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Norton Singers fall show is the biblical
story of Jacob and his sons in the musical version, "Joseph & the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". It was written in 1968 by Andrew
Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice as a 15 minute cantata, this now 2 hour show is
high energy from start to finish. The storyline is told by
two narrators who interact with their fellow performers and sings to
and acts with the children at various times in the show. Joseph has
prophetic dreams and is the most loved son of his doting father, Jacob,
who gives him the coat of many colors. His 11 brothers become jealous
of his prophecies and his splendid coat that they sell him into slavery in
Egypt. There Joseph rises from house slave to become Pharoah's second in
command because of his gift for interpreting dreams. The 27
performers plus 12 children under the direction and with
choreography of Judee Bottomley and musical direction of Tony
Torelli, have all the necessary ingredients to make this show a
charming show for the fall season.
Judee takes this story and creates many magnificent picture
postcard moments throughout the show. She updates it to present day
and has the cast meet at The Downtown Cafe and Inn, the groups
favorite restaurant in town and after "Any Dream Will Do" by Joseph
and the children, she brings the show back to Biblical times
where she combines shtick and pathos to deliver a well rounded
show for the audiences to enjoy. Judee has a good eye for detail and
this wonderful show is a prime example of it. Since this soft rock musical
is entirely sung the music is of prime importance in this show. Music
director Anthony Torelli conducts his 6 piece
orchestra as well as having taught the cast these songs with the harmonies
soaring within them. Judee creates and uses a variety of dance styles
including a hoe down, tango, the limbo, the swim, conga line and the
rock and roll dances of the 1950's.
.The storyline is told by the two narrators. Judee casts Giliana
Austin and Christyn Hobbs in this role. They weave their way
in and out of each of the numbers with the rest
of the cast. Their voices soar in all their numbers
including the Prologue, "Jacob and Sons", "Poor Poor Joseph" and "Go Go Joseph". Their multitalented
partner is Brian Gustafson as Joseph. He has a fabulous tenor voice whether he is
singing softly in "Any Dream Will Do" or with deep feeling
in "Close Every Door" where his voice soars off the
charts sending chills up your spine with its poignancy. His interactions
with his brothers and all the other characters are wonderfully handled
as well as his warm touching relationship with Jacob and a funny song
and dance with the Pharoah. Brian gives a tour-de-force performance in this
role. Bravo!
The other 11 brothers have oodles of talent and they also shine in their
singing and dancing scenes. The standout solos include the country western
song "One More Angel" sung sadly to Jacob and then with wild abandon
by Jeremy Hopkins in his lilting tenor voice while the sorrowful
obligato is sung by Melissa Franklin in her soprano voice, (the
hoe-down has scene stealer Elaine Sheiber wearing cowboy boots kicking up
her heels while her husband Buddy plays the part of Jacob)
the "Benjamin Calypso" is sung by another powerful tenor Dan Gravely,
and Pete Molitor sing lead in the French type song "Those Canaan
Days". The other talented brothers include Don Powere, Paul Bono Bob
Molitor, Ty Waterman, Ted Koban who also plays Potiphar, Peter Turner,
John Marcus and Kyle Blanchett.. Another stunning performer is Kevin
Mischley as the Pharoah who sings the Elvis spoof song "The Pharoah's
Dream". He has the chorus girls swooning at the proper moments. Kevin is
clad in a black leather jacket and blue jeans which adds to the
humor of the number. Potiphar's seductive and slutty wife is
played Louise Tetreault where she seduces Joseph and gets him thrown
in prison. The talented children in this show sing and dance very
well, too. Kudos to the hard working ladies chorus. So go, go and see
"Joseph" at Norton Singers to lift your spirits during the autumn season
in MA.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (
13 to 15 November, 2009)
Norton Singers, Norton Middle School, 215
West Main Street, Norton, MA
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