Technicolor Dreamcoat at Beck Center

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has returned to the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood.  This is a great show for the entire family, as a cast of 44 actors, including 16 school-age children in the Youth Chorus, brings this magical story to life with bright lights, vibrant colors, and joyful song.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tells the Biblical story of Joseph of Canaan, found in the Book of Genesis.  As the show opens, the Narrator introduces us to Jacob and his 12 sons.  Joseph’s brothers become jealous of their father’s favorite son after Jacob gives him a beautiful “coat of many colors.”  In retaliation, they sell Joseph into slavery, and he is taken to Egypt.

Joseph lives several years as a slave, but after interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, he is promoted to the second most powerful man in Egypt.  Eventually, a happy ending comes about as Joseph reconciles with his family, and they join him in Egypt.  The show incorporates a lot of humor and parody, especially in its menagerie of musical styles, including French ballads, the Charleston, country-western, reggae, disco, and even Elvis-inspired rock and roll.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has always been a Broadway favorite for community and school performances.  It is a fun show, but also wholesome and appropriate for the entire family.  Joseph, written in 1968, was the second collaboration by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.  This powerhouse British team would soon collaborate on another classic of musical theatre, the groundbreaking rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar (1970).  And Lloyd Webber and Rice’s rock opera Evita (1976) would arrive six years later.

Beck Center’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat continues the tradition above.  The cast, including the children, play their parts with a zest for life and great storytelling.  And the beautiful sets and costumes blanket the Mackey Main Stage in a rainbow of color throughout the entire production.  Although Joseph is not a “holiday show,” it is a perfect show for the holidays.  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will run through December 31.

Coming this spring to the Beck Center for the Arts is Spring Awakening (February 3 – March 4), The Velocity of Autumn (March 23 – April 29), and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (May 25 – July 1), with Legally Blonde: The Musical closing the season (July 6 – August 12).  Subscription packages are still available.  Be sure to secure your seats for the Beck Center’s exciting 2011-2012 Season.

The Beck Center for the Arts is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood.  Convenient, free on-site parking is available.  For information on showtimes, pricing, and future productions, please visit the Beck Center’s website at www.beckcenter.org. – Chris Musselman

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