“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” goes Off the Wall

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tells a familiar story. Still, let’s review the Bible story before we review Off the Wall Theatre’s production, which runs through July 28: Joseph is the favorite son of Jacob. Joseph’s 11 brothers sell him into slavery. Years later, a very successful Joseph saves them from starvation amid a famine.

Your typical production of Joseph is built around shiny sets, quirky costumes, and occasional over-the-top characterizations. It’s fairly easy to succeed with this show simply by following the script. But a good company can do more with Lloyd Webber’s classic, and Off The Wall makes Joseph its own in every way. The company plays to the house and laughs at its own jokes, to refreshing effect.

The big cast and the production numbers do not overwhelm the intimate Off The Wall space. Director/choreographer Karl Miller is ambitious with the dancing and staging, but the results never feel messy or crowded. With 11 brothers and more in the mix, characters could easily be lost in the crowd, but every actor maintains a clear and recognizable persona throughout. Some characterizations are written into the show, such as Parker Cristan’s Elvis-like Pharaoh. However, the creative OTW actors devised characterizations every bit as entertaining as the scripted ones. Part of the fun lies in watching the actors present and develop their characters’ quirks.

Styles of the 1980’s inspired both the costumes and Kamilah Lay’s approach to singing as the Narrator — with the Joettes always singing back-up, Lay came off more as a girl-band lead singer than Lloyd Webber popera diva. Her huge voice fills the space easily. Like the brothers, each Joette is more entertaining than the next. The most difficult part of being in the audience is trying to decide to whom to watch in each scene.

Miller felt free to play with the show and added dialogue to practically every scene — a risky practice, but in this case consistently humorous. In addition to riddles (How does Moses brew his tea? HeBrews it! Ba-dump-bump) and monologues between scenes, Miller worked in many allusions to other great musicals. These were not lost on the OTW audience, which is well-versed in musical theater. For example: As the brothers prepare to sell Joseph into slavery, music director Chris Wszalek struck up the gang music from West Side Story. Prior to the song of lament, “Those Canaan Days,” one of the brothers crawls on stage to sing “Memories” from Cats.

Attention to detail is big within the close quarters at Off the Wall Theater. During “Jacob and Sons,” each son carried a picture of his “mother” onto the stage. The images ranged from Carole Channing, whose “son” constantly mentioned raspberries, to RuPaul, whose “son” wore a rhinestone encrusted t-shirt. Such details encourage you to search every scene for miniature visual jokes.

Its easy to go overboard with the golden chariots, herds of sheep and palace fit for a Pharaoh. Off The Wall proved that more is not always better, with a simple but glittery Egyptian backdrop that includes crates for storage of and quick access to props. A dozen people can enter and exit quickly and seamlessly. Costume accessories cleverly suggest Western or Caribbean themes.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat leans toward the cheesy, and Off the Wall runs with that in an endearing way that engages its audience. Even if you’ve seen this show, you haven’t seen it like this.

 

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs through July 28 at the Off the Wall Theater on East Wells Street. Tickets are $25 online or by calling (414) 484-8874. Seating is limited, advance purchase recommended. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays – Saturdays and 4:30 p.m. Sundays.