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<DIV>I have been intrigued reading the comments about Mercury Summer Stock's
production of "Joseph" for a number of reasons, mostly because I was holding
tickets for tonight's production. Now that I have seen it, I feel
compelled to add my own two cents...with a bit of a unique perspective.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>First of all, like so many of you, I have seen "Joseph" more than a dozen
times...ranging from children's community theater to the 'Donny Osmond' version
to performances at the National Theater in Washington, DC. I happen
to love the music...so although the productions varied in talent level, they all
were pretty much equally enjoyable to me. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Here's the unique perspective part -- I have long been an Andrew Lloyd
Webber fan, and I, as a working broadcast journalist, was fortunate enough
to dine with Sir Andrew at the National Press Club in Washington more
than a decade or so ago. He was asked many questions about his
successes including "Joseph" and the surprising (to him) longevity it has
had. The one thing that stuck with me was when he was asked about
variations of his creations and whether he ever tired of seeing his shows in
performance. With a smile, he noted that he wished there was more
"creativity" out there...and loved when he saw a new "twist" on something or
more "innovation" with existing productions. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>As I sat at the Brooks Theatre at the Cleveland Play House tonight watching
the exceptional performance, I couldn't help but remember that
conversation. My nine-year-old son who accompanied me to tonight's
performance wouldn't know Mae West from Charlie Chaplin...but that didn't stop
him from laughing heartily and understanding the story that he was still
reminiscing about an hour after the car ride home. He was perhaps
<EM>more</EM> intrigued by this production because of the beautifully created
black and white costuming, the complexities of the set, props and moving
camera, and the clever interplay by <EM>all</EM> of the cast members
playing the narrators, rather than just having a single storyteller.
And as far as the "balloon-popping"....it was his favorite part...not just
because he's a child and likes balloons (he has been on the stage since birth
and appreciates good theater!)...but because of the 'new twist', the
'creativity', the 'innovation' of it all. Sir Andrew would be proud.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Go for any of the aforementioned items; go for the amazing choreography by
Director Pierre Jacques-Brault (how he is able to create such a visual
masterpiece on such a small stage boggles the mind); go for the music re-created
so masterfully by this wonderfully talented and effervescent cast and
orchestra...just 'go, go, go see it'.....you'll leave with a smile on your
face.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I have no doubt Sir Andrew would too.</DIV>
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<DIV>Staci Vincent</DIV>
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