When I first heard of this title, my initial reaction was, “A musical based on the Ten Commandments? What?!” However, I must admit that this production works very well. The costumes are great, the acting is very good, and the singing is not only great but the songs are actually catchy and fit the story well. Val Kilmer is not the strongest singer in this musical, but he can sing, and that in itself was a bit of a surprise to me. The special effects are also quite good for a play, with literal fire used for the burning bush scene, and with drop away floor sets and some good use of a screen on which various images are displayed.
The only minor criticisms I have is that God’s voice sounds like a combination of two voices singing, which was odd and not dramatic. And Pharaoh and Moses sing a song near the end about being brothers. Considering Pharaoh’s ending, it seemed out of place that they were really buddies all along. Yet the overall production shines, and makes this story contemporary in a way which does not harm its history.
The content area makes this one suitable for ages twelve and above, as there is some strong sexual innuendo and dancing during the golden calf scene, when Moses is away on Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. The story wraps up on a peak and there is sustained applause for some time. Kilmer and Earley stand out as Moses and Ramses, as does Lauren Kennedy, who portrays the queen, Nefertari.