The nice thing about Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" is its versatility. One production may have Joseph in ancient Egypt and another may present him in middle America - in the 1990's. Such is the case with the American Fork Arts Council's rendition.
The music is composed of the same wonderful Webber-Rice tunes, but this production leans heavily on choreography and body language, and less on costuming. Still, costuming is a focal point - that colorful coat, which is more beautiful than ostentatious here. And the production itself was refreshing, comical and fun.The cast of 15 plays the various parts well. Most of the voices are strong and the humor is, at times, painfully funny.
The focus is on Joseph, the biblical man and interpreter of dreams who was much loved by his father Jacob. Though he has 11 other sons, Jacob shows favor to Joseph with a gift of a colorful coat. This prompts his jealous brothers to feign his death and sell him as a slave. But Joseph, through various ups and downs, rises to become second only to Pharaoh.
Rodney Brett Palmer, a 17-year-old senior at Lone Peak High School, gives a wonderful performance as Joseph. His voice is mature and his enthusiasm contagious. His performance of the musical's signature piece, "Close Every Door" is admirable.
The rest of the cast members take on various responsibilities. For example, Jacob (played by Marc Haddock) is also a brother and shares in the narration responsibilities with the rest of the cast. Other brothers are played by Jeff Anderson, Brian Hadfield, Josh Huntsman, Johnny Revill, Brad Shelton, Dustin Topham and Kimball Wing. (Don't count, three of the brothers are out in the fields during this play.)
Johnny Revill is entertaining as the Elvis-wannabe Pharaoh and Lynda Robyns is seductive in her role as Potiphar's wife. The other ladies of the ensemble are Elisa Eklof, Nicole Guymon, Devi Nay, Kandis Whittenburg and Trudy Young.
The setting is an intimate dinner theater, and those familiar with the music may find themselves singing along. The cast mingles with the audience, and the inside jokes are great. (When Potiphar is introduced, he is wearing a Micron hard hat; Joseph wears a University of Utah letterman's jacket, etc.)
Kudos also go to choreographer Mindy B. Young, who did a wonderful job with the cast - many of whom are admittedly not dancers.
As in most productions there were a few technical downers during opening night, and one should be warned to come for the play, not the meal. Although tasty, it leaves you wanting. The show runs just over an hour and ten minutes.
All in all, this production is worth seeing, even if you have already seen the "big one" at Kingsbury Hall. The couple sitting next to me enjoyed it just as much.