Weathervane Playhouse’s ‘Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat’ dazzles

One of the more complex musicals ever written is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” that featured music by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Tim Rice. What makes it so difficult to stage and one of the reasons for its popularity is the various genres of music that it employs. This show literally covers all of the bases with Broadwayish show tunes, Country and Western, French inspired torch songs, Calypso and Ballads.

It was Webber and Rice’s first collaboration in 1965 but was not performed on stage until 2005. To date a total of over 20,000 schools and amateur theater groups have staged productions of this classic.

It began life as a 15 minute “pop cantata” at Colet Court School in London, England in 1968 then published by Novello and recorded in expanded form by Decca Records in 1969. When Webber and Rice found success with “Jesus Christ Super Star” it was dusted off and produced as a stage production in the United States in 1970 followed by the American release of the album in 1971.

Back in England it had its professional premiere as a 35 minute musical at the Haymarket ice rink during the Edinburgh International Festival in 1972. The show underwent various modifications and expansions before being produced in London’s West End in 1973. In 1974 the full modern format was performed at the Haymarket Theatre in Leicester followed by yet another recording. It saw the stage lights of Broadway in 1982 and has enjoyed several revivals, national tours and even a direct to video film starring Donny Osmond.

The Narrators (Jordan Benjamin and Mia Renard) open the show by introducing Joseph (Keon Dalziel) (“Prologue”) as Joseph sings the stirring and heartfelt song (“Any Dream Will Do”). We are then introduced to Joseph’s Father, Jacob (Jonathan Merechant) and his 12 sons: Reuben (Andrew Maust), Simeon (Anthony Harbert), Levi (Carston Stiggins), Issachar (Paul Means), Asher (Maxwell Rees), Dan (Grayson Griffith), Zebulun (Layne Weakland), Gad (Rafael Gregorius), Benjamin (Jack Clymire), Judah (Kegan Sulamoyo) and Naphtali (Benjamin DeCapua) singing (“Jacob and Sons”).

It is no secret that Jacob favors Joseph as he rewards him with a multicolored coat as a show of affection. Joseph is ecstatic with the gift and shows it off to his now jealous brothers (“Joseph’s Coat”). The brother’s jealousy is furthered by Joseph's dreams that he shares with his siblings. In them he sees himself ruling over them even though he is not the oldest (“Joseph’s Dreams”). In anger they plot to kill him but instead throw him into a pit. A band of Ishmaelites happens by on their way to Egypt and the hapless youth is sold into slavery (“Poor Poor Joseph”).

In order to hide their crime from their father, the brothers and their wives concoct a story that Joseph has been killed showing the multicolored coat now ripped and stained with goat’s blood (“One More Angel in Heaven”). As the grief stricken father leaves they break out into a dance (“Hoedown”). Joseph is taken to Egypt and sold as a slave to the wealthy Potiphar (Sean Vollman). Through hard work and smarts he is eventually promoted and is soon running the entire household. Joseph soon catches the eye of Mrs. Potiphar (Bekah Neubecker) and in spite of thwarting her advances they are caught together by the husband who throws Joseph in prison (“Potiphar”).

Joseph laments his turn of luck (“Close Every Door”) and is soon joined by two other prisoners who had served the Pharaoh. Joseph interprets their dreams predicting that the Butler (Isabella Rodeman) will be returned to service but the baker (Constance Becker) will be executed. Joseph is encouraged to follow his own dreams (“Go, Go Joseph”). Joseph soon finds himself in audience with the Pharaoh (Benjamin DeCapua) interpreting his dreams.

This is a very fast moving musical that depends on rapid change ups from scene to scene. Brooke Larkin works hard to get the show in under two hours (including a fifteen minute intermission). Bravo! Kevin Lambes’ choreography is spirited, lively and well produced. The six piece orchestra under the direction of Steven A. Miller (Piano) includes Dylan Gomez (Drums), Prudence Stephenson (Woodwinds), Toussaint English (Bass), Tonya Duus (Woodwinds) and Trevor Wozniak (Guitar) is in a word...great. The scenic design by Richard Morris, Jr. includes an eleven step staircase (sans guardrail), a choir loft and top stage. Jasen J. Smith does a fantastic job in designing the various costumes. The lighting by Jack-Anthony Ina and sound by Devin Brumfield are decidedly professional and on the mark.

As for the young cast they are stupendous. Keon Dalziel as Joseph has a beautiful singing voice that fills the theater. He has true stage presence. Jordan Benjamin and Mia Renard as the duel narrators work extremely well together with great harmonies. Benjamin DeCapua as the Pharaoh/Elton John rocks the house with a 50s vibe. The ensemble work of the brothers, wives and etc. is near perfection. You can tell the many hours of work that has been put into rehearsals. The remaining member of the ensemble cast include: Constance Becker, Makenna Bird, Catherine Chambers, Christina Katsaras, Elena Klingler, Carrie Lee, Gia Maglione, Bekah Neubecker, Maddin Rankin, Eden Rodeman, Isabella Rodeman, Sadiah Slay Larkin, Shannon Stiggins and Lo Thoele. The youth choir alternates between the choirs of St. Francis De Sales, Hyre/Hatton, Miller South and Weathervane Playhouse.

The real secret to pulling off “Joseph” is to keep the action moving at a breakneck pace, having exemplary singing and dancing and a group not shy about singing loudly as a group. This production delivers on all of these counts and then some. Make the drive to Akron and see this exceptional work.

The Weathervane Playhouse production of “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat” will be on stage at 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, Ohio through December 22, 2024. For more information and tickets go to http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com or call (330) 836-2626.