Ivoryton's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a Fun, Campy Delight!
By Kiersten Bjork (July 17, 2025)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, currently playing at Ivoryton Playhouse through July 27, is a fun, campy delight from start to finish. The Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical loosely follows the biblical story of Joseph, son of Jacob, and his 11 brothers. Including the brothers’ betrayal of Joseph as they hand him over into slavery, as well as Joseph’s time in Egypt when he rises to advise Pharaoh thanks to his ability to interpret dreams, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat blends musical genres and styles–from country/western to rock and everything in between–to create a dazzling spectacle of a show. Featuring strong direction and energetic choreography by Todd L. Underwood, the production successfully combines upbeat dance numbers with both comedic and moving ballads, all framed by a colorful design. Under the supervision of musical director Dan Gibson, this talented company sings the memorable score wonderfully, with highlights being “Jacob and Sons,” “Go, Go, Go Joseph,” and “Close Every Door.”
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, currently playing at Ivoryton Playhouse through July 27, is a fun, campy delight from start to finish. The Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical loosely follows the biblical story of Joseph, son of Jacob, and his 11 brothers. Including the brothers’ betrayal of Joseph as they hand him over into slavery, as well as Joseph’s time in Egypt when he rises to advise Pharaoh thanks to his ability to interpret dreams, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat blends musical genres and styles–from country/western to rock and everything in between–to create a dazzling spectacle of a show. Featuring strong direction and energetic choreography by Todd L. Underwood, the production successfully combines upbeat dance numbers with both comedic and moving ballads, all framed by a colorful design. Under the supervision of musical director Dan Gibson, this talented company sings the memorable score wonderfully, with highlights being “Jacob and Sons,” “Go, Go, Go Joseph,” and “Close Every Door.”
The company of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025 (Jonathan Steele)
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Alanna Saunders in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025 (Jonathan Steele)
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Opening the show is Alanna Saunders as the Narrator. Saunders is a powerhouse vocalist who shines from her very first notes. The Narrator is a vocally demanding role, and Saunders gives an impressive performance through to the very end, delivering each song, not just with power, but with clarity and nuance.
Kyle Dalsimer is engaging as the titular character of Joseph. He does great work digging down to the internal struggle that Joseph faces, particularly in “Close Every Door,” which was a fantastic number. There is a sweetness and a sadness to his portrayal that works well for the role, and the sheer joy that he conveys by the end of the show following Joseph’s reunion with his brothers and father is palpable.
As Jacob, the Father of Israel, Al Bundonis is endearing. From hilariously teaching Joseph to rock out on air-guitar to his moments with the adorable sheep prop, Bundonis delivers all the “dad energy” you could want from the role.
Each of Joseph’s brothers are instrumental in the impressive vocals and choreography that carry the production. This is an ensemble-heavy show, with the momentum dependent on the abilities of the ensemble to really drive the group numbers forward, and the brothers did excellent work in this regard. The brothers include Cory Candelet (Simeon), Michael Charles (Judah/Dance Captain), Galen Donovan (Gad), Cooper Hallstrom (Levi), Drew Hope (Benjamin), Tyler Jung (Asher), Tony Melson (Rueben), William Pazdziora (Naphtali), Jack Saleeby (Issachar), Henrique Sobrinho (Dan), and Zane Zapata (Zebulon). Candelet is a stand-out in “Those Canaan Days,” delivering a hilarious, darkly comedic rendition of the tragic French ballad. Hallstrom takes the lead on “One More Angel in Heaven,” giving a rousing performance, and Charles and Melson demonstrate spectacular vocals on “Benjamin Calypso.”
Several brothers also double as additional roles, including Jung as the Baker and Saleeby as the Butler in “Go, Go, Go Joseph,” who each shine in their moments in the spotlight. Pazdziora also knocks it out of the park as the eccentric Potiphar in a wonderfully chaotic number.
Though the Pharaoh doesn’t enter until later in the show, Ryan Knowles steals the show once he struts out on stage as the Elvis-inspired leader of Egypt. From iconic dance moves to smooth vocals, the King most certainly has not left the building.
Rounding out the company are Kathryn Dooley, Sarah Warrick, and Stephanie Wasser in the ensemble, singing backup vocals and featured solo lines throughout the production. Warrick is featured as Potiphar’s wife and does a great dance combo opposite Dalsimer. The children’s chorus, depending on the performance, is made up of a group of five talented young performers, including Owen Bengston, Giuliana Cady, Maizy DeBartolo, Archie Esposito, Clare Lopez, Cameron Blake Miller, Emma Needleman, Adriano Varsen, Salma Stonikas, and Luciana Scheinberg. The small stars delivered a strong presence, particularly in their cameos as the Ishmaelites, and were a lovely addition to the show. Nicholas Futris serves as the understudy and swing for the production.
Kyle Dalsimer is engaging as the titular character of Joseph. He does great work digging down to the internal struggle that Joseph faces, particularly in “Close Every Door,” which was a fantastic number. There is a sweetness and a sadness to his portrayal that works well for the role, and the sheer joy that he conveys by the end of the show following Joseph’s reunion with his brothers and father is palpable.
As Jacob, the Father of Israel, Al Bundonis is endearing. From hilariously teaching Joseph to rock out on air-guitar to his moments with the adorable sheep prop, Bundonis delivers all the “dad energy” you could want from the role.
