“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was a come to Elvis moment for Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
That was evident during the knock-out number, “Song of the King,” where an Elvis-like Pharaoh gets the audience and everyone else all shook up. Pharaoh Bill Krone contorted his pelvis and vocal cords in all the right places Tuesday, during the show’s opening in Savannah Center. The KC Productions musical – produced by Joan Knapton — runs through Thursday.
It’s an absolute blast.
Webber was 20 when he and Rice debuted the musical in 1968. That was three years before the pair scored their massive hit, “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
“Joseph…” is a lot more fun.
It has a huge cast of dancers, singers and a children’s choir. The locals featured Bob Addante as Joseph and Sue Schuler – who also directed — as the narrator. Lon Abrams played Jacob; Paul Carmignani, Simeon; with Jim Cates as Dan and Frank Olive as Zebulun.
The big, local cast also includes a couple of dozen other performers and four kids: Luis M. Crespo-Beauchamp, Maci Natalino, Neeshia Herbosa and Lydia Jun.
This is a roller-coaster musical ride. Among the styes featured are rock and roll, country, French ballads and calypso.
Bob Addante sports a jet-black curly mane of shoulder length black hair and does an admirable job of playing Joseph through all his ups and downs of biblical proportions. He really shines singing the powerful ballad, “Close Every Door,” while in prison.
In case you missed the Sunday school lesson, the story of Joseph is about him, his 11 brothers and his father, Jacob. It’s also about sibling rivalry, political power, redemption and forgiveness.
The musical details Joseph—his father’s favorite – being betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. Eventually, Pharaoh favors him and Joseph reaches the pinnacle of power. He has a chance to score vengeance on his brothers, but in the end forgives and helps the family reunite.
Schuler as the narrator, explains everything and gives the audience a guided tour of all the action.
Paul Carmignani is dripping with faux-mourning on the country music sounding “One More Angel In Heaven.”
Jim Cates offers a zesty and French-musically-spiced “These Canaan Days,” which features a hot Apache dance by Paula Furr. Frank Olive adds to the fun with a calypso song and dance.
The whole cast was rocking during “Go, Go, Go, Joseph” which closes the first act. Things only get more intense and fun, during the fast-paced second act, which culminates with an explosive “Joseph Megamix.”
The percolating energy of the cast, along with the choreography, sets and costumes make this “Joseph…” a frenetic trip through a bible funhouse.
Tony Violanti writes about music and entertainment for Villages-News.com. He was inducted into The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame as a music journalist.