Originally written as a children’s oratorio, the musical version of the biblical story of Joseph always has been an inspiring piece.
But director Steve Wilson’s adaptation of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” coupled with the extraordinary performance of the PHAMALy (Physically Handicapped Amateur Musical Actors League Inc.) ensemble, deserves a category beyond normal theatrical definitions.
Set in a mental hospital, “Joseph” opens with the ensemble circulating past a countertop filled with cups containing their evening medication. As they somnabulistically intone the words of the Prologue – “We all dream a lot/some are lucky, some are not/But if you think it, want it, dream it, then it’s real/You are what you feel” – we can’t help but consider the lesson offered by such a remarkable group of individuals who overcome difficult challenges every day.
Like Peter Weiss’ famous drama “Marat/Sade,” which is set in an 18th-century asylum, Wilson’s interpretation layers subtext onto the performance. It never lets us forget what is at stake here, with the actors/inmates seizing upon the message of the play as a means to their own release and fulfillment.
The spiritual tone of the evening is set by Leonard E. Barrett Jr., whose magnificent voice as the narrator lends an authoritative and celestial quality to the proceedings.
Jeremy Palmer’s understated approach to Joseph, beginning with his afflicted state in the mental hospital and carried forward through his rise from shepherd to Pharaoh’s main man, keeps the potentially egotistical elements of his character from overriding the power of his dreams.
In addition to Wilson’s insightful direction, choreographers Debbie Stark and Cindy Bray make the impossible look easy with graceful dance numbers and precision movements of the vast ensemble, including the inventive use of wheelchairs to move props.
Creativity in the production design is evident in the details as well: The country and western inspired “One More Angel in Heaven” and the French cabaret number “Those Canaan Days” are particularly notable. Joseph’s seduction by Potiphar’s Wife, (Lyndsay Giraldi in leather halter top with riding crop), sent the audience into paroxysms of ribald laughter. And prop designer Alex Reshetniak’s sacrificial goat outdoes anything else I’ve seen in this regard.
Keyboard wizard Donna Debreceni’s musical direction, in tandem with Julie Sherwood’s vocal coaching, produces a chorus as strong as that of any of our regional musical theater companies.
As Aristotle recognized, the theater plays a unique role in not only explaining the mysteries of existence, but in transforming these insights into spiritual experiences.
In coming together to help PHAMALy members share their talents in such a setting, the Denver arts and business community has contributed to the creation of an outstanding annual celebration.
Bob Bows reviews theater for KUVO/89.3 FM, at www.ColoradoDrama.com and for Variety. He can be reached at BBows@ColoradoDrama.com.
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
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MUSICAL|PHAMALy (Physically Handicapped Amateur Musical Actors League Inc.), Space Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets|Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice|Directed by Steve Wilson|Starring Jeremy Palmer and Leonard E. Barrett Jr.|THROUGH JULY 31|7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, also 7:30 p.m. July 25 and 2 p.m. July 30|2 hours|$25| 303-893-4100, www.phamaly.org, and Tickets West outlets; group discounts available.
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“SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL” Grand Junction’s Cabaret Dinner Theatre stages the first professional Colorado production of this quirky contemporary re-imagining of Dr. Seuss, which weaves many of his most famous stories and characters in the Jungle of Nool. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays- Thursdays, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Sept. 2 at 701 Main St. (877-255-0999).
“UNEXPECTED SHAXPERE!” As part of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Seattle’s Unexpected Productions improv group performs an original play each night based on characters and plots familiar to Shakespeare lovers. 7 tonight, 11 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday (other times vary through Aug. 13) at University of Colorado-Boulder mainstage theater. Tickets $10-$50 (303-492-0554 or coloradoshakes.org).
“THE SYRINGA TREE” The one-woman apartheid saga stars the Denver Center’s Stephanie Cozart at the Lizard Head Theatre at 8 p.m. daily (except Monday) through July 30 at Telluride’s Sheridan Opera House. Tickets $33 (970-728-3133, telluridetickets.com).
-John Moore
