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Musical Theatre West asks an hour or two of your time at Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, California from July 10 – 26, 2026 to tell the tale of a dreamer like you. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” commands an audience to share the Biblical story in musical form with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Just as the original musical was inspired by the music of the late 1960s and early 1970s during its initial inception, director Larry Raben spins a refreshing twist on the beloved Biblical retelling of Joseph from The Book of Genesis. The show begins with a school teacher collecting smart phones from the peppy children before embellishing in the story of Joseph. The show’s spectrum expands beyond splashes of colors on a dreamy coat reaching a pallet of sound for the ears.
While those already familiar with the show’s mixed use of genres from rock, pop, country, and Calypso, this standout production interweaves contemporary flairs for today’s audience. Stitched within its twining threads lay musical stylings of Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, South Korean boy band BTS, K-pop, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Drake, Justin Timberlake, Bad Bunny, Harry Styles, and Pharrell Williams. The opening with the school children glued to their smart phones appear all the more sensible.
The Narrator (Daebreon Poiema) retells the life of Joseph (Brian Justin Crum) as the favored of twelve sons of Jacob (Harrison White). This favoritism stems from being born of Jacob’s favorite wife and thus gifted a coat of colors. The brothers do not take kindly to this gesture of love and exasperated with Joseph’s dreams of arrogance and power. The brothers collaborate to throw Joseph down a pit but instead sell him into slavery. A knee-slapping hoedown celebrates Joseph’s demise after Jacob is told his favorite son has become “One More Angel in Heaven”. Wealthy slave owner Potiphar (Harrison White) imprisons Joseph believing to have made advances of his wife.
Joseph is drained of faith and trust wanting to shut down and “Close Every Door”. As luck would have it, the Pharaoh (Kenneth Mosley) calls upon Joseph to interpret a dream he had. Joseph foresees famine and is bestowed to save Egypt from starvation. Jacob’s sons seek aid from Pharaoh’s number two unknowing of Joseph’s rise to power. After witnessing his brother’s regret and remorse, he finds forgiveness of their despicable treachery.
Devoted fans will find joy with the refreshing take of the beloved classic. Many regional theater production companies in Los Angeles and Orange Counties have been recently been challenging themselves to attract new and younger audience with reviving old favorites. Musical Theatre West is no exception captivating the timeless scope of “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat” between generations young and old. My main familiarity of the musical is the well-known 1999 Donny Osmond film adaptation.
At the time, I was not impressed. But I know many others have a closer attachment to the musical than I could ever find myself. For those who follow the Bible, will be even more infatuated with the musical interpretation come to life on stage. The mix of genres from the 1960s and 1970s to post 2000 keeps the story pace lively and light through dreadful and adult story beats.
The energetic dance number between Jacob’s sons and their wives for a rootin’ tootin’ hoedown after selling their brother for slavery and lying how he was killed was an ironic and unexpected visual spectacle I didn’t know I wanted.
“Close Every Door” is a sorrowful but immediate highlight. The children’s chorus adds so much to the emotional impact. Such powerful and iconic vocals from Brian Justin Crum and the talented young chorus. The mood brightens up with the go-to Andrew Lloyd Webber music of “Go, Go, Go, Joseph” and never lets down. A splash of “wow” to be profoundly found. Be sure to stay for “Megamix” at the end of the show encapsulating all the catchy tunes and sweeping melodies.
Just like the musical numbers, the costumes also follow a wide range of textures. From individual colors for each wife with sparkling skirts, flashy country western, black pleather, urban fits, and more. The whites during “Megamix” is reminiscent of the ending to “it’s a small world” at Disneyland. Even the camel costume unlocked nostalgia to the Aladdin musical from Disney’s California Adventure. It’s been curious to spot the dreamcoat itself looking more colorful in programs and promotions compared to what’s found in the final product on stage. Take heed and do not dismiss the strobe light warning. Eyes can be quite strained as the lighting corresponds to naming the colors of the dreamcoat.
With the show having very little dialogue, some areas of the story can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the biblical scripture. Joyful, fun, and catchy without being too religious or preachy given its source material. The drama may seem downplayed by the end. But the musical splendor of the show is inspiring enough to do personal research on missing context to reveal any dramatic undertones. Which makes returning to the musical all the more meaningful.
Go, go, go see “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” from Musical Theatre West at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, California. Now dreaming from July 10 – 26, 2026. For more information including ticket sales, visit https://musical.org/
Photos by Photographer: Jason Niedle
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