GO, GO, GO JOSEPH -- Reviewing Joseph in L.A.

Pictured: (l-r) Amy Adams, Patrick Cassidy;  © 2005, George Byron Griffiths

In its 1982 Broadway debut, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was a commercial success garnering 7 Tony, 1 Theatre World and 3 Drama Desk nominations (winning only a Theatre World Award for the late Laurie Beechman for her role as the Narrator). Since then, the show has been revived on Broadway (with Michael Damian) and toured extensively around the world. According to the show's official website, "it is estimated that the show has been performed in nearly 20,000 schools or local theatres, involving over 700,000 performers of all ages with an audience in excess of 9 million people." With a story straight out of the bible (the last 13 chapters in the book of Genesis), a blend of several musical styles, talented performers and visually spectacular costumes and sets, it is no wonder Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become a favorite among American musical theatre-goers.

Tuesday, June 20, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opened in Los Angeles at the historic Pantages Theatre for a limited 16 performance run (through July 2) starring Patrick Cassidy and Amy Adams.

Making her theatrical debut is season 3 American Idol favorite, Amy Adams as the Narrator, who tells the story of Joseph to a group of children. Adams' presence on-stage was definitely a great benefit to the production. She has a powerful and dynamic voice that is full and resonates throughout the theatre and fit the pop/rock style of the music perfectly. Adams' performance and interpretation as the Narrator added a level of power, depth and warmth to the production.

Cassidy, a popular stage actor with credits ranging from 42nd Street to The Pirates of Penzance stars as Joseph, the son of Jacob who rises to power in Egypt in spite of being sold into slavery by his 12 jealous brothers. Though Cassidy has an extensive list of stage credits, Joseph doesn't appear to be one of his stronger roles. The audience seemed to respond to Cassidy's often over-performed interpretation of a dramatic and loud Joseph, however he lacked the soft and emotional sentiments the character required particularly in the highly emotional, "Close Every Door."

The production as a whole was bland in spite of the bright flashing on-stage lights, gyrating Elvis impersonator, dancing pharaohs and country-square-dancing-flourescent-pom-pom-clad dancers. Though the show combines musical influences from pop to country, the show doesn't quite deliver in any other aspect of the production. Just as Cassidy's performance was a tad-overdone, so everything else seemed to be as well from the costumes, sets and even Cassidy's well-chiseled abs. Adams' performance however, was the silver lining in this touring production of Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber's ever-popular Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Tickets to the bright and visually stimulating production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat can be purchased online at www.BroadwayLA.org, by phone (213/365-3500 or 714/740-7878), the Pantages Theatre box office or any Ticketmaster outlet. Located at 6233 Hollywood Blvd., the box office is open daily from 10 AM-6PM or until 30 minutes after curtain goes up on the day of a performance. Joseph runs Tuesdays-Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 & 8 PM and Sundays at 1 & 6:30 PM now through Sunday, July 2.

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