Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at CPT

I have seen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat more times than I can count (it is very popular in Utah) so I have become a bit disenchanted with it and it takes a really great production for me to enjoy it (go here for my favorite production in recent years). I had the chance to see CPT's version last night with both of my sisters and I am happy to report that it is, indeed, great and that I thoroughly enjoyed myself!  The set resembles an interactive museum with three large display cases containing exhibits from history which change for each of the big song and dance numbers (I loved the dinosaur skeleton and the planets hanging from the ceiling at the beginning of the show).  The exhibits feature a Western tableau for "One More Angel in Heaven," a factory for "Potiphar," a 1950s diner complete with a jukebox for "Song of the King," a Parisian cafe with the Eiffel Tower in the background for "Those Canaan Days," and a Caribbean scene complete with steel drums for "Benjamin's Calypso." The Narrator (McKenna Kay Jensen) acts as a docent (she even has a name tag) telling the Biblical story of Joseph (Matt Taylor) to a group of children (Soren Ray, Ross Clemens, Corbin Aaron, Eden Liljenquist, Olivia Larsen, Savannah Caldwell, and Ella Jensen). Joseph appears in a glass case and comes to life when one of the children hands him his coat of many colors. The story continues to unfold as the children interact with the characters and bring them to life. The children even tell their parents what they have learned from their visit during "Joseph Megamix" which is really clever! This concept provides cohesion to the story and I really enjoyed the bigger role performed by the children's choir (they are adorable). I also really enjoyed the costumes because they are fairly simple with just the addition of accessories for the various numbers (my favorite accessory was a pair of blue suede shoes for the Pharoah). I like productions that don't get too kitschy with the sets and costumes! Jensen has a beautiful voice as the Narrator and almost blows the roof off of the theatre several times and Taylor does a great job as Joseph, especially with "Any Dream Will Do" and "Close Every Door." The brothers (Doug Caldwell, Thad Weiland, Jeremy Botelho, Greg Larson, Taylor Smith, Paul Dixon, John Richards, Jacob Plaizier, Chris Kennedy, Landon LeBaron, and Tyler West) and wives (Angela LeBaron, Kirsi Jarvis, Mary Ann West, Amanda Derrick, Christine Smith, Natalie Clemens, and Allison Randall) have a lot of fun with the choreography in "Joseph's Coat," "One More Angel in Heaven," and "Go, Go, Go Joseph" and, of course, Jordon LeBaron steals the show as the Pharoah in "Song of the King." I had a smile on my face the whole time and this is a production that I can wholeheartedly recommend!  It runs on the Barlow Stage through Sept. 3 (go here for tickets).

Note:  This show was my 50th theatre production this year!