Credited with being the first Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, the 1970’s wall of sound sung through musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a retro romp of a Passover prequel. As staged at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, along with a themed restaurant pop up at the adjacent Embers Grill, it is perfect for coming out of the dark of winter into spring.
Amber Mak has directed and choreographed a powerhouse ensemble led by Devin DeSantis as Joseph and Kaitlyn Davis as the Narrator. There is an unnamed child, Avelyn Lena Choi, who is also dynamite. Â
In this telling, the tale is a bedtime story, and DeSantis and Davis are mom and dad to Choi, recounting this moving story from the Bible, where Joseph is betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery and then he succeeds beyond everyone’s wildest dreams. The coat is not the only technicolor textile on stage: Theresa Ham’s costumes are astounding and range from Boho chic to full on Vegas sparkles for the curtain call song. The show is a visual adventure. Every cast member is a triple threat bringing Broadway style to the in-the-round intimacy of the Marriott. Kudos and bouquets to Elvis/Pharoah Lorenzo Rush Jr. who nearly stole the show. Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s ingenious scenic design is simple and effective, aiding the story and the staging without cluttering. Music director Ryan T. Nelson leads an enthusiastic orchestra through this larger than life score and the cast meets them and heads over the top for a show that will have you up on your feet clapping.Â
This is a show the whole family will truly enjoy, and certainly brings the Old Testament to inspiring life. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is playing Wednesdays through Sundays through March 30th, 2025 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in suburban Lincolnshire, Illinois. For Tickets and information head to : https://www.marriotttheatre.com/show/joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat
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