Breezy -- dynamic -- witty -- stunning -- loud --
The Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is ending its Summer run at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival this weekend. -- Popular since the 1970s and its Broadway debut in 1982, the "sung-through musical" is based on the Book of Genesis story of Jacob and his twelve sons [the favorite one is Joseph], the gift of a coat of many colors that sets off a tale of jealousies and their consequences, ultimately resulting in a redemptive reunion of the family.
Rice and Lloyd Weber fill their two acts with a variety of entertaining song styles [calypso, country-Western, French ballad, Rock and Roll, among others] as they develop plot and character with an infectious humor, and challenge actors and choreographers to engage their audiences.
Director Melissa Rain Anderson and her design cohort [Scenic: Christopher & Justin Swader; Costume: Theresa Ham; Lighting: Nathan Scheuer] create a stunning landscape in which the cast maneuver smoothly; abetted by clever-disciplined-athletic choreography by Lindsay Renea Benton, accomplished throughout by the ensemble cast, the production's success is grounded by its multi-talented company, with support from a local Youth Ensemble.
Fresh faces abound in this production, as most of the cast make their ASF debuts here; so it is heartening to witness their individual and collective energy, dancing skills, and impressive vocal talents. Ms. Anderson directs them with assurance, keeps the action flexible from scene to scene, and gets the most out of her collaboration with Music Director F. Wade Russo and his ten piece orchestra.
Samantha Rios serves as the Narrator who sets the tone and links the episodes of Joseph's [Michael Burrell] journey as an interpreter of dreams; from his initial snobbery to punishment to reward to redemption, starting off with his version of "Any Dream Will Do". But when his father Jacob [Michael Fitzpatrick] gives him the colorful coat, the brothers' jealousies get him sold into slavery ["One More Angel in Heaven"] with Potiphar [also Michael Fitzpatrick] in Egypt where Potiphar's Wife [Madison Manning] attempts to seduce him ["Potiphar"], gets him thrown into jail where his interpretation of dreams captures the attention of Pharaoh [Jim Poulos] whose dreams Joseph interprets as representing seven years of plenty followed by seven years of drought, and enables Pharaoh["A Pharoah's Story"] to keep his people safe and prosperous; and sets the scene for Joseph to reunite with his family.
With its emphasis on sustained and entertaining energy, this Joseph... could benefit from toning down the volume that too often blurs many of the lyrics and renders singing voices to shrillness rather than clarity. This notwithstanding, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a pleasant way to end ASF's 52nd Season.
