Blind Prophecy

I went last night to see a preview performance of the Salt Lake Mens Choir’s (all-male) staging of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the unofficial state musical of Utah. I really liked it. I’ve seen more stagings of Joseph that I can remember, but this was one of the better versions. They put a lot of focus on the reunion scene between Joseph and his family (paralleling Joseph’s forgiveness of his family to the experience many gay and lesbian people have in trying to reconcile with their own families) and it’s the first time I’ve ever teared up at Joseph.

The character of Joseph was played by Rev. Matthew Cochrum – who was the minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden until last weekend. He’s moving to Chicago to take a new position after the show is over. I think that’s a shame. He’s talented and dynamic and interesting and we’re going to miss him. Also, it’s a good thing he’s a UU minister, because during the show when he made puppy dog eyes at different characters or the audience, I was more than ready to come to Jesus… or some other religious belief structure of my choosing. Rev. Matt is, to put it honestly, hawt! Too bad he’s already partnered off to Chad. Where can I meet a hot, talented, single, gay Unitarian Universalist minister of my own?

My one complaint about the production… through no fault of their own, some of the soloists got lost behind the choir. Most notably, the Pharoah. The group is trained as a choir and that’s great, but they need to put microphones on a few of the key characters.

I really, really want to get back into doing theater. It only takes a night out like that remind me how wonderful and fun it can be.

Filed under: livejournal by Jere Keys