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Joseph: a technicolored hit performance
Joseph: a technicolored hit performance
Bridget Woelflein '28
Copy Editor
Louisville’s performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, commonly referred to as “Joseph” by cast members, opened on Friday November 21 to a packed house. Theatregoers who wanted to buy tickets at the door were lined up around the building, all eager to find a seat at the sold out show. Rows of chairs were added to the audience to accommodate the large crowd and people squeezed into any open seat they could find. Because of the popular demand for the show, five shows were performed the weekend of the 21st to the 23rd.
While you may be familiar with the traditional story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis or the animated movie from 2000, Louisville put on Broadway’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” with a different twist on the classic tale.
Joseph's (Elyse Ramirez '27) dream sequence with his first coat as his brothers watch on in envy.
Louisville’s “Joseph” embraced an anachronistic approach, using elements and styles from the 1950s to tell a story that took place in ancient Canaan and Egypt. Additionally, the show was framed as a magical story that occurred completely inside a little boy named Benjamin’s dream, played by Ronan Bowling.
Joseph, exceptionally played by Elyse Ramirez ’27, uses his talent for interpreting dreams to free himself from the slavery his brothers sell him into. He rises to Pharaoh’s second-in-command after successfully predicting what the Pharaoh’s dream will bring to Egypt. Joseph later forgives his brothers and reunites with his family when he sees they have changed their jealous ways.
Joseph’s brothers, completely composed of Louisville students–Kate Ben ’26, Robyn Bowling ’28, Kiki Scheurer ’27, Erika Huanca Vargas ’27, Katie Specht ’27, Nell Brickman ’27, Sara Newell ’27, Sophia Serrano ’27 and Emma Ford ’27– bring a comedic side to the show. They sing songs from a variety of different genres including country and a French ballad of reminiscence and regret. The southern and French accents performed during these songs especially entertained the audience.
Mia Romano ’27 accurately portrays an Elvis Presely-inspired Pharaoh, who brings the pinnacle of the show's 50s aura to life with a gyrating retelling of his dream. The ensemble add to the famous Elvis effect with their overly obsessive fangirling over the Pharaoh.
Small but noteworthy characters Potifar (played by Crespi student Finn Murphy ’27) and his Marilyn-Monroe-looking wife (Fifi Chahayed ’26) have iconic dance and singing numbers in the show. Potifar performs an aquatic number on the Nile, while his wife dances a hypnotic snake dance in the hopes of catching Joseph’s attention.
The major characters of the cast are rounded out by the seven narrators who beautifully guide the audience through the plot of the show. With their wit and charm, they dramatically introduce important characters and constantly admonish the brothers for their poor choices.
The narrators singing and dancing with Joseph, Potifar's wife performing her Marilyn Monroe dance, and the Pharaoh singing with Joseph.
The show was a sock-hop of a performance full of vibrant music, colors and dancing that all brought to life the energy of the rocking 50s. From the ensemble to Joseph himself, every character was in an outfit that felt like it came straight out of the 50s, thanks to the brilliance of Mr. Dan’s costume design. The set itself was also alive with shifting colors and twinkling stars, adding to the dreamy atmosphere.
A focal point of the set was the larger than life 1950s era television that acted as a stage upon the stage. The shimmering pink of the TV intentionally drew the audience’s eye any time a character entered through it or stood in front of it, especially during the aforementioned Elvis-Pharaoh scene.
Mr. Dan’s dream for the show visibly came to life in the kaleidoscope dreamscape that is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
Tune in next semester for another colorful fairytale performance in Louisville’s choice for a spring musical, “Once Upon a One More Time”!
Joseph and his amazing colored coat.
Joseph convincing the Pharaoh to free him.
Joseph's brothers begging for food.
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