The La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts is closing out its 2022-2023 season with “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
If, like me, the only version of the musical you’ve seen is the 1999 straight-to-video one with Donny Osmond and you thought it was a bit too cheesy and campy for your taste, cringe not! Yeah, it’s still a bit cheesy and a bit campy, but seeing a live version, especially THIS VERSION, somehow just works in a way I didn’t expect it would.
I’m not going to wait until the end, this time, to tell you that it’s a must-see show.
PLOT
The musical is loosely based on the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. The show, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, takes the audience on a journey from Joseph's humble beginnings as one of 12 brothers living in the land of Canaan, herding sheep, to his rise as a powerful figure in ancient Egypt using his gift of dream interpretation.
CAST & PERFORMANCE
It’s clear that Gerry McIntyre’s direction and choreography are a significant part of what made this show so gosh-darn entertaining, earning a very extended applause from the audience in the middle of the show, let alone the end. And might I note that McIntyre is the very same person who plays Judah and performs “Benjamin Calypso” from the version with Donny Osmond?
For me, there were three stand-out performances. The first is Kelli Rabke as the Narrator. It’s no wonder that Andrew Lloyd Webber handpicked her for the same role in the 1993 Broadway revival and was chosen once again to reprise the role. She plays the role with such sass and it drips with charisma. Chris McCarrell's voice is as clear and powerful as the ocean off a white sandy beach. He performed the role beautifully going from a joyful and somewhat naïve brother in a sheep-herding family to a soulful prisoner and then to a confident member of a pharaoh’s court. Oh, the range that guy has! And last, but certainly not least is Ceron Jone’s portrayal of Judah. He took command of that stage during the song “Benjamine Calyso” and every other performer seemed to fade into the background. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of him.
The show features one of the La Mirada Theater’s largest casts (if you include the children’s choir). Several members of the cast play double duty as another character in the show which showcases their talent and range. The ensemble is delightfully dizzying and adds to the richness of the performance. Action and song come at you from every direction. There’s not a dull moment.
MUSIC & LYRICS
The music and lyrics were written by a fairly young, at the time, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Time Rice. I would hardly characterize any of them as sophisticated, but it was light-hearted and fun. The musical features songs from multiple genres including country, rock, and even calypso. And, yeah, it flowed into a tapestry that is just pure entertainment.
SET DESIGN AND COSTUME
The set design and props were fairly minimal and provided by 3-D Theatricals. It provided the perfect, subtle backdrop for the immense cast, costumes, and dance numbers. Had it been any more ornate, it would have just been a distraction from song and dance numbers.
The costumes were absolutely fabulous. Sure, they aren’t historically accurate, but they are fun and rather campy. Come on! The pharaoh was portrayed as an Elvis-like character because he’s The King. Get it? LOL.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Even though I attended Lindsey Schools, a private Christian School here in La Mirada, and was more than familiar with the story of Joseph, you don’t have to be in order to enjoy the show. The story hardly even mattered. The numbers could have stood alone and been entertaining in and of themselves. They just make you feel happy.
There have been shows at the theater that I would have said, take it or leave it, or go see it “if”, but this one is surprisingly entertaining. Go even if musical theater isn’t your “thing”, you’ll still have a good time out. Go see it even if you’re not religious (although some who are might call it sacrilege - which might make it even more enticing to some), you’ll still have a good time out. Go see this even if other versions of the show were a bit lackluster, this one isn’t. With other shows, it feels like something you just watch. With this show, it feels like something you experience. And while you’re at it, grab a cocktail from the bar. It makes the show that much better.
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
14900 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638
DATES
June 2 - June 25
There is no performance on Sunday, June 4 at 6:30 pm.
There will be an Open-Captioned performance on Saturday, June 17 at 2 pm.
Talkbacks with the cast and creative team will be on Thursday, June 8 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, June 22 at 7:30 pm.
TIMES
Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays at 8:00 pm
Saturdays at 2:00 pm & 8 pm
Sundays at 1:30 pm & 6:30 pm
Run Time:
TICKETS
Tickets range from $19 - $89 (Prices subject to change).
Student tickets: $14
Group and military discounts are available.
Children under 3 will not be admitted into the theatre.
Parking is free.
For information and reservations, call 562-944-9801 or 714-994-6310 or visit the theater website at www.LaMiradaTheatre.com.
PHOTOS FROM PRESS NIGHT: https://pinlux.smugmug.com/Eve...
