A Review

Once Upon A Biblical Time . . .

By R. J. Donovan

Reagle Players in Waltham had just cause to celebrate last Friday night.  They were marking their 40th Anniversary (no small feat) as well as the opening of their very sharp production of "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" starring Broadway's Eric Kunze (below) as Joseph, 2006 "American Idol" contestant Ayla Brown as The Narrator and a crackerjack chorus of 70 local school kids.

Written by Andrew Llolyd Webber and Tim Rice, "Dreamcoat" is the gently funny, musical re-telling of the Biblical story of Joseph, his coat of many colors and his 11 duplicitous brothers. 

Utilizing parodies of rock, western, calypso and disco themes, the show was originally created in the late 60's as a storybook pop-contata for school children.  It was eventually expanded into a full stage production, opening on Broadway in 1982. 

The premise of the show traditionally involves having a group of kids gather on the stage at the top of the evening. The Narrator opens her book and begins telling the tale, which then unfolds around them on stage. As such, every production utilities a large chorus of kids who sit on risers at stage left and right and sing along.

As the story proceeds, Joseph is sabotaged by his brothers, sold into slavery, has visions, comes to the attention of the Pharaoh and ultimately rises to stardom in Egypt.  His brothers eventually regret abandoning him. And all is forgiven by the finale.

As Joseph, Eric Kunze brings dashing good looks and a light comic touch to the role as well as a singing voice that soars to the rafters.  His big number, sung while Joseph is imprisoned, is "Close Every Door" (at left), which he delivers with enormous heart.  (Kunze was last seen in Boston in the national tour of Webber's "Whistle Down The Wind" at The Wang.)

In the role of The Narrator, Ayla Brown (below) possesses a strong voice and belts with the best of them.  The downside is that she's not helped much by the theater's sound system.  Jeffrey Max is the Elvis-wannabe Pharaoh, and does a nice job with "Song of The King," his hip-swiveling solo in Act Two.  Also a standout is Andrew Giordano as brother Simeon, who leads "One More Angel In Heaven." As a group, the brothers have a chance to shine in the comical "Those Canaan Days," set in a pseudo-French bistro. 

To follow Joseph's journey to Egypt, the folks at Reagle have put together a clever video montage that includes numerous Boston landmarks, i.e., Joseph in his robes outside "Cheers," at the Old State House, in the Public Gardens and at Fenway Park.

The evening finishes with the "Joseph Mega-Mix," a disco medley that reprises the entire show in snippets.  For this exuberant mini-concert, the cast has quick-changed into stark white outfits, capping the night on a nice high. 

Having seen "Joseph" many times over the years,  I have to admit the choruses have ranged in quality, often hampered by the amount of rehearsal time the kids have with a big touring production.  Bottom line, they're not really expected to be pros. However, I've got to say that I've never seen a group of kids so tightly prepared as the chorus at Reagle.  Under the direction of Jose Delgado, they sing great, they've got fine stage presence and they're razor sharp in their movements.

Also of special note is director Susan M. Chebookjian's energetic choreography, Peter Colao's imaginative sets (watch for the neon pyramid) and the colorful and often comical costuming by Gayle Sullivan and Mark Thompson.

The house was packed on opening night, which speaks well not only of the loyalty Reagle has built over the years, but for the rest of their summer season, which includes Sally Struthers in "Annie," and Tony Award winning Donna McKechnie ("A Chorus Line's" original Cassie) in "No, No Nanette." 

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream" is at Robinson Theatre in Waltham through June 21. For information, call 781-891-5600.

-- OnStage Boston