Theater Reviews : Resurrected ‘Joseph’ Has Faded a Bit

From the “Anything Done Well Once Is Best Done Again--Maybe” file:

The artists, the staff, indeed anyone half-conscious at Golden West College last year knew they had something special with their production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s goofiest, dumbest and best musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Everything clicked, from designer Charles P. Davis’ kaleidoscope curtain to Kim Royster’s superbly poppy Narrator to an ecstatic encore that came about as close as Orange County theater gets these days to a rollicking celebration.

Even better, director-choreographer Brandee Williams and her merry band knew, if only instinctively, that the low-budget collegiate approach was the one Webber-Rice originally envisioned for their first musical--not the glitzy disco approach of some recent pro revivals. And for those of us who believe that (“Evita” excepted) Webber is best when he takes himself lightly, “Joseph” is still his ideal show. Giddy, fast, funny, showy, brash, nervy, it’s delicious theater candy.

Well, Williams’ “Joseph” staging is back, kind of revival of a revival, proof that the Golden West folks knew what they had. It’s also proof, as NCAA tourneys show every year, that graduating talent has to be replaced by incoming talent. Many of the key cast members have returned, but subtle changes don’t make this a replica of the ’93 model.

One recasting is remarkable: Brooke Wilkes is now the Narrator, singing us through the Old Testament tale of Joseph, son of Jacob and unlucky heir of the coat of many colors. Wilkes has to command the stage, to be a friendly combination of Amy Grant, Petula Clark and the Pied Piper to a chorus of young voices sitting on the sidelines, and fluidly go in and out of the action in rough ‘n’ tough Ancient Egypt. She does it all beautifully.

The most significant cast changes involve Joseph’s brothers, who, out of jealousy, sell him to tradesmen (which leads him to a stint in the Pharaoh’s prison and then in Pharaoh’s court as a right-hand man). Only Craig Fleming’s Reuben, who handily leads the guys through the funny, mock-French “Those Canaan Days,” is equal among the new cast to the shtick of the old one. Jason W. Green as Levi weakly delivers the mock-Western “One More Angel in Heaven,” and Simon Cote as Judah strains to do his best Harry Belafonte in “Benjamin Calypso.” Throughout the group, timing and singing are not sharp.

*

Other signs that the ’93 magic wasn’t exactly striking twice--at least on a recent Saturday night--included (1) malfunctioning machine-operated, popup set pieces (usually among this show’s most delightful elements); (2) malfunctioning lights; (3) a childs’ chorus that tended to go over the line of cuteness (Williams’ concern, not the kids’), and (4) a band led by musical director Dana Seufert that was top-heavy with synthesizer.

Things are anchored, however, by the leads (who have been here before): Eric Anderson’s fine, confident Joseph, Margie King playing one mean accordion as Jacob’s Wife and Jeff Glover turning women to Silly Putty as an Elvis-like Pharaoh. Glover’s barnstorming “Song of the King” still stops this show so firmly that you forget you’re on a college campus.

The viewer with no previous “Joseph” experience likely will go as bug-eyed with wonder and joy as did much of that Saturday’s audience. It’s easy to get swept up in what probably is still the kickiest show in the county, even if it’s hard to believe that it was even kickier last time.

* “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Golden West College, 15751 Gothard St., Huntington Beach. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 4 and 11, at 3 p.m. Ends Dec. 11. $12. (714) 895-8378. Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes. Eric Anderson Joseph

Brooke Wilkes Narrator

Howard Mango Jacob

Margie King Jacob’s Wife

Jeff Glover Pharaoh

Jason W. Green Levi

Craig Fleming Reuben

Simon Cote Judah

Ron Albertsen Potiphar

Peggy Magee Potiphar’s Wife

A Golden West College production of the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, directed and choreographed by Brandee Williams. Musical director: Dana Seufert. Set: Charles P. Davis. Lights: Bill Georges. Costumes: Susan Thomas Babb. Sound: Scott Steidinger.