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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘Joseph’ Fueled By The King Elvis Keys Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical

Here it comes again, the world’s only biblical parable starring an Elvis impersonator.

A national touring production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s good-time musical spectacle, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” arrives at the Opera House for three shows Monday and Tuesday. Not only does it have Elvis-style music sung by the Pharoah (or should we say, The King), but it also has elements of rock, pop, country, calypso, Tin Pan Alley and French boulevard music.

One thing about “Joseph,” it ranges all over the musical landscape.

This is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s first show, written way back in 1968, and in many ways it’s his most enjoyable. It’s short, it’s lighthearted, and it’s campy.

This tour, a non-Equity production from the Troika Organization, should also have plenty of visual pizazz.

“The costumes are very much informed by Miami Beach and South Beach, especially when the characters get to Egypt,” said director Dallett Norris from his home in New York. “All the Egyptian girls are in beach sarongs.”

And that is by no means the craziest of this show’s costume ideas.

“All of the Egyptians are wearing bicycle helmets and earrings made out of shuttlecocks,” said Norris.

“The rich people wear tuxedos, but made out of leopard skin. The costume designer, Bruce Harrow, had some wild ideas, and I said, ‘Let’s see where we can go with this.’ “

This show, which has been on the road since April, has been well-received everywhere, said Norris.

“I’d like to say it’s because of our production, but it’s true of this show in general,” said Norris. “A lot of parents bring their children to this, and it’s just as entertaining for adults as for the children. Also, it’s short, which is important if you have young children.”

The Tuesday morning matinee, by the way, is a specially priced family matinee, with tickets at $20 and $23.

This tour may not be quite as spectacular as the last tour of “Joseph,” which came to Spokane two years ago. That one featured flashy Vegas-style production values and an entire choir of local schoolchildren.

“Some productions are totally campy and out there,” said Norris. “We tried not to make a joke out of it at every turn, but to make it really fun and really warm.”

The story is about Joseph and his coat of many colors. It is told entirely through song.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: On stage “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will be staged on Monday at 7:30 p.m. and on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Spokane Opera House. Tickets range from $20 to $34, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT.

This sidebar appeared with the story: On stage “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will be staged on Monday at 7:30 p.m. and on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Spokane Opera House. Tickets range from $20 to $34, available at G&B; Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT.