Review: Discover the dream within JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

Sioux Empire Community Theatre (SECT) kicks off season 16 this weekend with the colorful favorite JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.

Alexis Britson makes her SECT debut in the role of the Narrator, guiding the audience through the tale of Joseph. Based on the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors from the Book of Genesis, audiences follow the titular character as he goes from favorite son of Jacob (Kevin Humke) to disowned brother; from slave and prisoner to the right hand man of the Pharaoh (Darren Lee) - eventually to be reunited with his family.

With original lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, JOSEPH premiered on the West End in 1973, making a Broadway transfer almost a decade later in 1982. The show is unique in that it is almost entirely sung through and utilizes a variety of musical styles ranging from French ballad, to country western, and 1950's rock and roll. It is a stimulating and surreal experience that keeps audiences laughing and guessing throughout the show.

In the second number the audience is introduced to Jacob and his twelve sons. I found this collective group of brothers to consistently be one of the strongest forces of energy on the stage; feeding off of each other and embodying brotherhood to the fullest. Audiences may recognize one of the brothers as Devin Basart in the role of Judah. Basart is a regular in theater productions throughout Sioux Falls and is consistently a joy to watch perform. His continual energy and sense of humor comes through in each of the shows I've been lucky enough to see him in.

As the story shifts to Egypt, the simple earth tone costumes transform into an over-the-top pallet with sequins, headdresses, and sparkle. Bringing all of this together is an Elvis inspired Pharaoh, from the hair down to his blue suede shoes. This continues into the Act 1 closing number where the entire cast comes on stage in 1970's inspired clothing for a technicolor explosion of fun for the number Go, Go, Go Joseph.

With all of the over-the-top-ness of the show, the most compelling scene for me is the most stripped down. When Joseph, played by Paul Ridgeway, is captured and jailed he sits alone on stage with a single spotlight on him and is later joined by the children's chorus carrying candles. This simple, stripped down scene highlights Ridgeway's emotional range and was a special moment in the otherwise extravagant show. Ridgeway is continually strong throughout his performance, grounding some of the most stimulating scenes.

Joseph eventually finds a path for himself and takes something that once made him an outcast and makes something amazing out of it. This is a beautiful reminder to audiences that what makes you different makes you special; a message more important today than ever before. JOSEPH is definitely a show for dreamers, for families, and for anyone looking for a fun night out.

JOSEPH runs now through October 7th at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Sioux Falls, SD. You can still get tickets to the show on SECT's website here.

Make sure you don't miss the rest of the SECT season, remaining shows include holiday favorite A CHRISTMAS CAROL (November 29-December 9), STEEL MAGNOLIAS (March 14-24), and OLIVER! (May 9-19).

Photo Credit: Sioux Empire Community Theatre

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