Patrick Cassidy was arguably the worst Joseph I have seen in the role. He made Joseph very arrogant and cocky; totally reversing the meaning of the show's moral - no matter who you are or how different people may make you seem, your dreams can come true ("Anyone from anywhere can make it...").
I saw the tour when it came to Baltimore - and the show itself was not bad, just Cassidy. I felt Amy Adams sang the role incredibly well, but her direction just didn't allow her to do anything but sing, and then leave the stage. Aside from Cassidy (and the fact that he is STILL TOO OLD to play the role), the show is great; but can't imagine why they recorded it...
If you're going with a quality recording - the original with Tim Rice playing the Narrator is truest to the original Cantata/London version, while Laurie Beechman/Bill Hutton is the original Broadway version. For revivals - Donny Osmond had a few keys changed to make him sound better (and he is the best Joseph of all those recorded - although Sam Harris blew him out of the water...); Michael Damian is boring; Jason Donovan does nothing special...
I would like to see if anyone ever recorded DAVID Cassidy as Joseph back in the show's original run. THAT would be great to hear.
And if she'll say, "My darling, I'm yours!" I'll throw away my striped tie and my best pressed tweed, all I really need is the girl...
