There is a distinct bus-and-truck look to the final production of this season at the Paper Mill Playhouse. This Joseph, produced in association with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, is about to embark on a year on the road. The costumes and scenery already appear as though it's the end of the road. The cast is more than adequate, featuring such pop personalities as two Cassidys and four Osmonds.
Pop star Deborah Gibson, returning to the Paper Mill after appearing in the title role of Gypsy last season, gives a robust performance as the narrator. Her singing voice and physique always make for an attractive stage personality. Patrick Cassidy is fresh-faced, athletic and an appealing Joseph. He absolutely wows the teen and pre-teen girls who seemed to dominate the audience at a weekend performance. His wife, Melissa Hurley Cassidy, also registers well as a seductive Mrs. Potiphar, who's on-stage spouse, Scott Davidson, does a great vaudeville turn.
Of course, the showiest part is Pharaoh/Elvis, well played here by Eric Martsolf. As for all those Osmonds, this a second-generation group of Osmond brothers in secondary parts but with the same appealing smile as their elders.
Joseph was originally a thirty minute musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice written way back in their college days and has now been stretched interminably to about two hours. Its flaws are obvious, but it does have appeal to the younger set.
