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<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: auto 0in 0pt; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoNormalCxSpFirst align=center><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Energized, idol-ized
‘Joseph’ is living the dream<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: auto 0in 0pt; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle align=center><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Bob
Abelman<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Cleveland Jewish
News<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Member, International
Association of Theatre Critics <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This review will
appear in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Cleveland Jewish News
</I>on 3/7/14<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #333333"><FONT size=3>Stunt
casting is nothing new in the entertainment industry, but in these tough
economic times it is all the rage on Broadway and in Broadway tours.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Hollywood stars and TV celebrities eager
to expand their artistic horizons, rekindle a fading career or cash in on their
newfound household name have been readily embraced by producers looking to boost
flagging theater ticket sales.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #333333"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #333333">Recently, some great
performances have surfaced on New York stages, including those turned in by
T</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN>om Hanks (“Lucky Guy”), Zachary Levi (“First Date”), Carla Gugino (“A
Kid Like Jake”) and Cuba Gooding Jr. (“The Trip to Bountiful”).<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN>Some train wrecks have occurred as well, starring </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN>Kathie Lee Gifford (“Scandalous”), </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN>Orlando Bloom (“Romeo and Juliet”), and Jennifer Westfeldt (“The
Explorer’s Club”).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And Jesse
Eisenberg (“The Revisionist”).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And Katie Holmes (“Dead
Accounts”). <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Stunt casting is not
without risks.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN>Some shows are particularly conducive to celebrity sightings, with
</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">“Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dream Coat” being the poster child.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After all, pop star Donny Osmond played
the title role in the Toronto revival and U.S. national tour in the 1990s,
followed by a series of soap opera stars, members of famous entertainment
families, and pop singers.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>So it is no surprise that
the latest national tour of “Joseph,” <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>which is currently at PlayhouseSquare, is
spearheaded by fifth-season “American Idol” contestant Ace Young as Joseph and
third-season “American Idol” runner-up <SPAN style="COLOR: #222222">Diana Nicole
DeGarmo as the Narrator.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #222222"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">“Joseph”
was written in the late-1960s by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, who were in
their early-20s at the time.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Inexperienced
at creating clever plots or developing intriguing storylines, Webber and Rice
borrowed from the </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Old Testament. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“Joseph” is a non-religious rip-off of
the Book of Genesis story of Jacob and his twelve sons, where favorite son
Joseph is abruptly separated from his family, everyone encounters an assortment
of trials and tribulations, and everyone is once again united.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Still
working on finding a distinctive musical voice to call their own, Webber and
Rice don’t provide one for “Joseph.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Rather, the play offers a variety of well established and highly
recognizable </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">styles including pop,
country western, burlesque, and reggae.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Not
yet confident at creating dialogue, Webber and Rice don’t write any.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">“Joseph” is more of a
musical procession than a play – a veritable parade of musical numbers with each
loosely tied to the simple story and filled with clever lyrics.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">As such, it is
familiar, easily digestible, family-friendly fare that can be readily
commandeered by those untrained in the theater arts but well-schooled in
showmanship.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">But is this new tour,
which is being launched in our fair city, a solid rendition of this popular
musical?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Does it offer anything
unique when compared to previous stagings?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Let’s go to the judges (well, the judges in my
head).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Pop
Singer/Choreographer Paula Abdul:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>“’Idol’ is all about turning raw talent into a marketable commodity, and
Young and DeGarmo are as marketable as it gets.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They have the “Idol” stage presence that
comes from performing in front of a live studio audience and millions watching
at home.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They exude the ‘Idol’
charm and flash the ‘Idol’ smile as if stored in muscle memory.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And they unabashedly put on display the
good looks and vocal gifts that allowed them to rise in the food chain of
reality show competition.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In short,
they have the goods to carry this show.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Record Producer Randy
Jackson:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“And, dude, they are
surrounded by an ensemble that </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">delivers
all that the pretty leads with pop-star voices do not.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They are well trained stage singers and
talented dancers, dawg, that exuberantly execute the combination of classic,
modern and hip hop movement provided by director/choreographer Andy
Blankenbuehler.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In fact, several of
their musical numbers – particularly “One More Angel in Heaven,” featuring Brian
Golub, and “Those Canaan Days,” featuring Broadway veteran Paul Castree, nearly
steal the show.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">And
everything is surrounded by dynamic production values that jump-start every
musical number and offer something that past productions do not.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Starting with the overture and
continuing throughout the play, an array of colorful, animated images are
projected on drapes that surround the stage, on the characters’ brilliant
costuming, and on assorted set pieces to create motion, establish location and
add vitality and technicolor to everything.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Kudos to visual designers Beowulf
Boritt, Howell Binkley, Jennifer Caprio, and Daniel Brodie.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This show offers endless
eye-candy.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<H4 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
color=#222222>Music Executive and professional s.o.b. Simon Cowell:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“OK, but this is certainly no “Phantom.”
I suppose that for what “Joseph” is – a big, eager-to-entertain, musical
extravaganza – it will do.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Should
it continue on to Chicago and perform at the Cadillac Palace Theatre?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I vote yes, but America will have to
decide for itself.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></H4>
<H4 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
color=#222222><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></H4>
<H4 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#222222><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">WHAT:<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></H4>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">WHERE:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Palace Theatre,
PlayhouseSquare in </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">downtown
Cleveland<SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">WHEN:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Through Sunday, March 16<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">TICKETS:<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">$10
- $75, call 216-241-6000<I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> </I>or visit <A
href=""><FONT color=#0000ff>www.playhousesquare.com</FONT></A><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">.<o:p></o:p></I></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>