Plaid in April. All are musicals, except Noises Off, which is a play.

The theater also hosted concerts by Brian Pastor's Big Band and Beru Revue last month.

THEY LOVE THEIR WORK

King describes the staff as young but passionate, creative and professional. The turnover in directors, facilities management and sales/ticketing and marketing has been smooth.

"It's a very young, vibrant staff that is very involved," he said. "They give extra overtime because they are passionate."

Joseph is set in biblical Egypt and features the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Timothy Rice. The production consists of a cast of 14 young adults. A typical cast would feature 40 people, including a children's choir, but the directors chose the "best of the best" from more than 70 at auditions.