Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Lloyd Webber's first project with lyricist Tim Rice was originally written in 1968 as a school cantata; accordingly, this film uses a framing sequence of a school recital, with an audience of clapping, singing kids and members of the faculty playing the roles. The Old Testament tale of Joseph and his coat of many colors gets a splashy, vigorous treatment with an energetic cast, Las Vegas-style glitz, and catchy, eclectic songs, including "Any Dream Will Do," "Close Every Door," the peppy "Go, Go, Go Joseph," and various bits of country, calypso, and Elvis. Osmond is perfect in the title role, with a strong voice and winning persona, while London stage veteran Maria Friedman performs well in the central role of the narrator. Richard Attenborough appears (and sings a little) as Jacob, and Joan Collins makes a brief, nonsinging cameo.

Joseph certainly isn't revolutionary musical theater, but if you view it as a kids' show, it's a silly good time (though there are poignant moments too). Parents should note, however, that this production might warrant a little discretion due to one suggestive scene and some risque costumes. --David Horiuchi

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!


A Video Worth the Wait   April 13, 2000
41 out of 42 found this review helpful

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.


Absolutely AMAZING!   March 15, 2000
Brian Fairbairn (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
33 out of 35 found this review helpful

This is THE best DVD I own! Donny Osmond is great, but Maria Friedman is SENSATIONAL! I prefered this movie version to Cats because this is a real movie, where as Cats was just a film of the stage show. Do yourself a favour and buy this DVD. You'll love it!


Maria Freedman...Donny Osmond...THE PERFECT CAST SELECTION   August 11, 2000
32 out of 36 found this review helpful

In my opinion, this is the perfect cast assembled for the VIDEO ADAPTATION of "JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT" Maria Friedman is an EXCELLENT CHOICE as the narrator. Some people who reviewed her as being "terrible" are totally wrong because they've seen the stage show, listened to cast recordings and picked their favorite narrators on the count that they are vocally superior. Sure Maria Friedman doesn't "belt out" a few songs like an opera singer, but I feel she did a PERFECT job. She doesn't "hold back" or "over do it", her vocals are a perfect blend with her excellent performance in bringing expression and humor to tell the story of "Joseph...". Maria Friedman sort of reminds me of Julie Andrews on film back in those days. Donny Osmond is PERFECT vocally and an excellent actor. As an audience member, listening and watching Donny Osmond's perfomance, I can really feel the emotions of "Joseph" as he matures throughout the whole video. The rest of the cast are outstanding to watch. I was very entertained and enjoyed the stage props and sets...an excellent transition from stage to video. Just a few problems with the DVD version...the sound isn't as superior as expected to be (orchestration could have been pumped up a notch or two!). Also, the included documentary "THe Making of Joseph..." was terribly done...I expected to see more behind the scenes footage and interviews from the cast but they showed too much of Andrew LLoyd Weber & Tim Rice discussing everything with little footage...also they showed too much footage on two children's grade school productions of "Joseph...". I expected to see the making of the stage & movie...not some footage of how children productions are singing and dancing the musical at their school auditoriums. A MUST BUY FOR MUSICALS FANs younger & older!!!