Theater Review -- Tom Titus

One might imagine that given the plethora of local productions it’s

been getting, and will receive, the hottest new musical property around

is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Actually, this

biblically-inspired brief bit of entertainment was the first

collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice about three

decades ago.

It’s only recently that it’s been rediscovered by the Orange County

Performing Arts Center, the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse and the Huntington

Beach Playhouse, with an upcoming production at Costa Mesa’s Vanguard

University. Currently, it’s in the hands of the newest community theater

group in our backyard, the Newport Beach Theater Company, which is

staging it through Feb. 24 at Lincoln School in Newport Beach.

And therein lies its major problem -- it’s a classy production by

young people at the mercy of a grade school sound system. Either the

piped-in sound drowns out the singers or, even worse, it cuts out during

a solo by one of the two impressive leading performers, Edward Gusts in

the title role or Elyse Beyer as the fetching narrator. Both possess

voices of superior quality, but they’re at the mercy of a contrary system

that, hopefully, will be repaired by the show’s second weekend.

Beyond the aural nightmares, the new Newport company’s “Joseph” has

some terrific moments. Director Joshua Carr has added some modern comic

bits to a show that cries for them, and Crystal Burden’s energetic

choreography ensures that we’ll enjoy a visual treat even if our ears

recoil.

Gusts is ideal for the role of the favorite son sold into slavery by

his jealous brothers. His voice is strong even when the acoustics are

weak, or nonexistent, and one imagines that he might not even need the

head microphone he and the other leading players wear.

Ditto for Beyer, who hits the stage like a young Bernadette Peters

(there’s even a strong physical resemblance) and gamely battles the

recalcitrant sound gods while reaching every high note with a flourish.

This young lady is clearly going places in show business.

“Dreamcoat” is a jazzed-up, overtly modern version of the biblical

legend that invites directorial imagination, and Carr has injected quite

a few gags unseen in previous versions. Since the Pharaoh is supposed to

resemble Elvis Presley, and this one (Anthony Rissas) comes off more like

Danny Zuko in “Grease,” he’s given a sight gag from the drive-in scene

in the movie to underscore the resemblance. Even a simple bit like the

removal of Joseph’s chains gets a nice comic treatment.

A few other ensemble members take advantage of their few minutes in

the spotlight to make a lasting impression. Young Katie Spencer sizzles

as the roving wife of an Egyptian bigwig, and David Miller kicks up some

dust as the youngest of the brothers.

Webber’s musical treatment touches virtually all stylistic bases, from

country-western to French to Calypso, and Julie Oknen’s costumes fill the

bill on each occasion. Particularly appealing are her outfits for Rissas

and Spencer.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is an ambitious choice

for a new company with just one show (last summer’s “Annie) under its

belt. But if they can just solve that pesky sound problem, these kids

have quite a show on their hands.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

* What: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” presented by

the Newport Beach Theater Company

* Where: Lincoln Elementary School, 3101 Pacific View Drive, Newport

Beach

* When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sundays through

Feb. 24

* Cost: $8 or $10

* Call: (949) 280-1733