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 Golden Apple has fun interpreting 'Joseph' By Jay Handelman, Sarasota Herlad-Tribune
The Bible according to Lloyd Webber is campy fun at GA By Karen Mamone, Pelican Press
‘Joseph’ a fun romp at Golden Apple
By Mike Nolan, Bradenton Herald
The Golden Apple's Joseph pops with energy and enthusiasm. By Kay Kipling, Sarasota Magazine
Return to 2008-2009 Season Listing
Golden Apple has fun interpreting 'Joseph'
By Jay Handelman, Sarasota Herlad-Tribune
View Article at http://www.heraldtribune.com
Published: Monday, March 30, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
The musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" is an ever-changing and evolving show.
It is one of those rare musicals that gains new and extended life because of the way inventive choreographers and directors put new spins on this telling of the Bible story of Joseph, his dreams and his jealous brothers.
The songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice run the gamut from country western to Parisian cabaret that all but say "have some fun with me."
Director Kyle Ennis Turoff and choreographer Dewayne Barrett are doing just that in a lively new production at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre.
This is a slightly different, partially updated version from the one that Turoff staged six years ago at the dinner theater. It incorporates a new "Mega Mix" finale that reprises most of the songs with new dance steps and multiple bows for the performers. Several of the earlier songs also have been extended to allow for more dance routines.
Barrett's choreography fills the stage with some colorful movements, from foot-stomping hoe-downs to 60s-style dance parties.
But at its heart, it is still the same charming show, staged with flair, strong voices and a wonderful clarity. The performers do a wonderful job in enunciating the lyrics, making it easier to follow the story of Joseph, whose dreams of greatness are realized in Egypt only after his brothers take out revenge against him for being favored by their father, Jacob.
As the narrator, Heather Kopp sings with power and a wide range that shows her continued growth as a performer on area stages. She is essentially sweet natured and sometimes cajoling, but could probably do a bit more to react to her own lyrical commentary.
Craig Weiskerger effectively plays Joseph as a young man destined for great things and completely oblivious to the impact his visions have on others. He sings with an easy grace, but could use more vocal variety and power to make his performance more commanding.
Robert Ennis Turoff has fun with his dual roles as the loving Jacob and the vengeful Potiphar, and Roy Johns reprises his role of Ruben, who leads the French-style "Those Canaan Days" with aplomb.
Barrett also returns as the Elvis-styled Pharaoh, who swivels his hips and causes fainting spells among his subjects while telling Joseph about his dreams. As Levi, Berry Ayers contributes to the playful spirit of "One More Angel in Heaven," and Charles McKenzie leads a conga line and limbo while singing "Benjamin's Calypso."
Scenic designer Michael Newton-Brown has adapted his set from six years ago, using a turntable to switch from Israel to Egypt, while leaving room for the dances. Costumer Dee Richards has created an assortment of colorful outfits that create a vibrant look on stage, even when cast members are wearing black and white.
Musical director John Visser and his small band provide some strong accompaniment, and he has stirred terrific harmonies from the large chorus of brothers, wives and slaves.
This new production may not erase memories of past versions, but it makes for a perfectly pleasant couple of hours with a show that is hard to resist.
‘Joseph’ a fun romp at Golden Apple
By Mike Nolan, Bradenton Herald
View Article at http://www.bradenton.com
Posted on Thu, Apr. 02, 2009
‘Joseph’ a fun romp at Golden Apple
Despite popular opinion, I have always been a fan of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Sure, it’s not heavy drama, and no real heavy thinking is required, but it’s such an enjoyable show.
Before their much more controversial musicals “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita,” composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice wrote a simple piece based on the story from the Book of Genesis to be performed in a church. Later, they expanded the show to a full-length musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1982.
Staged by Kyle Ennis Turoff, the Golden Apple’s production of “Joseph” is a fun romp.
Heather Kopp has the demanding role of the Narrator. Her part requires her to be on stage for most of the action, and she has the most challenging vocals in the show. Kopp succeeds in producing constant energy in maintaining a strong connection with the audience. Her voice is always pleasant and shows no difficulty in handling the vocal demands of the role. She is enduringly entertaining as our gateway to the story.
The role of Joseph isn’t written as a traditional protagonist in that he does not carry the action, but rather all the events of the play happen to him. As such, Joseph is a mainly reactionary character. Craig Weiskerger doesn’t lapse into saccharine brightness, but stays grounded within the appropriate situation throughout Joseph’s various predicaments. This gives the play the appropriate gravity throughout the merriment. His vocals are clear and have a pleasant tone.
The role of Pharaoh is played by Dewayne Barrett, who also choreographed the production. It is almost a shame to spoil his secret by mentioning that the King of Egypt is played as the King of Rock and Roll. Barrett combines the energy of the early Ed Sullivan-era Elvis with the fantastic jumpsuit of the Vegas Elvis. It’s the highlight of the production.
One of the wonderful characteristics about “Joseph” is it is a great showcase for a close-knit company and many members of the ensemble shine brightly. Robert Ennis Turoff does double duty as father Jacob and the Egyptian businessman Potiphar. Roy Johns as Reuben performs an amusing Maurice Chevalier-style number and Berry Ayers as Levi performs a comical country song. Samantha Barrett demonstrates her athletic dancing skills as Potiphar’s wife and Charles McKenzie performs a colorful calypso as Zebulon.
