BWW Reviews: JOSEPH AND THE... Lights Up Hershey Theatre's Broadway Series

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is one of those shows that's been around nearly forever but people still love it - and justifiably so. It's the first of the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musicals to have been performed in public, and may still be going when the world is tired of EVITA and CATS. Several years ago, it had passed 20,000 school and community theatre productions (not individual performances), not counting its lengthy professional history, and for something originally presented at a school as a 15-minute cantata, that's astounding.

But again, people like it - and why not? The first of the Webber/Rice sung-through, basically dialogue-free, musicals, it's populated with catchy tunes. Unlike LES MISERABLES, the audience knows the story before they hear of the musical - the Bible is infinitely more widely read than Victor Hugo. And it's designed for a younger, attractive cast, with ample opportunity for dance routines, light displays, and bits of comedy. The story of Joseph goes, here, beyond a tale of pseudo-murder, intrigue, sex, and wild dreams into... intrigue, sex, wild dreams, and colorful music and dance. Moses didn't have it so good in THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

The latest of a number of professional national tours is at Hershey Theatre right now, starring Ace Young as Joseph and Diana DeGarmo as the Narrator. That's Diana "American Idol" DeGarmo, who's done well since then, including on Broadway, and who does indeed have a voice. She has enough of a voice to make you wish that the Narrator had more solos, though she's omnipresent in the show. Joseph has a fine voice as well, which is crucial for the man who has to carry "Close Every Door" and "Any Dream Will Do". In Young's case, audience approval suggests that his shirtless moments are as effective as his voice in keeping ticketholders happy.

Despite the fondness for Joseph's appearance in as little as possible, the costuming on this production is really quite lovely; his infamous coat of many colors is radiant, Pharaoh's princely ensembles are luxuriant, and Mrs. Potiphar's costume appropriately minxish. Joseph's brothers are neatly kitted out in fashions befitting their personalities, and the effect is well worth the effort. Equally fine is the light show here - the show opens with lights and a scrim showing dreams, and the lights and occasional, judiciously chosen projections work beautifully. In one of the best moments of costume and lighting interplay, during "Pharaoh's Story," a series of ensemble members in white draping become the screen for a projection of the Egyptian desert. It's breathtaking to see.

Paul Castree as Simeon is delightful, and he leads the brothers' lament of "Those Canaan Days" into something between a Jacques Brel dirge and Russian histrionics, along with a few entertaining pieces of business. William Thomas Evans is a ridiculously funny Jacob and Potiphar, and Ryan Williams' Elvis-Pharoah is equally ludicrously amusing. He's less later-Elvis and more younger, hip-shaking Elvis than many productions use, though older Elvis makes for a funnier Vegas act routine in the show.

Those anticipating a fabulous light show in the "Joseph Megamix" at the end will not be disappointed - nor will they be disappointed earlier. This production is more light show than anything, and brilliantly so. There's some fine choreography, neatly executed, but this isn't a huge dance production compared to some stagings of JOSEPH (Marc Robin's choreographer's dream of a JOSEPH at the Fulton Theatre previously comes to mind); it's music and light that carry this production, and that do so vividly.

There's no doubt whatsoever, between theme and length - although there's an intermission, the show is still shorter than most musicals - that although there is much that adults will appreciate and younger audiences will miss, it's a perfect show for children as well. On opening night, the youngest members of the audience were spellbound by the singing, dancing, and light show. It's a fine way to introduce children to theatre, and makes this the perfect show for Hershey's Kids Night on Broadway program.

This production runs through September 28 at Hershey Theatre, which is its one great drawback - this story of Hebrew scripture is timed over Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat, which isn't the easiest scheduling for Jewish patrons. Fortunately there's Saturday night and Sunday. Call 717-534-3405 or visit www.hersheytheatre.com for tickets and information.

Photo: Daniel A. Swalec

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