North Shore Music Theatre's "Joseph": A Lively, Splendid, and Vibrant Production

Any dream will do. 

North Shore Music Theatre stages “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” It tells the biblical story of Joseph and his extraordinary gift for interpreting dreams. Through a series of surprising twists, Joseph rises to power in Egypt, ultimately reuniting with his family. 

NSMT’s “Joseph” is a splendid, lively, and visually captivating musical. For my second time seeing a “Joseph” show, NSMT’s performance made me realize how important this show is. This biblical telling enforces a story to younger audiences about keeping your dreams alive and guiding your own way.

Nikita Burshteyn plays Joseph. His performance is warm and humble, and he plays the role with unwavering kindness. Burshteyn sang “Close Every Door” with gentle elegance. Joseph undergoes several turmoils in the story, but he never becomes mean-spirited. The lesson of Joseph’s story is to choose reconciliation over revenge.  

NSMT’s show featured a multitude of supporting roles, featured dancers, and a children’s choir. Olivia Valli takes audiences through the tale as the narrator. She has a lovely singing voice and vibrant energy. 

Brent Thiessen was a standout as the Pharaoh. He tracks his inner Elvis impersonation very well, down to the hip swivels. The Pharaoh puts on quite a concert. My favorite part is when Thiessen travels into the audience for some memorable interaction. 

As I have said, and will continue to say, no small part exists in the theater. What made this production so amazing was the cast's spirit. 

Eric Jordan Young brought Jacob to life, infusing a patriarch and gentle warmth. Whether playing one of Joseph’s twelve brothers or Egyptians, the ensemble made the world of the show feel alive and colorful. Each actor playing Joseph’s brothers added funny moments to play off one another in scenes. 

Each show has two sets of children’s choirs. Their youthful energy is a highlight. My favorite moment was when Joseph pointed to each child in song. 

Gerry McIntyre’s storytelling was vibrant and engaging, blending humor and heartfelt moments. He created a production that was both visually spectacular and emotionally resonant. Biblical stories like “Joseph” are so important, especially for younger audiences. Productions like “Joseph” remind families that classic biblical stories are still relevant and entertaining. 

No show ever goes on without a technical crew. NSMT’s stage is transformed into a vibrant rainbow that echoes the iconic technicolor coat. It established a playful storybook atmosphere. 

Rebecca Glick accommodated colorful and dazzling costumes. Each costume gave characters a distinctive identity. Combined with the lighting, scenic elements, and smooth transitions, the technical elements elevated every scene. They truly brought the magic to the stage. 

Led by music director Robert L. Rucinski and a live orchestra, “Joseph” is entirely sung, with few dialogue sequences. The cast’s voices echoed beautifully in the NSMT auditorium, featuring songs “Any Dream Will Do,” “One More Angel in Heaven,” “Song of the King,” and “Go, Go, Go, Joseph.”

This is only my second time seeing a “Joseph” show, and the first time I saw it, the moral really spoke to me. The show’s message encourages audiences to seek confrontations in methods that are genuine to their hearts. 

Don’t stoop to someone else’s level. The path you take is more worthy than revenge. With everything going on in the world right now, this is an important moral for younger audiences to learn.

It’s a good idea to research the show before seeing it to understand the story. NSMT’s production is a fun story for the whole family. Audiences laughed and marveled in delight. The show ends on Sunday, July 19. Get tickets and enjoy a night out at the theater.