by Terrance Mc Arthur
Earlier than there was The Phantom of the Opera, earlier than there was Cats, earlier than there was Evita, earlier than there was Jesus Christ Famous person, two younger English males (Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice) created a 15-minute “Pop Cantata,” primarily based on an Previous Testomony story, for a boys’ college to carry out in 1968. It caught on, was expanded a number of instances, went to London’s West Finish and New York Metropolis’s Broadway, and was carried out by colleges, skilled excursions, and group teams. Joseph and the Superb Technicolor Dreamcoat is now onstage on the Clovis Veterans Memorial District Auditorium by means of October 19.
Rice and Lloyd Webber reimagined Joseph and his brothers with a mixture of musical types, from Nation-Western (“One Extra Angel in Heaven/Hoedown”) to Elvis Presley rock-and-roll (“Tune of the King”). A Narrator (Melinda Salcido) introduces the viewers to Jacob (Michael Buckman) and his household of twelve sons (The play leaves out Jacob’s one daughter, Dinah). In an act of blatant favoritism, Jacob provides a coat of many colours to Joseph (Diego Sosa), Son #11. Aggravated by this preferential remedy and Joseph’s goals about being higher than them, the brothers assault Joseph and promote him to slave merchants. In Egypt, his work ethic impresses his grasp, Potiphar (Bryan Carlson). He impresses Potiphar’s spouse (Yzabella Huerta Moultrie) in different methods, however he rebuffs her makes an attempt at seduction. Caught in a compromising place, Joseph is unjustly thrown into jail. His talents to interpret goals involves the discover of the Pharaoh (Dan Aldape), who has been having unusual goals. Joseph’s rationalization is smart, and he’s put accountable for land reform and rationing, saving the nation from hunger. His hungry brothers come to beg for meals. After some petty revenge on Joseph’s half, the household is reunited.
Solid of CenterStage Clovis’ manufacturing of “Joseph and the Superb Technicolor Dreamcoat”
Sosa is lean, spry, and fascinating because the dream-deciphering Joseph. He sings with ardour, has a successful smile, and cuts a dashing determine when garbed in Egyptian finery. The function is demanding, and he deserves a couple of days of vocal relaxation after the primary Saturday performances.
It isn’t each day when an area manufacturing has a three-time Grammy winner onstage. Salcido has a Latin Grammy and two Grammys earned for mariachi recordings. Her bell-like voice rings out the Narrator’s songs with authority, gathering the youngsters’s choir round her as a kindly instructor along with her college students.
Solid of CenterStage Clovis’ manufacturing of “Joseph and the Superb Technicolor Dreamcoat”
Dan Aldape was a busy a part of this manufacturing, designing lighting, sound, and projections. He has panels sliding throughout the stage with birds flying in actual time above the Sphinx. I don’t know the way he does it, nevertheless it’s magical! On prime of that, he takes the stage because the dream-plagued Pharaoh in an Elvis-style jumpsuit, with curled lip and shaking hips.
Solid of CenterStage Clovis’ manufacturing of “Joseph and the Superb Technicolor Dreamcoat”
Carlson is pompous as Potiphar, and he additionally performs Issachar, one of many brothers. Yzabella Huerta Moultrie is critically attractive because the come-hithering Mrs. Potiphar, magnetic and athletic. She can be featured in an Apache-dancer flip with Christopher Hoffman (who performs Simeon) within the French-themed “These Caanan Days.” Michael Lollis as Rueben makes probably the most of “One Much less Angel” and entertains as Joseph’s baker-jailmate. Buckman is fatherly as Jacob, weeping rather a lot.
Solid of CenterStage Clovis’ manufacturing of “Joseph and the Superb Technicolor Dreamcoat”
Darren Tharp and Kellerie Aldape shared directing duties, constructing a smoothly-working theatrical expertise. Erin Roberts’ choreography is vigorous, capitalizing on the skills and particular talents of the forged. Judith Dickison‘s vocal teaching pays off with some outstanding choral dynamics; she may most likely make a pile of rocks sound just like the Tabernacle Choir. David Mangum’s stay band doesn’t overwhelm the forged, nevertheless it hits all the precise notes. Rachel Hibler, costume assistant, accomplishes a significant activity and makes it look good.
This is a superb manufacturing, enjoyable for the entire household. It’d even get you to open the Bible to the ebook of Genesis—particularly Chapter 39.
The Clovis Veterans Memorial District Auditorium is at 808 Fourth St., Clovis, CA. For tickets, contact CenterStage Clovis Group Theatre at centerstageclovis.com
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