The musical direction by John Visser shows off the impressive vocals of the ensemble. The harmonies are solid, especially when the brothers sing. It was a nice choice to have Kopp and Weiskerger harmonize together during “Any Dream Will Do.”
The costumes by Dee Richards are a fun mix of traditional Biblical costumes with occasional modern accessories added. I particularly liked the Act One finale with the cast dressed in swinging ’60s-era London mod costumes a la “Austin Powers.”
The set by Michael Newton-Brown consists of a large platform that rotates like a Lazy Susan alternating between the deserts of Canaan and the palaces of Egypt.
I enjoyed the production with the exception of one minor thing, I thought the choice of using the extended mega-mix reprise of every number in the show as the curtain call was a bit much. It’s an option I believe unnecessarily pads the production and should have been cut. Other than that point, I completely enjoyed myself.
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is a show that is suitable for all ages. Webber is at his most diverse and the Golden Apple infuses the production with plenty of energy.
The Bible according to Lloyd Webber is campy fun at GA
By Karen Mamone, Pelican Press
View Article at http://www.pelicanpress.org
The Bible according to Lloyd Webber is campy fun at GA
The moment that exemplifies all of the best things about Golden Apple Dinner Theatre’s new production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" is the finale: On stage, among dozens of wildly enthusiastic performers who strut their stuff in a explosive moment of pride and joy are 14-year-old chorus member Erin Weinburger and card-carrying senior citizen Robert Ennis Turoff as Jacob (who also spends time as the GA’s executive director) giving it their all.
That’s the moment when it doesn’t matter how you feel about Andrew Lloyd Webber, or the many times when you may ponder, "Why? Why the hoedown? Why the Apache dancer? Why the calypso?"
But really who cares? This is a Biblical tale with its heart in Las Vegas, from the same folks (Webber and Tim Rice) who brought you "Jesus Christ Superstar." Can we really expect answers from a show that put Donny Osmond in a loincloth? It’s silly, it’s fun and that’s just what you need sometimes
This colorful retelling of the Old Testament story about stuck-on-himself dreamboat Joseph (Craig Weiskerger), his uncanny abilities and his designer wardrobe includes lots of glitz and camp, and a score of catchy numbers, but no real hits. There’s also the Elvis Pharaoh (DeWayne Barrett, who also choreographed) who makes no sense at all, but is still hilarious. Heather Kopp is the enthusiastic narrator, and we can’t help but enjoy seeing Turoff back in harness playing Jacob as a blissed-out headcase.
In case you’re falling behind on your Bible studies, Joseph is an arrogant young man with lots of brothers who get fed up with him and sell him into slavery. He does well until a jealous slave owner thinks Joseph’s after his wife. So he gets thrown into jail, where he starts interpreting dreams and does it so well that he interprets Pharaoh’s dream and becomes his No. 2 man.
Meanwhile, there’s a famine so his brothers travel to Egypt. Joseph gives them food then tries to frame the youngest brother Benjamin (Jonathan Hall) with stealing a gold cup. All the brothers defend him and everybody is friends again.
Directed by Kyle Ennis Turoff, this production does a good job of pulling the audience into the show’s energy. It‘s zippy, and each member has individual moments of showcased talents. Go ahead and clap and sway. Enjoy Joseph for what it is. Yes, it can be somewhat camp and gaudy but more importantly it’s entertaining. And isn’t that what we want from a night at the theatre?
The Golden Apple's Joseph pops with energy and enthusiasm.
By Kay Kipling, Sarasota Magazine
View Article at http://www.sarasotamagazine.com
It’s repeatedly amazing to realize how often the best and most lasting things in life are so simple. Case in point: the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice confection Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, now onstage at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre.
This show has been around in some form or other for about 40 years now, and I can’t remember how many times I’ve seen it. But if performed with energy and affection, as it is here, it still entertains, without requiring any vast scale of production. A palm tree here, a bright yellow sun there, some neatly executed dance moves, and the mix of sprightly and more sober songs, ranging from country to Parisian cabaret to Elvis Presley, and voila! You’ve got a fun evening on your hands.
For anyone who has never read the Bible, Joseph tells, in streamlined form, the story of a young man (Craig Weiskerger) shunned by his 11 brothers because he’s their father’s favorite (and because they’re sick of hearing about his dreams). Fortunately for him, he ends up being the favorite of an Egyptian pharaoh, too, and all ends happily despite some time in prison and a long separation from his family.
The narration needed is handled by—well, the Narrator, played here by Heather Kopp, who does a fine job of moving things along while having a specific style of her own. Weiskerger is a likable Joseph (despite his early cluelessness about his brothers’ true feelings), and many other cast members get a chance to shine, too, such as Dewayne Barrett as a hip-swiveling pharaoh who knocks out all the girls when he sings, Robert Ennis Turoff as both Jacob and Potiphar, Samantha Barrett as Potiphar’s siren of a wife, and brothers Roy Johns (Those Canaan Days) and Charles McKenzie (Benjamin Calypso).
The orchestra, under the direction of John Visser, sounds bigger than it is, and Barrett, who also serves as choreographer, has really made the dance numbers pop (they’re given more time to do so in this version of Joseph). A new (to most of us) closing Megamix number extends the finale and gives us one more chance to appreciate the infectious high spirits of the entire cast; it really does feel as if they’re reluctant to leave us.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs through May 31; call 366-5454 or go to thegoldenapple.com
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