Two and a half stars

Indianapolis Civic Theatre;
directed by Michael J. Lasley

The tale of Jacob’s favorite son and his 11 jealous brothers moves swiftly from frivolity to pathos to frivolity with Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice’s eminently memorable, genre-bending tunes and lyrics. Set designer Ryan Koharchik has the right idea with easily moved core pieces: a treadmill for Joseph’s journey to Egypt, prison bars that rise from the floor, floating staircases for the Elvis number and café umbrellas for “Those Old Canaan Days.” Unfortunately, Civic embraces an apparently citywide belief that audiences pay for spectacle: stage smoke, countless costume changes, choruses weaving in and out (the children’s chorus is an audience-building Joseph staple) and unwanted reprises that slow the pace. Costume designer Jean Engstrom drapes the brothers in dull robes that do little to highlight the individual sparks that come through strong harmonies and solos, but puts the female chorus through a wringer filled with nun-like dresses, rainbow-colored wigs and Cleopatra gowns. So much of it feels like a shiny bauble meant to distract audiences from what is missing. As fine as it is, Joseph Robert Doyel’s voice doesn’t have the emotional power to stir faith in an atheist, as Josephs often do. This is Marni Lemons’ fifth time playing the Narrator and yet, Sunday, her voice was unequal to the demanding range. Through Jan. 6; 317-923-4597.