Eric Kunze shines in Lyceum’s ‘Joseph’

By Elizabeth Marie Himchak

A lively, energetic, colorful and at times hilarious performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is playing at the Lyceum Theatre through Oct. 9.

San Diego native Eric Kunze stars in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” with performances through Oct. 9 at the Lyceum Theatre.

Broadway veteran and San Diego native Eric Kunze stars as Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob who is sold into slavery by his 11 brothers after their long-brooding jealousy peaks following their father presenting Joseph with a multi-colored coat.

With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, the show mixes Old Testament figures and attire with those of the ‘60s (go-go girls and Elvis) and present day, a combination that adds comedic moments to what could otherwise be a depressing situation when Joseph is a slave and imprisoned. Musical styles include calypso, rock, disco and Bollywood.

San Diego Musical Theatre, in its second season, pulls off a delightful family-friendly show that is very enjoyable, well-sung, danced and acted in the Lyceum’s rather intimate stage setting by utilizing 25 cast members (many San Diegans and Southern Californians with regional credits, some from national tours), 18 in the youth chorus and a 15-member orchestra.

It is directed by Ron Kellum, who appeared in “Joseph” on Broadway, and choreographed by Johnny Dean Harvey and Chad Everett Allen, a duo whose work includes Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World projects around the world.

The cast’s talents were quickly evident during Saturday’s opening night when narrator Bethany Slomka filled the theater with her powerful vocals in the prologue.

Immediately after, it was clear Kunze was perfectly cast for the part of Joseph due to his strong, beautiful voice when singing with the children “Any Dream Will Do” and later “Close Every Door.” Throughout the show he added dimensions to his character that goes from young man to one who emotionally matures over the years due to very trying circumstances, but in the end shows his true goodness when facing the brothers who betrayed him.

Highlights among the two-hour show include the funny and well-danced “One More Angel In Heaven” performed by Joseph’s brothers and their wives; the ‘60s-inspired “Go, Go, Go Joseph,” one of many numbers that mixed attire reflecting a few decades to thousands of years ago; and Josh Adamson, as an Elvis-inspired Pharaoh, who stole the show in the second act with his hilarious and truly enjoyable rendition of “Song of the King.”

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” performances are 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 9 in the Lyceum Theatre at Horton Plaza, 79 Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego.

Tickets are $30-$60, with children 12 and younger receiving 50 off. There are also discounts for seniors, military, students and groups. To purchase, call 858-560-5740 or go to www.sdmt.org.

Validated parking is available.

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Posted by Elizabeth Marie Himchak on Sep 29 2011. Filed under Entertainment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry