“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was the first collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Weber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics). They were an astounding 19 and 22 years old, respectively, when they began working on “Joseph.”

They took the well-known Old Testament story from Genesis chapters 37-46. It is the story of Joseph, one of the 12 sons of Jacob, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Joseph overcomes all through dreams, luck and intelligence to become second to the Pharaoh in Egypt. He ends up saving his brothers and forgiving them.

They use a “grab bag” of musical styles to tell the story, including country western, 60s pop, disco, calypso, Parisian cabaret and for the Pharaoh, Elvis rock. It is as if in their first musical they did an exercise of trying to write in a different genre for each musical number. Yet there are hints of their future blockbusters such as “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita” in the music. The whole production is sung. There are no speaking parts.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” has been produced several times in the past by the Music Circus. First in 1983 with 20-year-old Jimmy Osmond and 14-year-old Danielle Brisebois in the leading roles. Then in 1991, 1998 and 2003.

This production includes a children’s choir not always used in “Joseph” productions. The use of the children’s choir gives a structure to the play that it is a story being told to a group of children. Not that Broadway Musicals necessarily need to make sense.

The children’s choir includes 47 local children. The children are members of the Music Circus Junior Company. Right from the opening number they perform admirably. It is a credit to Music Circus Junior Company Director Gail Dartez, Choreographer Marcy Goodnow and Musical Director Graham Sobelman how professionally and perfectly these children perform on the stage. There were lots of proud parents and grandparents in Tuesday night’s audience.

Max Von Essen stars as Joseph. Von Essen’s good looks, powerful, beautiful voice and easy confidence help create a Joseph who is both unwittingly arrogant and and at the same time quite innocent. Von Essen has had starring roles at the Music Circus in “Sweeney Todd,” “Cabaret” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” and as Joseph in the 2003 production. It was obvious that he is very popular with the Music Circus audience.

Jennifer Paz was an excellent match-up with Von Essen as the narrator. She also has a strong, beautiful voice and presence. She gives a strong performance in a roll that is important in holding the play together.

Stage, screen and television actor Paul Ainsley is powerful in dual roles as Jacob and Potiphar, the wealthy Egyptian captain to whom Joseph is enslaved.

Broadway and and original “Forever Plad” veteran David Engle is great as a rock-and-roll Elvis Pharaoh. His “Song of the King” was big hit with the audience.

Other standouts include Shannon Stoeke in his country western solo “One More Angel in Heaven” and Lain Gray’s “Benjamin Calypso.”

Richard Stafford both directed and choreographed “Joseph.” His long experience as a choreographer pays off in this show. The large number of musical styles Lloyd Webber and Rice have created calls for a great variety of dance styles.

Stafford also does a good job of moving a very large number of actors about the whole theater as happens in the Music Circus venue. The Music Circus Junior Company spent three days of working with Stafford before the rest of the “Joseph” cast started rehearsing. This is an incredible opportunity for these budding actors.

Stafford was assisted by Jonathan Stahl as associate director/choreographer. Stall also portrayed Joseph’s brother Naphtali.

Costume Designer Marcy Froehlich produced an amazing variety of costumes. Almost every scene had a costume change for every actor. The Elvis/Pharaoh costume was particularly interesting. Von Essen’s costumes as Joseph did an especially good job at showing him off.

Martin E. Vreeland’s lighting was very effective in setting the scene and mood. It did a good job working with Michael Schweikardt’s spare sets.

The life-size camel puppet by puppet designer Richard Bay was a big hit.

Musical Director Craig Barna deftly handled Lloyd Webber and Rice’s ever-changing score.

The Music Circus is promoting “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” as their primary family-friendly show this season. Tickets are half off for children ages 4-11. Those children are going to love the show.

The inclusion of the children’s choir should give kids a stronger connection to the show. There is lots of lively action without any points that drag along. Kids will enjoy the variety of songs also.

Lets not forget the adults, though. The show also operates on a level that the adults will enjoy also. None of the parents are going to be bored while the kids enjoy the show, nor will the other adults in the audience. The Music Circus has created another show that is so much fun on every level with this new staging of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Photos:  1-2. Max von Essen as Joseph  3. Max von Essen as Joseph and Jennifer Paz as the Narrator  4. Members of the Children’s Choir perform with the camel designed by Richard Bay  5.  David Engel as the Pharaoh  6. Jennifer Paz as the Narrator sings to the children’s choir  

All photos by Charr Crail.  Courtesy California Musical Theatre

Through Sunday July 25th  Wells Fargo Pavilion 1419 H Street, Sacramento, CA, 95184 (916) 557-1999  Californiamusicaltheatre.com