Customer Reviews for Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
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fun musical
Having grown up with this musical and knowing everything about it inside out, I couldn't help but compare this production with the movie version with Donny OSmond. I didn't like some of the melody changes that the narrator made, and I think the narator and joseph's diction could be a little better. However, overall it was a great show to watch. Very high energy, very fun, At times I found the supporting characters more attention grabbing than the main lead. I would have preferred a bigger theater for this musical, but the set and props were quite well done
Sexually suggestive content and poor depiction of the storyline
The choreography and musical talent of the performers was phenomenal! The theatrics were truly top notch. If you are going there for pure entertainment, you will not be disappointed! If you are going there to see a timeless story come to life, this is not your show. Very sadly, the writers do not stay true to the beautiful underlying thread of honor and integrity that Joseph stands for (namely, the scene with Potiphar's wife). It also has a lot of sexually suggestive content that is not appropriate for kids and is not really "family fun." Overall, I felt there were so many missed opportunities to talk about dreams and how doing the right thing may not pay off immediately, but it definitely has accrued interest in the future.
New Joseph production is Beyond the Pale
I totally agree with Corbin in Toronto. I saw this New Year’s Eve. The producer and directors should be ashamed of delivering a grade school recital version of a classic musical play, using kids with fake beards playing adult roles in the top-tiered theatre circuit? Top it off with the female narrator playing Jacob, and a child playing Potiphar. The only saving grace was the musical and dancing skills of the performers. In the earlier productions, the narrator was an endearing character, and we were moved by the connection between her and Joseph, and with the other characters. Vanessa, talented as she is, did not bring any of that. It was as if she was reading the storyline until her next big number. Serious elements were treated farcically, while the clever tongue-in-cheek lines of Rice were whisked over, or improperly presented. This was not the Joseph musical of Rice-Webber. This was a satirical song and dance review using 'Joseph' as a vehicle. No standing ovation at the end.
Profoundly disappointing, leaves a bitter taste
This musical is a childhood favourite of mine. Unfortunately this particular production was very disappointing. They cast half the adult roles with children. Jacob, potiphar, potiphar's wife, nearly all the brothers, their wives... It affected the quality of the vocal performance. E.g., a chorus of children sounds nothing like a chorus of adult men. No disrespect to child actors, but when paying full price, I expect to see professionals. Children play a vital role in the choir of this show, but using children almost exclusively for all roles was in poor taste. I ended up walking out before the end of Act II. I never thought I would see the day where I walked out of an ALW show but this production was an embarrassment to his good name. I will not be attending any Mirvish shows for a very long time. Such a blatant money grab. I worry I may never be able to enjoy this musical the way I did before. At least not until the memory of this underwhelming production fades.