Wyoming Area Girls Capture Wvc Division Ii Title

Adams Senior Center Spruces For First Lady 
Up To 80 Members Of Center Will Be Able To See 
And Talk To Hillary Rodham Clinton When She Comes 
To Visit

By BOB NOCEK; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Friday, October 11, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 6C 





SCRANTON -- Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, "Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat," is much like the rainbow coat for which it is named. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It is decidedly flashy, perhaps a little gaudy and overstated, but still
beautiful to look at. Not something you'd choose for your closet, but fun to
see on someone else. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And fun is just what the national touring company of "Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" delivers in their production, which runs
through Sunday at the Scranton Cultural Center. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With a talented cast, led by soap opera star Brian Lane Green, "Joseph"
comes off as an extremely enjoyable piece, bright and bouncy enough to charm
the near-capacity audience despite being Webber's least substantive piece of
work. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's not Shakespeare. But as a wholesome evening of first-rate
entertainment, "Joseph" is definitely worth seeing. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The show is based on the familiar Bible story of Joseph and his 11 jealous
brothers who fake his death and sell him off as a servant. The story is set by
a narrator, played by Jodie Langel, an attractive young woman whose singing is
strong enough for a lead role. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In the lead role, Green is infinitely likable, with a pleasant voice and a
boyish enthusiasm, which he admirably manages to maintain despite spending
most of the production in just a loincloth. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The show relies heavily on the rest of the ensemble, which includes 22
players who double up -- as Joseph's brothers and their wives, and as generic
company members in other scenes. The group features an array of gifted
performers, who are just as adept as singers with prominent roles as they are
dancing in the background. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also worth noting is the impressive performance by the children's choir,
made up of members of the Singer's Guild of Scranton and the Wyoming Valley
Children's Chorus. They prepared with relatively short notice, but clearly
were up to the task. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Webber's music, with lyrics by Tim Rice, is catchy as always, and one or
two of the works in "Joseph" are memorable toe-tappers, the kind of songs that
stick in your head the next day. "Any Dream Will Do" and "Close Every Door,"
which begin as solos by Green, stand out. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Others were notable not for the music, but for presentation. Webber has
incorporated several genres into "Joseph," including country and western ("One
More Angel in Heaven") and Caribbean music ("Benjamin Calypso"). One number,
"Go, Go, Go Joseph," is performed in a 1960s motif. The audience seemed to
enjoy the variety, despite the fact that it makes the show feel a bit
disjointed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But taken as a whole, "Joseph," is an impressive production. The sets and
costumes are outstanding and add to the professional feel. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Webber hasn't created an intellectual work, but rather a lively piece of
entertainment. And the strength of this production makes "Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" a worthwhile -- and unquestionably fun -- piece
of musical theater. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 continues through Sunday at the Scranton Cultural Center. Tickets are
$45.50 to $35.50. For information, call 344-1111. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

`dreamcoat' Is Flashy, But Also Bright, Bouncy And Enjoyable