Give Him His Colored Coat!

(Once again, sorry for the delay. When given the option between the Tonys and Any Dream Will Do, I'm sure you all understood I'd go for the Tonys--even if I ended up missing Bret Michaels' beaning himself on a piece of scenery).

Last week on "Any Dream Will Do:" It was the (not-so) live semifinals. The boys soared to new heights but in the end, Ben fell short of the final. Keith, Lee and Lewis now battle it out to be Joseph on the West End stage. Who will wear the technicolor coat? Find out on last night's (not-so) live finale!

Andrew Lloyd Webber begs the public to pick the right guy--it could make or break someone's career. Graham's voiceover tells us that now, the public is entirely in control.

Graham suit watch: Gold suit and red shirt. He welcomes us to the (not-so) live finale and introduces a children's choir. All 12 Josephs sing "Go, Go Joseph" one last time along with the children. For a while, it looked like they were showing the order the Joes were kicked off in, but that got screwed up when Rob followed Antony rather than Chris B. The Not Josephs pile their coats in Graham's arms and let our 3 finalists take center stage. Graham introduces us to the Brentwood Primary choir. For the confused Americans, the BBC ran a contest in which children choirs were allowed to submit themselves to be considered to perform at the final. The public voted for the school. Did they cut out his "They're like people only smaller" line? I loved that line! Anyway, we have our panel (Zoe Tyler, Bill Kenwright, Denise "Jazz Hands" van Outen and John Barrowman) as well as a powerless Webber. As the Phantom overture ends, the chandelier behind Webber's head falls. He then stops short of agreeing that all 3 finalists could be Joseph. Hmm.

We find out the final 3 went to...Majorca! Webber and the boys do a Bond send up, complete with Weber stroking a (fake) cat. Wait, he couldn't use one of his own? The guys enjoy thier vacation but talk about the show. Ooh, David Tennant's in the audience. I miss not having a regular Doctor Who season. Back to 2007, Graham gets in a Paris Hilton joke before we go to Lewis' package. He was so glad to get to the finale. He cried just making the final 12! He talks about the criticism, the self-doubt, the crying. But since Webber's saved him, he knows he must have something. I still think Webber and England are in a grudge match. Webber wants Lewis and the others to be showmen. You kicked the showman off last week, Webber. Anyway, Lewis sings "Kiss." All I can picture now is "Happy Feet." And he's competing with Hugh Jackman in my mind. But vocally and stage-wise, Lewis brings his A-game. I forgot Lewis is a dancer. I'd think he'd be better in a singing-and-dancing role, which Joseph isn't.

Graham contragulates Lewis on his 18th birthday and Lewis says he has to believe in himself. John liked Lewis' number but wished he had done it earlier. Bill calls hm a star and a winner. Webber says he liked Lewis' journey.

Coming Up: Zoe loves Keith.

We come back to Keith's package. He reminds us he was working in a grocery store and ended up in Joseph School. He thought he blew it when he forgot his song, but thanks them for saving him. We see praise, praise and then questions about his age. But he wants it so bad. Webber wants showman. Get used to that word. Keith sings "For Once in My Life." Well, after Ben, Keith is a great showman. It's a great performance. It's also a perfect choice for the finale.

Keith can't believe he's there and feel's lucky. Zoe says his is the voice of Joseph. She's really impressed. Denise says he can lead a West End company. She also praises the fact that his voice didn't show he was battling tonsilitis. Webber thinks he could be Joseph.

Coming Up; Denise finds Lee sexy. *Cue the Wedding March*

Lee finishes us up with his package. He reminds us that he was an understudy and was taking a great risk. We see Lee being hard on himself but then deciding to just enjoy himself. He wants to be Joseph. Webber wants showman (again) and telling a story. Lee sings "Devil in Disguise." Any surprise he's wearing black? Didn't think so. I think once my laptop is back, I'm getting this version of the song. Love it, love him! He can command the stage and tell a story.

"Meady Rocks"? Wha?

Graham calms the audience and Lee says he wants the role more than anything. John calls him a super star and a leading man. He and Graham go to Zoe for tuning issues. She says she's been hard on Lee but everything is forgiven tonight. Bill praises Lee's ability to make a song his own while Denise reminds us her future husband is sexy. Webber asks about Lee's missed note but then praises him.

Coming Up: Lewis is legal!

We get a performance recap before going back to...MAJORCA! The boys go to meet with Webber. He offers advice. He tells Lee to be a comedian, showman (again!) and singer all at once. Keith gets told to continue to show maturity and authority. Webber comments on Lewis' journey and he (Lewis) says he's grown. They all celebrate Lewis' birthday and he toasts the final three. We go back to the studios and Graham says they'll perform Big Band songs. Webber mentions the code word of the day: Shomanship. I believe you Pee-Wee's Playhouse fans know what do now.

