I have to begin this review with an abject apology to the gargantuan 53 member cast, Director Karen LeFebvre, Music Director Amy Trimble and anyone connected to the staging of Quad City Music Guild’s current production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, with lyrics and music by the incomparable team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. I’m sorry but radio is a cruel master when it comes to how much time is allowed for any segment it airs and there are not enough minutes nor are there enough superlatives in the dictionary to describe this show.
Believe it or not, before I started reviewing local theatre, I had never seen this musical. Mr. Hicks is not a musical theatre fan so being a long-suffering and saintly spouse I didn’t drag him to any (who wants to sit next to a grump?). Guess what? Not only did he express curiosity to see this show – he actually LIKED it. That alone is a 5-star review.
Just in case you don’t know, this somewhat irreverent telling of the Bible story of Joseph and his brothers – told through a narrator – revolves around Jacob's favorite son, Joseph, and his jealous brothers who plot to kill him out of envy. They eventually sell Joseph into slavery instead, and later, Joseph rises to power in Egypt resulting from not only his remarkable administrative talent but also his ability to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Egypt and surrounding countries first go through an extended period of prosperity only to be followed by an equally extended period of famine. Through Joseph’s direction, only Egypt is prepared to ride it out. Joseph's brothers eventually come to Egypt to beg for food and he is ultimately able to save his family from starvation but he tests them before revealing his true identity, leading to reconciliation and a new life for his family in Egypt.
The Guild’s raucous, high energy, supersonic retelling is nothing short of AMAZING. This musical is what is called a “sung through” meaning there is almost no spoken dialogue and its catchy musical styling runs the gamut from country/western to bubble gum pop, to calypso, to rock and roll, leaving even the audience breathless. Even the “narration” is delivered via song and is performed by the stunning Lauren VanSpeybroeck who describes this character as her “dream role.” Making his QCMG debut in the titular role of Joseph is University of Iowa law student, Casey Scott. I don’t know what VanSpeybroeck does off-stage, but both of these exceptionally talented singers could definitely pursue careers in professional theatre.
This show has several soloists among its characters which include outstanding performances by Kirsten Myers as Pharaoh, Joe Urbaitis as Reuben, Evan Gagliardo as Zebulon, and Stephen Scott as Gad who also performs a rather impressive Apache Dance.
The set is elaborate, the costumes are dazzling and I saw on FaceBook that Sunday’s performance was a sell-out. Hurry, hurry, hurry to get your tickets before you lose out. Oh, and for those sensitive to such things, be advised that one scene involves smoke so be aware.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat continues at Quad City Music Guild in Moline’s Prospect Park, Friday and Saturday, June 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 15 at 2:00 p.m. If you’re new to Music Guild, be advised that parking at the theatre is limited to the handicapped and to volunteers only. All others can catch a shuttle from the Southpark Mall’s parking lot east of Dick’s Sporting Goods.
I’m Chris Hicks…break a leg.