Rainbow’s end
Joseph sparkles at Claire vg
by Christopher Key
Chutzpah. That wonderful Yiddish word perfectly describes the biblical character Joseph. It can also be applied to theatrical legend Andrew Lloyd Webber for updating the story and to Claire vg Thomas Theatre director Cindy Henninger for tackling a massive musical with a rather short rehearsal schedule.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opens this week at the Lynden theatre and it’s as full of wonder and delight as anyone could wish. This production involved a theatrical summer camp for kids and they are obviously happy campers. Audiences will be, as well.
The cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat gives a dynamite performance of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Photo credit - Christopher Key
Laura Henninger plays the Narrator who helps tie the story together. She has an engaging stage presence and a lovely voice, but is often unintelligible. I reviewed a pre-dress rehearsal and suspect that the problem will be ironed out by the time opening night rolls around.
The role of Joseph is a daunting challenge, both because of the mercurial nature of the character and because the actor must carry the show. Jeremy Loween rises to the challenge with a superb voice and a stage presence that shines with innocence. I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing him before and hope I will see him again. Often.
Joseph’s multitudinous brothers are all well-played, but several of them get to strut their stuff in musical numbers. Forrest Crouse earns his chaps in the country number “One More Angel in Heaven.” One of the older kids in the show, Mark Miller, not only nails a French accent, but closes the deal with his wildly funny take on “Those Canaan Days.”
Kaleb Van Rijswijck shows off the expert training he received at Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth. I have seen him in a couple of shows there and all that hard work pays off big time as he rocks “Benjamin Calypso.”
The irrepressible Larrin Weidenaar plays the Pharoah who thinks he is Elvis with his usual flair. That means he channels Elvis to perfection and doubles as one of the brothers with seeming ease despite some frantic costume and facial hair changes.
Bellingham physician Chris Covert Bowlds shows another side of his multi-talented self as Potiphar. His wife doesn’t get many lines, but Olivia Shrum can say more with her face and body than most actors can with a two-page monologue.
It’s hard to say enough about Musical Director Rick Lysen. He has taken an astonishingly diverse group of voices and melded them into a very polished whole. The choral numbers are rock-solid, especially the angelic voices of the young singers. And he assembled a dynamic band that easily handles the myriad genres that Webber incorporates into the score.
Choreographers Jen Buchanan and Laura Henninger work wonders with the kids of all ages. Christy Ham serves as Assistant Director and also coordinated the evocative costuming. Stage Manager Carole May does a stellar job of keeping the potential chaos of this production under firm control.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays July 29 – 31 at 7:30 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2:00 p.m. There will also be a Bellingham performance on August 1 at 7:30 p.m. That takes place at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2600 Lakeway. Tickets are $12 and can be reserved by calling the box office at (360) 354-4425.
There are only a few performances of this marvelous production. A word to the wise is sufficient, yes?
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