At The Lamb's Players Theater, Coronado, California
On Friday May 25 at the Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado California, Deborah Gilmour Smyth (singing narrator) substituting for Bathsheba Wilson, Spencer Moses (Joseph) and Keith Jefferson (Jacob/Pontiphar), put in stunning performances on the first night of previews for the musical presentation of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Utilizing
a smallish cast for a major theatrical production can sometimes fail
horribly; however the cast of nine actors, supported by four musicians not
only pulled it off, but wildly exceeded expectations. As you can imagine the
cast members had to play various parts, but the transition in characters,
scenes and costume changes was seamless.
Choreographer Colleen Kollar is to be commended for the spectacular dance numbers that were performed primarily by herself and two other actresses, Season Duffy and Joy Yandell, as well as actors Steve Limones, Jon Lorenz and Lance Smyth.
Under the guiding hand of Producing Artistic Director Robert Smyth and the musical direction of G. Scott Lacy, the cast brought the Old Testament story of patriarch Jacob, his family and Joseph’s odyssey in Egypt, to life. Particularly noteworthy were the scenes of Joseph in prison, the famine and Joseph’s initial telling of his dreams to his brothers.
Musically the highlights for me were a disco like depiction of Pontiphar by Jefferson and Moses’ Elvis like vocal presentation during one song. The other cast members sang primarily in a backup role but were also turned in very good vocal performances.
Although we were seated in the back row, just left of center stage, our vantage point lacked nothing in terms of being able to hear the music and dialogue clearly. The sightlines were great. It appeared to this theatergoer that there is not a bad seat in the house.
Lamb’s Players Theatre is located in the historic Spreckles Building, on Orange Avenue in Coronado. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs until July 8th, with an afternoon performance on July 4th.
Photo By Ken Jacques ©
Reviewed May 25, 2007
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