Troll_Dahl Boy, I wish we had assemblies like this when I was in school!I was introduced to Andrew Lloyd Webber and the wonderful lyricist Tim Rice through Jesus Christ Superstar. Joseph is somewhat of a cousin to that show but it is a different kettle of fish at the same time. It is clearly designed to be accessible to school children-- which is great. Kids are an audience worthy of being catered to and it's wonderful to see them becoming involved in the arts, as the DVD extras show us that English schools host their own productions. But Dreamcoat also holds much for adults who are willing to forgo pretensions in favor of fun. This is not classical theatre but it is enjoyable lightweight popular theatre, accessible to anyone with an appreciation for the wacky and zany. In short, it is entertaining. It is good music with a good message for kids--and Tim Rice's lyrics are witty as ever. Another thing this is not, however, is a religious show. Parents, note that this isn't to the Bible for kids. It's not a Christian (or Jewish) perspective; rather, it is universal. Joseph and friends are depicted no differently than if they were figures in Greek or Norse mythology; there is no special reverence nor special disdain, although the approach is light-hearted and fun-loving. It's another story. At one point, Maria Friedman, playing narrator, stumbles and drops her Bible, telegraphing that this is a non-traditionalist, possibly off-center treatment of scripture, one that absolutely requires a taste for the whimsical.I've sadly never seen the show on stage, which m I'd love to, but I do see how this rendition could disappoint one in search of the purely theatrical. However, one of two things I like is actually dependent on the filmic medium. The story is bookended as a play children are watching in school. When Joseph emerges, it becomes a blend of reality and fantasy. The lines are blurred and the action is effectively placed in a unique realm that, I find, engages the imagination. It's a bit of a throwback to the like of the 1973 film of Jesus Christ Superstar, which similarly bookends its main story as a performance of sorts. Except Dreamcoat is presented ideally for connecting with kids. At the same time, this presentation is strongly theatrical on other ways and I really appreciate getting a bit of the theatrical experience in the living room, as I do love theatre.The other thing I really like is the sheer variety. There's '50s-style rock 'n' roll with the classic Go, Go Joseph and Pharo's Dream, an outrageous Elvis imitation. There's a faux country/western ballad as Joe's bros deliciously pretend to mourn him. And there's a wonderful calypso that will get stuck in your head for days. Webber takes a pantheon of popular music styles that people love and weaves them together in storytelling. That's pop theatre. It seems typical of Webber and it's similar to the musical brilliance that makes Superstar a classic of fantastic appeal. Dreamcoat is cut from the same cloth, dyed in different hues.As to the cast, the all-star approach seems over the top but it's always nice seeing Richard Attenborough (Jacob). And I've never followed Osmond but I crest him for a good performance, making Joe warn and radiant. Watching him with the kids is a joy. The ending Coat of Many Colors sequence is marvelous, as we see the kids form a unified body of many colors on stage, and the bookending number, Any Dream Will Do, can stand as a classic entirely on its own (more so than Joseph's slower ballad while in prison). The supporting cast is uniformly excellent, especially Judah, Pharo, the butler, and the baker. Friedman is amusing if over the top as narrator, a device that seems conceived to help kids understand the story. I recognized Englishman Ian McNiece as Potiphar, a delightful performance of a colorful characterization, not to be missed.In short, Dreamcoat lives up to its title: the characters are all colorful. The music is fun and the themes poignant. The story and music conjure and help to preserve a spirit of dreaming and daring to have and glorify dreams and hope, as well as a spirit of love and unity. Which is beautiful. This show could also serve as a fun way to introduce kids to musical theatre. The upbeat music, goofiness, and presence of kids in the story should help draw kids in. If I chose two words to describe Dreamcoat, they would be "color" and "dreams", two things children should not be short of. Everyone should sew a Dreamcoat.

bkoganbing I'm trying to figure out how the LDS church let one of its star members display so much flesh in this adaption of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Despite that Donny Osmond gives a good performance in the lead role.Watching this photographed stage play I was thinking that somewhere those sets that Cecil B. DeMille made of Egypt for The Ten Commandments are laying around with nothing going on. Maybe they could have been used to give this a more cinematic feeling.Still the singing of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice score was top rate. And I did love the casting of Joan Collins as Potiphar's wife. Think of it, Alexis Colby trying to seduce Donny Osmond, the mind boggles with the possibilities. Maria Friedman as the narrator who carries most of the vocal burden is in fine voice.I would have liked more of a movie, still Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat works well enough for audiences of all ages.

young_for_eternity_0071 I've loved this film ever since it first was released in '99. Superb sets, talented singers, lively music and mind blowing dance routines. A good family film - if you don't mind your kids seeing a dozen or so women in suggestive outfits in the Joan Collin's scene. The modern twist this film gives is brilliant - true, at times it can get a bit over the top, but thats what kids love. Its not a particularly long film but fun enough if you've got 80 minutes to spare. Lovable characters all the way through - even the bad guys. Well worth a see.7, almost an 8/10.

Joc Seip Excellent movie! I'm 14 and hadn't seen it, i got it out one day and watched it, and loved it! Donny Osmond and Maria Friedman are perfect! they perform it so well! my personal favorite song is the coat of many colors! the singing is perfect (did you know that maria Friedman was reading the colors off a sheet) and my other favorite is the Pharaoh's song the brother and Jacob are wicked! great movie, great costumes, great props, great scenery!..i recommend it to everyone who likes Andrew Lloyd Webber's works such as Cats, Evita, Jesus Christ superstar and Phantom of the Opera! even kids will love it!!*****/5 stars!