Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

What began some 33 years ago as a 20 minute piece designed for an English junior high school ceremony makes its triumphant debut on video and DVD (with gorgeous Dolby Digital 5.1. or Dolby Surround options). The maiden effort of composer Andrew Lloyd Weber and lyricist Tim Rice, the brilliant collaborative team that split the musical sheets after Evita, this beautiful adaptation of the long running West End and Broadway production stars Donny Osmond as the titular hunk (and I do mean hunk--sporting little more than a loincloth, the former peaches and cream child singing idol had my wife punching the "rewind" button like a rat hitting a pleasure bar, and I wasn't remotely convinced by her professed desire "to catch missed lyrics," especially since the sound was crystal clear). Drawn from the Biblical tale (Genesis 37-46) of the favored lad who's sold into slavery by his eleven envious brothers only to eventually rise in power to become Pharoah's right-hand man, Joseph is told in an utterly engaging pastiche of musical styles (from C&W to Elvis to '60s mod), sporting such hummable hits as "Close Every Door" and "Any Dream Will Do." In addition to Osmond's performance, Maria Friedman deserves big mention as the impish singing narrator, and even "stars" Richard Attenborough and Joan Collins acquit themselves well in small roles. Supreme thanks are due to directors David Mallet and Steven Pimlott (director of the stage production) who wisely chose to make a "film" rather than simply "record" a stage performance--the bright primary color-ful sets and multiple camera angles and depths are simply amazing. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: the DVD features an interesting 30-minute documentary on the making of the film, featuring interviews with Lloyd Weber and Rice--not together, of course--Osmond, and--most charmingly--a number of elementary schoolchildren who appear in local productions.] Aud: P. (R. Pitman)