Displaying items by tag: Grady M Bowman
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Undergoes a Spectacular Transformation
Having seen the Donny Osmond and even the Patrick Cassidy productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber's colorful telling of the Joseph story years ago, I remember really enjoying them in a children's theater sort of way. The characters are colorful, the story has a good lesson and the songs catchy. Upon seeing Drury Lane’s spectacular re-imagining of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I couldn't even remember what the original story line was about. Which turns out to be a good thing! I got to relive the adventure all over again, and this time with several big changes to the traditional production.
The pyramids of Egypt are replaced with the pyramid of The Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas and much of the "dreamer’s dreams” dreamt by Joseph are played out with much talent right there in his decidedly low luxury level Luxor hotel room, complete with an overlooking view of The Strip.
The narrator has been replaced with the amazing singular talent of Christina Bianco, a world renown singer and impersonator of our generations greatest singers. Bianco blows the audience away with technically difficult and spot on - sometimes hilarious - impersonations of Britney Spears, Cher, Liza Minelli, Shania Twain, Bernadette Peters and even Edith Piaf! Having a woman narrator with such brilliant singing skills that she becomes literally "everywoman" is a very refreshing and funny delight throughout the show.
Directed with ballsy style by Alan Souza with choreography by Grady M. Bowman, the dance numbers, which include Vegas style showgirls and Joseph’s brothers who double as "showgirls in drag" at one point, are absolutely fantastic!
The effect of the many complicated and energetic dance numbers all dressed up in Ryan Park’s modern silk and Vegas-style costumes and Claire Moore's deliciously designed wigs is one of bewildering entertainment with almost too many great dancers to take in all at once.
In another break from the traditional production, Elvis Presley was also replaced in this show with Elton John - perhaps a contemporary nod to the LGBTQ community.
Evan Alexander Smith who plays Joseph as a nerdy, confused young man fell short for me. Although Smith has a great singing voice in general, his lackluster, befuddled portrayal of Joseph left me wanting someone with more star quality at any age in that role. Unfortunately for Smith, it would probably take someone with Donny Osmond's level of sex appeal and onstage charisma to have been be able to play the essential lead role in a way that wasn't dwarfed so completely by Christine Bianco's many talents.
The musical is based on the Biblical story in Genesis of Joseph’s who receives nothing but jealously from his eleven brothers after their father, Jacob, gifts him with a colorful coat. Beaten and left for dead by his own siblings, Joseph is kidnapped up by slave traders and taken to Egypt. It is after his ability to translate dreams reaches the pharaoh, that his life takes an unexpected turn.
This production is absolutely nothing like the "Technicolor Dream Coat" Chicagoan's have been taking their kids to for decades, and at times is a bit confusing while following the quickly moving lyrics as they are now delivered in such a unique way especially by Bianco. But as an adult wanting to see a fresh, fun and sexy version of the Joseph story, I was really blown away by the blast of color, powerful sound and spectacle delivered by the entire cast and design team.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, currently being performed at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook through March 25th, is a lively musical that dazzles visually and includes all around excellent performances from its gifted cast. For more show information visit www.DruryLaneTheatre.com.
