Review: Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Starlight

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Disclaimer: my husband loves Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It is his all-time favorite musical and he has both Broadway CDs and the Donny Osmond production DVD. Every time a professional (and many amateur) production of Joseph has been within a six-hour drive from Kansas City, we have been there. We know the story, we know the music, we know what to expect for an outstanding night of live musical theater with some of Andrew Lloyd Weber's finest compositions.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

For those new to Joseph, the story follows the Old Testament Biblical account of Joseph, who was Jacob's favorite of his twelve sons, gifted a colorful coat (a prized commodity at the time) from his father, and sold into slavery in Egypt by jealous brothers. Joseph was able to interpret dreams, a gift which earned him a role of leadership in Pharaoh's government, guiding the Egyptians successfully through a seven year famine, which eventually led to restoration with his family.

Andrew Lloyd Weber takes the Biblical account and does to it for adults, what Veggie Tales does to Bible stories for children, taking the tale on a musical journey through many melodious genres: country, Elvis-style rock 'n roll, calypso, French bistro blues (making up descriptions when adequate labels escape me), and traditional Broadway stylings. Using a narrator (the female lead) to sing the tale, the majority of the dialogue in the show is sung, with very little spoken, and the cast carries the difficult and memorable songs quite well. A couple times, singers did miss their cues (hopefully those opening night hiccups are improved through the week).

This year's production at Starlight features two American Idol celebrities and now married couple, Diana DeGarmo as the narrator, and Ace Young as Joseph. 

As fans of Joseph, things we especially enjoyed about this production included:

  • Those Canaan Days: In this scene the eleven brothers lament their hardship since selling Joseph into slavery and how they are now starving during the famine, they yearn for the "good old days" in a French Bistro scene where the choreography features a fun number where they use dishes and mugs to create the percussion for the song. This was a crowd favorite.
  • Poor, Poor Pharaoh / Song of the King: Forever one of the most popular scenes in the show, Starlight did not disappoint, Pharaoh came out in Egyptian/Elvis garb and did a full-on impression of The King complete with groupies.
  • Benjamin Calypso: This song with a Jamaican flare was especially well done.
  • The cast: Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young did a great job in their parts. Diana wowed as she hit the high notes in Weber's most difficult pieces in the show (the narrator sings the most difficult music). And Ace was a worthy Joseph.
  • The use of projection: I'll admit, there are shows where I've felt the projection was overdone and I've yearned for the good old-fashioned creativity and set design. However, Joseph used the projection effectively to move scenes along without taking from the creativity. As this particular show is an operetta, and it modernizes the Biblical account throughout, it allows a lot of creative latitude in the storytelling (vs. a historically accurate piece like The King and I or Sound of Music).
  • The finale / Joseph Megamix: The finale was almost worth the price of admission on its own! The Joseph Megamix featured highlights from the show's songs with fresh costuming and choreography - one giant dance party to the best music in the show. It was so much fun to watch the cast "let their hair down" and have fun with the songs and dance through the music. Stay till the final curtain - it's worth it!

We enjoyed this production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (diehard fans of the music) and it was fun to see a new take on the show with creative lighting, new sets, and the talented Diana DeGarmo & Ace Young.

Tips for Starlight Theatre:

  • Keep Hydrated and cool: You may bring 1 sealed bottle of water per guest into the theater. Complimentary water stations are located at the North and East Guest Relations. Water misters are placed throughout the theater for guest convenience. And, Starlight has drinking fountains throughout the theater. You may also want to bring a fan too keep cool.
  • What Parents Want to Know in order to decide if their child should see the show:  In one scene Potiphar's wife tries to seduce Joseph into having an affair. In the Biblical account (Gen. 39), Joseph declines her advances. In this production (usually he declines in the play), it is implied that they do have an affair. She is shown in a scanty outfit, dances seductively to entice him, and chases him around stage in a cat and mouse routine. Finally, they are shoved into bed by her servants and covered with a giant sheet where you see "wrestling" under the covers (you do not see the actors). Potiphar finds them in bed together and has Joseph thrown in jail. This scene does deviate from the Biblical account (implies he did have an affair, when he did not), and it is a sexually charged scene. In a few scenes the female costumes are in the "I Dream of Jeanie" costuming ranks. The story stays true to the Biblical account otherwise, with Joseph being sold by his brothers into slavery (some whipping of slaves is briefly shown). Slavery is not discussed at length, but it is part of the story.
  • Tips BEFORE the Show: If you bring children,  have them nap in the afternoon prior to a Starlight show and I clear our calendar the following morning allowing them to sleep as late as possible (and possibly nap again the next day). The show does start at bedtime. You may pack pajamas in to change in the car so sleepy kiddos can be carried directly into bed after. 
  • Booster seats: A limited supply of complimentary booster seats is available at the Ovation gift store. Please drop your booster seat off at any gate, Guest relations table or return it to the Ovation gift store after the show.
  • Preshow Tours: Arrive early and get a free, behind-the-scenes look at Starlight and learn about Starlight’s rich history in Kansas City. Tours begin before each performance at three convenient times: 6:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Patrons interested in touring Starlight Theatre should report to the top of the theater behind Terrace Section 1 to begin their facility tours. 
  • Interpreted Performances: Saturday performances at Starlight Theatre are described for the blind and visually impaired by Kansas Audio-Reader Network. Devices for this service are available at the Audio-Reader table behind Terrace Section 2. Sunday performances at Starlight Theatre are interpreted for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Two interpreters are positioned on stage, house right. Patrons can view the interpreters from sections 4 and 6 of the Orchestra and Plaza sections. Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons may purchase tickets by calling the Kansas Relay Center at 800.766.3777 or Relay Missouri at 800.735.2966. 
  • Assisted listening devices: Assisted listening devices are available free of charge for every performance. Visit the Ovation gift store and leave your driver's license in exchange for one of the listening devices. Following the performance, please return the device to the store and pick up your ID.
  • Courtesy shuttles: This summer six-passenger shuttles patrol the main parking areas, providing assistance for those who most need it.
  • Wheelchair assistance: Wheelchair assistance is available from all gates to the guest's seating location and back to the gate point after the show.
  • Emergencies: An EMT is on Starlight premises for all events and can be reached by radio through any of the contacts noted above. 
  • Preshow Dining: A delicious dinner buffet is offered before the show. Learn more about preshow dining.
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Starlight Theatre

4600 Starlight Rd., Kansas City, Missouri

816.363.7827

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