Lewis sings "Beyond the Sea." His voice fits the Big Band era perfectly! Lewis tells the voters at he has the drive to be Joseph. Zoe comments on his vocals. She says she's proud of him. Bill mentions Nana Jean and says not to write Lewis off. Webber says that Lewis would be a young Joseph and an interesting one to watch during previews.

Coming Up: Bill thinks Lee is a West End star.

Keith sings "Moon Dance." I ask my sister if her school jazz band played this and she thinks they might have. Chris B and Ben clap along. While so far, Keith and Lewis are excelling at Big Band, I would love to see Ben tackle a song. Keith finished strong. That, ladies and gentlemen, was a power note. Keith tells the votes that he's taken direction well and he can be Joseph. Denise calls him "hot, hot, hot!" She praises his movement. John praises his ballad singing and that he's grown into a leading man. Denise calls him a young John. I'M NOT ALONE! Webber isn't as sure about Keith.

Lee gets my hometown's Big Band ballad--"New York, New York." And he does the Big Apple proud. I'm just going to drown in his vocals. Be back. That was the very definition of "showstopper." Another for the download list. Lee tells the voters that Joseph was his first show and that drives his passion. He's given up so much for the role. Bill apologizes for not recognizing Lee's talent earlier, only making him an understudy. He calls Lee a West End star. Zoe continues to just sing praises as does Webber. He thinks Lee can make any song work.

Coming Up: The first elimination Webber has no control over!

The final three perform one last time together, singing "Maria" from West "End" Story...Graham coreects himself and says "West SIDE Story." I swear, the panel turned around in unison. This Bernstein-Sondheim ballad is absolutely gorgeous even in a trio. Honestly, I think Lee and Lewis shone in that one. But now, we have ELIMINATION! Lee is the first through to the final. He celebrates. That leaves Keith and Lewis to sweat it out. The third place Joseph is...Lewis. England finally won it's second grudge match with Webber after Ben's booting. The audience loves Lewis and he thanks everyone. Lewis declines to name a winner from our final 2. Webber praises Lewis but the not Joseph sings our last "Close Every Door." Keith and Lee are joined by the children's choir. Lee and Keith struggle to get his coat off but Lewis finishes.

Bravo, sir.

Coming Up: Lee v. Keith

Graham promises us a Joseph within the next half hour. Lewis says its been an amazing experience. He thanks Webber. He joins the other Not Josephs. Graham reintroduces the panel and when he gets to Webber, they play "I've Got the Power!" "No, you don't," Graham remids him. There's another Joe pun before we get recaps of Keith's and Lee's performances. The two finalists will sing encores of their best performances. Wisely, Keith performs "Always on my Mind." It's still a lovely ballad. John's right--these are his strong suit. Paging Stephen Schwartz! Lee follows that with "Paint It Black." Duh. Once again, our poll winner! Between these two performances, it's hard to pick a winner. Good luck, 2007 England!

Coming Up: Lee's Mum!

Graham goes into the audience to talk to Keith's mother, Denise's future mother-in-law, and Jason Donovan. The mothers talk up their sons. Graham turns to Jason, who likes them both. He leaves it to the public to decide. Graham brings the 10 Not Josephs out to sing "The Boys are Back in Town." They could go on tour as their own show!

Coming Up: Bad criticisms all around!

Webber praises Tim Rice's lyrics for "Jesus Christ Superstar" and doesn't comment much after that. Keith and Lee perform the song. Sorry, Keith, I think Lee just blew you off the stage. They hug at the end as the audience goes nuts. Graham announces that the two will sing for votes no more. He sends us back on the journey. Appropriately, they play "Under Pressure" for the crying. Ooh, HOT GUYS IN LOINCLOTHES! I'm still mad at you, producers.

Coming Up: THE WINNER!

It's the moment of truth. Keith and Lee come down to hear the results. Three million votes were casted that night. And Joseph is...milking it...LEE MEAD! YES! (Alright, I knew. It's still great to see). Keith hugs Lee and then joins his family. The audience is still going nuts. Lee gets a hug from Graham. He tears up. Stop it, the show's run out of tissues. He thanks his supporters and promises a great show. Is Webber happy? Yes, he is. Graham sends Lee to get his coat and thanks Webber, John, Denise, Bill, Zoe and the band.

We finish with Lee singing "Any Dream Will Do" in his coat of many colors. The panel sings along. As do the Not Josephs. Sing it, Lee! The Not Josephs storm the stage and lift Lee hight, chanting his name.

And thus, the West End has it's star. Congrats, Lee!

Quote of the Episode:

"It's the end of the series, they'll be lots more." Graham on the Joe puns.

Well, it's the end! Happy with the results? Once again, I'll be recapping "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" I hope you all come back for those. They should start soon. Also, I will be giving updates on the Josephs, hopefully once my laptop comes back. Thanks to all those who read and commented, especially Chrissi! Thanks also to the people at the Ben James-Ellis fan website and The Stage Blog who linked to my blog and who read it.