Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – 2014 National Tour

Lyrics by Tim Rice

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Directed and Choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler

At Cadillac Palace, Chicago

Biblical, colorful story is choreographed and sung beautifully

 For 50 years, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has been rolling through Chicago. My first time seeing it, the Cadillac Palace put on a fun spectacle for the whole family. Directed and Choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler, the show will leave you in awe. A story about always shooting for your dreams, Joseph, his 11 brothers, and the rest of this stellar cast will put you in your own dream.

Joseph (Ace Young) is the preferred son by his father, Jacob (William Thomas Evans). Jacob gives Joseph a colorful coat to show his favoritism. Jealous of him, Joseph’s 11 brothers try to prevent him from reaching his dreams. After attempting fratricide, they sell him as a slave and he gets taken to Egypt. A millionaire takes in Joseph and one thing leads to another. The wife seduces Joseph and he gets thrown in jail for adultery. In Joseph’s jail cell is where the moral of the story comes out. Always shoot for your dreams no matter what happens.

 Sung beautifully, “Go, Go, Go Joseph” is a hit that ends the first act. Narration by (Diana DeGarmo), the real star of the show of the show.  Diana takes the stage with her charming, rich voice that compels the audience. Singing along with her husband Ace Young, the two bring the show to life. The only downside was Ace Young’s voice was a little too high and a tad weak.

Each scene was more colorful than the last. The costumes were fun and bright. Costume Design by Jennifer Caprio made the memorable characters stick out. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score was interactive that included a variety of genres consisting of pop-rock with elements of disco, early rock, Elvis with cowboy and western, calypso, blues and a French Brel-like tunes were all heard. Andy Blankenbuehler worked with the score to present a beautifully choreographed show with “A” list dancers. The performers were having as good a time as the audience.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat unfolded in a  lively performance. The audience approved of  the performers .Through the clear message that Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat  gives: shoot for your dreams and never giving up – that is the least you can do. The show is entertaining. It will leave you humming the tunes on the way out. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is still a hit  show that you don’t want to miss.

Highly Recommended

 Matt Koske

 Date Reviewed: March 18, 2014

At Cadillac Palace, 151 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL, (312) 384-1502, https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/, tickets $18-$115, Tuesday thru Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, Sunday at 2pm, running time is 2 hours with 20 minute intermission, through March 30, 2014.