Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Joseph and the Amazing Techincolor Dreamcoat
National Touring Company
Buell Theater
Denver, CO
April 22-26, 2015

The last tour I saw of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was in 1995. Since then, this show has been done repeatedly by schools, amateurs and professional companies. I was looking forward to seeing another national tour.

The selling point of this production was the presence of American Idol alumni Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo in the lead roles. And since Young is from Colorado, the appeal was even greater.

The set was simple and uninspired. What saved it was the brilliant and complex lighting design. The use of color was exciting and brought life to the otherwise dull sets.

The costumes were a mix between authentic period piece and modern. The Canaan costumes were particularly puzzling where some of the characters wore turbans and robes while others had on Bermuda shorts. Many of the women looked as if they belonged in a harem instead of a shepherd tribe. The Egyptian costumes were more traditional. Although, since the Pharaoh is portrayed as an Elvis impersonator, I was impressed with the combination of Ancient Egypt and 1970's Elvis jumpsuit.

The cast was strong. "Those Canaan Days," is one of my least favorite songs in the show but it was creatively presented and stopped the show. And "Song of the King" was made even more fun by the actor playing for the audience. The dance sequences were long and fun to watch.

Surprisingly, DeGarmo and Young seemed to be the weakest members of the cast. DeGarmo as the Narrator sounded shrill throughout the performance. It made me wonder if the score was too high for her range. Her movements onstage were inconsistent - it felt as if the director had no idea what her role really was on the show. Her costumes were glamorous which seemed out of place for the show.

Young fared somewhat better. His voice was often nasal sounding and he was sometimes overshadowed by the orchestra. But he shone on the crescendo of "Close Every Door."

Ultimately, it tells the story of dreams coming true. The reprise of "You Are What You Feel" between DeGarmo and Young was the most genuine moment in the show as they sang about dreams coming true. It's a fun show that never takes itself too seriously. Despite it's flaws, the show is one the whole family will enjoy.

Coppelia

Coppelia
Denver Ballet Theater
PACE Center
Parker, CO 
April 21-22, 2015

I've seen  many classic ballets over the years, but never Coppelia. I was familiar with the story line, but I was looking forward to seeing it.

The Denver Ballet Theater is a school based company. I was very impressed with the choreography given to the students. It was challenging but clearly not too difficult for their ability levels.

The principal roles were played by dancers from the Colorado Ballet and it was exciting to see their abilities up close.

The costumes were beautiful and the simple sets were charming. Overall, it was a lovely show to watch. The storyline is very simple to make room for lots of dancing, but this group proved their ability to express their feelings without words. (And it helped that there was a synopsis in the program!)

This was my first experience seeing the Denver Ballet Theater and I would absolutely go again.

The 12

The 12
Denver Center Theater Company
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Denver, CO
March 27 - April 26, 2015

One thing I love about theater is the rare occasion when a script lands in the right hands and it becomes a show that is life changing. The world premiere of The 12 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts is one of those events.

The concept is intriguing, telling the untold story of the surviving disciples of Jesus in the time between his crucifixion and resurrection. The Bible tells us that they hid together in a room. But what happened there?

From the very beginning, the fear, uncertainty and confusion is clear. The script effectively gives the audience an introduction to the disciples and their backgrounds. While it is not realistic, it is very helpful to keep them all straight and poetic way to begin. From there, the cast rock into "Walk Away," an anthem that sets the mood for the next two hours.

We quickly learn the relationships of the disciples are tenuous at best. Their weaknesses come out and they only agree on their dislike for Mary Magdalene. The one thing that kept them together was their Teacher, who is represented by an empty chair in the middle of the stage. Through their conversations and songs, we get to know them all better.

The first act is full of bickering and confessions of wrongdoing. These 12 are divided and it's clear they didn't understand the words of their beloved Teacher. The brief appearance by Jesus' mother rocked the entire theater to it's core. Her mournful ballad "Rain" was heart wrenching, along with her accusing question, "What are you going to do?"

In Act Two, Mary returns with the news that the tomb is empty, everything starts to change. While it is disappointing that none of the disciples investigate, the lesson in faith is astounding. Mary's "What If" challenges us to believe in the Resurrection. Thomas' doubts are menacing, but they represent the doubts in all of us. And we see Peter grow into the leader we know him as. It's as if, finally, the disciples have learned the lessons their Teacher gave them.

The set is what you might expect in Jerusalem during the Roman occupation, but the costumes are modern - jeans for the fishermen, a suit for the tax collector, a sweater for the student. But is seems to work as the audience realizes that the disciples are just like us. And the song "Ordinary" only reinforces that feeling.

The story is intimate and powerful, the music captivating. The 12 is called a rock musical and it will rock your soul. You can feel it challenging you to live up to your potential. It brings the disciples down from their pedestals and makes them just like us. We know what they accomplished, what can we do?

Into the Woods

Into the Woods
Inspire Creative
Parker Schoolhouse Theater
Parker, CO
April 10-19, 2015

I've seen several shows at the PACE Center in Parker and have enjoyed them. Into the Woods is one of my daughter's favorite shows, so when it was advertised on their site, I bought tickets.

This performance was actual held at the Parker Mainstreet Theater. It's a small, experimental space, but I've seen shows in small spaces before, so this was not an issue.

The production, however, came across as rather lazy. The actors entered the stage in street clothes and were handed props for the parts they played. So, the baker wore an apron over his jeans and rugby shirt and so on. They were nice enough to have Red Riding Hood in a red hoodie to help us out a bit.

The sets were also very basic. Black flats suggested separate locations, but no other set dressing was used. The Beanstalk Jack climbs was just a ladder - they didn't even bother with any leaves. The props were less than impressive. A chicken hat on a yellow volleyball was the goose that laid the golden egg. It was a cheap joke, and made the darker Act Two even harder to get through.

The saving grace of the production was the performances. Clearly these are talented people who perform for the love of it. And that is what kept the audience's attention through the show. It's unfortunate that they weren't given a more dynamic production to showcase their abilities.