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reviewed by Ken Klingenmeier

Beef and Boards' production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat continues their 2017 season. This frequently produced musical (or possibly it's an operetta) gets a first class rendering nether the direction/choreography of sometime Joseph tour cast fellow member and B&B regular, Doug King. Kristy Templet is musical manager.

This evidence is one of the nearly pop Rice/Webber musicals; tens of thousands of school, community and professional productions take been washed all over the earth. The prove's universal message, energetic music, and family-friendly story make it a favorite for many theatre-goers. Several things prepare the bear witness apart from many other pop shows. Beginning of all, in that location is no romantic theme in the evidence – no boy meets, male child loses, boy gets back daughter type storyline. Secondly, the songs are written in a myriad of styles. There is a French ballad, a western tune, a calypso, the famous rock n curlicue Elvis number, a boppy 60'southward piece and even some jazz. Ms. Templet'due south accomplished 5 piece orchestra is more than up for the task.

Of course, this is the well-known story of Joseph and his father Jacob from the book of Genesis, in which Jacob favors Joseph over all his other 11 sons by giving him a special coat of many colors. This results in the brothers' angry reaction of selling Joseph off into slavery. Joseph's sufferings, and his eventual rise to power (due to his innate ability to interpret dreams) play out in the stage version.

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Tim Wessel stars as Joseph and Andrea Fleming every bit the Narrator in Beef and Boards' production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

Director King is blest to have a really remarkable cast to work with. Tim Wessel plays his self-described "dream role" as Joseph with a dynamic phase presence and exceptional vocal artistry. He is an excellent Joseph in every way! Sharing the spotlight with Wessel is an equally dynamic performer, Andrea Fleming. Ms. Fleming, who takes the role of the Narrator, packs a lot of vocal power in her diminutive frame. Douglas Eastward. Stark, longtime Executive Manager of B&B, is featured every bit Joseph's male parent Jacob, and Ryan Neal Green makes his B&B debut as the Elvis-styled Pharaoh in i of the nearly popular numbers in the bear witness.

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Joseph (Tim Wessel) surrounded by his brothers in Beef and Boards' production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

As good every bit the leads are in this product, and they are exceptional, this is as much an ensemble slice equally a vehicle for main characters. The troupe of eleven "brothers" and a smaller ring of "wives" are instrumental in a majority of scenes, and are joined the 8 member children's choir, who also enliven the proceedings.

The irresolute scenes of the story require actors to play many roles, which leads me to my praise for the amazing piece of work of B&B costumer Jill Kelly Howe, who may have outdone her Mitty winning turn in the B&B Christmas bear witness with the plethora of incredibly beautiful and appropriate costumes she and her small-scale staff of seamstresses have gathered together. What an amazing job she has done here! I'll also add praise for Michael Layton'due south scenic pattern (which includes a nifty tri-faced pyramid on the stage circumduct) and Ryan Koharchik'south impressive lighting. Audio pattern by Daniel Hesselbrock completes the tech aspects of the show.

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Pharaoh (Ryan Neal Green) rocks the house in Beef and Boards' production of "Joseph and the Astonishing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

The master feature that cannot be denied in all the work done by the performers in this now classic piece of theatre has to be the endless energy injected into almost all of the xix or so musical offerings. This is an in-shape group of entertainers, who seem to never cease. The program ends with the unique Megamix segment, which left me wondering only how the group could keep going. It truly is an amazing display of lively and fun stage activity.

Bottom-line: Though it'due south quite possible you have seen this prove somewhere before, don't miss these talented and inspiring performances. And, of course, as always Chef Odell has supplied good eats (try the Chicken Kiev – my favorite this time!) and the B&B staff cannot be vanquish for their hospitality.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat continues at Beefiness and Boards Dinner Theatre through March 26th. Show times and reservations can exist viewed at http://world wide web.beefandboards.com or phone call the box role at  317-872-9664.

  • – Photos by Julie Back-scratch