DENNIS COURTNEY Joseph Reviews

Fri, Jun. 11, 2004

'Joseph' a dynamic season-opener

Music Theatre of Wichita's production of "Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat" continues this weekend.

BY BUD NORMAN
The Wichita Eagle

Music Theatre of Wichita kicked off a new season in fine fashion Wednesday with a witty and energetic "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Considered a cutting-edge musical for its eclectic score and wacky humor when the young Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber began its evolution in the late '60s, "Joseph" was already something of a war-horse by the time it debuted on Broadway in 1982 and is fully venerable by now.

Wisely, director Dennis Courtney and his crack cast and crew approach the show with the same affectionate irreverence that Rice and Webber had for their Old Testament source material, infusing it with giddy energy, new jokes and some updated pop-cultural allusions.

Helping considerably in the effort is a small army of talented performers, ably led by James Royce Edwards in the title role. Edwards has a voice that's simultaneously strong and easygoing, just right for such tricky pop fare as "Any Dream Will Do," and a physical presence that's somehow both beefcake and boyish, just right for the requirements of the straight-out-of-Genesis plot.

The intriguingly named Q. Smith also brings a powerhouse voice and exotic look to her duties as narrator, and charms the audience with a blazingly sunny personality.

Edward Staudenmayer wrings every possible laugh, and then a few more, out of an Elvis-ish Pharaoh that is King of both The Nile and Rock 'n' Roll.

The score offers few other standout opportunities, but the always-reliable Nicholas F. Saverine deserves mention for his dual roles of Jacob and Potiphar, while Julius B. Thomas III and Andrew Franklin make the most of their leading moments among Joseph's brothers.

If the rest of the parts are ensemble work, it's an outstanding ensemble and director Courtney puts it to good use. His choreography shrewdly draws on a wide range of sources, from vaudeville to sock hops to Egyptian hieroglyphics, and is expertly executed by everyone including the massive children's choir. The steps are in keeping with the gleefully anachronistic spirit of the production, and everyone pitches in on the effort.

Musical director Paul Christman conducts a top-notch orchestra through the diverse score, even handling the semi-country-and-Western -- a genre that somehow seems particularly elusive for musical theater types -- with an authentic feel and unusual lack of condescension.

Branson's colorful set designs contribute much to the comically anachronistic feel, especially a Vegas-style palace for the Pharaoh, and the costumes by Shawn-Adrian DeCou and lights by David Neville are also quite good.

One small complaint is with the overlong finale, which virtually re-tells the story and compresses the score into a medley without really adding anything. It has the feel of an arena rock band pounding out the final note of a performance to milk a few more cheers, but I'll raise my Bic lighter to MTW's "Joseph" nonetheless.

Published - Thursday, April 6, 2000

UCO's production for entire family

By Bob Smith
The Edmond Sun

The University of Central Oklahoma's Music Theatre Department is closing the year with the wonderful Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
This tale for young and old alike tells the Biblical story of Joseph, his multicolored coat and his envious brothers. With a delightful score which encompasses ballads, country/western and rock 'n' roll, the toe-tapping songs capture the audience immediately.

Beth Pollack is outstanding as the Narrator of the tale, carefully weaving the story into a whole. Her clear voice serves her well from beginning to end as she catches the audience at once.

Mateja Govich is in wonderful form as Joseph, turning in an outstanding performance from both a singing and acting standpoint. Govich brings a nice innocence to the early scenes of the play, as well as allowing to see justice tempered with wisdom at the show's end. Govich offers excellent work vocally with the soulful "Close Every Door" and reminds us all to hold on to our dreams with "Any Dream Will Do."

Brad Milburn brings a nice comic touch to the role of Potipher, one of Egypt's millionaires. Anna Rayburn proves properly seductive as Potipher's wife. Her attempts to seduce the reluctant Joseph are hilarious and she and Govich make the most of the routine.

Chris Milburn, Brian Hamilton, Blark Roberts, Jonathon McElroy, Roger Sutton, James Ginnever, Stephen Troy, Ryan Mobley, Scotty Taylor, Justin Lauderdale and Harry Wolohon each supply some wonderful interpretations of character as Joseph's jealous brothers.

Hamilton's vocal prowess shows off well as he leads his brothers in telling their father there is "One More Angel in Heaven" while they grieve about the loss of Joseph. McElroy makes the most of his opportunity to shine, performing "Canaan Days" as we return to see how the family is making out during the famine. Roberts leads the brothers in a wonderful island number as they defend Benjamin with the "Benjamin Calypso."

Chris Milburn turns in some fabulous work as an Elvis-style Pharaoh who raises Joseph to second in command. Milburn's telling of his dream for Joseph's interpretation is a highlight. Jon Haque and Taylor add nicely as Joseph's prison cohorts, the Baker and Butler respectively, who get Joseph started with his interpretations.

Lexi Windsor, Jamie Buxton, Megan Anderson, Alyssa Baldwin, Alyssa Geddes, Kendra Campbell and Cara Kem add nicely to the show both as the wives of the brothers and servants in Pharaoh's court. Rounding out the superb cast as the "hairy Ishmaelites," replete with camels, are Campbell, Nicola Govich and Ben Carrington.

Guest director Dennis Courtney has pulled out all the stops leaving no stone unturned as he mounts this production which would rival any. Courtney's fast-paced tempo keeps the show moving and his choreography is executed with a precision that make all the dance numbers first rate.

Conductor Sandra Thompson and her orchestra do excellent work with the score and thanks to her skill and a superb cast, the singers are never drowned out. Courtney is to be commended for his work with the cast as their diction is clear and understandable throughout the production.

This show is perfect for the entire family and is as fine of a production as one will see anywhere at any time.