Temple Theatre Launches Lively Production Of ‘Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
The Temple Theatre in Sanford has officially kicked off their long-awaited centennial season, promising a line-up of the biggest and best shows from the Temple’s storied 100-year history. And the Temple team has sprinted right out the gate with their quirky yet heartful take on the legendary Broadway musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
As a Sanford native I always attended Temple shows as a lover of live local theatre. But for this landmark season at the venue I wanted to approach these productions with a more critical eye and offer my review for each one. I went in to Joseph’s opening weekend with pen and pad in hand, ready to note every aspect of the performance that stood out to me. Here are my thoughts.
Stand-Out Performances
One thing you never have to worry about at a Temple show is the full-blown commitment of the cast, and that is especially evident in this most current run of Joseph. From the all powerful Pharoah, down to the lowliest Ishmaelite, the entire cast delivers a high energy performance of biblical proportions.
Perhaps the most notable stand-out in the show is Logan Kelly, who plays the role of Narrator. Having acted in previous Temple Theatre productions including Footloose and Les Miserables, Logan is no stranger to the Temple stage. That comfortability shines through in her performance, with the young actress controlling the flow and energy of the overarching story with veteran ease. Logan’s Narrator exudes endless warmth from the moment she steps on stage and sings the tale of Joseph and his brightly colored garb to a captivated children’s choir and audience alike.
But of course, you can’t have Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat without Joseph. Hunter Semrau leads the cast as the titular Joseph, a charming young dreamer thrust into a journey of forgiveness and redemption. Keen eyes would note that Hunter was also in this year’s spring production of Million Dollar Quartet, stealing the show as a rambunctious and frenetic young Jerry Lee Lewis. While his role as Joseph is a bit more subdued and humble at heart, Hunter still exhibits flashes of the bravado and charisma that he brought to the end of the Temple’s previous season. It can be a daunting task to toe the line between playing up a character’s confidence without sacrificing likeability, but Hunter threads that needle with the same precision and attention to detail that crafted his vibrant finery. And Hunter’s vast wealth of musical theatre experience was on full display in the way he effortlessly delivers some of the show’s most powerful musical performances, most notably “Close Every Door” which closes the first act. And speaking of singing…
The Music
Let me preface this by saying I’m very much NOT a gifted singer, as Temple Theatre’s Artistic Director Peggy Taphorn can attest from my audition this past spring. With that said, I was apprehensive approaching this show with the intent of critiquing its musical merits.
Suffice to say, you don’t need to be a vocal coach or 30-year musical veteran to know that the musical performances in this production are top notch. The show is of course rife with gifted crooners, each of whom delivers their own unique singing styles that offer a little something for everyone.
As I noted earlier, Hunter Semrau packs an emotional punch at the halfway point of the show with “Close Every Door.” But the entire ensemble does a remarkable job bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music to life the Sanford stage.
The 11-man ensemble comprising the role of Joseph’s brothers will have you keeling over with laughter from their side-splitting numbers. Longtime Temple actor Seth Hoyle brings the laughs with a countryfied rendition of “One More Angel In Heaven.”
But the second act is where the brothers truly bask in the spotlight, as Patrick Holt drunkenly ponders the consequences of their actions with side-splitting results. And Colton Steele’s performance during “Benjamin Calypso” had me absolutely cackling. My apologies to the couple in the seats beside me.
Critiques
As enjoyable as the Temple’s production of Joseph was, it was not without some (albeit minor) flaws. There were a few moments through the show where it sounded like some of the performers’ mics were cutting out, which threw off the immersion for the few fleeting seconds it would occur.
I was also admittedly underwhelmed by the set pieces. The design of the backdrops have more of a restrained aesthetic than I was expecting, which is surprising to me since I’ve seen the level of production value the Temple Theatre is capable of. That’s not to say there were no notable set pieces, however. Pharoah’s throne is particularly well-crafted, and the design of the eponymous coat of many colors is absolutely inspired and worthy of praise. Also, knowing the shows that lie ahead for their centennial season, I’m willing to bet they’re saving their more extravagant sets for future productions.
Final Thoughts
This show is definitely a must-see for anyone looking for a fun, energetic show. The breadth of talent in the cast and crew more than makes up for any sound or design issues. And with only an hour and a half run time it won’t consume your entire schedule. If Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is anything to go on, the Temple Theatre’s Centennial Season is sure to be absolutely electric!
Temple Theatre’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is running September 5-22. Visit templeshows.com for details and tickets.
KC’s Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
