‘Dreamcoat’ a delightful opener

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REVIEW:The Post and Courier, September 11, 2009

 ‘Dreamcoat’ a delightful opener

 BY CAROL FURTWANGLER 
Post and Courier Reviewer

Anytime you get to see a show where the joy of the performers comes rolling across the stage and into the audience as inexorably as the incoming tide, your time and money are well spent.

Charleston Stage left a lot of people happy as Lowcountry clams Thursday night, opening its 32nd season with a celebration of zaniness, ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’.

Associate Artistic Director Marybeth Clark directed the liveliest production of this musical this reviewer has ever seen, using a huge cast, filling every inch of the big stage at Sottile with big colorful scenes that grab the attention of everyone in the family and hold it fast for a roller-coaster 90 minutes,

New Music Director Amanda Wansa kept the singers on cue and her band moving.  John Kennedy on bass and  John Durham on guitar and Brian Widlowski on percussion sounded like a full orchestra on the 26 musical numbers that run the gamut of musical styles.

The Professional Resident Acting Company’s members make appreciable differences, too.

James Lambardino is an affecting Joseph, adored by his father Jacob (local veteran Kyle W. Barnette, who also plays Pharoah—as a very convincing  Elvis), envied by 11 brothers, stand-outs all, especially our pros Justin Lewis and Christopher Diaz.

The Narrator, almost never off stage, is handled beautifully by Priya Paranthaman with a big, pleasing voice and personality. Lindsey Lamb knocks us over with her dance numbers.

Over 200 costumes by Barbara Young, eye-popping sets by Stefanie Christensen and Julian Wiles, and excellent sound add up to a thorough delight.