After five years in his multi-coloured coat, Donny Osmond is hanging it up for the last time on May 25. However, Livent just extended Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat's Toronto run until Aug. 3.

According to Livent spokesperson Grant Ramsay, onstage festivities following Osmond's last show, the May 25 matinee, will include a balloon drop, confetti cannons and streamers. Osmond has been with the production since its beginning, June 1992, and has racked up over 1,800 performances.

Replacing him in the title role will be David Burnham, a U.S. actor who was in the Canadian and U.S. tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Burnham, 25, will give his first performance as Joseph May 28. Also in the cast of Joseph are Kelli James Chase (narrator), Johnny Seaton (Pharaoh) and James Harms (Jacob/Potiphar). The musical is directed by Steven Pimlott.

Asked about Osmond's plans once he leaves Joseph, Ramsay said the actor is planning on taking some time off. Then he'll be cutting old hour long "Donny & Marie" variety shows (he recently bought the rights) into syndicatable half-hours.

-- By Ray Ellicock
Theatre News Canadaand David Lefkowitz