[pullquote quote="Frothy and Confectionery" credit="Director Scott Spence"]Lakewood’s Beck Center for the Arts presents the encore presentation of “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” starring Beck alum Matthew Ryan Thompson (Altar Boyz, Hairspray) as Joseph! Several of the original cast members from last years run returned this year for this well loved family classic.

I have never been a big fan of the source work by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber, but thoroughly enjoyed this production by Director Scott Spence, who eloquently described the show as “frothy and confectionery.” It’s not a hardcore piece of serious musical theater, but it is without question a good time.

Thompson carries the lead role of Joseph with poise, confidence and a well acted naivety. His take on, “Close Every Door” is beautiful! Tricia Tanguy shows an incredible vocal expertise and stage presence as the show’s narrator and Josh Rhett Noble (Altar Boys, Beauty and the Beast) steals the show in the second act with his quaffed, spandex-ed Elvisy (I just made that a word, take note) Pharaoh.

The ensemble of Joseph’s brothers and their wives must also be noted as they each managed to stand out individually while working really well together as a group. In fact, their rendition of “Those Caanan Days” brings down the house and is a big highlight of the show. The staging was simple but eye popping and the children’s chorus was absolutely adorable. There were a few opening night audio issues, but nothing that the crack team on Detroit Ave cant fix in no time.

Being a biblical story it’s safe to say that Joseph is a great play to share with the entire family, young and old alike. I wasn’t blown away by this production like I was with the regional premiere of Hairspray or Altar Boyz at The Hanna Theatre, but it is still worth seeing. I give the show a 7 out of 10.

Joseph is playing at Lakewood’s Beck Center through New Years Eve. Tickets are available and BeckCenter.org