Dalbert Pringle
You know - (Being a "non-believer") - I really, really (really) did try to keep an opened mind while watching "Dreamcoat". I really, really did. Really!But, the truth is - I should have known better than to have viewed this utterly self-righteous nonsense and actually expected to be entertained (even marginally) by it.Within less than10 minutes I was already bored-to-tears listening to the trite, tiresome, and easily-forgettable Tim Rice/Andrew Webber songs. I really was.Believe me - When it comes to the likes of religious-themed movie-musicals - "Dreamcoat" was (Indeed) just as insufferably annoying and pretentious as was "Jesus Christ Superstar". (Yet another certified dud)And, finally - Speaking about that "amazing" (?) Technicolour dreamcoat of Joseph's - (More than anything else) - It sure looked like the flaming frock of a dizzy drag queen to me.
Troll_Dahl
Boy, I wish we had assemblies like this when I was in school!I was introduced to Andrew Lloyd Webber and the wonderful lyricist Tim Rice through Jesus Christ Superstar. Joseph is somewhat of a cousin to that show but it is a different kettle of fish at the same time. It is clearly designed to be accessible to school children-- which is great. Kids are an audience worthy of being catered to and it's wonderful to see them becoming involved in the arts, as the DVD extras show us that English schools host their own productions. But Dreamcoat also holds much for adults who are willing to forgo pretensions in favor of fun. This is not classical theatre but it is enjoyable lightweight popular theatre, accessible to anyone with an appreciation for the wacky and zany. In short, it is entertaining. It is good music with a good message for kids--and Tim Rice's lyrics are witty as ever. Another thing this is not, however, is a religious show. Parents, note that this isn't to the Bible for kids. It's not a Christian (or Jewish) perspective; rather, it is universal. Joseph and friends are depicted no differently than if they were figures in Greek or Norse mythology; there is no special reverence nor special disdain, although the approach is light-hearted and fun-loving. It's another story. At one point, Maria Friedman, playing narrator, stumbles and drops her Bible, telegraphing that this is a non-traditionalist, possibly off-center treatment of scripture, one that absolutely requires a taste for the whimsical.I've sadly never seen the show on stage, which m I'd love to, but I do see how this rendition could disappoint one in search of the purely theatrical. However, one of two things I like is actually dependent on the filmic medium. The story is bookended as a play children are watching in school. When Joseph emerges, it becomes a blend of reality and fantasy. The lines are blurred and the action is effectively placed in a unique realm that, I find, engages the imagination. It's a bit of a throwback to the like of the 1973 film of Jesus Christ Superstar, which similarly bookends its main story as a performance of sorts. Except Dreamcoat is presented ideally for connecting with kids. At the same time, this presentation is strongly theatrical on other ways and I really appreciate getting a bit of the theatrical experience in the living room, as I do love theatre.The other thing I really like is the sheer variety. There's '50s-style rock 'n' roll with the classic Go, Go Joseph and Pharo's Dream, an outrageous Elvis imitation. There's a faux country/western ballad as Joe's bros deliciously pretend to mourn him. And there's a wonderful calypso that will get stuck in your head for days. Webber takes a pantheon of popular music styles that people love and weaves them together in storytelling. That's pop theatre. It seems typical of Webber and it's similar to the musical brilliance that makes Superstar a classic of fantastic appeal. Dreamcoat is cut from the same cloth, dyed in different hues.As to the cast, the all-star approach seems over the top but it's always nice seeing Richard Attenborough (Jacob). And I've never followed Osmond but I crest him for a good performance, making Joe warn and radiant. Watching him with the kids is a joy. The ending Coat of Many Colors sequence is marvelous, as we see the kids form a unified body of many colors on stage, and the bookending number, Any Dream Will Do, can stand as a classic entirely on its own (more so than Joseph's slower ballad while in prison). The supporting cast is uniformly excellent, especially Judah, Pharo, the butler, and the baker. Friedman is amusing if over the top as narrator, a device that seems conceived to help kids understand the story. I recognized Englishman Ian McNiece as Potiphar, a delightful performance of a colorful characterization, not to be missed.In short, Dreamcoat lives up to its title: the characters are all colorful. The music is fun and the themes poignant. The story and music conjure and help to preserve a spirit of dreaming and daring to have and glorify dreams and hope, as well as a spirit of love and unity. Which is beautiful. This show could also serve as a fun way to introduce kids to musical theatre. The upbeat music, goofiness, and presence of kids in the story should help draw kids in. If I chose two words to describe Dreamcoat, they would be "color" and "dreams", two things children should not be short of. Everyone should sew a Dreamcoat.
treeline1
This filmed version of the play is both enjoyable and annoying. The story is a tuneful, mostly cheerful telling of the highlights of Joseph's story from his coat of many colors to slavery to power, but those looking for a reverent Bible story will be disappointed in this mocking and sarcastic show. On the plus side, Donny Osmond is quite appealing as the innocent Joseph and he sings with ease and emotion; his scenes are the best.My problems stem from the structure of the show. The action takes place on a school stage with the students often chiming in as a choir and it just doesn't gather any dramatic steam. The composers were only 19 and 21 when this was first conceived and they apparently let their youthful enthusiasm go unchecked; their music is catchy and the rhyming lyrics are clever, but there's no continuity or sense of serious theatre. One never suspends disbelief because we are constantly reminded it's a school play.The songs range from sweet to kitschy in pop, calypso, disco, and cowboy-country style. The props are painted cardboard and the costumes range from period to techno to kid-unfriendly suggestive. The narrator (Maria Friedman) has the most screen time and she's an annoying know-it-all who continually grabs the spotlight away from the action.Several of the songs are quite nice and will stick with you, especially "Any Dream Will Do" and "Close Every Door," and Pharoah's Elvis impersonation is funny, if weird. The show was originally aimed at children, but I think they might lose interest or be confused. The play lacks the substance of the composers' later "Jesus Christ Superstar" but is nice for Donny fans.
DJAkin
When it comes to musicals, I am more of a RENT kind of guy and a FIDDLER ON THE ROOF type of fella. However, this movie DELIVERED THE GOODS. I had always thought this was a 1970s Donny Osmand movie based on how the cover looks. I was WRONG! It is a 1999 movie and is all MUSIC! I liked the way it was based on the story of Joseph and his brothers. The NARRATOR delivered the goods full throttle as well. The songs were catchy and they ELVIS singer was a lot of fun to watch. The movie was very much MUSICAL-ISH and "feel good" ish. However, it was NOT TOO HOKEY where you wanted to just TURN IT OFF. I am glad this movie was suggested to me and I have a great memory of watching it.
