Review: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Theatre Harrisburg

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the first publicly performed collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, appeared on Broadway in 1982. The musical actually began its life as a short pop cantata in London, and it was modified and expanded a number of times before it appeared on Broadway. The musical is based on the story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis. With the right cast and production team, Joseph can be a big, bright, beautiful and engaging show. Theatre Harrisburg definitely delivers with their production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on stage now through November 20th.

The Children's Chorus, featuring Ellie Darowish, Addison Deats, Vincent Graff, Caroline Griffo, Maggie Kimmich, Cedric Mahay, Scarlett Mink-Border, Mitchell Williams, Nora Wilt, and Elliott Yinger, delivers a delightful performance. They interact well with one another and with the adult actors. This group of young actors particularly shines when they act out the scenes from Joseph's dreams, appearing as cornstalks and stars, and when they join in on the background singing in "Close Every Door".

Tori Levine (Reuben's Wife/Mrs. Potiphar), Alison Whipple (Simeon's Wife), Adrienne Griffiths (Levi's Wife), Hannah Paymer (Naphtali's Wife), Kayla Menard (Issachar's Wife), Sarah Scholl (Asher's Wife), Emma Riglin (Dan's Wife), Rachel Elizabeth Potter (Zebulon's Wife), Mia Thornton (Gad's Wife), Katelynn Wilt (Judah's Wife), and Ellie Weaver (Benjamin's Wife) infuse their roles with energy and emotion that serve to elevate the many group numbers in the show, particularly "Go, Go, Go Joseph". They are all fantastic dancers and singers and are well-matched with the actors playing their corresponding husbands.

Joel Sattazahn (Jacob/Potiphar), Joseph Chubb (Levi/Pharaoh), Sam Krepps (Reuben), Andrew Williams (Simeon), Matt Topping (Music Director, Orchestra Conductor, and Naphtali), Joel Colvin (Issachar), Graham Lewis (Asher), Tommy Dougherty (Dan), Mitchell Young (Zebulon), Francis Dy (Gad), Aiden Lacey (Judah), and Zacariah Roush (Benjamin) really bring the show to life. Sattazahn's emotional portrayal of Jacob when he learns of Joseph's supposed death is heart-wrenching. Chubb's Pharaoh has wonderful Elvis moves. Unfortunately, the balance between his mic and the volume of the ensemble was less than desirable on Saturday evening, and it was difficult to make out all of his solo in "Song of the King". However, his performance as Pharaoh was fun and made his character an audience favorite. The brothers give some of the best vocal performances this reviewer has heard from a group in a long time. The harmonies are tight and spot-on. "Those Canaan Days" in particular shows off their dancing and vocal talent so well that it elicits one of the biggest rounds of applause of the entire performance. This reviewer has never seen a performance of Joseph in which the brothers were so in tune with one another not only vocally but also in terms of movement and emotion-they really feel like brothers to the audience.

The Narrator and Joseph are portrayed by Beth Darowish and Jeremiah Joel. Darowish and Joel balance each other beautifully on their duets. Darowish has a gorgeous, clear soprano voice, and it is easy to understand every word (which is no small feat because there are a lot of words, and they are all sung). Her portrayal of the Narrator is thoroughly engaging, drawing the audience into the action and emotion of the story. Joel's vocals are beautiful and emotional, bringing tears to the audience's eyes during "Close Every Door". His interactions with the other characters, especially the Narrator and Pharaoh, are fun to watch.

This production of Joseph features a phenomenal orchestra and pit singers, wonderful costumes and lighting, and top-notch staging and choreography. Every element of the production, directed by Kristi Ondo, comes together to create a joyful theatre experience that audiences of all ages can enjoy. Get your tickets for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat now at https://theatreharrisburg.com/tickets/.

Photo Credit: Chris Guerrisi

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