Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Reviews
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
"...Fifty years ago, a small little pop cantata was unveiled. It had music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice and was about twenty minutes in length , as it told the story of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", with some variations from the Bible rendition. Not a word was spoken! The entire show was sung. Over the years, songs and story were added to until it became a full Broadway production in 1982 (14 years later)."
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
"...This enjoyable, highly entertaining family musical is the second in a season of fine productions by the Citadel Theatre Company. Directed with style and energy by Robert Estrin, supported by Ryan Brewster's smart musical direction, including an accomplished five-member orchestra, and some spirited 1970's choreography by Jake Ganzer, this is a wonderfully tuneful alternative to the typical holiday fare. Staged upon Eric Luchen's simple, but effective pyramid-inspired set design, lit with brilliance by Diane D. Fairchild and humorously costumed by Sarah Lake Rayburn, the talented ensemble cast delights with infectious comedy and catchy songs and dances. All that's left to say is, simply, "Go, Go, Go, Go!""
Chicagoland Musical Theatre- Somewhat Recommended
"...With all this onstage talent, the call here is for Citadel to give these actors greater support (and direction) backstage. Two narrators? Really, why? Outside of a few lovely harmonies, the choice is head-scratching. And the decision to add acoustic guitar to the ballad “Any Dream Will Do” adds nothing to its initial presentation and throws a wet blanket on its reprise. So, too, the call to abandon the “Jacob in Egypt” number excludes the buildup to the final singing of this glorious ballad. And then to nix the mix (meaning the “Joseph Megamix” included in most versions of this musical)… Well, the whole thing ends, unfortunately, rather unceremoniously."
Chicago Theater and Arts- Highly Recommended
"...“Joseph” is a perfect holiday show for the whole family and has everything to keep the kids engaged throughout the performance. The tale of “Joseph” and his 11 brothers isn’t staged very often in the Chicagoland area. Don’t miss it."
Chicago On Stage- Recommended
"...You'll never get me to agree that the small stage of Lake Forest's Citadel Theatre is a great space for putting on large cast musicals, but if you're going to do one, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an excellent choice. Director Robert Estrin obviously thought so, and he has brought us a Joseph with a top-notch cast that has enough talent to help us to overlook the necessity for repetitive and sometimes a bit stagnant staging that comes with fitting twelve brothers (and their father), an eight-person children's choir, a five-member female dance chorus, a five-piece orchestra, two narrators, and a partridge in a pear tree (jk) on a stage that is nowhere near expansive enough to accommodate them."