Each of Joseph’s brothers are instrumental in the impressive vocals and choreography that carry the production. This is an ensemble-heavy show, with the momentum dependent on the abilities of the ensemble to really drive the group numbers forward, and the brothers did excellent work in this regard. The brothers include Cory Candelet (Simeon), Michael Charles (Judah/Dance Captain), Galen Donovan (Gad), Cooper Hallstrom (Levi), Drew Hope (Benjamin), Tyler Jung (Asher), Tony Melson (Rueben), William Pazdziora (Naphtali), Jack Saleeby (Issachar), Henrique Sobrinho (Dan), and Zane Zapata (Zebulon). Candelet is a stand-out in “Those Canaan Days,” delivering a hilarious, darkly comedic rendition of the tragic French ballad. Hallstrom takes the lead on “One More Angel in Heaven,” giving a rousing performance, and Charles and Melson demonstrate spectacular vocals on “Benjamin Calypso.”
Several brothers also double as additional roles, including Jung as the Baker and Saleeby as the Butler in “Go, Go, Go Joseph,” who each shine in their moments in the spotlight. Pazdziora also knocks it out of the park as the eccentric Potiphar in a wonderfully chaotic number.
Though the Pharaoh doesn’t enter until later in the show, Ryan Knowles steals the show once he struts out on stage as the Elvis-inspired leader of Egypt. From iconic dance moves to smooth vocals, the King most certainly has not left the building.
Rounding out the company are Kathryn Dooley, Sarah Warrick, and Stephanie Wasser in the ensemble, singing backup vocals and featured solo lines throughout the production. Warrick is featured as Potiphar’s wife and does a great dance combo opposite Dalsimer. The children’s chorus, depending on the performance, is made up of a group of five talented young performers, including Owen Bengston, Giuliana Cady, Maizy DeBartolo, Archie Esposito, Clare Lopez, Cameron Blake Miller, Emma Needleman, Adriano Varsen, Salma Stonikas, and Luciana Scheinberg. The small stars delivered a strong presence, particularly in their cameos as the Ishmaelites, and were a lovely addition to the show. Nicholas Futris serves as the understudy and swing for the production.
The company of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025 (Jonathan Steele)
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Cory Candelet and the company of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025 (Jonathan Steele)
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Scenic designer Cully Long has crafted a clever frame for the show to play within. The proscenium arch is surrounded by gold and blue trim featuring scarab beetles, with two large pillars on either side of the stage. Egyptian museum artifacts live on stage left and right for the duration of the show, allowing for a fun tie-in to the educational undertones that the narrator and children’s chorus add to the show. The main stage space itself features tiered steps that the actors can use in a variety of ways, and an upstage cyc that serves as a projection surface.
John Horzen’s projection design is a nice touch, adding movement into the scenery with dancing starlight and moving backdrops that evoke Joseph and the brothers’ traveling.
Props master Kat Schorn supplies the many props that make an appearance throughout the show, with a humorous, campy look that adds to the comedy of the production. The chariot of gold earned a good laugh, as did the sheep.
Costume design by Sean Spina is excellent. Joseph is an iconically colorful show, and Spina pulled out all the stops with bright pops of vibrant colors, glittering accents, and all sorts of fun looks for the different numbers. My favorite looks were those for “Go, Go, Go Joseph,” “Potiphar,” and “Song of the King,” as well as the Narrator’s costume. Wig design by Elizabeth A. Saylor is over the top, but it works for a campy show such as this.
Marcus Abbott’s lighting design delivers a beautiful layer of color that builds on the already colorful set and costumes. When mixed with Horzen’s projections, the production succeeds in creating some really interesting and engaging looks.
Sound design by Dustin Pfaender is solid, though there were times when the orchestra overpowered the vocalists. There were also a few microphone issues at the performance I attended. Sometimes actors’ mics wouldn’t come on until we had already lost their first few notes, or even full lines.
John Horzen’s projection design is a nice touch, adding movement into the scenery with dancing starlight and moving backdrops that evoke Joseph and the brothers’ traveling.
Props master Kat Schorn supplies the many props that make an appearance throughout the show, with a humorous, campy look that adds to the comedy of the production. The chariot of gold earned a good laugh, as did the sheep.
Costume design by Sean Spina is excellent. Joseph is an iconically colorful show, and Spina pulled out all the stops with bright pops of vibrant colors, glittering accents, and all sorts of fun looks for the different numbers. My favorite looks were those for “Go, Go, Go Joseph,” “Potiphar,” and “Song of the King,” as well as the Narrator’s costume. Wig design by Elizabeth A. Saylor is over the top, but it works for a campy show such as this.
Marcus Abbott’s lighting design delivers a beautiful layer of color that builds on the already colorful set and costumes. When mixed with Horzen’s projections, the production succeeds in creating some really interesting and engaging looks.
Sound design by Dustin Pfaender is solid, though there were times when the orchestra overpowered the vocalists. There were also a few microphone issues at the performance I attended. Sometimes actors’ mics wouldn’t come on until we had already lost their first few notes, or even full lines.
Kyle Dalsimer in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025 (Jonathan Steele)
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Ryan Knowles and the company of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025 (Jonathan Steele)
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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an excellent show for a summer night. Packed with energy, enthusiasm, and memorable tunes and dances, it’s a truly entertaining evening out. Don’t miss your chance to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, playing at Ivoryton Playhouse now through July 27!
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays June 26-July 27, 2025, at Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at ivorytonplayhouse.org or by calling the Box Office at (860) 767-7318.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays June 26-July 27, 2025, at Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at ivorytonplayhouse.org or by calling the Box Office at (860) 767-7318.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.