The 37th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival Returns September 20 – October 26 at Six Chicago venues
12 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreCurious Theatre Branch, with co-producers Chicago Danztheater Ensemble, Chicago Dramatists and Labyrinth Club, are pleased to announce the 37th annual Rhinoceros Theater…
Collaboraction announces two major productions at its new House of Belonging in Humboldt Park in 2026-27
12 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreCollaboraction Theatre Company announced today two major productions for its 2026-27 season: the world premiere of Chicago writer Willie Round’s…
A Red Orchid Theatre Opens 34th Season with Chicago Premiere of HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING October 29 – December 6, 2026
12 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreA Red Orchid Theatre is pleased open its 34th Season, exploring the theme of "world on fire," with the Chicago premiere of Will…
Open Space Arts to present THE SWALLOW, by Spain's Guillem Clua, September 11 - 27
12 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOpen Space Arts has announced it will stage the Chicago Premiere of THE SWALLOW - the internationally acclaimed drama by…
CHICAGO HUMANITIES announces full Fall Festival 2026 programming
11 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Humanities proudly announces the full lineup for its Fall Festival 2026, with conversations ranging from social justice, music, politics, literature, food,…
Tin Drum Theatre Company announces Chicago premiere of A Dark Wood by Eric Coble, Oct. 15–Nov. 1 at Greenhouse Theater Center
11 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTin Drum Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast and creative team for Chicago premiere for A Dark Wood, October 15 -…
Young dancers and performers invited to audition for Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker, September 10 and 13
11 August 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Joffrey Ballet holds open auditions for the Children's Cast of Christopher Wheeldon's The Nutcracker at its downtown studios in Joffrey Tower, 10 East…
Midsommer Flight to present staged reading of ADELINDA – an irreverent class comedy from 1796, at The Understudy on September 14
11 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMidsommer Flight will for the third year present a one-night-only staged reading of a play from the EXPAND THE CANON list,…
Oil Lamp Theater Presents DIAL M FOR MURDER, October 2 - November 1
11 August 2026 in Theatre BuzzOil Lamp Theater, presenting I Love You Because, August 14 - September 13, is proud to announce the cast and creative team…
Music Director/Conductor James Moore To Receive Sarah Siddons Society's "Leading Artist Award"
10 August 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Sarah Siddons Society is honored to present its 2026 Leading Artist Award to James Moore, Music Director and Conductor of Lincoln Center Theatre's…
House of the Exquisite Corpse, Chicago’s only puppet haunted house, returns with the nightmare-inducing new theme LULLABIES, October 8-November 1 at Steppenwolf’s The Merle
10 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreHouse of the Exquisite Corpse, Chicago’s one and only puppet haunted house, returns for its sixth Halloween season with a…
Red Clay Dance Company announces Season 18 programming
10 August 2026 in Upcoming DanceRed Clay Dance Company, Chicago's premier Afro-contemporary dance company, proudly announces its exciting Season 18: Spectrum programming, including Founding Artistic Director and…
Mean Girls, the hit Broadway musical getting a fierce Chicago premiere at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre, August 26-October 11
09 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBreak out your Burn Book and mark these dates: Aurora’s Paramount Theatre is launching its 15th Broadway Series with the…
American Blues Theater names Nia Akilah Robinson the recipient of the 2026 Blue Ink Award for her play Overnight at the Museum and announces featured finalists Benjamin Benne and Claire Crowley
07 August 2026 in Theatre BuzzAmerican Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the recipient of the 2026 Blue Ink Award is Nia Akilah…
Love and Time On Our Side: The Notebook: The Musical at Broadway in Chicago
06 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewIn times of stress, we often turn to familiar and comforting things: a favorite song, a dog-eared book, a movie…
9th NEXUS Chamber Music Festival - Guarneri Hall - Through August 14
06 August 2026 in Now PlayingChamber music may be one of music’s most misunderstood children. An early form of classical music, it has always been…
Otherworld Theatre's Starship Edsel - Second City’s De Maat Theatre - Through September 13
05 August 2026 in Now PlayingThis summer, the Starship Edsel boldly goes where they maybe shouldn’t go as Otherworld Theatre, Chicago’s premier destination for Science…
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company Announces Mud Row October 15 - November 15 at Theater Wit
05 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreRemy Bumppo Theatre Company is pleased to announce the cast, creative and production teams for the first production in its 2026…
Victory Gardens Theater presents the World Premiere of Zayd Ayers Dohrn's The Humanities beginning September 10th
05 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreVictory Gardens Theater (2433 N. Lincoln Avenue), an historic incubator for new play development, proudly announces the World Premiere staging of The…
Goodman Theatre Presents Dead Girl's Quinceañera September 26th Through November 1st
05 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSecrets, sisterhood and solving crime take center stage this fall in the world premiere co-production of Dead Girl's Quinceañera by Miami native…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents ADIRONDACK CHAIR CIRCLE – October 22 – December 6, 2026 – World Premiere!
