Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre continues its 50th anniversary season with a dazzling presentation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Director/Choreographer Doug King does inspired work alongside Musical Director Kristy Templet for this tour-worthy production.
Based on the Book of Genesis story, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Joseph started in 1969 as a recorded LP musical (much like Rice/Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar) – long before finally hitting Broadway in 1982. It was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.
B&B’s mounting of the show is full of highlights, brimming with the light-hearted story telling style that makes this musical piece one of my (and Mrs. K’s) personal favorites.
Bridgette Ludlow (foreground) as The Narrator and TJ Wassel as Joseph. (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)
TJ Wessel plays the title character, returning to the role he did at B&B in early 2017. He is magnificent, almost effortlessly enlivening the show’s hero. His interpretation remains one of the best I have seen and is accentuated by his fine acting and vocal skills. Bridgette Ludlow joins him as The Narrator, with a powerful voice and a highly polished performance which fills the stage nicely.
Add in Logan Moore’s remarkable work as Pharoah, plus Jeff Stockberger’s comedic turn as patriarch Jacob, along with the shining efforts of the 11 brothers and their wives, and you have a completely wonderful and spectacular show which well-deserved the standing ovation it received after an energetic Megamix curtain-call. I don’t think I ever stopped smiling through the entire program, save for during Joseph’s lamentful “Close Every Door.”
Doug King’s choreography is very fresh – creating a stage picture that is lively and dynamic. Hats off to Kristy Templet for the job she does with the vocalizations here. The cast’s precise rendering of the score is an awesome facet of the show’s excellence.
Technical aspects of the show shine as well, with a set design by Michael Layton, lighting design by Ryan Koharchik, and costumes by Kathy Henry. I’d be remiss to leave out the efforts of the children in the cast. We saw the division called Sheep Choir, and they do admirable work in roles that require lots of focus and high-end vocal skills.
Jacob (Jeff Stockberger – center) with his sons and their wives in the “One More Angel in Heaven” scene. (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)
Bottom line: This is one of the “must-see” shows of the season. It is a delightful entertainment, suitable for all ages, presented by an extremely talented group of performers. I love this show anyway – but have never been so “lifted” as I was for this edition. Highest recommendations!
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat continues at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre through Nov. 18. Show times and reservations can be viewed at BeefAndBoards.com or call the box office at (317) 872-9664.
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