ONE New England - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Theater Review - The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Brookfield, Connecticut

By Mark B. Oliver | July 05, 2011

Mrs. Potiphar (Janina Reiner) Attempts to Seduce Joseph

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the latest hit from The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts.

The Narrator (Shannon Robinson)

Joseph tells the story of Jacob and his twelve sons, and how the jealousy of his brothers led the dreamer Joseph on an amazing adventure to Egypt. Based on the biblical story of Joseph in the book of Genesis, Joseph has been a musical favorite for over forty years.

The prologue, Any Dream Will Do, opens in front of curtain with an assembled group of girls, the Dream Choir, listening to the words of the Narrator, played by Shannon Robinson, who, encouraging the children to dream, recounts Joseph’s story in song.

Robinson immediately grabs your attention. She is a commanding stage presence with a pitch-perfect voice, and effortlessly glides through the production with wit and poise.

As the curtain raises, Jacob and his Sons, introduces us to the remainder of the main cast, in an appealing number played for comedic effect, as it becomes apparent that behind Jacob (Todd N. Robinson) and Joseph’s back, they are not fond of their younger brother.

Joseph receives his amazing technicolor dreamcoat from his father, and Nick Kuell, who plays the title character, acquits himself admirably in his first solo, Joseph’s Dreams in which Joseph foresees a time when he will rule over his brothers.

This dream, and their father’s favoritism, results in the brothers taking Joseph out to commit fratricide, but a chance encounter with some passing Ishmaelites causes a change in plan and Joseph is sold into slavery instead. The scene is lightened by the depiction of the Ishmaelites - a solitary figure atop a pantomime camel, that was played with great aplomb.

The Egyptian Costumes Were A Triumph

Believing Joseph to be dead, Jacob leaves the stage, and the brothers and their wives celebrate in a rousing hoedown - a complete triumph for choreographer Caitlin D. Nolan.

And so begins Joseph’s journey to Egypt, where he is eventually imprisoned after his master, Potiphar, believes him to be having an affair with his wife. The sexual shenanigans that lead to this misunderstanding had the theater in stitches, and Frank Beaudry’s hilarious performance as Potiphar has to be seen to be believed.

Eventually Joseph comes to the attention of the Pharaoh (Stephen Michelsson) and Joseph’s rise from slavery begins. The costumes worn by the cast during the Egyptian scenes are outstanding. The women are dressed in glamorous attire that wouldn’t have been out of place in the roaring twenties, yet were completely harmonious with the more traditional costumes for the men; an ingenious idea by Costume Designer Gina Tonner.

Joseph’s family meanwhile are not faring well and are suffering from the effects of a seven year famine. Ralph Papp, as the brother Simeon, leads the brothers in their performance of Those Canaan Days. Papp’s strong voice completely captures your attention, but better still is his comedic timing. He nicely underplays the comic aspect of the scene which only heightened the audience’s laughter.

The brothers, and eventually Jacob, make their way to Egypt and without giving too much away, the family are eventually reunited.

The rousing finale, had the audience clapping along, as Kuell and Robinson once again deliver strong performances alongside their fellow cast members.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays at The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts until July 23, 2011. And with tickets selling like hotcakes, ONE recommends buying your tickets as soon as possible.

Tickets cost $20 or $15 for students and can be bought online or by telephone: (800) 838-3006.