04 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to continue its 51st Season with the world premiere of Chicago playwright Stephanie…
Writers Theatre celebrates record-breaking 2025/26 Season with artistic growth and unprecedented ticket sales
04 August 2026 in Theatre BuzzWriters Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Artistic Director Braden Abraham, concluded its 2025/26…
Chicago City Opera presents a Mozart double feature of The Impresario and Bastien and Bastienne August 15th & 16th
04 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago City Opera (CCO) presents an evening of two one act Mozart operas The Impresario and Bastien and Bastienne combined…
The Notebook - James M. Nederlander Theatre - Through August 16th
04 August 2026 in Now PlayingProducers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch, along with Broadway In Chicago are thrilled to announce THE NOTEBOOK, a new musical based…
Harris Theater Presents return of Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, Aug. 28
04 August 2026 in Upcoming DanceFollowing last year’s smashing sold-out engagement, the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance proudly presents the return…
Chicago Magic Lounge Welcomes Back David Parr as Fall Artist in Residence with Time Traveler October 7 – December 16
04 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Magic Lounge welcomes back acclaimed magician David Parr as its Fall Artist in Residence with David Parr: Time Traveler, a new theatrical experience…
ETA’s for colored girls Honors the Enduring Power of Ntozake Shange
04 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewNearly fifty years after its groundbreaking premiere, Ntozake Shange's for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow…
yo ho. Delivers Queer Pirate Chaos, Big Laughs, and Fierce Swordplay
03 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewA quick history lesson: Anne Bonny and Mary Read are two of history’s most famous female pirates. Both women disguised…
PrideArts' WINDOWS - Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted - Through August 23rd
03 August 2026 in Now PlayingPrideArts' 2026-27 season will open in August with the world premiere of Chicago-based playwright Matt Schutz's WINDOWS, a comedy of LGBT…
The Outsiders - Cadillac Palace - Through August 16th
03 August 2026 in Now PlayingThe Tony Award® winning Best Musical, THE OUTSIDERS, based on the seminal novel by S.E. Hinton and Francis Ford Coppola’s landmark motion picture, returns to Chicago…
Latest Articles
-
Otherworld Theatre's Starship Edsel - Second City’s De Maat Theatre - Through September 13
Written by Buzz Center StageThis summer, the Starship Edsel boldly goes where they maybe shouldn’t go as Otherworld Theatre, Chicago’s premier destination for Science Fiction and Fantasy performance, presents the premiere of Starship Edsel: Season 4. Running from August 9 through September 13 at… -
CHICAGO HUMANITIES announces full Fall Festival 2026 programming
Written by Buzz Center StageChicago Humanities proudly announces the full lineup for its Fall Festival 2026, with conversations ranging from social justice, music, politics, literature, food, poetry, photography, architecture and much more. This year’s Fall Festival spans Sept. through Nov. and offers day-long festival dates throughout three Chicago…
-
Tin Drum Theatre Company announces Chicago premiere of A Dark Wood by Eric Coble, Oct. 15–Nov. 1 at Greenhouse Theater Center
Written by Buzz Center StageTin Drum Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast and creative team for Chicago premiere for A Dark Wood, October 15 - November 1, written by Eric Coble and directed by Steve Needham, at Studio 44 in the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.…
-
The 37th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival Returns September 20 – October 26 at Six Chicago venues
Written by Buzz Center StageCurious Theatre Branch, with co-producers Chicago Danztheater Ensemble, Chicago Dramatists and Labyrinth Club, are pleased to announce the 37th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival, September 20 - October 26 at four venues across Chicago. The month-long festival of shows will kick off with a special…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.