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SALT LAKE CITY — Last night I had the privilege to attend opening night of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” performed by the Youth Stage at The Children’s Theatre. What certainly could have been an amateur and trite evening at the theatre proved to be another reason why The Children’s Theatre is quickly becoming one of my favorite stages in Salt Lake City.

Youth Stage is a performance-based class comprised of students ages 8-18. I was very impressed with the quality of the final product and while a 90 minute show can be taxing on the performer these young students really did a wonderful job. It was very easy to see how much work had gone into the development of each character.  Particularly fun were the two actors who played Potiphar and his wife. Another wonderful surprise was when Pharaoh jumped onstage, grabbed his electric guitar, and started accompanying his own song with a bass player on one side and Joseph on the other playing the drums.  Throughout the whole show the cast was having a blast performing and that energy was infectious. There were no weak performers. I’d like to go again and bring my whole family (if my schedule allows).

The show was not without flaws, but these were primarily technical issues that will have certainly been resolved before this response to the show posts.  I’m excited to see what this young group of performers has in store for Utah in the next decade.

Admittedly I’m a newbie when it comes to the Theatre for Young Audiences scene.  However, the Children’s Theatre in SLC has set such a high level of performance that I’m very excited to search out more companies across Utah exploring the medium of theatre made by youth for youth.  They really have set the bar high.  If you have kids interested in getting involved in theatre I would definitely recommend taking a look at the classes offered at this little gem in downtown SLC.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays through March 6 with multiple showtimes. Performances take place in The Children’s Theatre, located at 237 South State Street in downtown Salt Lake City. Tickets are $8. For more information call (801) 532-6000 or buy tickets online at TCTheatre.org.

If you’d like more information on the Youth Stage at The Children’s Theatre visit TCTheatre.org/youthstage.html.

About Dave Mortensen

Dave Mortensen has written 38 article(s) on this blog.

Dave is an independent producer, and advocate for Utah theater, based in Salt Lake City. He holds a BA in Theatre Studies from Brigham Young University with an emphasis in directing and dramaturgy. Dave is a co-founder of Mortal Fools Theatre Project in Provo, and the founder of UtahTheaterBloggers.com. By day, Dave can be found working for a software company helping businesses go paperless.

  • http://www.peckofpickled.blogspot.com AmberWaves

    Hey, awesome! I’m glad to hear that it went well. Wouldn’t it have been great to do theater when you were a kid?

  • Brad G. Maurer

    I attended the closing performance of this show. Wow, what a delight! The production values were high, the acting, singing, and directing were superb. The costumes were gorgeous. The set for this small arena stage was vibrant. The energy level of these excellent young actors was through the ceiling. I found myself smiling in delight from opening to closing, tapping my toes, and more than fully entertained. The music rocked. Kudos to each young actor, from the narrators to Pharaoh to the brothers to Joseph himself. This show deserves an extended run. Everyone deserves a chance to see it. The Children’s Theater is a gem in the midst of downtown. It’s the best kept secret in town!

  • GordanR

    This was the best show at the Childrens theatre i have seen all year, all of the young Actors where dedicated to the show and we as the audience knew that! Mr. Austin Smith who played Joseph outstanding vocals! to bad on opening night he was sick but i had the opportunity to go back and seethe show a second time, it was better the second because his voice was Fresh and Vibrant and young but Was vocally trained by the right people he moved really well on stages and acting was phenominal to watch it was a real treat to see him Act, Dance,and Sing and play? yes play Smith was a mad man on the drums and on stage you dont see an actor play the drums on stage much this kid is one of a kind i hope to see him go on and on in the theatre world because he will achieve great things. I had the Chance to Talk to Austin and ask him what he was doing with his life and ask him how did he get in to the show? Mr. Smiths response was. ” When i heard that the Childrens theatre was doing Joseph i was thrilled to see an actual musical performed on this stage its something i have wanted to happen all year from doing play after play it is good to get something fresh and something challenging to work on and have a great Cast to work with and get to play drums on stage. its one of the better show i have been inn.” Austin is not returning to the childrens theatre because of his Studies he is going to Western Wyoming for an A.F.A in musical theatre! Smith wasn't the only one that i was impressed with all of the brothers were outstanding. Young Charlie Junkins as Asher who also did the solo for Benjiman Calypso very funny and very talented young man i ask him if he had done any other musicals at all that was his first one! All the Brothers connected with one another it was great to see a show with young actors who cared about what they were doing and loved what they were doing and to see the hard work out of 8 to 18 year olds. The Narrators where only 14 years old and they were up on the block to say they were one of the best i have seenin a long time and was great to talk with them and ask them how it was performing this role they said it was one of there favorite roles yet. Ms. Annie Cowden said “I am glad to be apart of this show i hope they extend it because it is dear to my heart and it is a wonderful time being able to see great young actors perform together and have so much fun and love what they do. I can say i have never seen so much dedication to a show it was a real thrill to go twice to the same show and see how much joy and happiness it brought to the young actors. Sorry for this long comment this was a short review and i wanted to share with all of you! And make sure you understand how these young actors feel and how much hard work and effort they put in to a Show!

  • SMITHAJ

    Hey thanks Gordan! I hope you know that The childrens theatre has the best shows in the state and am very pleased to have worked with them. But please next time dont post what i am going to do with my life now people know and its scary! Just thank you for the nice comments! I KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!!!

  • SMITHAJ

    Hey thanks for the Nice comment i dont know who you are but that is really scary that you know all my info…..