[NEohioPAL] Joseph’s Amazing Misconception - Mercury Summer Stock

[Jason Falkofsky]

I'm not one to who typically feels that it is my responsibility to use
NEOPAL as a forum to criticize or defend my craft, or the craft of
another. However, in the case I do feel somewhat compelled to offer a
few of my thoughts.

First, to John: I am not directing this response to you. You are
entitled to your opinion, and that is fine. I'm sure that there are
others who may agree with you. Actually, I thank you you for sharing
your reactions to this production. Without "misconceptions" like yours,
creative individuals would never be forced to step back and look at
their Art through a critical eye. It is precisely opportunities like
these where we grow the most, where we are able to answer yes or no to
the self-imposed question of "Did I make the right artistic choice?".

Second, to Pierre, Brian and all my friends at Mercury: I hope that you
take John's opinion for just that: John's opinion. And, since he shared
his with you I will share mine (once again!): I loved the show! It was
great to see a refreshing take on an "old" standard. It was
different...way different! Even some of the Joseph "purists" I knew that
were in the audience the night I attended enjoyed themselves. You closed
your eyes and dared to dream. In my opinion -- your dream came true.

Third, to all directors, performers, etc.: I encourage you to continue
to be creative. Make choices and take a chances. Be open to growth and
the opinions of others. Sometimes you may agree with other's opinions,
often times you will not. Challenge your audiences with new works and
fresh ideas. Open our eyes, minds and hearts. Your influence continues
long after that final curtain. Always remember...Joseph was given
multicolored coat, not a monochromatic one(!). It was his coat that set
him apart from his brothers (and consequently made his brothers
jealous!).

Finally, to all: Go Go Go...see Mercury Summer Stock's production of
Joseph. You still have three more chances this week. But, don't stop
there. Go out and support all local artists. Northeast Ohio is home to a
wealth of creative talent just waiting to share their hard work and
passion for live theater and the Arts. I am proud to indulge myself in
such talent on a frequent basis, and am rarely disappointed.

Keep dreaming!

Jason Falkofsky



>>> John Glover <media-publish at hotmail.com> 06/23/10 3:10 PM >>>

 
Joseph’s Amazing Misconception: Too much concept kills Joseph
 
 
A director’s concept, their vision and implementation of that vision,
can either lead to an innovative and truly exciting piece of theater or
an offensive or meaningless production.  Meaningless is the operative
word here, with yet again, another Cleveland production of Joseph,
presented by Mercury Summer Stock.
 
The root of the trouble lies with the director’s new twist on the
familiar narrative of Joseph and his coat of many colors. This "Joseph”
is set on, “an MGM soundstage in the Golden Age of Hollywood Cinema. 
Rudolph Valentino, W.C. Fields, Mae West, The Little Rascals, Charlie
Chaplin and the Marx Brothers are all on hand to playfully spin the Old
Testament tale, but will a young cameraman with big dreams become the
ultimate star”?
 
But there’s a fatal layer of disconnect between the Old Testament
narrative, and this glam, razzle-dazzle that usually saturates Broadway
touring productions. One can’t follow the story-line! The director’s
concept doesn’t serve the text as much as it overwhelms it and this
misguided concept sinks this musical faster than the cast members can
pop their prop balloons.
 
A measure of how poorly the story is told is that the press release is
forced to provide a plot synopsis. What you get, in place of narrative
drive, are production effects.  Even the children on stage are largely
used as decoration. 
 
A musical which once possessed its own buoyancy has been turned into a
piece of gaudy, chocolate-box commercialism.  And as demonstrated by
more effective productions of “Dreamcoat”, it's possible to reduce Additional gripes about the show -- the dancing is at times unpolished,
the potentially heart-warming reunion scene is handled superficially,
performances are adequate rather than thrilling, and at times, the
singing is off-pitch, shrill, and poorly modulated. Somewhere inside
this big, fat show there is a small, delightful musical struggling to
get out.
 
  		 	   		  
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