Product: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 4.0
over-produced, but fun
It is pretty rare that Broadway shows get released on home video ("Cats" and "Victor/Victoria" come to mind), so rejoice in the video and DVD release of this jubilant show. I saw this on Broadway in 1982 with Andy Gibb's understudy in the lead, and it was a wonderful, fun time. This DVD version is a somewhat more visually elaborate version of the glitz-and-glam revival from a few years back, and sometimes it feels a bit too glitzy and glammy. But the performances are top-notch, and thanks to camera close-ups you can clearly see how much the cast members are enjoying themselves and having fun. Good for all ages, despite some semi-provacative clothing the dancers wear. Catchy songs, lively performances, often witty lyrics. However, viewers won't get the sense of spontaneity that comes with live perfornance. This is more of a long-form music video than a filmed stage show, and we are the less fortunate for it. This show is, by origin, a theater piece. To not get that "live in one-take" energy is a shame. But the show is still fun to watch on TV.