48 - Wednesday, June 2, 1993 - North Shore News @ ion-stop express of fun HIS REALLY was a “coat” of many colors but | went with my SPF 40, rainbow-proof sunglasses clasped firmly to my short-sighted eyes. {was disposed to hate foseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for ail the usual reasons. This year’s version of Les Swizz at $30 a pop ($70 if you own a gown you simply must show the back of) was just another touring mega-musical that had been re- lentlessly (which is another way of saying excellently) hyped for close to a year. lt had a script that, despite its biblical origins, has nothing to say about religion for fear of offending anyone. And praduction starring Donny Osmond for God's (New Testa- ment, gentler, kinder version) sake. . All ! was looking forward to was the surprise guest appearance of sister Marie as some sort of virgin namesake. So much for the open-minded critic. Things got off to a predictable start. Fifty rainbow-coordinated kids (winners of a local talent search alternate through the run) and Narrator Janet Metz, who is just so cute she should have her own sit-com on CBC, sang the pro- logue. It consisted of one line: “La, la, la, Ja, Joseph. fs it really true?’ {t got a round of applause. I gritted my teeth and waited for Donny’s. As the gentleman in the row behind remarked, there is a dentist somewhere in Omaha who has retired on the proceeds of Don- ny’s teeth. Now, maybe | was dazzled by the reflected light, but | began to pay attention. Martin Millerchip THEATRE REVIEW Osmond sings well, the sound was surprisingly well balanced be- tween artist and orchestra and he actually seemed to be having a good time without taking himself too seriously. In fact, the ‘‘not too serious’ approach began to win me over. Joseph's brothers cry pious crocodile tears while they sell Jacob (Michael Fletcher) the story that Joseph must have been torn apart by a wild goat before celebrating like Stompin’ Tom Connors tied to a jackhammer. Potiphar (the ubiquitous Fletcher again) is a mincingly hilarious Egyptian snob who enfolds joseph to his family’s bosom before Mrs. Potiphar does the same — literally. The staging incorporates a number of sight gags that make a witty virtue out of the minimalism of necessity. (A conveyer belt rolls Jacob's flock of assorted stuffed sheep across stage and later brings them back as skeletons in time of fam- ine.) The costumes are spectacular and the choreography never less than energetic. Intermission came and | had to admit | was enjoying the show, al- though the trite rhymes ef Rice still Davies backs The Wild Guys “ACTOR JACKSON Davies liked the script of The Wild Guys so much he bought the film rights to it, “tread it and it was wonderful, 1 asked them (husband-and-wife writing team Andrew Wreggitt and Rebecca Shaw) if they could make it into a two-act play and took it to (Arts Club Theatre direc- tor) Bill Millerd. Then | thought hey, this is so good, a friend and | bought the film rights to a." The Wild Guys, a humorous look at the men’s movement, received its world premiere at the Arts Club Revue Theatre Tuesday, May 25. Uavies stars as the beer- brandishing Stewart, who is un- aware that his weekend away with the boys will revolve around psychology, not beer. Once the stage play is over, Davies plans to faunch head-first into the film. “We workshopped this in L.A. and all the sitcom actors were lin- ing up to do it. All the parts are good. Now | have to put my money and my product where my mouth is and get the best people | can.” The Wild Guys runs to July 3. resounded emptily: “Situation’s grave. Soon to bea slave. And the jail sequence still seemed con- trived. Bul even these remaining: quib- bles were steamrolled by the sheer energy, flash and fun of the se- cond act. Johnny Seaton’s blue-suede shoed Pharaoh took no prisoners. The brothers resorted to the cheesiest of Maurice Chevalier ac- cents to lament Those Canaan Days before a nifty adagio that was not Guite nasty enough to live up to its Apache label. And out of nowhere in this multi-ethnic rainbow of musical styles bounced the happiest calyp- so you could wish to lap along to. Choral climaxes resounded stirr- ingly and at the close of Any Dream Will Do | was almost will- ing to join the majority on their feet for the curtain calls. But then there was the encore. A 20-minute recap highlighting the strengths of this production. A non-stop express of rock ‘n‘ roll color and infectious melody that acknowledged the show’s late ‘60s roots. What a gas! I stood and cheered with everyone else. f FACTORY j 2NO's Brown 99¢ each 2 mic < os mayo Photo Michael Cocper DONNY OSMOND as Joseph and Janet Metz (rear) star in the highly energetic and colorful production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. 3 > } " I Bees. Factory oir Quantities Limited car for those with champagne taste and a premium ale budget. infiniti G20 Created by Nissan The Infiniti G20 is without doubt the best value in the luxury sports sedan segment. On the road, itisclearly rhe match of cars with far more famous reputations. And far more sizable price tags. Right now, the G20 is specially priced ac $24,335. Which makes the need to see your Infiniti representative all the more pressing. Smart people alwoys read the fine print. 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