Theatre Three's Latest Musical Rocks!

Tired of Long Island’s long, cold, drab winter? Are you in the mood for some hot desert fun? Then head on down to Port Jefferson’s Theatre Three and catch a dazzling production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," which runs now through March 21.

This critically-acclaimed musical comedy, by the blockbuster team of Tim Rice and Andrew Llyod Webber, is the kind of fun and entertaining show the whole family can enjoy.

Based on a re-imagining of the biblical “coat of many colours," this is the story of Joseph and his adversarial relationship with his eleven brothers, as a direct result of his father’s obvious favoritism. The timeless theme of sibling rivalry is one we can all relate to. Told through songs, this show employs many musical styles, including: country, rock ‘n’ roll, bubble-gum pop, and calypso. With the help of the singing/dancing Narrator, the story retells the trials and tribulations that Joseph endures as he struggles to save Egypt and make his way back home.

First conceived as a fifteen-minute "pop cantata" in 1968, this show received its first amateur stage productions in the United States in 1970. Theatre Three’s decision to revise this much beloved classic on the 50th anniversary of the first American premieres is truly cause for celebration!

Before I go on to rave about the amazing cast, let me take a moment to give a big shout-out and a loud bravo to the incredible members of the live orchestra: Gregory P. Franz, Dave Grudzinski, Don Larsen, Jeff Lange, Bill Kinslow, Josh Ganci, John Derricco, and Marni Harris. They brought their A-game to the show and kept the audience grooving from the overture right through to the rousing finale.

The cast and the entire ensemble performed with expert precision, both vocally and with every dance move they made. A great deal of credit for the tremendous success of this production belongs to director, Jeffrey Sanzel, who always puts his entire heart, soul, and mind into everything he does. Staging a production of this magnitude isn’t easy, and just keeping traffic moving and keeping track of the who, what, where and when of it all – is a great accomplishment in and of itself.

Sari Feldman portrays the Narrator, a high-energy role, because this character really is the engine that drives the action ever forward and pulls the entire production together. Ms. Feldman has tremendous stage presence, a great voice, perfect comedic timing, and her dance numbers … well … they were bursting with razzmatazz.

C.J. Russo turned in an exceptional performance as Joseph, a demanding role, and his delivery of the ballad, “Close Every Door,” was incredibly moving. When he dons the magnificent “coat of many colours,” Mr. Russo preens around the stage like a proud peacock, allowing the audience to relish the moment.

Douglas J. Quattrock was brilliant in both roles he portrayed: Jacob and Potiphar. Mr. Quattrock is a very charismatic performer and he knows how to get the most out of any comedic bit.

Kyle Breitenbach as the Butler and Ryan Worrell as the baker both gave strong performances that got some really big laughs.

There are so many show-stopping numbers in this production, but my personal favorites were: “One More Angel in Heaven,” where Joseph’s brothers had the audience in stitches with their country-western, cowboy antics; “Potiphar,” with Nicole Bianco, an ultra-talented dancer, performing a riveting and sexy Egyptian dance number; “Benjamin Calypso,” where Londel Collier, as Judah, practically stole the show as he bounced around the stage; Steven Uihlein, as Simeon, was hilarious as he spoofed his way through the French ballad, “Those Canaan Days,” and the over-the-top, Elvis-as-Pharaoh parody, where Andrew Lenahan rocked the house, leaving the audience hooting and howling.

The rest of the ensemble was superb – singing, dancing, and filling the stage with their electrifying presence: Melanie Acampora, Chris Brady, Darren Clayton, Julia Durfee, Eric J. Hughes, Haley Justine, Heather Rose Kuhn, Michelle LaBozzetta, Tara Shaw, Courtney Sullivan, Kiernan Urso, and Alyssa Montes.

Kudos to the entire children’s choir. Their lively presence added greatly to the overall success of the show. The members of this outstanding choir are: Anna Bolze, Kaylee Castrogiovanni, Allison Creighton, Ellie Dunn, Alexa Eichinger, Julie Friedman, Skye Greenberg, David Lafler, Edward Langston, Riley Margaret Levine, Samantha Reichers, Michaela Reis, Leah Romero, Cameron Turner, Addyson Urso, Kaylin Zeidler, and Lily Rose Zeidler.

The visionary creative team includes: musical direction by Gregory P. Franz, choreography by Jean P. Sorbera, scenic design by Randall Parsons, costume design by Ronald Green, III, lighting design by Robert W. Henderson, Jr., sound design by Tim Haggerty, and the production stage manager was Melissa Troxler.

This is an ebullient production, with spectacular costumes and dazzling song and dance numbers, guaranteed to give you an intense adrenaline rush!

The show runs now through March 21. For tickets, call (631) 928-9100 or buy them online: Ticket sales for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright, and the author of two spiritual self-help books, "Grant Me a Higher Love," and "Why Good People Can't Leave Bad Relationships." Her full-length romantic comedy, "Angel's Mice and Men," just had its world premiere at the Hudson Guild Theater as part of the NY Summerfest 2019 Theater Festival.