A musical based on Cam Floria’s cantata, "Dreamer: What Really Happened to Joseph," at its apex, Trumpets’ "Joseph the Dreamer" ran for three hours, had a cast of close to 50 actors and chorus members onstage, a support crew of 40 backstage, and over 10,000 people in the audience.

For this scaled-down version, writer/director Freddie Santos reworked the script to speak to a younger audience.

The idea was to present a tighter and shorter show without compromising its message of forgiveness and reconciliation. After all, it’s the message, Santos avers, that helps to explain the show’s enduring appeal.

"I think everyone has a closure issue or a separation issue. And many of them, in watching Joseph, if nothing else, they realize that it is possible to forgive, to reconcile," Freddie explained.

Freddie added that he and the entire cast are not out to put a great show but rather to "…have a great bunch of people connect with a great bunch of audience" (sic).

"If all they could do in the end is smile then that’s fine by me. I just want to make sure that we connect. It doesn’t matter if they saw great talent but what matters is that they take home something."

Well, it’s a good thing that Santos doesn’t set the bar too high because this is the chamber version, a relatively low-budget show devoid of magnificent street-scenes, eyepopping special effects, or high-powered production numbers.

For those used to previous versions of "Joseph the Dreamer," this SM Megamall version might be a bit of a letdown.

But then again, despite its location in Cinema 4, and with it, all the challenges of staging a musical in a physical space that was not designed for live performances, Trumpets still knocks itself out to come up with a show with more verve and vigor than you’d expect at these prices. Fair enough.

With Franco Laurel and Alvin dela Peña alternating in the lead role of Joseph, the show labors to make up for the lack of production flair with the overwrought energy of its young cast.

To keep the younger members of the audience occupied and hopefully attentive to the most important part of Joseph the Dreamer — its message — Freddie defaults to his signature approach of combining musical theatre with concert-style execution.

So, with a little bit of hip-hop, a little rap — albeit with a retro 80’s style rhythm — and something reminiscent of a Motown groove, we are led through the journey of "Joey" the Dreamer… with mixed results.

And with everyone in the cast playing on different levels of camp, in its weaker moments, this version of "Joseph the Dreamer" takes on an awkward, improvised quality but thankfully has its share of memorable poetic moments.

For those who’ve never been to the show, or to any professional play or musical for that matter, "Joseph the Dreamer" is a fun romp and an uncomplicated introduction to the theater. And with tickets priced at R350 and R250, it’s a decent bang for the buck.

Trumpets’ new production of "Joseph the Dreamer" runs every weekend from now until Sept. 30, at SM Megamall.