By Katrina Dawn
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoatis the first production I’ve seen either by Herriman Arts Council or at the Rosecrest Pavilion, but it will be far from my last. Wow. Just wow. This show had me beaming and laughing throughout. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat follows the Biblical story of Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph, as told in the book of Genesis. The writers, Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice,had their first musical hit at age 19. Their second musical hit, a short version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, expanded slowly until it became the full-length musical it is today.
In the Utah area, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is well-known, either through stage adaptions or the television broadcast starring Donny Osmond. However, this version by Herriman Arts Council is well worth seeing. The production is so well-done no one would ever believe it is community theatre. Right from the opening prologue, Bethany Hall (Narrator) gave me chills, and returned several other times throughout the production. This is an impressive feat, since it was at least 85 degrees Fahrenheit at the outdoor theater. All 12 of Jacob’s sons (Geoff Beckstrand, Tim Hall, Joseph West, Taylor Sorenson, Tim Sorenson, Danny Jones, Jordan Gale, Lucas Morley, Nathan Estes, Scott Mason,
Brent Rindlisbacher, and Ashton Rindlisbacher), and Jacob (Sean Hyte), have fully fleshed-out characters that never fall flat. Emotionally, Beckstrand (Joseph) really delivers: his pain and disappointment in “Close Every Door” and anger toward his brothers in “Who’s the Thief” are palpable. After Reuben’s (West) “One more Angel,” I was enthralled. Each number is better than the last, so with each following musical number involving the 11 brothers, I was even more captivated. Benjamin (Morley) especially stands out with his young face and incredible dance skills, made all the more impressive by the fact he is only in middle school. One can’t forget the Pharoah (Grant Whitmer), either: Whitmer has such a perfect Elvis impression that I would gladly sit through a production of Bye, Bye Birdie if he played Conrad.
The talent doesn’t stop there: the ensemble is incredible. The large numbers are not only complex with various lifts and fast rhythms, but they are executed in synch (a feat I’ve learned from experience is hard and frustrating). Ensemblists Danielle Fisher and Cutter Jensen in particularboth caught my eye throughout the production.
My enjoyment of the show goes far beyond just great acting. The singing and harmonies are all so well accomplished that, if there were a cast recording of this production, I would buy it. There are many costume changes in this production, adding to the impressiveness that each costume fits every individual well and is truly flattering (another feat I know through experience is extremely difficult). Lighting is used beautifully, from the rainbow on the pavilion roof to the stairs that light up perfectly with Whitmer’s steps that I thought he was triggering them. The stage at Rosecrest Pavilion is very large, and yet director Kayla Martin and choreographer Julie Balazs utilize the entire space, instructing their actors to fill it.
This show is worth way more than the highly affordable ticket price; it truly is a professional level production. Whether Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an old favorite or not, everyone should go and see it. Although, if you want good seats, you should go early.
Herriman Arts Council presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Tim Rice.
Rosecrest Pavilion at Butterfield Park, 6212 Butterfield Park Way, Herriman, UT 84096
July 11-13, 15-20, 2019 8:00 PM
Tickets: $9
Contact: 801-446-5323
Herriman Arts Council
Herriman Arts Council Facebook Page
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Facebook Event
You forgot a brother 🙁
Brent Rindlisbacher
We fixed this! Thanks for the input! ~FRR Staff