Twice as Nice

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat–by Citadel Theatre

Twice As Nice

If you think you already know this show from seeing the countless productions of it that have already played in the Chicago area, a terrific holiday offering from Citadel may just possibly surprise you. A talented cast of actors, high-energy musical numbers, colorful and imaginative costumes, a finely tuned onstage orchestra and technical support by dozens of skilled artists are all part of Director Robert Estrin’s imaginative vision. These are just a few of the reasons to either revisit this popular musical comedy or to finally experience it for the first time.    

This musical was a smash hit in 1973, when Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice’s 15-minute pop cantata, originally written for a boys’ school, was modified and expanded into a full-length production and first played London’s West End. The show finally opened on Broadway in 1982, followed by countless revivals and regional, amateur and touring productions. Audiences have fallen in love with this charming family-friendly musical, in the past, as they undoubtedly will now at the Citadel Theatre. To commemorate the show’s 50th Anniversary, the Lake Forest professional theatre puts their own stamp on the story. You might think that a musical that’s been done by every theatre group in Chicago would simply be a predictable, tired old retread of past productions, but that’s not the case.

Robert Estrin, who guest directed last season’s wonderful production of “The Explorers Club,” along with several other hit Citadel shows, has outdone himself by launching this popular confection into the new millennium. It’s lean and mean and pulsates with an addictive musical score, thanks to Musical Director Ryan Brewster. The show’s dynamic dance moves are courtesy of Jake Ganzer, and the sung-through score is performed full-tilt by some of Chicago’s most talented young singing actors. This production looks and sounds, with its fresh harmonies and new musical arrangements, just as bright and current as if it had been written today.

Estrin has chosen to try something unique and twice as nice with his production. He’s cast two very talented women as the Narrator, a role usually played by one, single actor. His dynamic duo are a pair of lovely and exceptionally gifted singers. They’re Carmen Risi, who was last seen at Citadel in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum;” and an exciting recent graduate of Roosevelt University’s musical theatre program, Laura Thoresen. Both ladies are radiant, powerful and compliment each other in performance and harmonically. 

The actresses are matched by a most talented newcomer to the Windy City theatre. As Joseph, handsome young Jacob Barton is truly a Chicago star-in-the-making. He has boyish charisma and a natural likability, along with a most pleasing, professionally trained singing voice that guarantees he’ll soon be a familiar face on many an area stage. Mr. Barton’s performance of his two solo numbers, “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door to Me,” self-accompanied on guitar, are the highlights of this production.  

Another talented actor making his Lake Forest debut, JP Thomas plays both Jacob, the patriarch of Joseph’s family, as well as a hip-swiveling Pharaoh, who’s an Egyptian dead-ringer for Elvis Presley. His rendition of “The Song of the King” takes on a whole new significance in this show. Other standouts in this production include Marcellus Burt, as Joseph’s brother Gad, who comically sings the “Benjamin Calypso;” Shane Roberie, as Reuben, leads the company with his country/western hoedown, “One More Angel in Heaven;” and Derek Fawcett, in the role of Simeon, dons his beret for a marvelous, melodramatically mournful, “Those Canaan Days.” Mr. Fawcett also portrays the wealthy Egyptian, Potiphar, whose real life spouse, Jenna Fawcett, ably plays Potiphar’s seductive wife. In addition to the entire supporting adult ensemble, the show highlights the considerable talents of an eight-member Children’s Chorus.

      
 This enjoyable, highly entertaining family musical is the second in a season of fine productions by the Citadel Theatre Company. Directed with style and energy by Robert Estrin, supported by Ryan Brewster’s smart musical direction, including an accomplished five-member orchestra, and some spirited 1970’s choreography by Jake Ganzer, this is a wonderfully tuneful alternative to the typical holiday fare. Staged upon Eric Luchen’s simple, but effective pyramid-inspired set design, lit with brilliance by Diane D. Fairchild and humorously costumed by Sarah Lake Rayburn, the talented ensemble cast delights with infectious comedy and catchy songs and dances. All that’s left to say is, simply, “Go, Go, Go, Go!”

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas  

Presented November 16-December 30 by Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 847-735-8554 or by going to www.citadeltheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.