NSMT’s vibrant ‘Joseph’ showcases young talent

By Rich Fahey

BEVERLY — Before there was the “Phantom of the Opera,” and “Jesus Christ Superstar,” a cantata premiered in 1970 by the very young duo of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice.

It was the duo’s second collaboration, based – very, very loosely — on the Bible’s Book of Genesis.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” began life as a 60-minute, one-act cantata and Lloyd Webber and Rice eventually expanded it to 90 minutes so it would have more commercial value.

The show first came to Broadway in 1982 and was revived in 1993, lifting the then-fading star of Donny Osmond and becoming one of the most frequently produced shows in the musical theater canon.

The North Shore Music Theatre’s production of “Joseph”– situated in what traditionally has been the theater’s annual family-friendly July slot —  is a vibrant, funny, colorful production with three fine voices in key roles. It features a cast of 49, which includes two 12-member youth choirs recruited from NSMT’s theater education classes.   

The narrator (a wonderful Olivia Valli) is front and center as she tells the members of the youth choir the Biblical story of Jacob (Eric Jordan Young) and his many sons – an even dozen – and one special son, Joseph (Nikita Burshteynr), whom Jacob favors. He even provides Joseph with a special “coat of many colors” to mark his special status.

Problems arise when jealously – with a capital “J” — rears its ugly head and Joseph is sold off into slavery by the brothers, who return to report their brother’s death to Jacob in the mournful, hilarious country and western number “One More Angel in Heaven,” featuring Brady Miller as Joseph’s brother Reuben.

But Joseph will not only survive – if he were around today, he would be in the “Survivor” cast after escaping Mrs. Potiphar (Naomi Kakuk)  – but ends up thriving. That’s because he has a special talent, one that will come to the fore when he eventually finds himself enslaved under the thumb of the Pharaoh (Brent Thiessen) in Egypt.

He can interpret dreams, and when the Pharaoh has a particularly disturbing one, Joseph is able to predict seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine.

Who knew the Pharoahs, besides building the pyramids, were also experts at marrying comedy with music? Thiessen’s Pharoah effortlessly and skillfully channels Elvis in his show-stopping, scenery-chewing turn in the numbers “Poor, Poor Pharaoh” and “Song of the King,” both Elvis sightings coming long before the birth of Christ.

Made an advisor to the Pharaoh, Joseph successfully helps Egypt steer its way through the crisis. Is a reunion with his brothers and Jacob in the cards?

Veteran Director and Choreographer Gerry McIntyre, who performed in “Joseph” years ago alongside the aforementioned Donny Osmund, never lets the energy slip. The production numbers shine from beginning to end, be it seasoned professionals or energetic youngsters.

Lloyd Webber and Rice had a lot of fun mixing and matching song genres here, such as country and western (“One More Angel in Heaven”), go-go/disco (Go, Go, Go Joseph”) calypso (“Benjamin Calypso”) and even a Edith Piaf-style French torch song (“Those Canaan Days”).

They saved their two best numbers– “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door” – for Joseph himself, and the production shines a bright light on the tunes every chance it gets, and Burshteynr knocks them out of the park.

The orchestra skillfully led by Robert L. Rucinski is bright and brassy and serves as the perfect accompany to the vocal instruments.

Kudos to the 12 members of the show’s Red Cast youth choir for their energy and enthusiasm and their professional-level singing and dancing at a recent performance. They are given much to do and they do it beautifully.  They are: Alexandra D’Onofrio, Maya Feldman, Yuma Feldman, Gilda Fitzpatrick, Keira Gasson, Cassidy Linsky, Evelynn Neves, Roselee Neves, Olivia Riley, Emerson Rose, Ella Tugender, and Eli Wettengel. 

“Joseph” is light, bright, fit for the entire family and never less than funny and entertaining.

The North Shore Music Theatre production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.   Directed and choregraphed by Gerry McIntyre. Scenic design by Baron E. Pugh. Costume coordination by Rebecca Glick. Lighting design by Jose Santiago. Sound design by Alex Berg. Wig and Hair design by Rachel Padukla-Shufelt. Music direction by Robert L. Rucinski. At the North Shore Music Theatre through July 19. Nsmt.org.\