There is something wonderful about a family-friendly feel-good musical. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," a biblical tale told through the beautiful and catchy songs of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, is one of the most popular shows of the genre. The national touring production that hit the Warner Theatre downtown last weekend showcased why one of the oldest stories in the book can still prove to be so much fun.
For those who have not heard the familiar tale, it begins with the narrator (Amy Adams) introducing the story and characters: Jacob and his twelve sons, with special attention paid to Joseph (Patrick Cassidy), Jacob's favorite son. Joseph is given a multi-colored coat, which shows Jacob's favoritism and angers his brothers. The story tells of how the jealous eleven sell their father's favorite son into slavery and tell their father of his tragic but heroic death. Joseph, after being thrown into jail, rises up to become the second most powerful man in Egypt because of his talent for interpreting the Pharaoh's (Todd Dubail) dreams.
A famine strikes and Joseph's family in Canaan is unprepared. His brothers come to Egypt in search of assistance and Joseph gives it to them, though they do not recognize him. He decides to test them to see if they have changed their devious ways. When they are all willing to lay down their lives for one brother who was framed, Joseph reveals himself, and the family is reunited.
The greatness of the show is due to musical numbers that span various genres and the incorporation of humor into the tale. Each song has its own flavor, whether it be the country twang of "One More Angel in Heaven" or the driving disco beat of "Go Go Go Joseph." The contrast of each song keeps the show moving and alive, and practically every melody is insanely catchy. The framework of this show provides for the possibility of an entertaining show, but the degree of entertainment rests on the actual value of the individual production. The show at the Warner Theatre was an extremely well produced version in every aspect, providing for an outrageously fun experience.
The cast was highly energetic and very talented. Cassidy was entertaining and gave a solid vocal performance. Although at times he gave off a little too much wannabe rock star vibe, he was fun to watch and portrayed the character well. His heartfelt (and shirtless) delivery of the ballad "Close Every Door" was his best song.
Adams, a former American Idol finalist, played the part of the narrator as it should be played. Her sweet voice fit well and made her able to tell the story without overpowering the rest of the cast or the scenes themselves. She blended in with the background when required, but her quality voice shone during "Pharaoh Story" and other appropriate sections.
The rest of the cast didn't disappoint either. The brothers were all versatile performers, with energetic delivery and surprisingly developed dancing skills. Dubail was a particular standout. The female ensemble members were excellent, and their harmonies as well as dancing, were on point.
Both the staging by Dallett Norris and the choreography by Arlene Phillips fit the production perfectly. Every number had a theme, and they weren't afraid to take that theme to the next level. There was an innovative use of props, like a camera phone, that gave a modern twist, but did not overload the production.
The choreography was phenomenal because it really utilized the music and all the distinct different styles. There was a great amount of intricate partner work, as well as acrobatics that were visually stunning and technically challenging. These elements stood out especially in the western-themed "One More Angel in Heaven," that featured a few rope tricks, and the cheerleader-themed "Go Go Go Joseph," which incorporated pom-poms along with actual cheerleading stunts.
Costuming is one of the most important aspects in a production of Joseph, and this production was no exception. The costumes were bright and well cut. They were also full of sequins, and even provided for some humor. Somehow, even the use of spandex was fabulous. The effect of the costumes created an outrageous vision that was frivolous, but fun.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat can be a tad cheesy, but that's part of its charm. The visual and auditory spectacle created in this production was over the top in the best of ways, creating a truly entertaining and memorable theater-going experience that left viewers seeing bright colors and humming cheery tunes.
