[NEohioPAL] Berko review: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT @ Beck Center

[Roy Berko]

JOSEPH-new, JOSEPH-joyous at Beck

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--
Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News Times--Olmsted-Fairview 
Times

--COOLCLEVELAND.COM-

When I heard that Beck Center was doing yet another production of JOSEPH AND THE 
AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, I thought, “Why? Its been done by almost every 
community theatre and high school in the area.  What can they do that's 
different?”

Well, I was wrong.  The Beck production is JOSEPH-new.  JOSEPH-joyous.  The show 
features Martin Céspedes's creative choreography, glorious voices, Céspedes's 
dynamic choreography, artistic lighting, Céspedes's engrossing choreography, 
inventive music arrangements, Céspedes's imaginative choreograph, attractive and 
usable sets, a fun and well trained children's chorus, and terrific leads.  Oh, 
did I mention  Céspedes's ingenious choreography?

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber 
and Tim Rice in their teen years.  The story line is based on the story of 
Joseph from the Hebrew BIBLE's Book of Genesis,   It was never planned to be a 
full scale production.  In 1968 it was presented as a 15-minute pop cantata at 
Colet Court School in London.  It eventually was developed into a full-blown 
creation. The show has an infectious score, highlighted by “Joseph's Dreams,” 
”Joseph's Coat,” “Jacob and Sons,” and “Go Go Go Joseph.” 

It is ironic that the show has no script.  There are no spoken lines, no 
pre-conceived concept, it's a song-after-song show which has been done by more 
than 20,000 schools and amateur theatre groups, making it one of the most 
produced shows in the musical theatre genre.  Each production is unique, though 
there are some concepts which most shows follow.  Beck's production breaks the 
“usual” mold.

One of Beck's keys to success is the over-the-top concept developed by director 
Scott Spence, Céspedes's choreography, and musical director Larry Goodpaster's 
creative take on  the score.  Songs sound fresh and different and the visual 
elements are exciting.  Trad Burns' lighting seems choreographed as it 
emphasizes the music and changes colors and intensities to fit the moods.   The 
children's chorus, instead of sitting around and doing little other than “look 
cute,” are completely integrated into the action.
Céspedes has incorporated mass movements which includes gymnastics, the swim, 
calypso,  break dancing, Rondeau, the twist, the cowboy two-step and the hoedown 
to fit the music and create well-designed stage images.

Alison Garrigan's costumes, including the technicolor coat which explodes to 
allow the children's chorus to make Joseph the center of a maypole dance, are 
visually engrossing.

The cast is universally strong.  Connor O'Brien displays a powerful voice in the 
role of Joseph.  Though he could have been more emotionally engaging, he more 
than makes up for it through his singing.  His “Close Every Door” was one of the 
show's highlights.  Tricia Tanguy creates a fine Narrator persona and has a 
strong and melodic singing voice.  O'Brien and Tanguy's “Any Dream Will Do” 
clearly set the tone of the production.   Josh Rhett Noble is Elvis-right as The 
Pharaoh.  His “Song of the King” delighted the audience.  The chorus showcases 
excellent blending.

Show highlights included the fanciful, “Those Canaan Days” and 'Benjamin 
Calypso.”
The appreciative audience greeted the ending with strong applause and were 
treated to a dynamic “Mega Mix” curtain call.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   You may have seen JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR 
DREAMCOAT before, but you've never seen it in the format of the Beck's MUST SEE 
production.  Take the whole family and enjoy!

Beck's production of JOSEPH runs through January 2 .  For ticket information 
call 216-521-2540.  
 
Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 
2010, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at 
http://royberko.info.  His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com 
and www.NeOHIOpal