Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

The story is based on the Biblical story of Joseph, found in the Book of Genesis. It is set in a frame in which a narrator is telling a story (sometimes to children, encouraging them to dream). She then tells the story of Joseph, another dreamer (“Prologue,” “Any Dream Will Do”). In the beginning of the main story Jacob and his 12 sons are introduced (“Jacob and Sons”). Joseph’s brothers are jealous of him for his coat of many colours, a symbol of their father’s preference for him (“Joseph’s Coat”). It is clear from Joseph’s dreams that he is destined to rule over them (“Joseph’s Dreams”). To get rid of him and prevent the dreams from coming true, they attempt fratricide, but then they sell Joseph as a slave to some passing Ishmaelites (“Poor, Poor Joseph”), who take him to Egypt.

Back home, his brothers, led by Reuben and accompanied by their wives, break the news to Jacob that Joseph has been killed. They show his tattered coat smeared with his blood – really goat blood – as proof that what they say is true (“One More Angel in Heaven”). After the bereft Jacob leaves, the brothers and their wives happily celebrate the loss of Joseph.

In Egypt, Joseph is the slave of Egyptian tycoon Potiphar. He rises through the ranks of slaves and servants until he is running Potiphar’s house. When Mrs. Potiphar makes advances, Joseph spurns her. She removes his shirt, feels his chest and back, squeezes his rear and blows him kisses. Potiphar overhears, barges in, sees the two together – and jumps to conclusions (“Potiphar”). Outraged, he throws Joseph in jail. Depressed, Joseph laments the situation (“Close Every Door”) – but his spirits rise when he helps two prisoners put in his cell. Both are former servants of the Pharaoh and both have had bizarre dreams. Joseph interprets them. One cellmate, the Baker, will be executed, but the other, the Butler, will be returned to service. Upon hearing this, the rest of the prisoners surround Joseph and encourage him to go after his dreams (“Go, Go, Go Joseph”).

Cast & Crew

Joseph
  (July – September 1974)
Pharoah
  (July – September 1974)
Young Zebulun
  (July – September 1974)

Photographs

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Observations

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