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55 of 55 found the following review helpful:
 You and Your Dreamcoat, Ahead of Your Time!Apr 10, 2000
By Danielle
The film approach to this musical was a smart move-- the "we'll tape a performance" approach is kinda cheesy. The sets were great, especially the desert scene, and the costumes were imaginative. The songs were very nice; they go from a catchy jingle-type advertisement for "Jacob and Sons" to a Western theme ("One More Angel in Heaven"), to a somewhat 1920's approach in "Potiphar," to a 1960's Austin Powers-ish "Go Go Joseph", to the bluesy Elvis-themed "Song of the King", and to the Jamaican "Benjamin Calypso."Donny Osmond shines as Joseph: he can really sing! Richard Attenborough was very good as Jacob, who sang a few lines and was actually pretty good at it! Mrs. Potiphar (Joan Collins) was hilarious, as was Robert Torti as Pharaoh "The King." (He was my dad's favorite character; he's watched the Pharaoh's song about a million times.) The eleven brothers are really funny, too! The only character I have a minor problem with is the Narrator, played by Maria Friedman. She has great facial expressions, but her singing voice is less-than-stupendous. (Listen to some of the cast recordings, particularly the 1993 LA cast; you'll hear the difference.) PS - As for the supposedly pornographic scenes with Mrs. Potiphar, they happen so quickly and the plot moves to Joseph in jail so fast there hardly isn't any time for questions of any sort. I'm a Christian, and I've seen worse things on network television. All I can say is, Go, Go, Go, Joseph!
101 of 106 found the following review helpful:
Amazing--- and not just in the title...Feb 29, 2000
By Sydney Head
Ever since I saw this show on stage in LA about ten years ago, I've been dying to have a copy I could watch over and over and over... Well, that day has come. I saw the video version on a recent trip to London-- and am sold on it's value. The cast is amazing, lead by Donny Osmond's unflappable vocal ability. Unlike the cats video, no songs have been cut out, and no songs have been shortened, with the possible exception of the Joseph Megamix, which has been revamped to serve as an end credit theme. The sets have been built as immersive environments, not a filmed version of the stage show. Also of note-- a preview before the show of the new production of Jesus Christ Superstar set to come to video this Easter!
49 of 51 found the following review helpful:
A Video Worth the WaitApr 13, 2000
After seeing the teaser ad for this production on the Cats video, I was looking forward to the chance to see it. I'd known about Joseph for years, but had never had the chance to see it on stage. I'm pleased to report that the video was worth the wait. The performers are fantastic. I'd not heard anything of Donny Osmond since his teen idol days, and was pleased to find that he has an even better voice than I'd remembered. Maria Friedman (Narrator) is also a joy to see and hear. In fact, all of the music throughout is so infectious that I've found myself humming Joseph songs during lulls at work - and at home - and in the car, well, you get the picture. The sets are colorful and imaginative (my daughter especially enjoys the large Egyptian head with the moving eyes used during the Pharoh's song (I did have to explain the heavy references to Elvis Presley, but then she's only 5 -- give her time). And the costumers deserve a round of applause for the title "Technicolor Dreamcoat" (let alone the dozens of other gorgeous outfits). If I had any gripe at all, it would be about the copious use of flesh colored body-stockings on the female chorus members in the Egyptian sequences. True, the costuming fits the time and place of the action, but some parents might wish to view it before deciding if it's appropriate for their younger children (though I didn't have a problem with my 5-year-old seeing it). All in all, this video is one that will be (and has already been) viewed again and again at our house.
26 of 26 found the following review helpful:
An Andrew L. Webber's fanMar 15, 2000
I have to say I'm an Andrew Lloyd Webber's fan. I saw Joseph for the very first time in London five years ago. I think the show is superb; and this video, too. Donny Osmond fits the carachter; but Mary Friedman , as the Narrator, plays her role in an absolutely remarkable way. Excellent the rest of the supporting cast, including Richard Attemborough and Joan Collins as Mrs Potiphar. Without any doubt, the best musical video I ever saw since "Cats"
30 of 31 found the following review helpful:
All I can say is FANTASTIC!Mar 03, 2000
I work in a video store and enjoy the privilage of seing new releases before the general public, thanks to "screeners" (tapes/DVD's supplied for promotional use by film companies). I had heard of this video through the grapevine, and couldn't wait to check it out when my store got the screener. It is absolutely fantastic. Donny is excellant, but the person that really blew me away was London Broadway star Maria Friedman as the narrator. She is exetremely talented! Together, with the aid of a superb supporting cast and wonderful children's choirs (really adorable kids), Donny and Maria make this video production of Joseph a "must-have."
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