Following the successful 1998 video release of Cats comes another
Andrew Lloyd Webber blockbuster musical, Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat, and it's a savvy choice. It hasn't been represented
on film before, it's short enough (78 minutes) to present without
cuts, and it has the star power of former teen icon Donny Osmond,
who played over 1,800 performances across North America. Rather
than record a live performance, Cats director David Mallet conceived
Joseph as a film, though one that is based strongly on codirector
Steven Pimlott's 1991 London revival and relies more on camerawork
than venturing beyond its stagelike sets.
Lloyd Webber's first project with lyricist Tim Rice was originally
written in 1968 as a school cantata; accordingly, this film uses
a framing sequence of a school recital, with an audience of clapping,
singing kids and members of the faculty playing the roles. The Old
Testament tale of Joseph and his coat of many colors gets a splashy,
vigorous treatment with an energetic cast, Las Vegas-style glitz,
and catchy, eclectic songs, including "Any Dream Will Do," "Close
Every Door," the peppy "Go, Go, Go Joseph," and various bits of
country, calypso, and Elvis. Osmond is perfect in the title role,
with a strong voice and winning persona, while London stage veteran
Maria Friedman performs well in the central role of the narrator.
Richard Attenborough appears (and sings a little) as Jacob, and
Joan Collins makes a brief, nonsinging cameo.
Joseph certainly isn't revolutionary musical theater, but if you
view it as a kids' show, it's a silly good time (though there are
poignant moments too). Parents should note, however, that this production
might warrant a little discretion due to one suggestive scene and
some risqué costumes.
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