Stars: Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough

Summary: Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of the stage musical 'Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' filmed for video.

Donny Osmond stars as Joseph in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Biblical Broadway extravaganza, shimmering with elaborately-staged production numbers and a score full of hits.

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Following the successful video release of Catscomes another Andrew Lloyd Webber blockbuster musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and it's a savvy choice. It hasn't been represented on film before, it's short enough (78 minutes) to present without cuts and it has the star-power of former teen icon Donny Osmond, who played over 1,800 performances across North America. Rather than record a live performance, Catsdirector David Mallet conceived Josephas a film, though one that is based strongly on co-director Steven Pimlott's 1991 London revival and relies more on camerawork than venturing beyond its stagelike sets.

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 colours 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, non-singing cameo.

Josephcertainly isn't revolutionary musical theatre, 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 risqu&ecute; costumes. --David Horiuchi, Amazon.com

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Featurette - The making of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Year:	1999
Release Date:	April 23, 2007
Runtime:	76 minutes
Certification:	Exempt.
Catalogue Number:	0537032
Keywords:	Music, Amazing, Films, Joseph, Shows, Performance, Plays, Performing, Musicals, Arts, Technicolor, Dreamcoat
Genre:	Music/Performing Arts